You can learn basic conversational Mandarin in a few weeks. Get Pimsleur, it's BY FAR the most effective way to learn the basics of a spoken language that I'm aware of.
Also, Google Translate is most certainly blocked here. At least the app on my XiaoMi phone doesn't work.
How much are Pimsleur paying you?
Pimsleur is not that great. It's an option.It really depends on how you as an individual in picking up languages. Some people have a natural knack for it. 2 weeks is not enough. Plus many Chinese here don't speak pure Putonghua.
@Viborg
Google translate is most certainly accessible here. But don't let facts stand in the way of your sales pitch.
@Napolean. You use Google translate without a VPN? If so, what phone and os?
I usually just go to:
translate.google.cn/?hl=en
Works for me.
@nap
Thanks for the link. Google services always been spotty for me.
FYI google.cn is actually a redirect out of HK, so sometimes it works, sometimes not.
baidu is china hosted, so if you can't get to it, it's usually just a heavy traffic issue.
Same, thanks for link. The app is always blocked. Didn't know about .cn site of Google translate.
Jian Shui - www.gokunming.com/[...]
Yuan Yang - UNESCO - www.gokunming.com/en/forums/thread/8889/yuanyang_travel
