Quote:
Originally Posted by ahi
Thanks for all the information! It makes sense that there would be calls for reform internally as well.
Did you find learning/figuring out tones very difficult? That's probably the main thing keeping me from trying to start learning Chinese...
- Ahi
|
Tonal sandhi is a bit of a pain at first, but I overcame it by doing everything in combinations. I also had a background in singing, and pitch was quite simple.
Of course, Mandarin is pretty simple tonally. One thing I found out was that some of the most popular charts that visually describe the tones for Mandarin are incorrect in use and combinations, but technically correct in isolation.
This is what I'm referring to. The return on tone #3 rarely happens except in isolation or exaggeration, and a consecutive #1 and #4 lends the impression that the #4 starts higher.
Of course, there are relatively few foreigners here who actually speak Chinese well, and fewer still who can speak with a native-sounding accent. Expectations on foreigners tend to be very very low. You could probably get away in most places without tones whatsoever and people will still drown you in adoration and sycophancy, amazed that "your speak the Chinese are very well". On bad days, I am sometimes bitter about little things like that, but I try not to let it bug me.
But to return to the basic point...I think none of it is particularly difficult. Characters are easier to write and remember when you practice them and learn the radicals well. Tones are easier when you practice them in sequences and record yourself to circumnavigate the nasty habit of "mouth on, ears off" practice that plagues many language students. I've found that gimmicks like flash cards are ultimately pretty silly, though if it keeps a person motivated, it's fine.
Just my opinion though, so your mileage may vary.