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[[File:Lie hør.ogg|thumb|"Hello" in Taiwanese, written "[[Lie hør!]]"]]  
[[File:Lie hør.mp3|thumb|"Hello" in Taiwanese, written '''''[[Lie hør!]]''''']]  


Li hø! '''Taiwanese''' is a beautiful and musical language spoken in Taiwan and by Taiwanese people around the world. This '''''Beginner's Guide to Taiwanese''''' will provide you with a brief introduction to the spoken language as well as a writing system called [[Modern Taiwanese Language]] (MTL).  
'''''Li<u>e</u> hø<u>r</u>!''''' [[Taiwanese Hokkien|Taiwanese]] is a beautiful and musical language spoken in [[Taioaan|Taiwan]] and by Taiwanese people around the world. This '''''Beginner's Guide to Taiwanese''''' will provide you with a brief introduction to the spoken language as well as the [[Modern Literal Taiwanese]] writing system, which we call MTL for "Modern Taiwanese Language".


Most speakers of Taiwanese are not aware that there are established ways to phonetically write down the language. While there is not a single widely adopted system for the written form of the language (not even in [[Harnji]]), MTL is a very useful tool for learning Taiwanese. There are several other systems in use in Taiwan, such as [[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]] (POJ), Daighi tongiong pingim, and [[Taiwanese Romanization System]]. Unfortunately most Taiwanese speakers will not be able to read any of these phonetic systems but they will understand it when you read it.  
Most speakers of Taiwanese aren't aware that there are several writing systems for the language. ''[[Pe̍h-ōe-jī]]'' (POJ), also known as Church Romanization, might be the most popular romanization, though the government is now promoting a similar system called ''[[Tâi-lô]]''. We're going to use MTL here because we found it very useful while studying Taiwanese at the [[Washington DC Taiwanese School]], and we think it could help you too. True, most Taiwanese speakers won't be able to read any of these systems, but they will probably understand you better because you learned one.


==Introduction to Taiwanese Phonetics==
== How to make a syllable ==
We will first introduce all of the phonetic sounds that you will encounter in Taiwanese. Some sounds have an approximation in English, while others may be less familiar.
Let's learn how to write any syllable using the [[MLT alphabet]]. The three important parts of a syllable we will look at first are: starting consonant, vowel, and ending consonant. We will talk about tones later.  


=== Consonants ===
=== Initial consonants ===
[[File:conExp.ogg]]
A syllable can start with one of [[List of all initial consonants in MTL|18 initial consonants]]. Some sounds have an approximation in English, while others may be more exotic. For now, you can just ignore the silent indicators (mainly ''f'', ''x'', ''r'', ''v'').
{|
! MTL  !! Approx. !! Example  !! Meaning
|-
| p  || B / cris'''p'''y  || papaf  || father
|-
| ph  || P (crisp)  || phaq  || to hit
|-
| m  || me  || mi  || noodle
|-
| b  || mu'''mb'''le  || baq  || meat
|-
| t  || D (crisp)  || tit  || straight
|-
| th  || Thomas  || theh  || to take
|-
| n  || neat  || nii  || year
|-
| l  || Lima  || laang  || person
|-
| k  || gear  || kaf (''ka'iuu'')  || to add
|-
| kh  || key  || khix  || go
|-
| h  || heap  || hii  || fish
|-
| g  || ga'''gg'''le  || go  || five
|-
| c(i) || G  || ciaf  || here
|-
| ch(i)  || cheese  || chiaf  || car
|-
| s(i)  || she/sea  || si  || yes
|-
| j(i)  || Z  || jit  || day
|-
| z  || yar'''ds''' || zef  || this
|-
| zh  || ca'''ts''' || zhaix  || vegetable
|-
| s  || Saul  || svaf  || three
|-
| j  || zoo  || joah  || hot
|}


The 'k' vs. 'g' as well as the 'p' vs. 'b' may be hard to differentiate at first. The 'g' and the 'b' are voiced, meaning the vocal cords vibrate along with the consonant. The 'k' and 'p' are unvoiced, not  as aspirated as in English but do have a distinct click or pop.
[[File:Initial_consonants.mp3|thumb|none|Consonants]]
[[File:initial_consonant_examples.mp3|thumb|none|Examples]]
{{Initial_consonants}}


Note that "j" and "s" appear twice: these are slightly different when  followed by an "i" vs other vowels.
The ''p'' vs. ''b'' and ''k'' vs. ''g'' may be hard to differentiate at first. They are part of a three-way distinction, going from ''muddy'' to plain to [[Aspirated consonant|aspirated]].
* ''b'' and ''g'' are voiced: the vocal cords vibrate along with the consonant
* ''p'', ''t'', ''k'' are unvoiced, crisp but not aspirated
* ''ph'', ''th'', ''kh'', ''ch'', and ''zh'' are aspirated, having a strong burst of breath


