This week, in Primary 7, we have been learning how to speak some Chinese.  We had to listen to and learn different sounds. These sounds are called ‘TONES’ and they change the sound of the letter.  There are four TONES.

In the FIRST TONE, the symbol is a flat, straight line. The sound is long, like singing a note:     ā ō ē ī ū ǖ  In the SECOND TONE, the symbol is a straight line going up. Your voice starts low and goes up at the end:  á ó é í ú ǘ  Then in the THIRD TONE the symbol goes down and then up. You have to try to make your voice go as low as it can, then bounce up:     ă ǒ ě ǐ ǔ ǚ   Finally, in the FOURTH TONE, the symbol is a straight line going down. You start the word with your voice as high as you can make it and then you drop your voice down:     à ò è ì ù ǜ

It has been interesting and we are really enjoying learning our new language.  Mr Hunter has also been trying to join in too!  He has been practising over the summer holidays.

We have also been looking at Chinese words.  Did you know Chinese words were originally characters? Over time, and with each new Chinese dynasty, these characters (pictures) have gradually changed until they are longer recognisable as characters but are now words.  However, if you look very, very closely, you can make out the faint traces of a picture in some words.