English Reading Gallery - Foreigners don’t understand: Chinese characters have tones, so how do you distinguish them when listening to music?

* The best way to understand and learn English is to use English itself. "English Reading Gallery" is an extended reading series in "Manting English". This series of articles strives to help everyone improve their English reading ability. Improve and establish English thinking;
* The recommended reading method is: first read the original text, analyze and read it appropriately, and then read the bilingual comparison if you have any doubts.
* The phonetic symbols of English words in the analysis are marked using Dictcom and IPA dual phonetic symbols. If you need to know the Dictcom phonetic symbols, please refer to our article "The Phonetic Symbol System Used by Dictionary.com".
* The difficulty coefficient of this article is 12.1, which is provided by the artificial intelligence difficulty analysis system of "Xiaoxian English Reading Companion".

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[Editor's Note] It seems to be the most difficult English chapter we have ever written, but don't be afraid, it's actually not that difficult. I would like to send you a few words: Be afraid before you see it, it is not difficult and it is not difficult; it is not difficult to calm down and observe.

Considering Chinese is a tonal language, how are lyrics understood or sung when a song's melody defines the tone?
【译】Considering Chinese is a tonal language, how are lyrics understood or sung when a song's melody defines the tone? How are the lyrics understood or sung when the melody defines the tone?
[Word] tonal ['tohn-l]['təʊnl] adj. Tonal; timbre; tone
[Word] lyrics Prototype: lyric ['lir-ik]['lɪrɪk] n. Lyrics
[Word] sung Prototype: sing [sing][sɪŋ] v. Sing; tweet; sing praises
[Word] song [sawng, song][sɒŋ] n. Song
[Word] melody [' mel-uh-dee]['melədi] n. Melody; tune; tune; beautiful music
[Word] define Prototype: define [dih-'fahyn][dɪ'faɪn] v. Regulation; limitation; definition; Explanation
[Word] tone [tohn][təʊn] n. Mood; tone; tone
[Proper noun] Chinese [chahy-'neez, -'nees][ˌtʃaɪ'niːz] n. Chinese; Chinese; Chinese

It's a combination of several things:
【Translation】This is a combination of several things:
【Grammar】This sentence pattern is it + be + noun + that clause. The that clause is the real subject of the sentence, and it is the formal subject. Such as: It's a shame (that) you're sick. It's a shame that you're sick.
[Word] combination [kom-buh-'ney-shuhn][ˌkɒmbɪ'neɪʃn] n. Combination; things or people combined together; password

Context.
【Translation】Context.
[Word] Context prototype: context ['kon-tekst]['kɒntekst] n. context; environment; background

Like most languages, you can understand the meaning of a phrase even if you don't understand every word in it, so long as you understand the overall context.
【译】Like Like most languages, you can understand the meaning of a phrase even if you don't understand every word in it, as long as you understand the entire context.
[lexicon] even if means "even, even though" and is a conjunction used to guide adverbial clauses of concession. For example: Even if it rains tomorrow, we won't change our plan. Even if it rains tomorrow, we won't change our plan.
[Phrase] take over means "to take over; to receive". Such as: I intend you to take over. I intend to let you take over.
[Word]phrase [freyz][freɪz] n. Phrase; idiom; wording; [sound] phrase
[Word] overall ['oh-ver-awl][ˌəʊvər'ɔːl] adj. all ;Overall

Syntax.
[Translation] Grammar.
[Word] Syntax Prototype: syntax ['sin-taks]['sɪntæks] n. Syntax

I'm not perfectly fluent in Mandarin, so I may be a bit wrong here, but there are different ways to portray the same meaning, and the language itself gives way to a lot of word play.
【译】I'm not very fluent in Mandarin, so I may not necessarily be right here, but there are different ways to express the same meaning, and the language itself gives way to a lot of wordplay.
[Word] perfectly ['pur-fikt-lee]['pɜːfɪktli] adv. completely; flawlessly; completely; perfectly; satisfactorily
[Word] fluent ['floo-uhnt][ 'fluːənt] adj. Fluent; fluent
[Word]portray [pawr-'trey, pohr-][pɔː'treɪ] vt. Describe; portray; act
[Proper noun] Mandarin ['man -duh-rin]['mændərɪn] n. Mandarin, Mandarin

Careful structuring of syntax allows the singer to portray the same meaning when the words are not necessarily set up in the same order you would use them in other situations.
【译】Careful arrangement The syntactic structure allows the singer to convey the same meaning even when the order of the words is different from what would otherwise be the case.
[Phrase] not necessarily means "not necessarily; not necessarily". Such as: Frustrations are not necessarily bad things in life.
[Word] singer ['sing-er]['sɪŋə] n. singer

[Word] necessarily [nes-uh-'sair-uh-lee, -'ser-][ˌnesə'serəli] adv. Necessarily; necessarily; necessarily

You see this a lot in certain Chinese poetry where everything is 4 characters and can portray a whole litany of ideas and thoughts.
【译】You can see in some Chinese poetry At this point, each short sentence is 4 words long and can depict a series of thoughts and ideas.
[Word] poetry ['poh-i-tree]['pəʊətri] n. Poetry; poetry; poetry collection
[Word] characters Prototype: character ['kar-ik-ter]['kærəktə] n. Here is the meaning of "character"
[Word] litany ['lit-n-ee]['lɪtəni] n. Litany; lengthy statement; continuous

Tones + Context.
[Translation] Tones + Context.