=== Vowels ===
=== Vowels ===
A syllable in Taiwanese can't go without having a vowel. [[Media:Seven Tones of Taiwanese.pdf|This chart, ''Seven Tones of Taiwanese'']], shows how to write any vowel in any tone. For now, just look at the basic tone, and the five categories: simple, compound, plus three categories ending in nasals.
==== Single vowels ====
These are the {{w|pure vowel}} sounds.
[[File:a, i, u, e, o, ø, m, ng.mp3|thumb|none|Vowels]]
[[File:ma, si, u, e, ho, tø, m, mng.mp3|thumb|none|Examples]]


==== Single Vowels ====
{| class="wikitable"
[[File:SimpleVowels.ogg]]
! MTL  !! Example !! Meaning
{|  
! MTL  !! example !! meaning
|-  
|-  
| a  || ka || bite
| [[a]] || {{x|ma}} || also; to scold
|-  
|-  
| i  || hvi || ear
| [[i]] || {{x|si}} || is; yes; ...
|-  
|-  
| u  || u || have  
| [[u]] || {{x|u}} || to have
|-  
|-  
| e  || ke || low
| [[e]] || {{x|e}} || to be able to; ...
|-  
|-  
| o  || lo || road
| [[o]] || {{x|ho}} || rain; to give; ...
|-  
|-  
| ø  || hør || good
| [[ø]] || {{x|tø}} || at once; ...
|-  
|-  
| m  || m || no
| [[m]] || {{x|m}} || not; will not
|-  
|-  
| ng || hng || far
| {{x|ng}} || {{x|mng}} || to ask
|}   
|}   


The 'm' can be both vowel and consonant.  
* We saw ''m-'' earlier as a consonant, but here it's the vowel.
 
* In fact, both ''m'' and ''ng'' are complete syllables and complete words.  
==== Compound Vowels ====
* We will see -''m'' and -''ng'' as nasal final consonants (NFCs).


These vowels are a combination of two vowel sounds.
==== Compound vowels ====


[[File:CompoundVowels.ogg]]
These vowels are a combination of multiple pure vowel sounds.  


{|  
[[File:ai, au, ia, iu, iø, iau, ui, oa, oe, oai.mp3]]
! MTL !! example !! meaning
[[File:lai, au, ia, siu, biø, liau, ui, toa, hoe, phørhoai.mp3]]
{| class="wikitable"
! MTL !! Example !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| ai || lai || sharp  
| ai || {{x|lai}} || sharp  
|-  
|-  
| au || au || back  
| au || {{x|au}} || back  
|-  
|-  
| ia || ia || spread  
| ia || {{x|ia}} || to spread  
|-  
|-  
| iu || chviu || elephant
| {{x|iu}} || {{x|siu}} || receive; accept; ...
|-  
|-  
| iø || kiøo || bridge
| iø || {{x|biø}} || temple
|-  
|-  
| iau || liau || material/stuff  
| {{x|iau}} || {{x|liau}} || material/stuff  
|-  
|-  
| ui || ui || stomach  
| ui || {{x|ui}} || stomach  
|-  
|-  
| oa || toa || big  
| oa || {{x|toa}} || big  
|-  
|-  
| oe || hoe || meeting  
| {{x|oe}} || {{x|hoe}} || meeting
|-  
|-  
| øe  || øe || able
| oai || {{x|hoai}} || bad; rotten. see ''{{x|phørhoai}}''
|-
|}
| oai  || koaix || weird 
|}


==== Nasal Vowel ====
==== Vowel plus nasal final consonant ====


These vowel sounds are made using your nose. Most vowels  
Several vowels can be capped with a nasal final consonant (NFC), either -''m'', -''n'', or -''ng''.
have a nasal form. A 'v' is placed in front of the vowel to designate it.  


[[File:FrontNasalV3.ogg]]
[[File:am, im, iam, an, in, un, ien, oan, ang, eng, ong, iang, iong.mp3]]
[[File:lam, akim, liam, ban, kin, tun, lien, goan, bang, teng, gong, liang, iong.mp3]]


