TitleLearn Chinese Speak Mandarin 101

Entry
I would like to start with a series of discussions and tutorials on How To Learn Mandarin. The Mandarin language was introduced to me when I was just a toddler. Being able to speak Mandarin fluently, naturally and with proper intonation must come with lots of practice and understanding of the Mandarin tones. Let’s start with the tones. There are 4 main tones and a fifth silent tone in Mandarin. Each tone is assigned a name according to the numerical hierarchy. So we have the first, second, third, fourth and fifth (silent) tone. To represent this intonation we use the simple lines and all you have to do is follow how the line goes to produce a sound. <strong>How does it sound like?</strong> Mandarin is pictorial language. However how each Mandarin character sounds like cannot be taught simply by teach and listen technique because there is nothing in our visual memory to help us remember how to produce the sound it is supposed to make. For comparison, when we are taught what 'a' sounds like, we not only see the letter 'a', we also learn the sound. So the next time we see 'a', we can recall the memory to say the 'a' sound correctly. Mandarin characters however is not made up of a string of alphabets but strokes. Henceforth in order for us to remember how to say the sound of Mandarin characters: to speak and read, they also use alpabets to represent them. I hope you understand this part before we move on. These symbols (refer to my photo gallery: Mandarin Lessons) are pictorial reminders of how to say the tones. For instance, for the second tone you move the sound from low to high. - : First intonation: direct your voice upwards with a high tone. ´ : Second intonation: move your voice from low to high as if you saying inquisitions like "eh?", "huh?" ? : Third intonation is a 2-part one when done slowly. (It's still one syllable.) "ah-uh?". Dip your head for the "ah", raise it for the shorter "uh?", say it fast, and you're dead on. ` : Fourth intonation: a downward low tone and the easiest one to master. If you wish to download to listen to how this actually work, send me a note right here on next2friends. I would love to take onstudents and have a 101 teaching sessions with the wonderful interactive video chat here.

Learn Chinese Speak Mandarin 101

Sep 13, 2009

I would like to start with a series of discussions and tutorials on How To Learn Mandarin. The Mandarin language was introduced to me when I was just a toddler. Being able to speak Mandarin fluently, naturally and with proper intonation must come with lots of practice and understanding of the Mandarin tones.

Let’s start with the tones. There are 4 main tones and a fifth silent tone in Mandarin. Each tone is assigned a name according to the numerical hierarchy. So we have the first, second, third, fourth and fifth (silent) tone. To represent this intonation we use the simple lines and all you have to do is follow how the line goes to produce a sound.



How does it sound like?


Mandarin is pictorial language. However how each Mandarin character sounds like cannot be taught simply by teach and listen technique because there is nothing in our visual memory to help us remember how to produce the sound it is supposed to make. For comparison, when we are taught what 'a' sounds like, we not only see the letter 'a', we also learn the sound. So the next time we see 'a', we can recall the memory to say the 'a' sound correctly. Mandarin characters however is not made up of a string of alphabets but strokes.


Henceforth in order for us to remember how to say the sound of Mandarin characters: to speak and read, they also use alpabets to represent them. I hope you understand this part before we move on.


These symbols (refer to my photo gallery: Mandarin Lessons) are pictorial reminders of how to say the tones. For instance, for the second tone you move the sound from low to high.

- : First intonation: direct your voice upwards with a high tone.

´ : Second intonation: move your voice from low to high as if you saying inquisitions like "eh?", "huh?"

? : Third intonation is a 2-part one when done slowly. (It's still one syllable.) "ah-uh?". Dip your head for the "ah", raise it for the shorter "uh?", say it fast, and you're dead on.

` : Fourth intonation: a downward low tone and the easiest one to master.

If you wish to download to listen to how this actually work, send me a note right here on next2friends. I would love to take onstudents and have a 101 teaching sessions with the wonderful interactive video chat here.