Is this dialect of Mandarin applicable to Taiwan?

dragonboots
January 11, 2009, 03:20 AM posted in General Discussion

Howdy folks,

I am really enjoying the Chinese Pod lessons, however I live in Taiwan and have noticed some subtle differences between the mainland and Taiwan. An example is here in Taiwan I use, "Ni zai na li.", to say "Where are you.", but I heard "Ni zai nar li." on the podcast.

I really dig learning Chinese this way, but I plan on living in Taiwan and not China, will I be creating confusion for myself?

Anybody from Taiwan who is using these podcasts to learn Mandarin.

Your feedback is appreciated.

A.J

Profile picture
kevin_zhong
January 11, 2009, 04:12 AM

Hey A.J

My Chinese teacher is from Taiwan. As far as I can tell, there are some differences like the one you pointed out. However, I don't think there is a big difference. I think that in Taiwan they use Traditional method, I'm not sure. Hope it helps!

Profile picture
calkins
January 11, 2009, 10:41 AM

dragonboots (great name!), I think like any of the many dialects of Chinese, the Taiwanese dialect has a lot of differences from 普通话 (standard spoken Mandarin).

There are many differences in pronunciation, but the ones I've noticed most are:

- the dropping of the "h" sound in 是 "shì" to sound like "sì"

- the dropping of the "h" sound in 中 "zhòng" to sound like "zòng"

- the dropping of the "h" sound in 說 "shūo" to sound like "sūo"

- the dropping of the "u" in 月 "yuè" to sound like "yè"

In general, I think Taiwanese speak a bit faster and/or are "lazier" with their pronunciation.


There are also many vocabulary differences, for example:

- subway in Mainland is 地铁 dìtiě, but in Taiwan you would more likely say 捷運 jiéyùn


There are also many words that you would learn on CPod used on the Mainland that wouldn't be used in Taiwan, and vice-versa...as well as some words that have different meanings in each place!


And to top it off, there are some grammatical differences.


Sounds like they are very different, but they really aren't.  There are differences, mostly due to Japanese and English influences in Taiwan, but like any dialect of Chinese (maybe with the exception of Cantonese), the core language is the same.

I wouldn't let the minor differences keep you from learning standard spoken Mandarin, and I would highly recommend learning here on ChinesePod...there's no better online place to learn it, whether you're living in Beijing, Shanghai, or Taiwan.

More importantly, you live in Taiwan, so you will be exposed to the language on a daily basis...no better way to learn it.  I've actually found it kind of fun to notice the little differences between the two dialects.

There are also many users on CPod who live in Taiwan, as well as a group specifically dedicated to the beautiful island.  Hopefully some of the more veteran expats and/or Taiwanese can chime in with their thoughts.

Best of luck in your studies!

Profile picture
dragonboots
January 26, 2009, 10:23 AM

Wow! Thanks for the information Calkins. You're feedback has motivated me! I will also contact my fellow C.Pod classmates who live in Taiwan.

Cheers,

Dragonboots.

P.S I got the name from Gene Simmons "dragon boots " that he wore in the 70's. All hail the "the demon"?!

Profile picture
mickeytoon
January 28, 2009, 09:31 PM

Hi Dragon boots

Have you checked out the intermediate lesson on regional dialects (lesson 0859) it features a number of examples of dialect pronunciation variations including Taiwanese. Most of the differences have been explained by Calkins above but its fun to hear them all 'side by side' as it were.

Hope you're enjoying Tainan my favourite city in Taiwan. I spent just over a year there in 2005/6 in Anping. Really miss those warm evenings!