|
How to Learn Cantonese
Without a doubt, to learn Cantonese is a challenge, especially for the English speaker, but learning to speak the language can be easier than many believe.
Start off by learning the language orally - spoken and written Chinese is distinctly different, so those reasonably familiar with the sounds and words of the spoken language will have an easier time tackling Chinese characters. Chinese is all about tones, so concentrate on your pronunciation.
As Chinese has no alphabet, know a "Romanization" system, which shows the Cantonese pronunciation with Western spellings using a mark to show the pitch. Some systems include: Meyer Wempe system, the Chao Barnett system the Yale system.
Practice! Even if you are a beginner, practice what you do know with a native speaker. This will help you get a feel for the right pitch. Use Visual Aids: carrying around flash cards and reviewing them when you have spare moments throughout your day can make a world of difference.
In Cantonese, using the accurate word is a great deal better than having a sizeable vocabulary, especially if you make mistakes with the pitch and end up saying something completely wrong.
Invest in the right educational materials suitable to your schedule and lifestyle, be it online, through tapes or at a reputable language school.
Study and practice every day, at least 60 minutes is a good time allotment.
Take Cantonese Lessons
Sign up for a proper class at your local university, an adult education centre or at a language school. If the thought of returning to a classroom setting seems daunting or unsuitable for your schedule, check out the many places online or invest in some tapes or videos. Whether you are a complete beginner or just wanting to brush up on your school Cantonese, committing to some form of educational tool / process will kick start your journey to becoming proficient in the language.
Listen to Cantonese
Listening to the Cantonese language as much as you can is of utmost importance if you want to get your accent right. Listen to audio language tapes and Cantonese music and radio while driving. A very good way to learn Cantonese when watching a Cantonese movie on TV is to cover the sub-titles with masking tape.
Be Creative
If you have children, involve them in learning the language, do things together like cook while speaking Cantonese, play games and sing songs. The internet has a lot of resources for this sort of thing. Try to learn five words a day.
|
|
|
|
© Copyright 2005-2006 You Learn Cantonese | All Rights Reserved
|
