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Chinese/why add , the pinyin r after some words

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Expert: - 11/16/2010


Question
Hi Terry

I'll like to know why you must add 儿, the pinyin r after
some chinese words.

Thank you your reply is very much appreciated.

Sincerely

Eddie

Answer
Hi,
The "r" sound just represents the variety of Mandarin spoken in Beijing -- or what people believe is the Beijing accent. (Real Beijingers "r". even more than what you normally see in Piinyin...) But there are always alternative pronunciations that are perfectly correct, such as saying na3li3 instead of nar3. They are just typical of places other than the north of China, and/or not considered to be part of that mythical "standard" Mandarin,

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Volunteer

Terry Thatcher Waltz

Expertise

I specialize in Chinese technical translation and conference interpretation, and terminology. I can answer questions about these topics, Chinese language pedagogy and learning issues, Chinese grammar for learners, and general issue related to Taiwan.

Experience

Full-time translator and conference interpreter since 1987; long-time resident of Taiwan. Qualified State Dept. language contractor (interpreter and translator) with extensive government and private sector experience.

Organizations
American Translators Association; The Translators' and Interpreters' Guild; ATA Interpreters' Division; ATA Chinese Division.

Publications
AIIC (International Association of Conference Interpreters) website

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., Chinese; MA, Conference Interpreting

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