FAQ
Last updated by fake_innocent at 2/28/2008

credit: lonely planet Mandarin phrasebook

Here are some common questions regarding the Mandarin language:

History of the Mandarin language

Q. What does "Mandarin" mean?
A. It may surprise you to learn that Mandarin is not really the name of a language. The term Mandarin actually refers to one of the seven Chinese dialects groups - Mandarin being the largest of those groups. Most English speakers refer to when they use the term "Mandarin" is more accurately described as Modern Standard Chinese or Putonghua.

Q. What exactly is Modern Standard Chinese?
A. The Chinese name for Modern Standard Chinese, Putonghua literally means "the common dialect".

Q. Why is it the most useful form of Chinese?
A. Modern Standard Chinese is based on the Beijing dialect of Mandarin. Its grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation reflect the norms of the capital. It's the main language used in official contexts, in the media, and education. Just about everyone in China has exposure to the standard language so they can read, speak, and understand it.

Q. What other Asian countries recognize the Mandarin language?
A. Modern Standard Chinese has official status in Taiwan (where it's called Gouyu) and Singapore (where it called Hanyu). In addition, hundred of thousands of people in migrant communities speak Mandarin in one form of another.

Q. How many people worldwide speak Mandarin?
A. The total numbers of over 836 million speakers worldwide speak Mandarin. It makes Mandarin the one of most widely spoken language in the world.

Credit: Wikipedia

Map of eastern China, showing the historic distribution of Mandarin Chinese in light brown.

Q. When was the pinyin system adopted?
A. The pinyin was officially adopted by the Chinese in 1958 as a way of writing Chinese using the Roman alphabet. It provided access to a common language in a vast country with countless dialects, and so played an important role in communications and development. In cities in China, you'll see pinyin everywhere: on maps, road signs, shop signs, and on brand names.

Regarding the Mandarin language within Ampedasia (AA)

Q. Who will be teaching the Mandarin language?
A. So far at the moment, our moderator, fake_innocent will be teaching the language due to following reasons:

• AmpedAsia has many members with Chinese heritage like carmen including our moderator, fake_innocent but unfortunately she is the only one that is fluent in reading, speaking and understanding the language.
• We have not hired any language moderator for the Mandarin section (just yet). We're still in an lookout for someone to help out with the section.
  
  Note: If you believe you can teach the Mandarin along with fake_innocent, please apply here.
  

Q. Is learning the Mandarin language difficult?
A. The Chinese language is possibly one of the hardest language to learn but with extra studying and practice, its pays off.

I recommend that you incorporate your study of the language with the following:

• Making friends with people that can read, speak, and understand the Mandarin language.
• Don't be afraid or timid to speak the language. The more you interact with the language, the better you get.
• Listen to music with the Mandarin language (including the Chinese words and pinyin translation). Feel free to browse the Chinese lyrics section that AA has provided for you.
• Don't be afraid to ask fake_innocent regarding whatever concerns or questions you may have. She is here to help you. (Look at the note at the bottom)
• Try incorporating movies into your study such as Chinese or Taiwanese series that AA have provided in the download sections.
• Most importantly, study hard and practice, practice, practice!!
  

Q. How can you help us know how we are doing as a teacher?
A. We would appreciate if members would leave an comment (opinions, appreciations, or feedbacks) whenever you visit any lessons that we have provided. This will alert us that the effort and time we put on these lessons are much appreciated by you and how we're doing as a teacher.

Here are some reasons on why you should help us:

• Being an teacher is not an easy task to do nor is it fun due to reason it is stressful and time consuming for us when we are already full on our hands with more important priorities such as: school, work, taking care a family, and etc.
• Please respect us for taking the time and effort to help you because we don't get paid for teaching the Asian language(s). It is coming from our own free-time for your benefits.
• Its hard knowing what we are teaching is even helping you because if you don't speak your mind, we will just think that you understand it all and should move on to the next lesson.
  

Thanks for understanding and enjoy learning the language!

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Note from fake_innocent:
For more questions or concerns, please kindly PM me regarding your request. Thanks!