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Originally Posted by tdol How difficult is it for foreigners to hear the differences in tone?  |
Hi tdol,
This is a good question and most learners, especially the beginners, practice tones in class where more standard tones are used than what they hear at any social occasions. Also, some teaching materials are not so authentic and it is hard for them to compare all the tone changes in few textbook. All language learners easliy become panic when they can not hear clearly. For example, da(3) ren(2) , which means hit someone and da(4) ren(2) which means adults. It might not be so hard for learners to distinguish these two phrases in class but it is more difficult if they are used in sentences. Wo(3) men da(4) ren(2) hen(3) kai(1) xin(1) ( We adults are very happy.) Wo( 3) men da(3) ren(2) hen(3) kai(1) xin(1) ( We are happy to hit people.) If there are more phrases like these added to the conversation, learners have to be all ears. :) Normally, pepople speak with emotions which might change the tone quality as well. For example, hao(3)( falling and rising tone) which means yes. But speakers might say it like hao(short with very quick falling-rising tone) which means yes, yes, no problem or the speaker is in a rush and he/she might not really answer you. If it goes like hao( a little falling, longer-lasting rising and u sound added at the end), it might means the speaker is impatient to answer you ,which means all right all right, so.... Real communication is not what the words mean but also what the speakers really mean.