|
the initial s. Thus instead of so the sound heard is nearly as show. K, k, unaspirated, has a soft sound resembling g in gone. P, p, unaspirated, is pronounced nearly like b in but. T, t also, when unaspirated, approximates closely d in do. K, p, and t, when final, have the same sound as in English. When aspirated these letters are pronounced as in English. ‘ An inverted comma follows these letters when they are aspirated. "In such cases a strong aspirate closely follows the sound of these consonants. Pronounce the word Tahiti without the vowel a. This may be expressed by T‘iti, according to the orthography now explained." (Edkins.) The other consonants, both initial and final, have the same value as in English. |
Tones.—The Chinese, having so many words of similar sound, make use of varying inflexions of the voice to distinguish them. These are called tones. In the Canton dialect there are eight of these tones, four in a higher, and four in a lower, key, separated from each other by two or more full musical notes.
- The first tone is the even or monotone. It is the tone used in ordinary conversation. In English. The voice neither rises nor falls, but continues on an even key.
- The second tone is the rising. It is made by a rising inflection, somewhat as is heard in English in the last word of a question to which an affirmative or negative answer is expected; as, are you well?
- The third is the falling tone. The intonation falls as the word is spoken. This is usually hoard in English in the last word of a question to which neither an affirmative nor a negative answer is expected; as, what is your name?
- The fourth is called the entering tone. It is an abrupt termination, sounding as if the last letter of the word were dipped off. It may be imitated by pronouncing the words sat, sap, or sack, but arresting the sound just as the organs are
