User Comments - jumpinggene
jumpinggene
Posted on: Formal Introduction
May 1, 2008 at 9:23 PMI wonder if I'm pronouncing "x" correctly (e.g. in xie4xie4 or xing4). I've been taught (or grown used to) pronouncing it more as a "sh" sounds with the lips drawn back and the tongue against the back of the teeth. However, I've heard a lot of native speakers pronouncing it as a plain "s" (as in this dialogue). Is this regional? Or national? Have I been mispronouncing all this time? Also, to littlerick, thanks for the book suggestion. I'm going to treat myself to a few good books on tone and writing, and will probably buy that one!
Posted on: Not on purpose
April 26, 2008 at 7:24 PM[ 我不是故意的 ] Is the 是 compulsory? And if you say someone did something on purpose, shouldn't it be 你 是故意的? I think the example you gave was just 你 故意的. Thanks guys, this is a great way of keeping my Chinese going while I don't have access to a class in town!
Posted on: Formal Introduction
May 2, 2008 at 1:14 PMTo light487: Thank you! At least I still recognise the words when I hear them. I spent 6 months in Guangdong province a few years ago, and they pronounce "sh" completely like "s", so "Wo3 shi4" (I am) morphs into "Wo3 si4" (I four) - very confusing to someone trying to pick up the language!