Cybernide on 23/2/2006 at 21:25
I grew up speaking Chinese (Cantonese) at home, so I can't really help you with finding a good book/tape to actually get you started.
I would caution you against books, though, because they can't teach you intonation adequately. Unlike most European languages, Chinese languages tend to have a very small set of syllables whilst utilizing tones to convey completely different words. I'm sure you've heard of stories about people making mistakes on intonation, thereby unintentionally insulting potential business partners.
It's a good thing you need to learn Mandarin as opposed to Cantonese, though. There are four tones in Mandarin, and more syllables, and less syllables, 9 tones in Cantonese. No wonder why we get good at playing violin and piano, eh?
Fucking parents. *teenage angst*
Cybernide on 23/2/2006 at 21:26
And you got your solution after I finished posting.
Bleh. This is not my week.
D'Juhn Keep on 23/2/2006 at 22:14
Quote Posted by Wyclef
Thanks, dudes. The Pimsleur CDs are over $200 on Amazon, but fortunately the library has them and I put in a request. At $50/CD, I'm awfully tempted to burn copies (lol just kidding RIAA/MPAA/FBI)
I got some CDs from the library and put them on my mp3 player =)
