Introduction to Cantonese

Author: Chen Huiying / Ma Wenyi (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-11-01
Features: This book is written for non-local learners of Cantonese. It comprehensively introduces the phonetics, vocabulary, and grammar of Cantonese. The book is divided into three parts. The first part is on phonetics, focusing on the initials, finals, and tones of Cantonese, with comparisons to Mandarin. Through exercises, readers will master the pronunciation of Cantonese initials, finals, and tones, laying a foundation for learning dialectal words. The second part is on vocabulary, emphasizing common Cantonese words and dialectal words that differ significantly from Mandarin. It compares the differences between Cantonese and Mandarin vocabulary, enabling readers to grasp common Cantonese words for communication. It also introduces popular words from Hong Kong and Macau. The third part is on grammar, mainly covering word formation in Cantonese, sentence structures different from Mandarin, and the usage of function words in Cantonese, helping readers further communicate in authentic Cantonese. All pronunciations and examples are accompanied by audio explanations to assist learning. This book can also help Cantonese speakers understand the phonetic correspondences, vocabulary, and grammatical differences between Cantonese and Mandarin, facilitating the learning of Mandarin. At the end of the book, there are brief introductions to tourist attractions in Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, and tourist spots in Hong Kong and Macau, to help readers learn about these destinations.