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A Beginner's Guide to Taiwanese: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Lie hør.mp3|thumb|"Hello" in Taiwanese, written '''''[[Lie hør!]]''''']] | [[File:Lie hør.mp3|thumb|"Hello" in Taiwanese, written '''''[[Lie hør!]]''''' in [[Modern Literal Taiwanese]]]] | ||
'''''Li | '''''Li hø!''''' [[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 a system for writing Taiwanese called [[Modern Literal Taiwanese]] (MLT), also known as "Modern Taiwanese Language" (MTL). | ||
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 [[ | 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 == | == 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. | Let's learn how to write any [[imcied|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 === | === Initial consonants === | ||
A syllable can start with one of [[ | A syllable can start with one of [[Modern Literal Taiwanese alphabet#Consonants|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''). | ||
[[File:Initial_consonants.mp3|thumb|none|Consonants]] | [[File:Initial_consonants.mp3|thumb|none|Consonants]] | ||
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| [[u]] || {{x|u}} || to have | | [[u]] || {{x|u}} || to have | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[e]] || {{x|e}} || | | [[e]] || {{x|e}} || below; under; ... | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[o]] || {{x|ho}} || rain; to give; ... | | [[o]] || {{x|ho}} || rain; to give; ... | ||
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| {{x|iong}} || {{x|iong}} || to use | | {{x|iong}} || {{x|iong}} || to use | ||
|} | |} | ||
Some pointers: | |||
* ''ien'' (from ia + n = ian | * '''ien''' (from '''ia''' + '''n''' = '''ian'''): used to sound like "yan", then "yen", now usually "en" | ||
* ''eng'' | * '''eng''' (from '''e''' + '''ng'''): used to sound as written, now is a little more like "ieng", but not quite "ing" | ||
==== Nasal vowels ==== | ==== 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" ( | 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 ''{{x|phvi}}'', which also means "to smell". | ||
[[File:Front_nasal_new.mp3]] | [[File:Front_nasal_new.mp3]] | ||
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===== Special vowels ===== | ===== Special vowels ===== | ||
For certain vowels in certain tones, | 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" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
! | ! Syll. Tail !! Shortcut !! Example || Meaning | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | if, ifm, ifn || {{x|y}}, {{x|ym}}, {{x|yn}} || {{x|ty}}, {{x|kym}}, {{x|cyn}} || pig, gold, very | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | uf, ufn || {{x|w}}, {{x|wn}} || {{x|titw}}, {{x|zhwn}} || spider, springtime | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | ir || {{x|ie}} || {{x|lie}} || you; ... | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | ur || {{x|uo}} || {{x|kuo}} || (''of time'') long | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | er || {{x|ea}} || {{x|boea}} || tail | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | air || {{x|ae}} || {{x|hae}} || sea | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | aur || {{x|ao}} || {{x|kao}} || dog. nine | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | | øø || {{x|øo}} || {{x|kiøo}} || bridge; eggplant | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== Syllable structure === | === Syllable structure === | ||
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* e.g. ''{{x|man}}'' and ''{{x|mang}}'' don't exist (but ''{{x|ban}}'' and ''{{x|bang}}'' do exist) | * 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 only exceptions are the various tones of ''{{x|mng}}'' and ''{{x|nng}}'' | ||
Now that you're familiar with the structure of Taiwanese syllables, try out your new reading skills at the {{Seven-Tones-Soundboard-link}} of the [[MTL Toolbox]]. | |||
== Tone sandhi == | == Tone sandhi == | ||
[[File:Tone Circles.png|right|frame|The seven tones, and how they change due to tone sandhi.]] | [[File:Tone Circles.png|right|frame|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 | 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): ''{{x|aq}}''. Its original tone is low-short. After adding the suffix ''{{x|ar}}'', the tone becomes high-short: ''{{x|ah'ar}}''. | 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}}''. | ||
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=== Apostrophe (') === | === 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: | 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: | ||
* {{x|of}} (烏; "black") + {{x|kix}} (痣; "mole") = o'kix = {{x|okix}} | * {{x|of}} (烏; "black") + {{x|kix}} (痣; "mole") = o'kix = {{x|okix}} | ||
* {{x|og}} (惡; "evil") + {{x|ix}} (意; "intention") = {{x|ok'ix}} | * {{x|og}} (惡; "evil") + {{x|ix}} (意; "intention") = {{x|ok'ix}} | ||
In MTL, | In MTL, syllables actually start from the right and grab letters to the left. Starting with ''{{x|ix}}'', we expand to ''{{x|kix}}''. Then the first syllable is simply ''o'' (''of'' after tone change). We could write ''o'kix'' but drop the apostrophe to get ''okix''. | ||
If you drop the apostrophe from ''ok'ix'', it would | If you drop the apostrophe from ''[[ok'ix]]'', it would look identical to ''[[okix]]''. In this case, we must keep the apostrophe. | ||
=== Hyphen (-) === | === Hyphen (-) === | ||
A hyphen is used to join two, or more isolated words to | 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: {{ | 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: {{x|Taioaan}} + laang = {{x|Taioaan-laang}} (Taiwanese person) | ||
[[File:Taioaan, Taioaan-laang.mp3]] | [[File:Taioaan, Taioaan-laang.mp3]] | ||
The last syllable of ''Taioaan'' changes tone when spoken, so the compound word sounds like ''Taioanlaang''. | The last syllable of ''Taioaan'' changes tone when spoken, so the compound word sounds like ''Taioanlaang''. | ||
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Example: | Example: | ||
* [[File:Kviaf`sie.mp3]] {{ | * [[File:Kviaf`sie.mp3]] {{g|kviaf`sie|驚死||to freak someone out}} - ''kviaf'' keeps its high tone but ''sie'' is pronounced with a weakened low tone. | ||
* [[File:Kviasie.mp3]] {{ | * [[File:Kviasie.mp3]] {{g|kviasie|驚死||to fear death. afraid; cowardly; timid}} – ''kviaf'' is pronounced with normal tone change from high to basic while ''sie'' is pronounced as a shouting tone. ''{{w|Kiasi}}'' is a Hokkien phrase that describes the attitude of being overly afraid or timid. | ||
== Next steps == | == Next steps == | ||
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* [[Practical Taiwanese Conversation]] | * [[Practical Taiwanese Conversation]] | ||
* [[Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary]] | * [[Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary]] | ||
* {{Seven-Tones-Soundboard-link}} ([[MTL Toolbox]]) | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
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[[Category:Getting started]] | [[Category:Getting started]] | ||
[[Category:Modern Literal Taiwanese]] | |||