Learn Cantonese or Mandarin?

There are more than fifty Chinese dialects spoken throughout different regions of China, but the most effective way to reach the majority of native Chinese people and Chinese speakers is to learn either Mandarin or Cantonese.  The way the two are pronounced are similar, but the characters are practically the same.  This was not the case until 221 B.C., when Emperor Qin Shihuang insisted that the country retain a more unified way of communicating.

Where you choose to study Chinese abroad may be impacted by which dialect you wish to learn.  So which dialect of Chinese should you learn - Cantonese or Mandarin?

Mandarin

The most widely spoken language in the world, Mandarin is a Chinese dialect that most Chinese and Taiwanese will default to at home and while visiting other parts of the country.  It is the official language of both mainland China and Taiwan, and a major UN language.  Mandarin is also considered easier to learn than Cantonese because it only uses four tones while Cantonese requires the use of six or more.  Because of Mandarin's more formal written origins, many speakers of Cantonese are able to speak or at least understand some Mandarin, but Mandarin speakers do not always speak Cantonese.

Cantonese

Cantonese is the mother tongue of Hong Kong, and ideal to learn for working with business partners or specifically studying with people there.  It is considered slightly more difficult for westerners to learn because of its greater complexity and increased number of tones.  There are also more syllables to conquer that are difficult for us to pronounce.  But don't get discouraged!  Your hard work can be very rewarding, as there is a greater demand for people in the US who are fluent in Cantonese!

To learn more about studying Chinese study abroad, visit:

AmeriSpan Chinese Schools
Center for Study Abroad