"A (mildly improved) letter"

[nipponman]

Okay, as per Quest's suggestion, I have redone this recording, though I don't think I've done much better besides maybe in the rythm area. Here it is.

nipponman

P.s I've noticed reading Chinese aloud stresses me a great deal. I think I need more pratice at this.

P.p.s I'm waiting for roddy's version:mrgreen:

[Green Pea]

Sounds great! Keep up the good work.

[nipponman]

Thanks, Anyone else?

[nipponman]

Anyone have any comments, criticisms?

[Quest]

You should slow down. Let's try the first two sentences first?

Pronounce each word slowly and clearly:

最近你们身体好吗？工作忙不忙？我们快要考试了，所以我现在特别忙。

PS: your rhythm isn't right, I keep hearing a Japanese rhythm.

PPS: I added my own recording.

[nipponman]

Ok, I guess I heard shibo's "a letter" and tried to increase my speed a little bit.

Sounds great! Keep up the good work.

Why do people post these things if they ain't true? Oh well.

***EDIT***

Thanks Quest.

Question: Why do you pronounce ma5 as ma1? Is this the way to do it? Just wondering, maybe I should clean out my ears.

[Quest]

When you speak fast it becomes "ma5".

[nipponman]

Oh, ok, here's my two sentences.

nipponman

P.s it isn't exaclty 2 sentences

[Quest]

Problem with the 2nd and 3rd tones: 忙 and 午

[nipponman]

Let's try these.

[skylee]

This is interesting. My version is here (hope it is not too bad).

[nipponman]

Wow, that's pretty good (how can it be bad sky, you speak chinese!)

Do you have any critiques for my version? (this goes out to all natives with a good ear for mistakes)?

[Quest]

Nipponman, can you redo "最近.." at a faster pace, watch out for 你们 and 要. You don't need to go YAO (ming) with yao, so try not to widen your mouth when you say yao.

Skylee, interesting!

[nipponman]

Sorry for taking so long, what with my vaction and all. Anyway, here it is Quest.

[Quest]

nipponman, try to raise your pitch a little on 吗, it's really a short 1st tone, also the 好 could be a little longer. 你们's 们 is a light 2nd tone, not all 5th tones sound the same. 所以我 -- I would say 2 2 3, but shibo would tell you it's 2 3 3, so I dont know. Also, a little more "y" on 要, otherwise very good!!

[jumbo_cards]

Ok' date=' I guess I heard shibo's "a letter" and tried to increase my speed a little bit.

Why do people post these things if they ain't true? Oh well.

***EDIT***

Thanks Quest.

Question: Why do you pronounce ma5 as ma1? Is this the way to do it? Just wondering, maybe I should clean out my ears.[/quote']

you elongate the sound usually if you want to emphasise whatever you are trying to say or get the other person's attention.

like if you are in a place looking for a person and yell "有人在吗？“ the 吗 is ma1

another example is say... you haven't met your wife for a long time... and when you do meet her you excitedly say "老婆！你还好吗？“ etc.. you get what I mean.

[nipponman]

Thanks Jumbo_cards and Quest, I appreciate your critiques!