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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 ''[[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. | 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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==== 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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* 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 == | ||
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* {{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 == | ||