Active learning of Simplified or Traditional?

[violet musk]

Because my study abroad options are limited to Taiwan, would it matter if I do active studying of Traditional over Simplified or is it better to just focus on Simplified material since it's more plentiful? What I mean is, active study as in seeking out material to immerse oneself in with reading, writing, ect.,

I know that it doesn't make a HUGE difference, but I'm finding that it's so much harder to find games I want to play or books I want to read about subjects in Traditional vs Simplified. Even things like news is different, I tend to find the news with Simplified text more...how should I put it? Less magazine-like? Anyways, what should I do?

[versed crystal]

Because my study abroad options are limited to Taiwan, would it matter if I do active studying of Traditional over Simplified or is it better to just focus on Simplified material since it's more plentiful?
I'd suggest focusing on traditional, but I can read Taiwanese media fine and I've only ever learned simplified "properly".
Even things like news is different, I tend to find the news with Simplified text more...how should I put it? Less magazine-like?
Yeah, news from the regions that use traditional tend to be more sensationalised. I can't stand some of the panel shows from Taiwan: they make the Jerry Springer show look positively sedate by comparison.

[violet musk]

Yeah, that’s the one thing is what to use. I know my education will probably be in Traditional. Even if I can choose, it seems at least to me I’d be sounding rude to ask for Simplified in Taiwan.

[versed crystal]

I mean, if you're going to choose based on your preference for the style of news reporting, you're gonna have a hard time consuming news when you're in Taiwan lol. Just get used to the fact that the media in Taiwan loves sensationalism.

[violet musk]

More or less choosing based on the immersion options I got, but I do write ✍️ in traditional lol. I’ll get used to it, yeah.

[compact fable]

both or just your preference. but stick with one form if you are a beginner

[violet musk]

It’s weird because my proficiency tests for my language flagship program is in Simplified, but when we go to Taiwan, we need to be able to write in Traditional.

[compact fable]

yea if you don’t really get to choose, then better go with the local system. the typing (not handwriting) speed of either form should be about the same

[violet musk]

好的，謝謝。

[tawny osprey]

I learned simplified when I took classes in the US, but I switched to using traditional when I studied abroad in Taiwan

It's not too bad to switch from one system to another
It'll take a bit of adjustment, but it's still the same language

[proud needle]

In fact, you can buy Simplified books in Taiwan if you want. https://www.sanmin.com.tw/promote/china

[wet lantern]

oh, I thought Taiwan was only traditionnal ones 😮 learning things here.
Once you know one, you start to get "what is replaced by what" and it seems to be more easy to swtich from one to an other ?

[restive totem]

Pleco has been pretty helpful in improving my recognition of simplified and traditional characters.

[tawny osprey]

I can second Pleco; it's definitely the best dictionary app I've seen

It has the romanizations for the characters both in Mandarin and Cantonese