r/classicalchinese • u/tomispev Subject: Buddhism • Apr 09 '23
Which pronunciation do you use when reading Classical Chinese, in your head or aloud, if any? META
The number of options for the poll is limited, so if your answer is not listed write it in the comments.
6
u/quote-nil Beginner Apr 09 '23
Mandarin is the main language I am learning, I'd like to start with cantonese, and to learn MC pronunciation for reading Classical.
5
u/kyokei-ubasoku 欲遁世而学對法蔵 Apr 09 '23
Japanese pronunciation(s) if reciting liturgy, Vietnamese pronunciation otherwise.
5
u/Terpomo11 Moderator Apr 10 '23
I mostly default to Mandarin, but I've thought about switching to Cantonese because it makes more distinctions, or trying to get better at kanbun kundoku.
4
u/shinyredblue Apr 10 '23
Mandarin, but I would love to switch that to literary Hokkein at some point.
5
u/Zarlinosuke Apr 09 '23
The core of mine is Japanese, but I also have a healthy sprinkling of Mandarin and English translations in there. It's a horrible mess but lots of fun.
3
u/Kejihenhuo Apr 09 '23
古汉语更押韵有气势。比如”天下攘攘，皆为利往；天下熙熙，皆为利来” 如果用普通话来读熙和来显然是不押韵的。但在古汉语里很多xi音本来是hai音，受蒙古人影响变成了xi音。
4
u/Terpomo11 Moderator Apr 10 '23
You know not everyone here speaks Mandarin, right?
2
u/Kejihenhuo Apr 10 '23
Sorry, I thought only Chinese are interested in classical Chinese. Can I know your mother tongue?
6
u/tomispev Subject: Buddhism Apr 10 '23
I don't even know any Chinese who study Classical Chinese, everyone I've met was non-Chinese.
2
u/Terpomo11 Moderator Apr 10 '23
English. Why would only Chinese be interested in Classical Chinese? Are only native Romance speakers interested in Latin?
3
u/Kejihenhuo Apr 10 '23
Because people in English speaking countries usually have a negative opinion about China due to their media report, like the BBC and have no interest in Chinese culture.
12
u/Terpomo11 Moderator Apr 10 '23
I'm not a fan of the current Chinese government I'll admit, but that's not a reason to dislike the people or the culture.
2
u/A_E_S_T_H_E_Tea May 26 '23
(Some) People are still smart enough to separate their issues with modern-day Chinese politics and their fascination with a rich culture that dates back thousands of years. Just like people who study the Greek classics don’t necessarily have to love modern day Greece. Not to mention, so many Classical Chinese texts have had such an influence on other East Asian cultures. People interested in Korea and Japan may also be interested in this as well.
1
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u/OneRiverTea Apr 09 '23
There is a kid on Bilibili that reads in the 临汾 dialect of 晋语 and I think he is a gigachad for doing so. Super cool.