{|  
{| class="wikitable"
! MTL  !! Example !! Meaning  
! Final !! Example !! Meaning
|-
| {{x|am}} || {{x|lam}} || to mix
|-
| im || {{x|akim}} || aunt
|-  
|-  
| va || va  || filling (for dumplings etc.)
| {{x|iam}} || {{x|liam}} || to nag
|-  
|-  
| vi || hvi || ear
| {{x|an}} || {{x|ban}} || slow
|-  
|-  
| ve || gve || stiff
| {{x|in}} || {{x|kin}} || near
|-  
|-  
| vo || gvo || to comprehend
| {{x|un}} || {{x|tun}} || dull
|-  
|-  
| vai || vai || to carry on back
| ien || {{x|lien}} || to practice
|-  
|-  
| vau || gvau || lotus root
| {{x|oan}} || {{x|goan}} || wish
|-  
|-  
| via || thviaf || to listen
| ang || {{x|bang}} || dream
|-  
|-  
| viu || sviu || to think
| {{x|eng}} || {{x|teng}} || hard
|-  
|-  
| viau || gviaugviaw || itchy
| {{x|ong}} || {{x|gong}} || dumb
|-  
|-  
| voa || voa || to exchange
| {{x|iang}} || {{x|liang}} || bright
|-  
|-  
| voai || kvoaimngg || to close a door
| {{x|iong}} || {{x|iong}} || to use
|}
|}
Some pointers:
* '''ien''' (from '''ia''' + '''n''' = '''ian'''): used to sound like "yan", then "yen", now usually "en"
* '''eng''' (from '''e''' + '''ng'''): used to sound as written, now is a little more like "ieng", but not quite "ing"


==== Ending vowel ====
==== Nasal vowels ====


Taiwanese has ending nasal vowel sounds using 'm', 'n' and 'ng'.  
These vowel sounds are made using your nose. Most vowels from the first two groups can be nasalized, indicated by the letter ''[[v]]'' (read like "you" in English but nasal), chosen because it looks like the Greek letter "nu" ({{wt|ν}}). The word for nose is ''{{x|phvi}}'', which also means "to smell".


[[File:RearNasal.ogg]]
[[File:Front_nasal_new.mp3]]
[[File:va, hvi, gve, kiaugvo, vai, liengvau, kvia, sviu, gviaw, voa, svoai.mp3]]


{|  
{| class="wikitable"
! MTL !! example !! English
! MTL !! Example  !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| -am || lam || mix
| va || {{x|va}}  || filling (for dumplings etc.)
|-  
|-  
| -im || a'kim || aunt
| {{x|vi}} || {{x|hvi}} || ear
|-  
|-  
| -iam || liam || nagging
| ve || {{x|gve}} || stiff
|-  
|-  
| -an || ban || slow
| vo || {{x|kiaugvo}} || proud; arrogant; haughty
|-  
|-  
| -in || kin || near
| vai || {{x|vai}} || to carry on back
|-  
|-  
| -un || tun || dull
| vau || {{x|liengvau}} || lotus root
|-  
|-  
| -ien || lien || practice
| {{x|via}} || {{x|kvia}} || classifier for luggage, clothes, events
|-  
|-  
| -oan || goan || wish
| {{x|viu}} || {{x|sviu}} || to think
|-  
|-  
| -ang || bang || dream
| viau || {{x|gviaw}} || itchy. see {{x|gviaugviaw}} (sensation of tickling; ticklish)
|-  
|-  
| -eng || teng || hard
| voa || {{x|voa}} || to exchange
|-  
|-  
| -ong || gong || dumb
| voai || {{x|svoai}} || mango
|-
|}
| -iang || liang || bright
|-
| -iong || iong || use
|}


A syllable in Taiwanese follows one of these two patterns:
=== Tones ===
* [consonant] + [nasal] vowel
* [consonant] + vowel + [rear nasal ending]


A valid syllable only needs to have a vowel. The brackets ([]) mean the consonant, nasal or rear nasal ending are optional.
Taiwanese is a tonal language which means that pitch is used to convey meaning. Many words are differentiated solely by tone (e.g., all seven tones of ''{{x|si}}''). Learning to speak and hear the [[tones of Taiwanese]] correctly is often difficult for beginners. With practice you will be able to hear and speak them. Again most speakers of Taiwanese are not aware of the different tones but they can all understand you when you pronounce them correctly.


A word can be formed with one or more syllables, but two syllables is most typical.
As you may have noticed from the ''Seven Tones'' chart, there are five long tones and two short tones:
* ''f'', ''x'' and ''r'' are silent tone indicators for long tones
* short tones always end with a stop letter that tells both consonant and pitch


=== Tones ===
[[File:af,_a,_ax,_ar,_aa,_ah,_aq.mp3|thumb|none|{{x|af}}, a, ax, {{x|ar}}, aa, {{x|ah}}, {{x|aq}}]]


Taiwanese is a tonal language which means that the vowels are pronounced with a distinctive tone that
{| class="wikitable sortable"
relate a distinctive meaning. A vowel spoken with a different tones has different meanings. Learning to
! # !! Tones !! Description !! MTL !! Example !! Animal
speak and listen for the tones correctly is often difficult for an English speaker since there are no tones
in English. With practice you will be able to hear and speak it. Taiwanese has 7 tones (Mandarin has 4).
Again most speakers of Taiwanese are not aware of the different tones but they can all understand it when
you pronounce it.
 
