Mandarin or Shanghainese first?

[m1kesta]

A quick recap for those who haven't read my other thread. 

 

I'm an ABC currently living in Los Angeles and speak a very, very basic amount of Shanghainese. Can't read or write. My main language is English, and my parents are native in Mandarin and Shanghainese so I will have some immersion at home. 

 

I plan to move to Shanghai for business and so would like to be able to speak and read Chinese. Eventually, I would like to be able to write as well, but that's not a priority. 

 

My question is, do I learn to speak fluent Shanghainese first and then learn to read and write Mandarin? I ask this because I already have some basic knowledge of verbal Shanghainese, so I have a head start. However, some say Shanghainese is like the slang of Chinese, so I'm worried starting with Shanghainese can make my Mandarin learning more complicated.

 

What do you guys suggest as far as my approach to learning Chinese?

[anonymoose]

I don't think learning Shanghainese first will make learning Mandarin more complicated.

 

The real question is, if you are moving to Shanghai for business, will Shanghainese or Mandarin be more useful?

 

The answer is undoubtedly Mandarin.

 

If you want to learn Shanghainese out of interest, then go for it. If you are looking for practicality, then I wouldn't bother wasting any time on Shanghainese. Put all your effort into Mandarin.

 

To be honest, I'm surprised you're even asking this question.

[889]

You muddle around on occasion in your current, basic Shanghainese to show some kinship with your relatives and Shanghainese business associates.

 

But as said, for serious study you work on your Putonghua, and everyone you deal with, including your relatives unless they are exceptionally aged, will be fluent in it.

[Tianjin42]

I think it is a no-brainer - you must learn Mandarin.
Perhaps some Shanghaiese will be nice when conversing in Shanghai but there isn't really a question here. 

If you spoke Shanghaiese without Mandarin you would be at a major disadvantage. 

[Lu]

Practically anyone you'll need to talk to will (be able to) speak Mandarin. Almost everyone who speaks Shanghainese also speaks Mandarin, while almost everyone who is not from Shanghai (and lots of people who are) don't speak Shanghainese. For almost all purposes, Mandarin will be more useful. So that would be the best choice.

[DongLian]

Mandarin for practical reasons, Shanghainese if you're interested.. it sounds prettty cool! It's decreasing in speakers so it won't be quite so useful.

[m1kesta]

Thanks everyone. The decision is clear. FYI, the reason why I considered this question is because I already know some Shanghainese. I figured this may make it easier to learn that first, then, learn Mandarin. 

[oceancalligraphy]

Learn both! You are in the unique position to learn both from family, and should take advantage of it.

[m1kesta]

Yes, I will definitely learn both!

 

Thank you!