"The Phonology of Mandarin"

"The Phonology of Mandarin" refers to the study of its sound system, including how speech sounds (phonemes) are organized and used. Mandarin Chinese has a relatively simple set of consonants and vowels but distinguishes words mainly through tones—pitch patterns that change meaning. There are four main tones plus a neutral tone, making tone pronunciation essential. The language’s phonology also involves specific rules about syllable structure and pronunciation, influencing how words are formed and understood. This sound system enables Mandarin speakers to communicate precisely, where small changes in tone or sound can alter meaning completely.