[[File:Tones1235784.ogg]]
{| border=3
| #
! Tones !! Description !! MTL !! Example  
|-  
|-  
| 1 || High || high level tone || f || af
| 1 || high || level (55 or 44) || [[f]] (silent) || {{x|khaf}} (''leg''; ''foot'') || {{x|say}} (''lion'')
|-  
|-  
| 2 || Shouting || start high, then sharp downward || r || ar
| 7 || basic || mid-level (33) || default || {{x|toa}} (''big'') || {{x|chviu}} (''elephant'')
|-  
|-  
| 3 || Low Falling || start mid then downward tone || x || ax
| 3 || low falling || somewhat downward (31) || [[x]] (silent) || {{x|khax}} (''to knock'') || {{x|pax}} (''leopard'')
|-  
|-  
| 5 || Curving || start mid level then down and up  || doubling of vowel || aa
| 2 || shouting || sharply downward (51) || [[r]] (silent)|| {{x|ar}} ({{wt|仔}}) || {{x|hor}} (''tiger'')
|-  
|-  
| 7 || Basic || mid level tone || default || a
| 5 || curving || mid, downward, up (214) || doubling of vowel || {{x|gaau}} (''extraordinary'') || {{x|hiim}} (''bear'')
|-  
|-  
| 8 || Short high || short high tone || ends with h, p, t or k  || ah, ap, at, ak 
| 8 || short high || (5ʔ) || ends with ''h'', ''p'', ''t'' or ''k'' || {{x|ah}} (''a box'') || {{x|lok}} (''deer'')
|-  
|-  
| 4 || Short low || short low tone || ends with q, b, d or g || aq, ab, ad, ag
| 4 || short low || (3ʔ) || ends with ''q'', ''b'', ''d'' or ''g'' || {{x|aq}} (''a duck'') || {{x|piq}} (''snapping turtle'')
|}   
|}   
[[File:say, chviu, pax, hor, hiim, lok, piq.mp3|thumb|none|say, chviu, pax, hor, hiim, lok, piq]]


The tone indicators (f, x, r, etc) are placed after the vowel.
==== Short tones ====
 
Let's look at the [[short tones]] first:
Examples of the seven tones:


{|  
{| class="wikitable"
! Tone !! MTL !! Meaning
! Pitch !! -h  !! -p !! -t !! -k
|-  
|-  
| Basic || si || is
| 8. high || {{x|ciah}} (''to eat'') || {{x|zap}} (''ten'') || {{x|lat}} (''strength'') || {{x|hak}} (''study'')
|-  
|-  
| High || hiaf || there
| 4. low || {{x|phaq}} (''to hit'') || {{x|ciab}} (''juice'') || {{x|pad}} (''eight'') || {{x|kag}} (''horn'')
|}
 
* high short tones end with ''h'' ({{w|glottal stop}}), ''p'', ''t'' and ''k'', which are stops sounding similar to how they're used as an initial consonant
* low short tones end with ''q'', ''b'', ''d'', and ''g'', which are the same stops as above, but signal the vowel is low pitch
* ''{{x|iet}}'' and ''{{x|ek}}'', the short tones of ''ien'' and ''eng'', may sound more like ''et'' and ''iek''
 
==== Long tones ====
Here are some common examples of the [[long tone]]s:
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Tone !! Example !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| Low Falling || zhaix || vegetable
| 1. high || {{x|ciaf}} || here
|-  
|-  
| Shouting || zar || early
| 7. basic || {{x|si}} || is
|-  
|-  
| Curving || hii || fish
| 3. low-falling || {{x|khix}} || to go
|-  
|-  
|   ||   ||  
| 2. shouting || {{x|goar}} || I; me
|-  
|-  
| Short high || ciah || eat
| 5. curving || {{x|ee}} || possessive particle
|-
| Short low || phaq || hit
|-
| Short high || hap || close
|-
| Short low || ciab || catch
|-
| Short high || kut || slippery
|-
| Short low || kud || bone
|-
| Short high || lok || deer
|-
| Short low || kog || country 
|}
|}


There are a few special vowels for certain tones. There are
The tone indicators always come to the right of the vowel, with one exception. To indicate the curving tone of a compound vowel, double the ''a'' if present, or else the last vowel letter. For example: ''{{x|cviaa}}'', ''{{x|laai}}'', ''{{x|ngg}}''.
five special vowels in the shouting-out tone, plus two special vowels in
the high tone. There is also a shortcut for the curving tone of 'ø'.


