Lecture video Part A1 Introduction

Introduction to Cantonese Tones

  • Today's lesson focus: Cantonese tones and common expressions.

  • Divided into 3 parts:

    • Part 1: The 6 tones of Cantonese.

    • Part 2: Basic common expressions: "nei ho", "joy".

    • Part 3: Revision of concepts.

Understanding Tones

  • Definition: Tones are variations in pitch that affect meaning in Cantonese.

  • Tones can be visualized using an oscilloscope, showing pitch contours.

  • The 6 tones of Cantonese:

    1. Tone 1: High level

    2. Tone 2: High rising

    3. Tone 3: Mid level

    4. Tone 4: Falling

    5. Tone 5: Low rising

    6. Tone 6: Low level

Steps to Learn Tones

  1. Building the Concept of Tones

    • Example with the English word "tomato": 3 pitches identified (1st, 2nd, 3rd syllables).

    • High pitch: "ma"; lowest pitch: "to".

  2. Pitch Scale

    • Introduction to the 5-point pitch scale created by linguist Chow Yun Yang:

      • 1: Lowest pitch.

      • 5: Highest pitch.

      • Horizontal line indicates pitch direction (level, upward, downward).

    • Tone letters: visual representations helping identify pitches.

  3. Exercises with E-Learning Materials

    • Practicing identifying tones through interactive materials.

The 6 Tone Letters Explained

  • Tone Letters:

    • Tone 1: High level (maintained at point 5).

    • Tone 2: High rising (from point 3 to point 5).

    • Tone 3: Mid level (maintained at point 3).

    • Tone 4: Falling (from point 2 to point 1).

    • Tone 5: Low rising (from point 2 to point 3).

    • Tone 6: Low level (maintained at point 2).

Visual and Kinesthetic Learning

  • Hand gestures representing pitch levels:

    • Body parts corresponding to pitch points:

      • Head: Point 5 (high),

      • Neck: Point 4,

      • Chest: Point 3,

      • Tummy: Point 2,

      • Thigh: Point 1 (low).

  • Move hand left to right to indicate tone direction.

Practice for Level Tones

  • Level Tones:

    • Tone 1 (Sam): High level, hand at head level.

    • Tone 3 (Say): Mid level, hand at chest level.

    • Tone 6 (Yi): Low level, hand at tummy level.

  • Reverse practice to say "I, Say, Sam" (low to high).

Practice for Rising and Falling Tones

  • Rising Tones:

    • Tone 2 (Gao): High rising, hand moving from chest to head.

    • Tone 5 (Lang): Low rising, hand moving from tummy to chest.

  • Falling Tone:

    • Tone 4 (Leng): Falling tone, hand moving from tummy to thigh.

Revision of All 6 Tones

  • Quick review of all tones using Cantonese numbers:

    • 3 level tones: Sam (3), Say (4), Yi (2).

    • 2 rising tones: Gao (9), Lang (0).

    • Final review using hand movements to reinforce memory.

Entering Tones and Tone Influence

  • Entering Tones: Words ending with p, t, k belong to this category; share characteristics with level tones.

    • Examples: yu (you), ba (8), lo (6).

  • Tone influences meaning: Example with Si shows various meanings across tone differences:

    • Si (teacher), Si (history), Si (try), etc.

Additional Cantonese Numbers

  • Cantonese numbers from 0 to 10 introduced:

    • 7: chaat, 10: sap.

  • Importance of remembering numbers for tonality and pronunciation.

Final Exercises

  • Identification Exercises: Sounds repeated for tone identification. Assessing tones in words verbally.

  • Sounds of Nature Method: Additional method for tone recognition applied in practice sessions.

Practice Sentences

  • Use sentences to reinforce tonal understanding:

    • "1 small bowl of beef brisket noodles."

    • "Clothes, hats, trousers, shoes and socks."

    • "Half past 3, come to my place."