Hi...
I'm just the beginner of everything that concern
Chinese. Well, let me explain a little
how I understand all of it:
To say "I speak in Chinese" the same as to say
"I speak in European". There are a lot of
different languages in Chinese & Pacific region.
Well, as I know, chief language of China is
called as Mandarin. OK. I've just started to
learn it. In Mandarin people speak in China,
Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand (a little count of
people), Malaysia (a little) & even Philippines
and Hong Kong.
OK. How deep then I gotta know other languages
of China ,including Cantonese & Hakka?
As I know, Cantonese in usage in Hong Kong.
What's about Hakka? Why is it represented here like
third one? Is it important?
Also I know that difference is between languages
in pronouncation only. How different are they &
is it important to know all of it?
Thanks for the attention!
- Andrew -
Greeny questions from greeny person...;-)
-
Eugene Morrow
Cantonese, Mandarin and Hakka
Andrew,
Cantonese and Mandarin share the same written language. I understand there are a small number of characters (written words) that are different, but it is 99% the same.
However, the spoken Cantonese and Mandarin are very different. I can give you an example. English and German are normally totally different, but in a few small areas they are similar. If I said "Ist das Michael? Oh nein, das ist Peter." This is German, but English speakers will usually understand this if they heard it. So English and German have a very small area where they are the similar, but most of the time they are completely different.
Cantonese and Mandarin are like that. Most of the time a Cantonese speaker and a Mandarin speaker cannot understand each other. Only in a few simple situations would the words be similar (I don't know any examples yet).
I know nothing of Hakka, but you can look at a Hakka forum at http://www.asiawind.com/pub/forum/fhakk ... reads.html
Eugene Morrow
Sydney, Australia
Cantonese and Mandarin share the same written language. I understand there are a small number of characters (written words) that are different, but it is 99% the same.
However, the spoken Cantonese and Mandarin are very different. I can give you an example. English and German are normally totally different, but in a few small areas they are similar. If I said "Ist das Michael? Oh nein, das ist Peter." This is German, but English speakers will usually understand this if they heard it. So English and German have a very small area where they are the similar, but most of the time they are completely different.
Cantonese and Mandarin are like that. Most of the time a Cantonese speaker and a Mandarin speaker cannot understand each other. Only in a few simple situations would the words be similar (I don't know any examples yet).
I know nothing of Hakka, but you can look at a Hakka forum at http://www.asiawind.com/pub/forum/fhakk ... reads.html
Eugene Morrow
Sydney, Australia
Re: Greeny questions from greeny person...;-)
My view.
: OK. How deep then I gotta know other languages
: of China ,including Cantonese & Hakka?
Better stick to Mandarin first. It is difficult enough on its own. You should learn Cantonese or any other specific Chinese language only if you have a specific exposure to that dialect (e.g. you live in Hongkong or marry a Hakka girl or...). As a rule of thumb, if you do not know a good reason, you do not have one.
: Also I know that difference is between languages
: in pronouncation only. How different are they &
From my experience, Mandarin and (spoken) Cantonese share recognisably the same word pool but pronounce the words differently (such that they cannot understand each other easily). Some words have a different meaning. Grammar is pretty similar but not equal. The difference is very similar to the one between French and Italian. If you dare to tell to a Frenchman, that he speaks an Italian slang, you may also call Cantonese or Hakka a Mandarin slang. If not, then not.
Hope that helps.
Helmut
: OK. How deep then I gotta know other languages
: of China ,including Cantonese & Hakka?
Better stick to Mandarin first. It is difficult enough on its own. You should learn Cantonese or any other specific Chinese language only if you have a specific exposure to that dialect (e.g. you live in Hongkong or marry a Hakka girl or...). As a rule of thumb, if you do not know a good reason, you do not have one.
: Also I know that difference is between languages
: in pronouncation only. How different are they &
From my experience, Mandarin and (spoken) Cantonese share recognisably the same word pool but pronounce the words differently (such that they cannot understand each other easily). Some words have a different meaning. Grammar is pretty similar but not equal. The difference is very similar to the one between French and Italian. If you dare to tell to a Frenchman, that he speaks an Italian slang, you may also call Cantonese or Hakka a Mandarin slang. If not, then not.
Hope that helps.
Helmut