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Drills for distinguishing z c s versus zh ch sh visualisation

Drills for distinguishing z c s versus zh ch sh

Mastering Challenging Chinese Sounds: A Comprehensive Guide: Drills for distinguishing z c s versus zh ch sh
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Here are drills and tips for distinguishing the Chinese Pinyin initials z, c, s versus zh, ch, sh sounds:

  • Tongue position:

    • For z, c, s, keep the tongue tip just behind the upper front teeth, lightly touching, producing a hissing sound often described as “dz,” “ts,” and “s” respectively.
    • For zh, ch, sh, curl the tip of the tongue back slightly toward the hard palate (retroflex position), which blocks and then releases the air for a more buzzing or hollow sound.

  • Voicing and aspiration:

    • z, c, s are generally unaspirated or with lighter airflow, while zh, ch, sh involve more aspiration and airflow blocking by the curled tongue.
    • ch differs from zh by having stronger exhalation (aspiration), while zh is voiced but less aspirated.
    • s is voiceless, sh is retroflex and voiceless but with a distinct hushing quality.

  • Practice drills:

    • Pair minimal pairs that differ only by these sounds, for example:
      • zā (to nag) vs zhā (to prick)
      • cā (to rub) vs chā (to insert)
      • sā (to scatter) vs shā (to kill)
    • Repeat these pairs, focusing on feeling the tongue curl for the second set and the difference in airflow.
    • Use hand or paper to feel/move with airflow to distinguish aspiration between c vs ch.
    • Practice with example words and tones, listening carefully and mimicking native speakers.

  • Listening and speaking drills:

    • Listen to audio drills that pronounce these initials in initial and final syllable combinations with vowels like a, e, i.
    • Mimic sentences or phrases emphasizing these sounds.
    • Record your pronunciation and compare with native speaker examples.

  • Additional tips:

    • Think of z, c, s as similar to English “ds,” “ts,” and “s” sounds.
    • Think of zh, ch, sh as similar to English “j,” “ch,” and “sh” but with the tongue curled back slightly in Mandarin.
    • Curling the tongue and controlling airflow is the key motor skill difference.

Sources with detailed explanations and drill examples include YouTube pronunciation training videos by Grace Mandarin and other Mandarin teachers, as well as Chinese pronunciation lesson sites focused on pinyin initials. 2, 5, 6, 9

This combination of tongue placement awareness, airflow control, minimal pair practice, and listening drills forms an effective approach for distinguishing z, c, s from zh, ch, sh sounds in Mandarin.

References

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