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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<u>e</u> hø<u>r</u>!''''' [[Taioan'oe|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 writing system called [[Modern Taiwanese Language]] (MTL).  
'''''Li<u>e</u> hø<u>r</u>!''''' [[Taioan'oe|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 writing system called [[Modern Taiwanese Language]] (MTL).  
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== Phonology ==
== Phonology ==
We will first introduce all of the phonetic sounds of Taiwanese, using the [[Taiwanese alphabet]]. 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.
We will first introduce all of the phonetic sounds of Taiwanese, using the [[Taiwanese alphabet]]. Some sounds have an approximation in English, while others may be less familiar. In the examples, we have underlined indicators (mainly ''f'', ''r'', ''x'', ''v'') that are silent, which we will explain later.


=== Consonants ===
=== Initial consonants ===
Here are the 18 initial consonants in MTL:
Here are the 18 initial consonants in MTL, which come at the beginning of the syllable.


[[File:conExp.ogg]]
[[File:Initial consonants.mp3|thumb|none|Consonants]]
[[File:conExp.mp3|thumb|none|Examples]]
{{Initial_consonants}}
{{Initial_consonants}}


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These are the pure vowel sounds ({{w|monophthong}}s).
These are the pure vowel sounds ({{w|monophthong}}s).


[[File:SimpleVowels.ogg]]
[[File:SimpleVowels.mp3]]
{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! MTL  !! Example !! Meaning  
! MTL  !! Example !! Meaning  
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|}   
|}   


We saw ''m'' earlier as a consonant, but it can stand alone as a vowel. In fact, both ''m'' and ''ng'' can be an entire word. We will see them both again later as final consonants.
We saw ''m'' earlier as a consonant, but it can stand alone as a vowel. In fact, both ''m'' and ''ng'' are complete syllables and complete words. We will see them both again later as final consonants.


==== Compound vowels ====
==== Compound vowels ====
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These vowels are a combination of two (or three) pure vowel sounds.  
These vowels are a combination of two (or three) pure vowel sounds.  


[[File:CompoundVowels.ogg]]
[[File:CompoundVowels.mp3]]


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
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| oa  || {{xl|toa}} || big  
| oa  || {{xl|toa}} || big  
|-  
|-  
| {{xl|oe}}  || {{xl|hoe}} || meeting  
| {{xl|oe}}  || {{xl|hoe}} || meeting
|-
| øe  || [[øe]] || to be able to (dialectal)
|-  
|-  
| oai  || {{xl|koaix}} || weird   
| oai  || {{xl|koaix}} || weird   
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have a nasal form. A ''v'' is placed in front of the vowel to designate it.  
have a nasal form. A ''v'' is placed in front of the vowel to designate it.  


[[File:FrontNasalV3.ogg]]
[[File:FrontNasalV3.mp3]]


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
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The following ''finals'' are composed of vowels capped with the nasal ''m'', ''n'' and ''ng'' as final consonants.
The following ''finals'' are composed of vowels capped with the nasal ''m'', ''n'' and ''ng'' as final consonants.


[[File:RearNasal.ogg]]
[[File:RearNasal.mp3]]


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
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* [consonant] + '''vowel''' + [nasal final consonant]
* [consonant] + '''vowel''' + [nasal final consonant]


As a bare minimum, only a vowel is required. The items in the [[koat'hoo|brackets]] are optional.
As a bare minimum, only a vowel is required. The items in the [[koat'hoo|brackets]] are optional. We will explain below how every syllable has a distinct tone.


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.
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Taiwanese is a tonal language which means that pitch is used to convey meaning. Many words are differentiated solely by [[sviatiau|tone]]. Learning to speak and hear the [[tones of Taiwanese]] 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 seven tones (Mandarin has four). Again most speakers of Taiwanese are not aware of the different tones but they can all understand it when you pronounce it.
Taiwanese is a tonal language which means that pitch is used to convey meaning. Many words are differentiated solely by [[sviatiau|tone]]. Learning to speak and hear the [[tones of Taiwanese]] 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 seven tones (Mandarin has four). 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|thumb|''af'', ''ar'', ''ax'', ''aa'', ''a'', ''ah'', ''aq'']]
[[File:Tones1235784.mp3|thumb|none|''af'', ''ar'', ''ax'', ''aa'', ''a'', ''ah'', ''aq'']]


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Tones !! Description !! MTL !! Example
! # !! Tones !! Description !! MTL !! Example
|-  
|-  
| 1 || High || high level tone || [[f]] || {{xl|af}}
| 1 || High || high level tone || [[f]] || {{x|khaf}}
|-  
|-  
| 2 || Shouting || start high, then sharp downward || [[r]] || {{xl|ar}}
| 2 || Shouting || start high, then sharp downward || [[r]] || {{x|ar}}
|-  
|-  
| 3 || Low Falling || start mid then downward tone || [[x]] || ax
| 3 || Low Falling || start mid then downward tone || [[x]] || {{x|extaxng}}
|-  
|-  
| 5 || Curving || start mid level then down and up  || doubling of vowel || aa
| 5 || Curving || start mid level then down and up  || doubling of vowel || {{x|gaau}}
|-  
|-  
| 7 || Basic || mid level tone || default || a
| 7 || Basic || mid level tone || default || {{x|toa}}
|-  
|-  
| 8 || Short high || short high tone || ends with ''h'', ''p'', ''t'' or ''k''  || {{xl|ah}}; {{xl|ap}}, {{xl|lat}}, {{xl|bak}}
| 8 || Short high || short high tone || ends with ''h'', ''p'', ''t'' or ''k''  || {{xl|ah}}, {{xl|ap}}, {{xl|lat}}, {{xl|bak}}
|-  
|-  
| 4 || Short low || short low tone || ends with ''q'', ''b'', ''d'' or ''g'' || {{xl|aq}}; {{xl|ab}}, {{xl|ad}}, {{xl|ag}}
| 4 || Short low || short low tone || ends with ''q'', ''b'', ''d'' or ''g'' || {{xl|aq}}, {{xl|ab}}, {{xl|ad}}, {{xl|ag}}
|}   
|}   


