mnemonics list

[leosmith]

There are roughly 400 syllables (not including the effect of tones). Does somebody have a list of mnemonics for them? For example

wen = one

ren = run

do = door

ka = car

etc.

Thanks!

[HashiriKata]

As a frequent visitor of this board, I remember you as someone who collects lists . Do you actually put aside some time to learn the language itself or do you find devoting 100% of your time towards the preparation more enjoyable?

Back to your question: I don't think anyone would keep a list of mnemonics for the syllables because I couldn't think of any good reason for doing so. Could you tell us why you need such a list?

[anonymoose]

I'm inclined to agree with HashiriKata here - it seems a pretty pointless excercise to me.

Nevertheless, if you absolutely must memorise the various syllables as they are, you would probably be better of understanding the concept of initials and finals, and how they combine to produce syllables. This would likely make the task a lot easier.

[imron]

Agree with the above comments. If you use mnemonics such as these, then you risk ending up with bad pronunciation, because you're always relating a chinese sound to a sound in English - which often isn't a valid thing to do. e.g. ren - run although vaguely similar, are still very different to a native Chinese speaker's ear, and so if you rely on techniques like this you're always going to end up speaking Chinese incorrectly.

[leosmith]

Could you tell us why you need such a list?

I use mnemonics to remember vocabulary words. I'm pretty good with 2+ syllable words, but the Chinese single syllables are a little tough to think of link words for. When I was studying Japanese, I saw at least 2 complete lists of single syllable link words, so I thought someone may have already come up with one for Mandarin.

So none of you three use mnemonics? They used to be looked down upon, but now they are fairly main stream. If you're interested in the basics, I'd be glad to share, although there are many god books on the subject.

[Taibei]

Like the others, I question whether such mnemonics might be generally useful in this particular situation. But to each his own. Although I don't have such a list, I do have lists of all the syllables of Mandarin (minus tones) and all of the combinations of initials and finals in Hanyu Pinyin.

Also, since the topic of mnemonics interests you, you might want to read J. Marshall Unger's "Memorizing Kanji: Lessons from a Pro." This is found on pp. 49-58 (pp. 61-70 of the PDF) of the Schriftfestschrift for John DeFrancis. Note: this is a 15 MB file.

[in_lab]

Am I the only one that can't view the PDF file? The error I got was: The viewer cannot decrypt this document.

[Taibei]

The file error is likely the result of trying to open the file with a version of Adobe Acrobat Reader earlier than 6.0.

I made it compatible only as far back as 6 because to do so with 5 would have meant sacrificing some search-engine compatibility -- at least that's the impression I got. Also, I thought no one was still using 5.

If you upgrade (free), the file should work.

[leosmith]

Like the others, I question whether such mnemonics might be generally useful in this particular situation. But to each his own.

Yes, I'm sure this is not the best way for everyone. Everyone learns differently, of course. I have great difficulty in memorizing words just by hearing/repeating them. I've been this way as long as I can remember. Learning the words in a list, actually seeing them, helps a great deal. So I could probably remember alright by using a pinyin/english list. But in band camp, when I was really bad at kana, the list wasn't helping me very much. So I started using mnemonics much more heavily. I read Barry Farber's "How to Learn Every Language", which helped round out my methods. It was tough at first, but soon I was learning vocabulary even faster than before kana.

Whew...so now I use mnemonics to learn most vocabulary words. All it does is set a temporary "hook", which disappears with time. There is no negative impact to pronunciation; I used it for Thai with no ill effects.

Although I don't have such a list, I do have lists of all the syllables of Mandarin (minus tones) and all of the combinations of initials and finals in Hanyu Pinyin.

Thanks!

Also, since the topic of mnemonics interests you, you might want to read J. Marshall Unger's "Memorizing Kanji: Lessons from a Pro." This is found on pp. 49-58 (pp. 61-70 of the PDF) of the Schriftfestschrift for John DeFrancis. Note: this is a 15 MB file.

Cool, I'm very interested. But I can't read this either.

(edit - got it thanks!)

[anonymoose]

The reason I think using mnemonics for Chinese syllables is pointless is because a syllable in isolation has no meaning. What is it you would be trying to remember with a mnemonic? OK, say you use run as a mnemonic for ren, how does this help you to remember such words as rènshi, rěnshòu, rénkŏu?

[leosmith]

The reason I think using mnemonics for Chinese syllables is pointless is because a syllable in isolation has no meaning. What is it you would be trying to remember with a mnemonic?

It's not exactly what you're thinking. Here is a nice demo of the method:

http://www.linkwordlanguages.com/mandarin.htm

If this link is blocked or something, let me know and I'll do your specific examples.

[atitarev]

There is probably some value in mnemonics - Mandarin vs other languages, e.g. English but IMHO, it's limited at the very-very basic level, just beginning for someone who never learned a language and has big trouble remembering foreign words.

I am not saying mnemonics has no value at all but it's very limited if applied to Mandarin or other Chinese dialects, IMHO again. The reason being tones and the number of homophones.

I find more useful though memorising tone patterns. This could be applied to English words as well, e.g.

Who? Mén (gate)? - No, only wǒmen (we, us)

It's no theory of mine, just having fun.

... 10 minutes a day series teach languages by using foreign words mixed with English, like Chinglish, Japlish. E.g. "I like píngguǒ" - I like apples. It's another simplistic method but it may work for some.

[webmagnets]

I think that for most single syllable words it is hard to find a mnemonic, but for two syllable words or more I have been able to come up with a mnemonic for just about anything. My mnemonics also help me remember the tones. Here are some samples: KneeHowdy.com

P.S. - Some single syllable words I have been able to come up with mnemonics for.

For instance:

"wǒ" - I think of a French guy saying "moi". He just happens to say in in 3rd tone in my mind.

xuě - I think of my foot stepping in snow and the sound it makes is "xue". The path of motion that my foot makes is the shape of the third tone.

"tā" - I think of myself as having a "short man" complex. I always think that "he" and "she" are tāller than me even if "they" really aren't.

I hope I have explained myself well.