Chinese language - Is it possible to be perfect with your tones? -

> Learning Chinese > Speaking and Listening
Is it possible to be perfect with your tones?
Home New Posts

Login: Pass: Log in or register for standard view and full access.





Page 1 of 3 1 23 >






CheeSaw2006 -

What I mean is, is it possible to never make a tone mistake? (obviously a non-native speaker, who
learned the language later in life)



Pleco Software Learn Chinese with our Dictionaries for Palm and Pocket PC.
Learn Chinese in China Learn to speak Chinese 1MonthChinese.com -Mandarin School in China.
Chinese Textbooks Wide range, cheap, varied languages. Also Chinese cartoons, toys, gifts.
Study Chinese in Beijing Affordable Mandarin language courses at BLCU with ChinaUnipath.com.
HNHSoft Dictionary Learn Chinese on Smartphone and PDA with real person's voice.
XueXueXue IQChinese Get beyond the plateau.Take your Mandarin to a new level.
Chinese in Lijiang Short term Chinese study in a beautiful town with a focus on daily life.
MandarinTube Chinese Access to current everyday Chinese language and culture, 24/7.
Learn Chinese Homestay Chinese course, cultural activities & volunteer events in China.
Learn Chinese Online 1-on-1 instant tutoring, diverse courses, native teachers. FREE trial now!
Nihao Chinese Progam Free one-on-one Chinese lesson. Win 5-years of free lessons now!


About Ads (and how to hide them) -- Your message here









DrZero -

I think so. I don't think Da Shan makes tone mistakes. I believe the newer research suggests it is
possible for some adult learners to acquire a language with no accent. But to achieve that level
is very, very rare.










CheeSaw2006 -

You say: "I believe the newer research suggests it is possible for some adult learners to acquire
a language with no accent" (any internet links to articles, Im very interested in second language
learning/acquisition). I wish we could find out how DaShan learned Mandarin so well.










DrZero -

CheeSaw,
I wish I could remember where I read that, but I can't. But, have you ever looked at Linglist's
Ask a Linguist feature? It's got professional linguists answering questions from the public.










CheeSaw2006 -

Yes I am familiar with that site. I'll have to browse through it.










Gulao -

Considering even native speakers, even highly educated ones, make tone errors, I'd say no. It's
possible to have the tones locked in your head as distinguishing certain words such that you can
tell when you've made a mistake, and this should be considered normal as low as an intermediate
level, in my opinion.










CheeSaw2006 -

Gulao you say "Considering even native speakers, even highly educated ones, make tone errors, I'd
say no." Maybe I am wrong but I dont this statement is correct. If you are a native speaker and
learned it at birth then there is no real conscious effort or thinking about the tones so it is
all automatic for a native speaker. So someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I do not
think the example of native speakers doesn't factor into my question. An aspect of language like
grammar is not always perfect even by native speakers of any language.










adrianlondon -



Quote:

never make a tone mistake

Not possible. As said above, even native speakers make the occasional (albeit rare) mistake. Same
as with English - sometimes you say the word incorrectly because you were distracted, or
momentarily got confused between two words, or simply talk too quickly and swap things around,
e.g. spoonerisms.

They're rare, but you did seem to want to use the word "never" in your opening question. Maybe
that was a mistake? ;)










roddy -

Yeah, anyone can stumble over their words, particularly if they are busy, hungover, etc.

If you ask the question "is it possible to be as good as a native speaker" I'd say yes, it's
possible. But there's a diminishing returns issue here - the extra time it would take you would
probably be better spent on learning more vocabulary, listening skills, gardening, etc. And I
think its dubious as an aim - imagine how nervous you'd be every time you opened your mouth,
terrified you might ruin your so-far perfect record . . .










self-taught-mba -

[quote]Not possible. As said above, even native speakers make the occasional (albeit rare)
mistake. [quote]

I find it quite common with native speakers actually. And certain words get them every time like
gong1xu1 (supply and demand) or chu3nv3 (virgin). They invevitably think the first character is
4th tone because it is a shuang1yin1zi (disambiguation: yi shuang1 kuai4zi; fa1yin1; han4zi). Alot
of shuang1yin1zi get them I find.

Also the first character used in a 3+3 tone combination tends to get screwed up a lot when they're
put into isolation if it is more commonly found paired elsewhere. And then of course there's just
loves of people that don't speak very "standard".












All times are GMT +8. The time now is 06:18 PM.














Learn Chinese, Learn mandarin, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing,