Practical Mandarin

Author: Xiao Han
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Practical Mandarin, a professional foundational textbook for Pinyin learning and training for radio and television announcers and program hosts. Based on the modern Chinese phonetics teaching system of higher education institutions, it combines professional techniques for breath control and vocalization training, supplemented by corresponding Chinese characters, words, phrases, and passages as training materials. It integrates phonetics theory with practical vocalization, making it both a collection of the essence of the Mandarin phonetic system and highly practical. Compared to previous phonetics books, this one places greater emphasis on practical experience in the application of Mandarin phonetics. Its content selection, language explanations, and word usage examples all balance professionalism and accessibility. Since 1982, the author has accumulated teaching experience and training materials. Building on the 500,000-word Mandarin Phonetics Tutorial published by Nanhai Publishing Company in 1992, the author reconstructed and integrated the original theoretical framework, innovating and striving to more comprehensively reflect the overall picture of Mandarin phonetics teaching and training.
Chapter "Mandarin Phonetics Theory and Training" is more detailed and precise, and closer to the actual practice of Mandarin language training. The second chapter "Mandarin Proficiency Test" meets the job requirements of announcers and program hosts in the radio and television system and aligns with the current needs of the Mandarin proficiency test. The practical tips for test sections and the micro-level, precise analysis and grasp of test standards provide valuable assistance and reference for announcers and hosts preparing for the Mandarin proficiency test.
The fourth chapter "Pronunciation Differentiation of Chinese Characters and Words" lists nearly 2,000 easily mispronounced Chinese characters and words, attempting to analyze and interpret them from multiple perspectives—cultural, literary, textual, historical, geographical, and more. This offers positive guidance and social benefits for promoting standard Mandarin and purifying the language used in radio and television broadcasts.
Of course, this book can also serve as a reference for educators, college and university students, performers, public relations personnel, service and reception staff, Chinese language students, and other social groups to improve their language skills and learn and use Mandarin.