Where should I post written Chinese to get feedback about?

[trisha2766]

Where is the best place on this site to post written Chinese that I'd like feedback about?

For example I've been working on an introduction of myself including talking about family, daily activities, etc. Parts of it I feel pretty good about, but some of the things I would like to say, I don't feel too confidant about how to say them correctly.

I don't quite feel like I'm ready for a language exchange partner yet either, I really couldn't carry on a conversation at this point.

The 'Tattoos, Names and Quick Translations' section seems like it is mostly for quick translations, the 'Chinese corner' forum seems like my Chinese should be better than it is now to post in there. I may not be able to understand feedback written only in Chinese. 'Chat and Language Exchange' is mostly English and yes there is the The Introduce Yourself thread, but that doesn't seem like the right place to ask for feedback

And by the way, how do you say 'introduce myself' or introduction in Chinese? I know 介绍 is used when introducing people to each other, but how would you say something like 'I need to practice introducing myself'? The best I can come up with is 我需要介绍自己练习. Chinese word order and grammar in general is still very confusing to me.

[natra]

Try http://www.lang-8.com/

It is pretty helpful for practicing writing. However, anyone can post a corrected version to your writing, so don't be surprised if you get some very liberal corrections.

I do think it is helpful overall though.

[anon6969]

I would second the lang-8 suggestion - it's very good.

[imron]

I think posting in either 'Reading and Writing Skills' or 'Grammar, Sentence Structures and Patterns' would be acceptable. You shouldn't worry too much about putting something in the wrong place though, because if that's the case we'll just move it

In Chinese, ‘self introduction' is 自我介绍。If you want to say something like "let me introduce myself", you might consider a phrase like "请让我自我介绍一下“。

For "I need to practice introducing myself", you might use something like "我需要多锻炼自己的自我介绍表达能力“. I'm not a native speaker though, so you might want to wait for some feedback from a Chinese member.

I also agree that lang-8 is a good site for getting feedback on your writing.

[roddy]

Here.

Start with explaining what you're trying to write, what level you are, what if any vocab / structures you were trying to use, etc - that'll let people make more useful comments.

[trisha2766]

Thank you! I'll do that, still working on trying to figure how to say some things myself before I ask though.

That lang-8 site looks like it might be worth trying in the future too. Thanks!

[trisha2766]

imron,

When you wrote:

"我需要多锻炼自己的自我介绍表达能力“

Why did you use 锻炼, or did you mean 练习?

[chrix]

did you look it up in the dictionary?

[trisha2766]

Yes, and the definitions listed for 锻炼 are: work out, toughen, temper. Since I was talking about practicing I expected to see 练习 in there somewhere.

[chrix]

it also appears in combination with 能力 a lot, 锻炼 X能力in the sense of "hone your skill in X" I guess.

[imron]

Yep.

[trisha2766]

thanks! I had not heard that phrase/expression before.

[imron]

Be careful though, because you can't use it everywhere as a substitute for 练习。 锻炼 carries the connotation of practicing in a real-word situation to improve your ability in something.

[taylor04]

I don't quite feel like I'm ready for a language exchange partner yet either, I really couldn't carry on a conversation at this point.

Practice pinyin, tones, stroke order, learn new words, or just practice introducing yourself. It's never too early for a language partner