[[File:specialVowl.ogg]]
===== Special vowels =====
For certain vowels in certain tones, some ornamental substitutions/shortcuts are used. Refer to the [[Media:Seven Tones of Taiwanese.pdf|''Seven Tones'']] chart.
* '''{{x|y}}''',  '''{{x|w}}''': [[high tone]] of '''i''' and '''u'''
* '''{{x|ie}}''', '''{{x|uo}}''', '''{{x|ea}}''': [[shouting tone]] of '''i''', '''u''', '''e'''
* '''{{x|ae}}''', '''{{x|ao}}''': shortcuts for "a + ie" and "a + uo"
* '''{{x|øo}}''': shortcut for "øø"
* None of these apply with NFCs except: '''{{x|ym}}''', '''{{x|yn}}''', '''{{x|wn}}'''


{|  
{| class="wikitable"
! vowel +  !!  tone =  !! special vowel  !! example
! Syll. Tail !! Shortcut !! Example || Meaning
|-  
|-  
| ai  || r || ae  || hae
| if, ifm, ifn || {{x|y}}, {{x|ym}}, {{x|yn}} || {{x|ty}}, {{x|kym}}, {{x|cyn}} || pig, gold, very
|-  
|-  
| i  || r || ie  || lie
| uf, ufn || {{x|w}}, {{x|wn}} || {{x|titw}}, {{x|zhwn}} || spider, springtime
|-  
|-  
| u || r || uo  || kuo
| ir || {{x|ie}} || {{x|lie}} || you; ...
|-  
|-  
| e || r || ea  || bea
| ur || {{x|uo}} || {{x|kuo}} || (''of time'') long
|-  
|-  
| au || r || ao  || kao
| er || {{x|ea}} || {{x|boea}} || tail
|-  
|-  
| i || f || y  ||  
| air || {{x|ae}} || {{x|hae}} || sea
|-  
|-  
| u || f || w
| aur || {{x|ao}} || {{x|kao}} || dog. nine
|-  
|-  
| øø || || øo
| øø || {{x|øo}} || {{x|kiøo}} || bridge; eggplant
|}
|}
 
=== Syllable structure ===
A syllable in Taiwanese is either:
* [initial] + '''vowel''' + [nasal final consonant]
* [initial] + [v] + '''vowel'''
Anything in square brackets is optional. This means:
* a vowel is always required
* ''v'', ''-m'', ''-n'', and ''-ng'' are mutually exclusive


[[File:Tone Circle.gif|right|alt=|Taiwanese tones in isolation, and the changes they undergo when they precede another tone.]]
Also, we almost never find more than one nasal:  
* e.g. ''{{x|man}}'' and ''{{x|mang}}'' don't exist (but ''{{x|ban}}'' and ''{{x|bang}}'' do exist)
* the only exceptions are the various tones of ''{{x|mng}}'' and ''{{x|nng}}''


The basic unit of speech is the syllable, which can change tone depending on where it is spoken in a sentence. If a syllable is spoken in the middle of a word, phrase or sentence, it changes tone according to the Tone Circle diagram below. If a syllable is spoken at the end of a phrase or sentence, it does not change tones. Most nouns do not change
== Tone sandhi ==
tone.
[[File:Tone Circles.png|right|frame|The seven tones, and how they change due to tone sandhi.]]


The different tones and the [[tone sandhi|tone changes]] (sandhi) in Taiwanese are by far the hardest part of learning
The basic unit of speech is the syllable, which can change tone depending on its environment. This process is generally called [[tone sandhi]] ("sandhi" is from the Sanskrit word for "joining") and in Taiwanese the rules for it are extensive.
Taiwanese.


=== Three Special Symbols ===
Generally, a syllable inside of a word changes tone according to the Tone Circles. For example, the single-syllable word for "duck" (bird): ''{{x|aq}}''. Its original tone is low-short. After adding the suffix ''{{x|ar}}'', the tone becomes high-short: ''{{x|ah'ar}}''.


==== Apostrophe (') ====
More examples:
* ''jit'' (sun) + ''thaau'' (head) = ''{{x|jidthaau}}'' (the sun)
* ''cit'' (one) + ''sud'' (a bit) + ''ar'' = ''{{x|cidsut'ar}}'' (a little amount of something)


When two syllables are put together, it may be necessary to
Inside a sentence, the last syllable of most nouns don't change tone. But if that noun is actually used as an adjective, it will. For example, in ''cidsut'ar {{x|png}}'' (a bit of rice), the ''ar'' changes to high tone when spoken. Furthermore, in ''{{x|ciah}} cidsut'ar png'', the verb ''ciah'' (to eat) changes to low-short tone when spoken.  
indicate a syllable boundary with an apostrophe, given the rule that letters
must be grouped into a syllable starting from the right.


Example: '''of + kix''' vs '''og + ix'''
You may have realized by now that tone change is connected to grammar. These tone changes are probably by far the hardest part of learning Taiwanese.