The letters ''f'', ''r'' and ''x'' are silent tone indicators for [[Tng'ym|long tone]]s. However, the ending letter of a [[short tone]] tells both final consonant and tone. Looking at the high short tones first: the ''h'' is a {{w|glottal stop}}, then the ''p'', ''t'' and ''k'' are stops sounding similar to how they're used as an initial consonant. The low short tones are then the same as the corresponding high tone version but in lower pitch.
The letters ''f'', ''r'' and ''x'' are silent tone indicators for [[Tng'ym|long tone]]s.  


Here are some common examples of the seven tones:
==== Long tones ====
Here are some common examples of the long tones:


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
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|-  
|-  
| Basic || {{xl|si}} || is  
| Basic || {{xl|si}} || is  
|}
The tone indicators always come to the right of the vowel, with one exception. To indicate the curving tone of a compound vowel, normally its last letter is repeated. But when there is an ''a'', it is the one repeated, even when it doesn't sit at the very end of the vowel. For example: {{xl|jidthaau}} & {{xl|na'aau}}.
==== Short tones ====
Here are some examples of the short tones:
{| class="wikitable"
! Pitch !! -h  !! -p !! -t !! -k
|-  
|-  
|   ||  || 
| high || {{xl|ciah}} (''to eat'') || {{xl|hap}} (''to close'') || {{xl|kut}} (''slippery'') || {{xl|lok}} (''deer'')
|-
| Short high || {{xl|ciah}} || to eat  
|-
| Short low || {{xl|phaq}} || to hit
|-
| Short high || {{xl|hap}} || to close  
|-
| Short low || {{xl|ciab}} || to catch
|-
| Short high || {{xl|kut}} || slippery  
|-
| Short low || {{xl|kud}} || bone
|-
| Short high || {{xl|lok}} || deer  
|-  
|-  
| Short low || {{xl|kog}} || country (''[[kokkaf]]'')
| low || {{xl|phaq}} (''to hit'') || {{xl|ciab}} (''to catch'') || {{xl|kud}} (''bone'') || {{xl|kog}} (''[[kokkaf|country]]'')
|}
|}


As you can see, the tone indicators (''f'', ''x'', ''r'', etc.) are placed immediately after the vowel. To indicate the curving tone of a compound vowel, normally its last letter is repeated. The exception is when there is an ''a'', it is the one repeated, even when it doesn't sit at the very end of the vowel. For example: {{xl|jidthaau}} & {{xl|na'aau}}.
The ending letter of a [[short tone]] tells both final consonant and tone. Looking at the high short tones first: the ''h'' is a {{w|glottal stop}}, then the ''p'', ''t'' and ''k'' are stops sounding similar to how they're used as an initial consonant. The low short tones are then the same as the corresponding high tone version but in lower pitch.


==== Special vowels ====
==== Special vowels ====
For certain vowels in certain tones, there are a few substitutions/shortcuts: five for the shouting-out tone, plus two in the high tone. There is also a shortcut for the curving tone of ''ø''.
For certain vowels in certain tones, there are a few substitutions/shortcuts: five for the shouting-out tone, plus two in the high tone. There is also a shortcut for the curving tone of ''ø''.


[[File:specialVowl.ogg]]
[[File:specialVowl.mp3]]
[[File:special_vowels_high.mp3]]


{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
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| ai  || air || ae  || {{xl|hae}} || sea
| ai  || air || ae  || {{xl|hae}} || sea
|-  
|-  
| i  || ir || ie  || {{xl|lie}} || you
| i  || ir || {{x|ie}} || {{xl|lie}} || you
|-  
|-  
| u  || ur || uo  || {{xl|kuo}} || (''of time'') long
| u  || ur || {{x|uo}} || {{xl|kuo}} || (''of time'') long
|-  
|-  
| e  || er || ea  || {{xl|bea}} || horse
| e  || er || {{x|ea}} || {{xl|bea}} || horse
|-  
|-  
| au  || aur || ao  || {{xl|kao}} || dog
| au  || aur || {{x|ao}} || {{xl|kao}} || dog
|-  
|-  
| i  || if || y  || {{xl|y}} || he / she / it
| i  || if || {{x|y}} || {{xl|y}} || he / she / it
|-  
|-  
| u  || uf || w || {{xl|wtiu}} || universe
| u  || uf || w || {{xl|wtiu}} || universe
|-  
|-  
| ø  || øø || øo || {{xl|kiøo}} || bridge
| ø  || øø || {{x|øo}} || {{xl|kiøo}} || bridge
|}
|}


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Example:
Example:


* [[File:Kviaf`sie.ogg]] [[kviaf`sie]] ((v.) ''to freak someone out'') - ''kviaf'' keeps its high tone but ''sie'' is pronounced with a weakened low tone.  
* [[File:Kviaf`sie.mp3]] [[kviaf`sie]] ((v.) ''to freak someone out'') - ''kviaf'' keeps its high tone but ''sie'' is pronounced with a weakened low tone.  


* [[File:Kviasie.ogg]] [[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:Kviasie.mp3]] [[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.


== Further study ==
== Further study ==
LearnTaiwanese
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