My struggle with Chinese

Having completed 5 modules of Fundamental Dharma Course in English at the Sagaramudra Society I had to wait until next year for them to conduct the Dharma Progressive course in English. It would be the first time they will be conducting the progressive course in English although they have conducted the course in Chinese for several years. Just to accompany my sister-in-law I enrolled myself in the Chinese Progressive Dharma course.

I was really apprehensive as to how much I would be able to gather from the class given my limited Chinese knowledge. However I was inspired when a Chinese educated classmate (who attended both the English and Chinese Fundamental courses) related how she diligently went through the English text, looking up the dictionary, before each English class. So for 2 lessons now I did much the same looking up the Chinese dictionary to understand the Chinese text before attending class.

However I think there is a difference here. I am not sure whether it is a fair statement coming from an English educated background, but I really think it is harder to understand Chinese just by looking up the dictionary, word for word. If you ignore the English grammar construction, once you find out the meaning of the unfamiliar words you can probably guess the meaning of an English text. The same can not be said of Chinese. Many times I still don't get the meaning even after dutifully and diligently looking up each difficult word. This is especially so when the text is in the form of verses, given the economy of words in Chinese verses and multiple meaning even for each word. However such frustrations can change to delight when the teacher explains the meaning of those verses in class and you can not but marvel at how apt and concise those few words are in each line. You also find yourself rather stupid trying to read word for word when at times you should be reading 2 words or more together to get the meaning. (But of course a good dictionary would certainly help) Still it does take me quite awhile sometimes to realize that the 2 or 3 words together actually refer to the name of a character or a place!

Tough though it is I am beginning to enjoy it. In fact I am now beginning to wonder at the vast treasures I have missed not knowing this language. I guess when I have better mastery I wouldn't be so lost. Hopefully with a bit of hard work and perseverance;
Iwouldknowwhentolinkwordstogethertoknowtheirmeaning  as in reading English

(Also it has been said that learning a language is a good way to keep dementia at bay)