Now we are in multicultural community. We need understanding and communication among countries. As a Chinese teacher, I have learnt a simple way through tried and error to learn Chinese which is suitable for western people. We can learn Chinese Pinyin by the Method of Chinese Learning by Transfer from English International Phonetic Alphabet to Chinese Pinyin ,So I want to recommend the book¿Elementary Chinese¿ to you.
Let the world know China better and Let China reach out to the world.
With the further Reform and Opening, more and more foreigners want to know China and study the Chinese language. From my years of English learning, I have noticed studying Chinese with the help of Transfer. Among the English International Phonetic Alphabets, many alphabets are similar to the Chinese Phonetic Alphabets. The Transfer has obvious effects for the foreign beginners in reading the words correctly and improving their self-taught abilities.
There are three parts in this book. The first part is how to learn Pinyin by the Method of Chinese Learning by Transfer from English International Phonetic Alphabet to Chinese Pinyin¿The second part is to grasp Chinese spelling by practicing Pinyin. The third part is to learn how to write Chinese by "Chinese Basic Strokes."
An Introduction to the Method of Chinese Learning by Transfer from English International Phonetic Alphabet to Chinese Pinyin
1. Contrast between the Chinese Pinyin and English International Phonetic Alphabet
There are 48 phonetic alphabets in English with 20 vowels and 28 constants, 20 vowels including 8 double vowels and 12 single vowels. Vowel is the critical phoneme in forming syllable and word and its right reading is the key in studying standard English pronunciation.
There are 47 Chinese Pinyin, 6 simple finals with the same function as the 12 single vowels in English phonetic alphabets, 9 compound finals and 9 nasal finals with the same function as 8 double vowels, and 23 initials just like the 28 constants. The precise sounds of the finals are key in Standard Chinese pronunciation.
2. Chinese pronunciation is termed "Voice Front Approach", that is, the front of the oral cavity exercises more and pronounces. While English pronunciation is termed "Voice Rear Approach", that is, the rear of the oral cavity exercises more and pronounces.
The book will talk about the learning of Chinese Pinyin by Label of English Phonetic Alphabet Sound Symbolism Approach and Phonetic Alphabet Transfer Approach. It will help the foreigners learn the Chinese Pinyin and know the ways to read Chinese characters from the comparison of the places of articulation in phonetic alphabets and Pinyin.
With the purpose of transfer, the book will teach the foreigners to learn Chinese by Phonetic Alphabet Sound Symbolism Approach of the English International Phonetic Alphabets and the Chinese Pinyin.
From my point of view, the greatest advantage of the method is that it is simple, practical, and easy to understand, with operability. Surely, it will give a shortcut for the westerners to study Chinese. I have intended to continue with Volume 2 and Volume 3, which will show the Chinese long history, brilliant culture and traditional customs to the world and make China known to the world.
