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Li hø! [[File:Lie hør.ogg|thumb|"Hello" in Taiwanese, written "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 a writing system called [[Modern Taiwanese Language]] (MTL).  
[[File:Lie hør.ogg|thumb|"Hello" in Taiwanese, written "[[Lie hør!]]"]]  
 
Li<u>e</u> hø<u>r</u>! 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).  


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 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.  


==Introduction to Taiwanese Phonetics==
==Introduction to Taiwanese Phonetics==
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.
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. In the examples, we have underlined tone indicators that are silent, which we will explain later.


=== Consonants ===
=== Consonants ===
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! MTL  !! Approx.  !! Example  !! Meaning  
! MTL  !! Approx.  !! Example  !! Meaning  
|-  
|-  
| p  || B / cris'''p'''y  || papaf || father  
| p  || B / cris'''p'''y  || papa<u>f</u> || father  
|-  
|-  
| ph  || P (crisp)  || phaq || to hit  
| ph  || P (crisp)  || pha<u>q</u> || to hit  
|-  
|-  
| m  || me  || mi  || noodle  
| m  || me  || [[mi]] || noodle  
|-  
|-  
| b  || mu'''mb'''le  || baq || meat  
| b  || mu'''mb'''le  || ba<u>q</u> || meat  
|-  
|-  
| t  || D (crisp)  || tit  || straight  
| t  || D (crisp)  || tit  || straight  
|-  
|-  
| th  || Thomas  || theh || to take  
| th  || Thomas  || the<u>h</u> || to take  
|-  
|-  
| n  || neat  || nii  || year  
| n  || neat  || [[nii]] || year  
|-  
|-  
| l  || Lima  || laang  || person  
| l  || Lima  || [[laang]] || person  
|-  
|-  
| k  || gear  || kaf (''ka'iuu'') || to add
| k  || gear  || ka<u>f</u> || to add (see {{x2|ka'iuu}})
|-  
|-  
| kh  || key  || khix || go  
| kh  || key  || khi<u>x</u> || go  
|-  
|-  
| h  || heap  || hii  || fish  
| h  || heap  || [[hii]] || fish  
|-  
|-  
| g  || ga'''gg'''le  || go  || five  
| g  || ga'''gg'''le  || go  || five  
|-  
|-  
| c(i)  || G  || ciaf || here  
| c(i)  || G  || cia<u>f</u> || here  
|-  
|-  
| ch(i)  || cheese  || chiaf || car  
| ch(i)  || cheese  || chia<u>f</u> || car  
|-  
|-  
| s(i)  || she/sea  || si  || yes  
| s(i)  || she / sea  || si  || yes  
|-  
|-  
| j(i)  || Z  || jit  || day  
| j(i)  || Z  || [[jit]] || day  
|-  
|-  
| z  || yar'''ds''' || zef || this  
| z  || yar'''ds''' || ze<u>f</u> || this  
|-  
|-  
| zh  || ca'''ts''' || zhaix || vegetable  
| zh  || ca'''ts''' || zhai<u>x</u> || vegetable  
|-  
|-  
| s  || Saul  || svaf || three
| s  || Saul  || sva<u>f</u> || three
|-  
|-  
| j  || zoo  || joah  || hot  
| j  || zoo  || joah  || hot  
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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.
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.


Note that "j" and "s" appear twice: these are slightly different when   followed by an "i" vs other vowels.
Note that "j" and "s" appear twice: these are slightly different when followed by an "i" vs other vowels.


=== Vowels ===
=== Vowels ===
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[[File:SimpleVowels.ogg]]
[[File:SimpleVowels.ogg]]
{|  
{|  
! MTL  !! example !! meaning
! MTL  !! Example !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| a  || ka || bite  
| a  || ka || to bite  
|-  
|-  
| i  || hvi || ear  
| i  || h<u>v</u>i || ear  
|-  
|-  
| u  || u || have  
| u  || u || to have  
|-  
|-  
| e  || ke || low  
| e  || ke || low  
|-  
|-  
| o  || lo || road  
| o  || [[lo]] || road  
|-  
|-  
| ø  || hør || good  
| ø  || hø<u>r</u> || good  
|-  
|-  
| m  || m || no  
| m  || m || no  
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|}   
|}   


The 'm' can be both vowel and consonant.  
The 'm' can be both vowel and consonant.


==== Compound Vowels ====
==== Compound Vowels ====
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{|  
{|  
! MTL !! example !! meaning
! MTL !! Example !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| ai  || lai || sharp  
| ai  || lai || sharp  
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| au  || au || back  
| au  || au || back  
|-  
|-  
| ia  || ia || spread  
| ia  || ia || to spread  
|-  
|-  
| iu  || chviu || elephant  
| iu  || [[chviu]] || elephant  
|-  
|-  
| iø  || kiøo || bridge  
| iø  || [[Kiøo (kauthofng)|kiøo]] || bridge  
|-  
|-  
| iau  || liau || material/stuff  
| iau  || liau || material/stuff  
|-  
|-  
| ui  || ui || stomach  
| ui  || [[ui]] || stomach  
|-  
|-  
| oa  || toa || big  
| oa  || toa || big  
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| oe  || hoe || meeting  
| oe  || hoe || meeting  
|-  
|-  
| øe  || øe || able  
| øe  || [[øe]] || to be able to
|-  
|-  
| oai  || koaix || weird   
| oai  || {{x2|koaix}} || weird   
|}
|}


==== Nasal Vowel ====
==== Nasal Vowel ====
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{|  
{|  
! MTL  !! example !! English
! MTL  !! Example !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| va || va  || filling (for dumplings etc.)  
| va || va  || filling (for dumplings etc.)  
|-  
|-  
| vi || hvi || ear  
| vi || [[hvi]] || ear  
|-  
|-  
| ve || gve || stiff  
| ve || gve || stiff  
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| vai || vai || to carry on back  
| vai || vai || to carry on back  
|-  
|-  
| vau || gvau || lotus root  
| vau || [[liengvau|gvau]] || lotus root  
|-  
|-  
| via || thviaf || to listen  
| via || thviaf || to listen  
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|-  
|-  
| voai || kvoaimngg || to close a door  
| voai || kvoaimngg || to close a door  
|}
|}


==== Ending vowel ====
==== Ending vowel ====
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{|  
{|  
! MTL !! example !! English
! MTL !! Example !! Meaning
|-  
|-  
| -am || lam || mix  
| -am || lam || to mix  
|-  
|-  
| -im || a'kim || aunt  
| -im || a'kim (akim) || aunt  
|-  
|-  
| -iam || liam || nagging
| -iam || liam || to nag
|-  
|-  
| -an || ban || slow  
| -an || ban || slow  
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| -un || tun || dull  
| -un || tun || dull  
|-  
|-  
| -ien || lien || practice  
| -ien || lien || to practice  
|-  
|-  
| -oan || goan || wish  
| -oan || goan || wish  
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| -iang || liang || bright  
| -iang || liang || bright  
|-  
|-  
| -iong || iong || use
| -iong || iong || to use
|}   
|}   


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A valid syllable only needs to have a vowel. The brackets ([]) mean the consonant, nasal or rear nasal ending are optional.
A valid syllable only needs to have a vowel. The brackets ([]) mean the consonant, nasal or rear nasal ending are optional.


A word can be formed with one or more syllables, but two syllables is most typical.  
A word can be formed with one or more syllables, but two syllables is most typical.
 


=== Tones ===
=== Tones ===
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{|  
{|  
! Tone !! MTL !! Meaning  
! Tone !! Example !! Meaning  
|-  
|-  
| Basic || si || is  
| Basic || si || is  
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| High || hiaf || there  
| High || hiaf || there  
|-  
|-  
| Low Falling || zhaix || vegetable  
| Low Falling || [[zhaix]] || vegetable  
|-  
|-  
| Shouting || zar || early  
| Shouting || zar || early  
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|  ||  ||   
|  ||  ||   
|-  
|-  
| Short high || ciah || eat  
| Short high || ciah || to eat  
|-  
|-  
| Short low || phaq || hit  
| Short low || phaq || to hit  
|-  
|-  
| Short high || hap || close  
| Short high || hap || to close  
|-  
|-  
| Short low || ciab || catch  
| Short low || ciab || to catch  
|-  
|-  
| Short high || kut || slippery  
| Short high || kut || slippery  
|-  
|-  
| Short low || kud || bone  
| Short low || [[kud]] || bone  
|-  
|-  
| Short high || lok || deer  
| Short high || [[lok]] || deer  
|-  
|-  
| Short low || kog || country   
| Short low || [[kokkaf|kog]] || country   
|}
|}


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{|  
{|  
! vowel +  !!  tone =  !! special vowel  !! example
! Vowel +  !!  Tone =  !! Special vowel  !! Example || Meaning
|-  
|-  
| ai  || r || ae  || hae  
| ai  || r || ae  || [[hae]] || sea
|-  
|-  
| i  || r || ie  || lie  
| i  || r || ie  || [[lie]] || you
|-  
|-  
| u  || r || uo  || kuo  
| u  || r || uo  || kuo || (''of time'') long
|-  
|-  
| e  || r || ea  || bea  
| e  || r || ea  || [[bea]] || horse
|-  
|-  
| au  || r || ao  || kao  
| au  || r || ao  || [[kao]] || dog
|-  
|-  
| i  || f || y  ||  
| i  || f || y  || y || he / she / it
|-  
|-  
| u  || f || w  
| u  || f || w || [[wtiu]] || universe
|-  
|-  
| øø  ||  || øo  
| øø  ||  || øo || [[kiøo (kauthofng)|kiøo]] || bridge
|}   
|}   


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When two syllables are put together, it may be necessary to  
When two syllables are put together, it may be necessary to  
indicate a syllable boundary with an apostrophe, given the rule that letters  
indicate a syllable boundary with an [[apostrophe]], given the rule that letters  
must be grouped into a syllable starting from the right.
must be grouped into a syllable starting from the right.


Example: '''of + kix''' vs '''og + ix'''
Example: '''of + kix''' vs '''og + ix'''


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.
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.


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”.  
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”.


==== 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.
make a new compound word with its own meaning.


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


When a word contains a back-quote, all the syllables after  
When a word contains a [[Kiongjiok-huhø|back-quote]], all the syllables after  
the back-quote are accented in a weaker, lower tone -- either a low-falling tone  
the back-quote are accented in a weaker, lower tone -- either a low-falling tone  
or a low stop. The tone of the syllable before the back-quote remains unchanged.
or a low stop. The tone of the syllable before the back-quote remains unchanged.
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* [[Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary]]
* [[Introduction to Taiwanese Vocabulary]]
* [[Practical Taiwanese Conversation]]
* [[Practical Taiwanese Conversation]]
* [[Taiwanese alphabet]]
== External links ==
* [http://learntaiwanese.org/Beginner's%20Guide%20to%20Taiwanese.html HTML version]


[[Category:Getting started]]
[[Category:Getting started]]
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