Part B Cantonese sound system

Introduction to Cantonese Sound System

  • Discussion focuses on the sound system of Cantonese.

  • Utilization of both Chinese characters and Romanization in the course.

Romanization Schemes

  • Linguistic Society of Hong Kong Cantonese Romanization Scheme (Yutping):

    • Selected for its user-friendly nature and increasing popularity.

  • Alternative schemes include yayo rheumalization.

  • Note: Randomization schemes like Yupeng are not commonly used by native speakers who primarily use Chinese characters.

  • Yutping aids new learners in grasping Cantonese sounds.

Structure of Cantonese Syllables

  • A Cantonese syllable consists of three primary components:

    1. Tone:

      • Represents the pitch height and variation across the syllable.

      • There are 6 tones in total.

    2. Initial:

      • Represents the consonant sound at the beginning of a syllable.

      • There are 19 initial sounds.

    3. Final:

      • Comprises the vowel sound plus any final consonant.

      • There are 53 commonly used finals.

Examples of Syllables

  • Greeting in Cantonese:

    • "nei ho" (你好吗) translates to "you good".

    • Breakdown of first syllable:

      • Syllable: nei

      • Initial: n

      • Final: a

      • Tone: Low rising tone (Tone 5)

    • Breakdown of second syllable:

      • Syllable: ho

      • Initial: h

      • Final: o

      • Tone: High rising tone (Tone 2)

  • Thank You in Cantonese:

    • "dojae" (多谢) for expressing gratitude.

    • Breakdown of second syllable:

      • Syllable: je

      • Initial: j

      • Final: e

      • Tone: Low level tone (Tone 6)

Syllable Combinations

  • Obligatory and Optional Elements:

    • Tone is mandatory; initials and finals are optional.

  • Possible Combinations: Seven combinations exist:

    1. No initial, single vowel final: Example - a (啊)

    2. No initial, diphthong final: Example - oi (开)

    3. No initial, final with a vowel and ending consonant: Example - o (哦)

    4. Initial and single vowel final: Example - do (多)

    5. Initial and diphthong final: Example - nee (你)

    6. Initial, vowel, and ending consonant final: Example - yep (也)

    7. Special combination, syllabic nasal (one consonant): Example - m (唔) (to be continued)...