Suppose we want to combine '''of''', meaning “black”, with '''kix''', meaning “mole”. We simply take the modified tone of the first syllable and follow it by the second syllable. The result is '''[[okix]]''' (meaning “black mole”). Following the rules of MTL reading, '''kix''' is the longest possible syllable starting from the right. Thus the first syllable is the simple vowel '''o '''and the second syllable is '''kix''', and no apostrophe is needed.
== Special punctuation marks ==


If we combine '''og''' (“evil”) and '''ix''' (“intention”) without an apostrophe, we also get '''okix'''. By the rules of reading MTL, the final syllable appears to be '''kix'''. Therefore, we must insert an apostrophe ('''ok'ix''') to indicate that the last syllable is '''ix'''. Now we know the first syllable is '''ok''', which is the modified tone of '''og'''. The word '''[[ok'ix]]''' means “evil intention”.
=== Apostrophe (') ===


==== Hyphen (-) ====
When two syllables are put together, sometimes one letter might appear to be connected to the right syllable when it shouldn't be. The apostrophe is used to remove the ambiguity. For example:


A hyphen is used to join two, or more isolated words to
* {{x|of}} (烏; "black") + {{x|kix}} (痣;  "mole") = o'kix = {{x|okix}}
make a new compound word with its own meaning.
* {{x|og}} (惡; "evil") + {{x|ix}} (意; "intention") = {{x|ok'ix}}


Examples: '''[[Taioaan-laang]]''' (Taiwanese person); '''[[Bykog-kongbiin]]''' (American citizen).
In MTL, we group the letters starting from the right into the longest syllable. So reading ''okix'', the second syllable is ''kix''. Then the first syllable is ''o''. There's no need to write ''o'kix''.


When reading these hyphenated words, the syllable directly
If you drop the apostrophe from ''ok'ix'', it would be ''okix'', so the apostrophe needs to stay.
before the hyphen must undergo tone change.


==== Back-quote (`) ====
=== Hyphen (-) ===


When a word contains a back-quote, all the syllables after
A hyphen is used to join two, or more isolated words to
the back-quote are accented in a weaker, lower tone -- either a low-falling tone
make a new compound word with its own meaning. When reading a hyphenated word, the syllable just before the hyphen should change tone. For example: {{XL|Taioaan}} + laang = {{XL|Taioaan-laang}} (Taiwanese person)
or a low stop. The tone of the syllable before the back-quote remains unchanged.
[[File:Taioaan, Taioaan-laang.mp3]]
The last syllable of ''Taioaan'' changes tone when spoken, so the compound word sounds like ''Taioanlaang''.


Example:
=== Backquote (`) ===


[[File:Kviaf`sie vs Kviaf-sie.ogg]]
When a word contains a [[backquote]], all the syllables after
it are accented in a weaker, lower tone -- either a low-falling tone
or a low stop. The tone of the syllable before the backquote remains unchanged.


* kviaf`sie ((v.) ''to freak someone out'') - ''kviaf'' keeps its high tone but ''sie'' is pronounced with a weakened low tone.
Example:


* [[kviasie]] ((adj.) ''scared of death'') – ''kviaf'' is pronounced with normal tone change from high to basic while ''sie'' is pronounced as a shouting tone. ''{{w|Kiasi}}'' is Hokkien phrase that describes the attitude of being overly afraid or timid.
* [[File:Kviaf`sie.mp3]] {{x|kviaf`sie}} ((v.) ''to freak someone out'') - ''kviaf'' keeps its high tone but ''sie'' is pronounced with a weakened low tone.  


== Further study ==
* [[File:Kviasie.mp3]] {{x|kviasie}} ((adj.) ''scared of death'') – ''kviaf'' is pronounced with normal tone change from high to basic while ''sie'' is pronounced as a shouting tone. ''{{w|Kiasi}}'' is Hokkien phrase that describes the attitude of being overly afraid or timid.
 
== Next steps ==
* [[Greeting Phrases in Taiwanese]]
* [[Practical Taiwanese Conversation]]
* [[Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary]]
* [[Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary]]
* [[Practical Taiwanese Conversation]]


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://learntaiwanese.org/Beginner's%20Guide%20to%20Taiwanese.html HTML version]
* [https://learntaiwanese.org/Beginner's%20Guide%20to%20Taiwanese.html ''A Beginner's Guide to Taiwanese''], version 1.0: 2017
* [https://wdcts.org/ WDCTS] - MLT Introduction, Useful Handout, Videos & References. (in Chinese)
* Modern Literal Taiwanese Foundation (MLTF). [https://learntaiwanese.org/english/mtl.html Modern Literal Taiwanese (MLT) Handbook]
* {{Textbook_1990}}


[[Category:Getting started]]
[[Category:Getting started]]
[[Category:Modern Literal Taiwanese]]

Latest revision as of 16:09, 25 July 2024

"Hello" in Taiwanese, written Lie hør!

Lie hør! Taiwanese is a beautiful and musical language spoken in Taiwan and by Taiwanese people around the world. This Beginner's Guide to Taiwanese will provide you with a brief introduction to the spoken language as well as the Modern Literal Taiwanese writing system, which we call MTL for "Modern Taiwanese Language".

