I've always wondered- does Chinese have any roots like how Spanish has Latin roots? Where did Mandarin Chinese come from?

My Chinese teacher gave me an assignment. And I'm supposed to translate a Chinese text into English. My Chinese teacher is very (VERY) big on preciseness. Last time we translated something, my Chinese teacher graded me down because I used "very" instead of "extremely". For this assignment, should I translate directly? (Like, to the word, and to the comma, even to the point where it doesn't make sense in English?) or should I just glean the meaning from the text and translate that?

If you don't know the answer, please DON'T GUESS. How do you say "of" and "the" in Chinese language?

I've been looking for language courses (Mandarin) around NW11. I'm doing A levels so I cant really afford anything expensive and I can’t seem to find any close by. There's some running at my own college but it clashes with something else that I do so I probably won't be able to attend. I'm also a beginner. I have searched on the internet but, as aforementioned, couldn't really find anything of use. Could anyone recommend a good place to learn Chinese from scratch? Thanks... ..)

I plan to take Chinese lessons next month, so I want to know something first about Chinese characters. Since there are now two Chinese writing systems I can learn in Chinese lessons, how much does simplified Chinese differ from traditional? Seeing as there are thousands of characters in Chinese, they couldn't have changed all of them. So how many were "simplified"? Especially ones that are seen in common usage.

I’m getting a tattoo so I must know.

I am considering learning Chinese in college. I really want to, but I know it will be very difficult. FYI I took Spanish through high school, not that it really matters. But anyways, I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully studied Chinese. When did you start? How long did it take to get to your level? What was the best/worst part of your experience? Is going to china necessary to become fluent? Any information would be appreciated!

I've heard that Chinese is one of the most difficult languages in the world to learn. Despite that, I want to learn it. I have no idea where to start, and how to start. Do you have any recommendations on books about learning Chinese? Software? CDs? Anything? Where should I start, I suppose, is the fundamental question.

I've been learning Mandarin for about a year now and am plugging my way through TUTTLE's very helpful "Learning Chinese Characters - HSK Level A". I have however, not been paying much attention to the traditional characters. I would like to eventually learn the traditional characters (especially if I ever want to go to Hong Kong). Would it be easier to learn these as I learned the simplified ones? If I already know the simplified character, how hard is it to learn the traditional one? Thanks in advance for your help!

So I’m starting to learn Mandarin and I have noticed that when I look up words on my iPod Mandarin dictionary, that there are multiple words in Mandarin for one word in English. Like for run, there is pa3o and zo3u. Like how do I know which is the correct term to use? And could you guys give me some basic vocab or point a site that does give out a list. I know words like this, that, love, fart, and stuff like that

Do you know a good program to learn Mandarin Chinese?, i am a beginner, so i know anything about chinese. I've heard of Rosetta Stone, and one that begins with P..., i don't remember the name. I tried Eurotalk, but the software was crappy, really it looks like made by a 4 year old. I am looking for an interactive one, that can help me learn writing, speaking and listening. I also want one that looks Professional or so. If you know really really good webpages, i grant you best answer! Thanks!

Could someone tell me any/all mandarin chinese phrases that are used in Chinese conversation everyday/daily? And if you can list the characters!

Within the Chinese characters, you use a form of grammar called a radical. What does this mean?

So for “how are you”? Which is better to use: 最近好吗? or 你好吗？ I would use “zuì jìn hǎo mɑ”but I am not sure. Could you help? Thanks! Well I don’t really know how 'how are you' is used in Chinese speaking language, I mean, in English people just ask it but don’t really expect some long answer, so it’s just like kind of part of the greeting I guess. But I would like to know how about Chinese speaking language. Because, I am Hungarian and if we ask “how are you” then we really expect a longer answer... is this the same in Chinese speaking language?

Chinese characters are hard for me to learn.

Well I try freetranslation.com but it just gives the little symbols i want to speak it not write it. I know Lay doke si peen ga Lay ng hei lawo ma leo ah ma SAWO DE LAH!!!!! xD can someone give me some more words :)) or show me an accurate website .. for how to speak Chinese... Not writing... (Not the symbols) the words and pronunciations?