It's not perfect but pretty good, and this took about 3 years to accomplish.

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What was the impetus to train (near) perfect pitch?

The Chinese people will not understand what you're saying if you use the wrong tone! 😁

Every word can have 4 different tones that in turn will give it many different meanings.

Tonality in Chinese seems similar to movement in ASL; It's the difference b/w FAT + PREGNANT, SHY + PROSTITUTE, or COFEE + MAKE-OUT 😏

Exactly like Mandarin

I'm sure we've both signed/said some "choice" things as learners... πŸ˜†

(I *KNOW* I have)

After a while, saying words in the wrong tone will sound wrong.

LOL! I see... I thought maybe you're a musician + wanted perfect pitch for that.

I watch a number of polyglots who are fluent in Mandarin - such a complex language

I can hardly speak let alone sing πŸ˜‚

Mandarin is complex and a nightmare to learn. But it's kid's play when compared to Arabic.

What's your native language? And how many languages have your tried picking up?

I speak four languages fluently and a beginner in another two.

My native language is Arabic.

Beautiful! Besides your mother tongue, what is your favorite language to converse in?

I can't really choose as I enjoy them all immensely.

πŸ’― understandable!

How long did it take you to be able to at least hold a basic conversation in ASL?

For me, I could hold basic conversations within the first month... and obtained "near native fluency" by year 4. Prior to that, I was technically "fluent", working as an interpreter,, but wasn't able to fully express my personality in totality with the same ease as I do w/English. By year 4, it all came together!

How difficult do you consider this language to be?

πŸ€”Well, ASL lacks tone + written expression... so, that may make it easier for some people.

But, as ASL is as rich as other spoken languages, the ease/difficulty in learning it is a bit subjective. (ie I take to signed languages easier than oral/rural languages [I think my πŸ‘‚are broken!])

(Do you want to give it a go? [I have free lessons that you might have fun with; quizzes at the end so you can test youself]: https://aslterpandteach.com/p/untitled-2

I wish I could 😒

My daily schedule is packed and I can't concentrate on learning this way.

But I have always been curious about sign languages..

I understand! 🫢