Most speakers of Taiwanese aren't aware that there are several writing systems for the language. Pe̍h-ōe-jī (POJ), also known as Church Romanization, might be the most popular romanization, though the government is now promoting a similar system called Tâi-lô. We're going to use MTL here because we found it very useful while studying Taiwanese at the Washington DC Taiwanese School, and we think it could help you too. True, most Taiwanese speakers won't be able to read any of these systems, but they will probably understand you better because you learned one.

How to make a syllable

Let's learn how to write any syllable using the MLT alphabet. The three important parts of a syllable we will look at first are: starting consonant, vowel, and ending consonant. We will talk about tones later.

Initial consonants

A syllable can start with one of 18 initial consonants. Some sounds have an approximation in English, while others may be more exotic. For now, you can just ignore the silent indicators (mainly f, x, r, v).

Consonants
Examples
MTL Approx. Example Meaning
p spin papaf father
ph pin phaq to hit
m Mimi mi noodle
b mumble baq meat
t stem tit straight
th Thomas theh to take
n neat nii year
l lima laang person
k ski kaf to add
kh key khix to go
h heap hii fish
g gaggle go five
c(i) gee ciaf here
ch(i) cheese chiaf car
s she / saw si is; yes
j vision / zeta jit sun; day
z yards zef this
zh Tsai (Ts'ai) zhaix vegetable

The p vs. b and k vs. g may be hard to differentiate at first. They are part of a three-way distinction, going from muddy to plain to aspirated.

  • b and g are voiced: the vocal cords vibrate along with the consonant
  • p, t, k are unvoiced, crisp but not aspirated
  • ph, th, kh, ch, and zh are aspirated, having a strong burst of breath

Vowels

A syllable in Taiwanese can't go without having a vowel. This chart, Seven Tones of Taiwanese, shows how to write any vowel in any tone. For now, just look at the basic tone, and the five categories: simple, compound, plus three categories ending in nasals.

Single vowels

These are the pure vowel sounds.

Vowels
Examples
MTL Example Meaning
a ma also; to scold
i si is; yes; ...
u u to have
e e to be able to; ...
o ho rain; to give; ...
ø tø at once; ...
m m not; will not
ng mng to ask
  • We saw m- earlier as a consonant, but here it's the vowel.
  • In fact, both m and ng are complete syllables and complete words.
  • We will see -m and -ng as nasal final consonants (NFCs).

Compound vowels

These vowels are a combination of multiple pure vowel sounds.

MTL Example Meaning
ai lai sharp
au au back
ia ia to spread
iu siu receive; accept; ...
iø biø temple
iau liau material/stuff
ui ui stomach
oa toa big
oe hoe meeting
oai hoai bad; rotten. see phørhoai

Vowel plus nasal final consonant

Several vowels can be capped with a nasal final consonant (NFC), either -m, -n, or -ng.

Final Example Meaning
am lam to mix
im akim aunt
iam liam to nag
an ban slow
in kin near
un tun dull
ien lien to practice
oan goan wish
ang bang dream
eng teng hard
ong gong dumb
iang liang bright
iong iong to use

Some pointers:

  • ien (from ia + n = ian): used to sound like "yan", then "yen", now usually "en"
  • eng (from e + ng): used to sound as written, now is a little more like "ieng", but not quite "ing"

Nasal vowels

These vowel sounds are made using your nose. Most vowels from the first two groups can be nasalized, indicated by the letter v (read like "you" in English but nasal), chosen because it looks like the Greek letter "nu" (ν). The word for nose is phvi, which also means "to smell".

MTL Example Meaning
va va filling (for dumplings etc.)
vi hvi ear
ve gve stiff
vo kiaugvo proud; arrogant; haughty
vai vai to carry on back
vau liengvau lotus root
via kvia classifier for luggage, clothes, events
viu sviu to think
viau gviaw itchy. see gviaugviaw (sensation of tickling; ticklish)
voa voa to exchange
voai svoai mango

Tones

Taiwanese is a tonal language which means that pitch is used to convey meaning. Many words are differentiated solely by tone (e.g., all seven tones of si). Learning to speak and hear the tones of Taiwanese correctly is often difficult for beginners. With practice you will be able to hear and speak them. Again most speakers of Taiwanese are not aware of the different tones but they can all understand you when you pronounce them correctly.

