Back in September I started thinking that I really needed to start studying colloquial Amdo Tibetan. I learned a little during the summer, but I thought it would be good to improve as much as I could before D came back to Chengdu. Read More
Showing all posts tagged Language Learning
Classical Tibetan Notes
I first started learning classical Tibetan back in April I think. I can’t quite remember at the moment, but I have been extremely lucky with the fact a good friend’s fiancé, L, became my teacher and friend through this course. We could have done the book a lot faster as it is only 7 lessons, but my friend, V, and I have our work schedules and our teacher has his university schedule to work around to allow us to meet up once a week. We took a break from classes during the summer as we were all in different places and on vacation and we missed a few weeks of class in October as our teacher had to head to a conference in America and spent some time seeing family. We are also taking a brief interlude now as he is in Nepal, teaching at Ranjung Yeshi University and doing a meditation retreat. We will have one more class before my friend Veronika leaves to move to Nepal for 6 months and with that the book will be finished!
Learn Oral Spelling
During January, I was lucky enough to meet someone who was willing to take the time to teach me Tibetan. We started from the very beginning again. My tutor told me that in order to get better I had to practice spelling every word over and over. Read More
Language Envy
Sometimes I experience what I call as language envy. In many ways I am in awe of the person in front of me, who as an outsider of a culture, has learned another language and appears to be able to partake in conversation even if it is slow or with hiccups. I look at myself and think will that be me one day? Can I too speak at the same level confidently in this language? Why didn’t I start earlier? I should really start studying. All these thoughts enter my head at once and I think that this must be envy, haha. Read More
Learning to Read Tibetan
In September, I slacked a lot on my progress to learn Tibetan. This month I set out with a goal to be able to read somewhat. That means I don’t have to be perfect, but I should have an idea without feeling too overwhelmed. I haven’t studied the first chapter in my book thoroughly, because I was a bit lazy with it.
Read More