Chinese is definitely a tonal language, but it's not necessarily rigid.
【Translation】Chinese is definitely a tonal language, but it's not necessarily rigid.
[Word] definitely ['def-uh-nit-lee]['defɪnətli] adv. Definitely; certainly; clearly
[Word] rigid ['rij-id]['rɪdʒɪd] adj. Hard; strict; stubborn; rigid; rigid

If you listen to some Chinese rap, the tones of some words (by themselves at least) feel almost flat or different from what the lyrics says it should be.
【译】if You listen to some Chinese rap songs and the tone of some words (at least on their own) feels almost flat or different from what the lyrics say.
[Phrase] at least; Example: At least, I asked him not to. At least, I told him not to do this.
[Word] rap [rap][ræp] n. Rap ​​music
[Word] tones Prototype: tone [tohn][təʊn] n. Mood; tone; tone
[Word] least [leest] [liːst] adj. smallest; least n. smallest; least
【Word】flat [flat][flæt] adj. flat; flat; monotonous; [music] flat; lack of breath

However, put into context of every character around it, the listener can understand the word itself and by extension the line.
【译】However, put it into context of every character around it, the listener can understand the word itself and by extension the line. In the context of the word, the listener can understand the word itself and understand the word by extending the lines (surrounding words).
[Word] listener ['lis-uh-ner]['lɪsənə] n. Listener; listener
[Word] extension [ik-'sten-shuhn][ɪk'stenʃn] n. Extend; stretch ; extension; extension

I suppose the closest analogy I can make to this is taking out vowels in the English language.
【译】I suppose the closest analogy I can make to this is taking out vowels in the English language. vowel.
[Word] suppose [suh-'pohz][sə'pəʊz] vt. Assume; assume; think; think; should; let (subjunctive mood) vi. Speculate
[Word] analogy [uh-'nal -uh-jee][ə'nælədʒi] n. Analogy; similarity; similar
【Word】vowels Prototype: vowel ['vou-uh l]['vaʊəl] n. Vowel; vowel

So long as some of what you are familiar with is still there, a few adjustments here and there makes no difference to your understanding.
【译】As long as what you are familiar with is still there, a few adjustments here and there makes no difference to your understanding. Now, a slight tweak here will make no difference to your understanding.
[Word] familiar [fuh-'mil-yer][fə'mɪliə] adj. Familiar; informal; familiar
[Word] adjustments Prototype: adjustment [uh-'juhst-muhnt][ ə'dʒʌstmənt] n. Adjust; adjust

For Mandarin Chinese at least, each "tone" isn't actually a tone/pitch.
【译】At least for Mandarin Chinese, each "tone" isn't actually a tone/pitch. A tone/pitch.

[Word] pitch [pich][pɪtʃ] n. tone; pitch

Each syllable's "tone" is actually primarily determined by the relative change in pitch during the syllable.
【译】The "tone" of each syllable is actually primarily determined by the relative change in pitch during the syllable. Determined by high relative changes.
【Word】syllable ['sil-uh-buhl]['sɪləbl] n. syllable vt. syllable
【Word】primarily [prahy-'mair-uh-lee][praɪ'merəli] adv. Mainly; initially
[Word] determined Prototype: determine [dih-'tur-min][dɪ'tɜːmɪn] v. Decision; determination; determination; determination
[Word] relative ['rel-uh- tiv]['relətɪv] adj. relative; comparative; relevant

So the four tones are (primarily): constant, rising, falling-then-rising, and falling.
【Translation】So the four tones are (primarily): constant, rising, falling-then-rising, and falling. (Yinping), rising (Yangping), falling and then rising (Shangsheng), falling (Quishing).
[Word] constant ['kon-stuhnt]['kɒnstənt] adj. Unchanging; regular n. Constant; constant

It's of course slightly more nuanced than that (e.g. the "constant" tone's pitch is expected to be somewhat high relative to the average of the syllables).
【译】Of course, it The pitch is slightly more nuanced than this (for example, a "constant" tone might be slightly higher in pitch relative to the mean of the syllables).
[phrase] of course of course
[phrase] be expected to... expected to do something; expected to do something; expected; Example: He is expected to get through to the finals. We expect him to enter finals.
【Word】slightly [slahyt]['slaɪtli] adv. Slightly; slightly; thinly
【Word】nuanced ['noo-ahnst]['njuːɑːnst] adj. Subtle; subtle
br>【Word】somewhat ['suhm-hwuht]['sʌmwɒt] adv. slightly; some; how much; a few points
【Word】average ['av-er-ij, 'av-rij]['ævərɪdʒ] n. average; average level

