The Beijing "R"???

robertdennis
August 02, 2011, 03:45 AM posted in General Discussion

I got my first Chinese dictionary ABC Dictionary by DeFrancis and it talks about the "erization" of the Beijing dialect.  It says "Since erization is largely restricted ot the Beijing dialect, we place the "r" in parentheses.  For example, gēpiān(r) 歌片(儿).

So what is this, just a heavy, back-of-the-throat "r" sound similar to when the British say America(r) or Linda(r)?

I've never been to Beijing, so if anyone can help me out here, it would be greately appreciated.  

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cinnamonfern
August 02, 2011, 03:52 AM

Hi robertdennis! It's like adding an "r" at the end of the word. It's hard to explain without hearing it. I think it will help you to listen to this lesson.

http://chinesepod.com/lessons/the-final-r-sound