As you may have noticed from the Seven Tones chart, there are five long tones and two short tones:

  • f, x and r are silent tone indicators for long tones
  • short tones always end with a stop letter that tells both consonant and pitch
af, a, ax, ar, aa, ah, aq
# Tones Description MTL Example Animal
1 high level (55 or 44) f (silent) khaf (leg; foot) say (lion)
7 basic mid-level (33) default toa (big) chviu (elephant)
3 low falling somewhat downward (31) x (silent) khax (to knock) pax (leopard)
2 shouting sharply downward (51) r (silent) ar (仔) hor (tiger)
5 curving mid, downward, up (214) doubling of vowel gaau (extraordinary) hiim (bear)
8 short high (5ʔ) ends with h, p, t or k ah (a box) lok (deer)
4 short low (3ʔ) ends with q, b, d or g aq (a duck) piq (snapping turtle)
say, chviu, pax, hor, hiim, lok, piq

Short tones

Let's look at the short tones first:

Pitch -h -p -t -k
8. high ciah (to eat) zap (ten) lat (strength) hak (study)
4. low phaq (to hit) ciab (juice) pad (eight) kag (horn)
  • high short tones end with h (glottal stop), p, t and k, which are stops sounding similar to how they're used as an initial consonant
  • low short tones end with q, b, d, and g, which are the same stops as above, but signal the vowel is low pitch
  • iet and ek, the short tones of ien and eng, may sound more like et and iek

Long tones

Here are some common examples of the long tones:

Tone Example Meaning
1. high ciaf here
7. basic si is
3. low-falling khix to go
2. shouting goar I; me
5. curving ee possessive particle

The tone indicators always come to the right of the vowel, with one exception. To indicate the curving tone of a compound vowel, double the a if present, or else the last vowel letter. For example: cviaa, laai, ngg.

Special vowels

For certain vowels in certain tones, some ornamental substitutions/shortcuts are used. Refer to the Seven Tones chart.

Syll. Tail Shortcut Example Meaning
if, ifm, ifn y, ym, yn ty, kym, cyn pig, gold, very
uf, ufn w, wn titw, zhwn spider, springtime
ir ie lie you; ...
ur uo kuo (of time) long
er ea boea tail
air ae hae sea
aur ao kao dog. nine
øø øo kiøo bridge; eggplant

Syllable structure

A syllable in Taiwanese is either:

  • [initial] + vowel + [nasal final consonant]
  • [initial] + [v] + vowel

Anything in square brackets is optional. This means:

  • a vowel is always required
  • v, -m, -n, and -ng are mutually exclusive

Also, we almost never find more than one nasal:

  • e.g. man and mang don't exist (but ban and bang do exist)
  • the only exceptions are the various tones of mng and nng

Tone sandhi

The seven tones, and how they change due to tone sandhi.

The basic unit of speech is the syllable, which can change tone depending on its environment. This process is generally called tone sandhi ("sandhi" is from the Sanskrit word for "joining") and in Taiwanese the rules for it are extensive.

Generally, a syllable inside of a word changes tone according to the Tone Circles. For example, the single-syllable word for "duck" (bird): aq. Its original tone is low-short. After adding the suffix ar, the tone becomes high-short: ah'ar.

More examples:

  • jit (sun) + thaau (head) = jidthaau (the sun)
  • cit (one) + sud (a bit) + ar = cidsut'ar (a little amount of something)

Inside a sentence, the last syllable of most nouns don't change tone. But if that noun is actually used as an adjective, it will. For example, in cidsut'ar png (a bit of rice), the ar changes to high tone when spoken. Furthermore, in ciah cidsut'ar png, the verb ciah (to eat) changes to low-short tone when spoken.

You may have realized by now that tone change is connected to grammar. These tone changes are probably by far the hardest part of learning Taiwanese.

Special punctuation marks

Apostrophe (')

When two syllables are put together, sometimes one letter might appear to be connected to the right syllable when it shouldn't be. The apostrophe is used to remove the ambiguity. For example:

  • of (烏; "black") + kix (痣; "mole") = o'kix = okix
  • og (惡; "evil") + ix (意; "intention") = ok'ix

In MTL, we group the letters starting from the right into the longest syllable. So reading okix, the second syllable is kix. Then the first syllable is o. There's no need to write o'kix.

If you drop the apostrophe from ok'ix, it would be okix, so the apostrophe needs to stay.

Hyphen (-)

A hyphen is used to join two, or more isolated words to make a new compound word with its own meaning. When reading a hyphenated word, the syllable just before the hyphen should change tone. For example: Taioaan + laang = Taioaan-laang (Taiwanese person) The last syllable of Taioaan changes tone when spoken, so the compound word sounds like Taioanlaang.

Backquote (`)

When a word contains a backquote, all the syllables after it are accented in a weaker, lower tone -- either a low-falling tone or a low stop. The tone of the syllable before the backquote remains unchanged.

Example:

  • kviaf`sie ((v.) to freak someone out) - kviaf keeps its high tone but sie is pronounced with a weakened low tone.
  • kviasie ((adj.) scared of death) – kviaf is pronounced with normal tone change from high to basic while sie is pronounced as a shouting tone. Kiasi is Hokkien phrase that describes the attitude of being overly afraid or timid.

Next steps

External links

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