Also.. there are a lot of different Chinese dialects.
【Translation】And, there are many different dialects in China.
[Word] dialects Prototype: dialect ['dahy-uh-lekt]['daɪəlekt] n. Dialect; local dialect

There seems to be a lot of variation in how crucial tone is to people of each dialect.
【译】For people of each dialect, the importance of tone seems to be Lots of changes.
[Word] variation [vair-ee-'ey-shuhn][ˌveəri'eɪʃn] n. Variation; variation; change; change
[Word] crucial ['kroo-shuhl]['kruːʃl] adj. decisive; crucial

For some dialects, they hardly care at all and they're very flexible -- and the words are such that they're more uniquely discernible even without consideration of tone.
【译文】 】For some dialects, they don't care at all, and they are very flexible - and the words are more uniquely identifiable even without taking intonation into account.
[Word]hardly ['hahrd-lee]['hɑːdli] adv. Almost not; simply not; just
[Word] flexible ['flek-suh-buhl]['fleksəbl] adj. Flexible; Flexible; pliable; flexible
[Word] uniquely [yoo-'neek][ju'niːkli] adv. Uniquely; uniquely; rare
[Word] discernible [dih-'sur -nuh-buhl][dɪ'sɜːnəbəl] adj. Discernible
[Word] consideration [kuhn-sid-uh-'rey-shuhn][kənˌsɪdə'reɪʃn] n. Consideration; considerations

"Standard" Mandarin (similar to Beijing dialect, but with fewer gratuitous "R" sounds added to the ends of syllables) happens to be (as far as I can tell) one of the most particular when it comes to tone.
【译】"Standard" Mandarin (similar to Beijing dialect, but with less "R" sounds appended to the end of syllables) happens to be (as far as I know) the most special One of the tones.
[Word] gratuitous [gruh-'too-i-tuhs][ɡrə'tjuːɪtəs] adj. Unprovoked; unnecessary; free
[Word] added Prototype: add [ad][æd] v. Add; increase; supplement
[Word] happens Prototype: happen ['hap-uhn]['hæpən] vi. Happen; happen; appear; encounter
[Proper noun] Beijing place name ['bey- 'jing]['beɪ'dʒɪŋ] n. Beijing (capital of the People's Republic of China)

However, people in Beijing seem to be pretty flexible about letting the last syllable or two of a sentence deviate from what the formal tone would be expected to be (sometimes, it just kind of trails off - and that's fine ).
【译】However, Beijingers seem to be very flexible in letting the last syllable or two of a sentence deviate from the intended formal intonation (sometimes, it's just a little off - to good effect).
【Word】pretty ['prit-ee]['prɪti] adv. Quite
【Word】sentence ['sen-tns]['sentəns] n. Sentence
【Word】deviate [' dee-vee-eyt]['diːvieɪt] v. Departure; break away
[Word] formal ['fawr-muhl]['fɔːml] adj. Formal; regular
[Word] trails Prototype: trail [ treyl][treɪl] n. trace; trail; tail; a series

In songs, people often take liberties with the syllables and they're not exact.
【Translation】In songs, people often take liberties with the syllables and they're not exact.
[Word]liberties Prototype: liberty ['lib-er-tee]['lɪbəti] n. Freedom; freedom
[Word] exact [ig-'zakt][ɪɡ'zækt] adj. Precision and rigor of; exact

Similar to as is the case in English, it may make things more difficult to understand, but people don't necessarily care.
【Translation】Similar to the case in English, it It might make things harder to understand, but people don't necessarily care.
【Proper noun】English ['ing-glish]['ɪŋɡlɪʃ] n. English

Also, individuals may happen to prefer people with unusual accents - like Singaporean or whatever (similar to how many Americans might personally feel that British people tend to have nicer singing voices even though they talk funny).
【译】Also, individuals may prefer those with less unusual accents, such as Singaporeans or others (similar to how many Americans personally feel that British people, although interesting to speak, tend to have better singing voices ).
[Usage] tend to means "towards a certain direction; trend; focus", followed by the original form of the verb. For example: We tend to make mistakes when we do things in a hurry. We tend to make mistakes when we do things in a hurry.
[Word] happen ['hap-uhn]['hæpən] vi. happen; happen; appear; encounter
[Word] prefer [pri-'fur][prɪ'fɜː] vt. Rather; prefer
[Word]unusual [uhn-'yoo-zhoo-uhl][ʌn'juːʒuəl] adj. Abnormal; unique; distinctive
[Word] accents Prototype: accent ['ak-sent] ['æksent] n. Accent; accent; emphasis
[Word] personally ['pur-suh-nl-ee]['pɜːsənəli] adv. Personally; personally; individually; as an individual
[Word] nicer Prototype: nice comparative adjective
[Word] funny ['fuhn-ee]['fʌni] adj. Ridiculous; interesting; funny; strange; illegal
[proper noun 】Singaporean [ˌsɪŋə'pɔːriən] n. Singaporean
【Proper noun】Americans n. Americans; Americans
【Proper noun】British ['brit-ish]['brɪtɪʃ] adj. British ; British; British n. British; British English