I just started to learn Cantonese.I recently purchased a very good book on Cantonese,called "Cantonese: A complete course for absolute beginners." Has anyone read this? If so, what is your opinion on it?
Obviously, a cassette tape is very neccesary in learning Cantonese. However, they aren't very easy to find where I live, although there are some.
I have experience with Mandarin, so I guess I'm not a total beginner. One of my primary goals in picking up Cantonese is to learn to comprehend Hong Kong cinema, because I am a big fan, and up until now, I've had to get the altered American release version of Hong Kong films.
Does anyone have any tips or advice? Any suggestions of websites, books,Etc.? I would very much appreciate it.
Learning Cantonese
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Eugene Morrow
Tape courses
Hello arnistkdokid,
I have written on this forum about two tape courses: the Pimsleur Cantonese 1 course, and the US Foreign Serivce Institute (FSI) Cantonese I and II courses.
I think both will be available at Amazon.com. I purchased them in Australia through a local distributor at http://www.language.com.au/index.html.
The Pimsleur course is about US$250 and both FSI courses are about $250 each (there are two).
The Pimsleur is a simple, easy course if you only want to learn some easy things like 'Where is the toilet?' and 'Are the shops open?'. You learn about 100 words (I thought it might be 200 at first, but I now think it is closer to 100). It's quick and easy to learn, and is a modern course (prepared in 1998).
I strongly recommend the FSI courses if you are serious about learning the language,even though they were prepared in 1970 (there have been some changes in pronunciation since then - see my discussion on this forum about the high falling tone). It teaches about 1,000 words with grammar and culture as well. You have to be ready to put in hundreds of hours work (perhaps 300 hours of work). I am a little over half way through, and the Cantonese people I speak to say I am the best westerner to speak Cantonese they have ever heard.
I actually have the Pimsleur and both FSI courses because I am determined. It's still cheaper than going to classes. As I've said before - tapes are perfect for learning because they're available 24 hours a day, are consistent, never complain about repeating themselves and let you learn at your own pace.
I started in late Feburary this year, and I hope to be able to have a proper conversation in December this year, after about 400 hours of study (I'm doing 1.5 to 2 hours a day).
I am really enjoying learning - Cantonese is much more sensible than English, and I like the tones which makes it like music.
Good luck,
Eugene Morrow
Sydney, Australia
I have written on this forum about two tape courses: the Pimsleur Cantonese 1 course, and the US Foreign Serivce Institute (FSI) Cantonese I and II courses.
I think both will be available at Amazon.com. I purchased them in Australia through a local distributor at http://www.language.com.au/index.html.
The Pimsleur course is about US$250 and both FSI courses are about $250 each (there are two).
The Pimsleur is a simple, easy course if you only want to learn some easy things like 'Where is the toilet?' and 'Are the shops open?'. You learn about 100 words (I thought it might be 200 at first, but I now think it is closer to 100). It's quick and easy to learn, and is a modern course (prepared in 1998).
I strongly recommend the FSI courses if you are serious about learning the language,even though they were prepared in 1970 (there have been some changes in pronunciation since then - see my discussion on this forum about the high falling tone). It teaches about 1,000 words with grammar and culture as well. You have to be ready to put in hundreds of hours work (perhaps 300 hours of work). I am a little over half way through, and the Cantonese people I speak to say I am the best westerner to speak Cantonese they have ever heard.
I actually have the Pimsleur and both FSI courses because I am determined. It's still cheaper than going to classes. As I've said before - tapes are perfect for learning because they're available 24 hours a day, are consistent, never complain about repeating themselves and let you learn at your own pace.
I started in late Feburary this year, and I hope to be able to have a proper conversation in December this year, after about 400 hours of study (I'm doing 1.5 to 2 hours a day).
I am really enjoying learning - Cantonese is much more sensible than English, and I like the tones which makes it like music.
Good luck,
Eugene Morrow
Sydney, Australia