Montythemoth
Australia
A question about this place:
Answers:
onetruetweedle
Kennebunk
Oh, and I wish I could say that tones aren’t very important…but they are the most important thing of all.
Just an example here, using the word “Ba”.
neutral: a particle indicating a suggestion
first: eight
second: to pull out
third: (uh-oh, I don’t remember)
fourth: father
That may sound horribly intimidating, but that’s the example my teacher first gave me – and it stuck with me. Tones are important, and it is easy to get lazy with them.
For me personally it helped to make the motion of the tone with my hand while I spoke. Yes, I looked like a total idiot, but it was extremely effective. Having my tonal inflection follow the path of my hand made the pronunciation much easier…maybe I’m just crazy, but it is worth a shot. :)
Don’t stress out too much. You’ll get there.
Remember – having a native speaker correct your pronunciation is imperative after a while. Try to seek someone out either now or as soon as you move out there. Most Chinese folks are more than willing to help out us ignorant foreigners. ;)
_
Again, my comments are far too long. I’m sorry.
Montythemoth
Australia
No! I like the long answers! I am feeding on all this information. I am currently living in small country town with out a bookstore or chinese folk! I appreciate yourlenghty answers!
I am going to try and get my hands on that book you suggested on the net. Yep I am intimidated hearing the four different meanings, but in a good way – its a huge challenge and that’s what I want… it’ll also be a good laugh for me and for native chinese people trying to learn it all I am sure!! Cheers!
onetruetweedle
Kennebunk
I just remembered another etiquette tip I picked up on my most recent trip. Never kneel for any reason. To take pictures, or otherwise. In China kneeling is reserved for either worshipping or showing respect to one’s parents during a particular festival. This /may/ be some sort of local thing, but the more I thought about it the more it seemed to apply everywhere I’ve been. Trust me, you never notice how much you kneel until you’re told to stop doing it. :-p It isn’t a huge deal, just another little thing to become better assimilated.
It is good to hear that you know to laugh at yourself. Too many people (myself included, at times) just get mad or stop speaking altogether after making fools of themselves a few times. Don’t let that happen! If you say a few ridiculous (or, in my case, offensive) things just shake it off – your Chinese friends will certainly do the same.
I’m glad to be of help. Let me know if I can answer anything else. :)
