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I'm not so sure about the Chinese-style beating. At least use a structured approach; Chinese characters aren't random strokes, they have rules and history, and

by ramchip 16y ago

I'm not so sure about the Chinese-style beating. At least use a structured approach; Chinese characters aren't random strokes, they have rules and history, and learning it can help your memory a lot (especially if you're like me - I just can't memorize something I don't "understand"). The Japanese version of this book is quite well-known and I found it helpful: http://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Traditional-Hanzi-Meaning-Characters/dp/0824833244 http://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Traditional-Hanzi-Meaning-... (this is the trad. Chinese version)

Jd 16y ago
I mean beating figuratively. Spending a lot of time each day doing something that might be perceived as uninteresting and menial is largely a matter of personal discipline, but this discipline can be imposed (or amplified) by the environment you are in.
- ramchip 16y ago
  > I mean beating figuratively Haha, don't worry, I know this. I've seen people beat themselves into doing what I consider an extremely boring way of studying, telling themselves "there's no other way". My point is that using a method that stimulates your imagination, or links the character to words, or explains how it got its shape, helps a lot to make things interesting and meaningful compared to studying it "in the vacuum". Discipline and time are always required, but some methods make it less painful. My impression is that most people don't spend enough time to plan their studies. They take a class, get told "you must know these 50 characters for next week", and then just learn them with almost no context, pure raw memorization. After trying this, many people think they "don't have the temperament", like you said. My point is, sometimes it is, but more often than not I'd put it on bad methodology. It's possible to make it more interesting and learn them without a flogging ;)
  - Jd 16y ago
    IMO it is both/and not either/or. Flogging + making things as interesting as possible. As I suggested on the other branch, I highly recommend calligraphy as, in my experience, appreciating the beauty of the characters helps with retention. Unfortunately getting good at calligraphy also takes time and effort...

by ramchip 16y ago

Jd 16y ago

I mean beating figuratively. Spending a lot of time each day doing something that might be perceived as uninteresting and menial is largely a matter of personal discipline, but this discipline can be imposed (or amplified) by the environment you are in.

ramchip 16y ago
> I mean beating figuratively Haha, don't worry, I know this. I've seen people beat themselves into doing what I consider an extremely boring way of studying, telling themselves "there's no other way". My point is that using a method that stimulates your imagination, or links the character to words, or explains how it got its shape, helps a lot to make things interesting and meaningful compared to studying it "in the vacuum". Discipline and time are always required, but some methods make it less painful. My impression is that most people don't spend enough time to plan their studies. They take a class, get told "you must know these 50 characters for next week", and then just learn them with almost no context, pure raw memorization. After trying this, many people think they "don't have the temperament", like you said. My point is, sometimes it is, but more often than not I'd put it on bad methodology. It's possible to make it more interesting and learn them without a flogging ;)
- Jd 16y ago
  IMO it is both/and not either/or. Flogging + making things as interesting as possible. As I suggested on the other branch, I highly recommend calligraphy as, in my experience, appreciating the beauty of the characters helps with retention. Unfortunately getting good at calligraphy also takes time and effort...