Language barrier
 

I'm going to China and need to learn a few phrases and words. Any quick suggestions?

This thread is a good start:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35031620

Also, I found the Lonely Planet Mandarin phrasebook to be very good. Insight Guides also has a good one, but it's larger and not so easy to just tuck in a pocket or purse.

The phrasebooks have an intonation guide at the front: very important, as the slightest change completely affects the meaning of the word! I often found that after a few tries at pronouncing a word, pointing to the Chinese characters alongside the English in the phrasebook helped a lot with making myself understood.

I even met a couple from Spain who had the Lonely Planet Spanish-Mandarin phrase book. We compared notes! :)

Of course, if you're going to Hong Kong, Cantonese is spoken, not Mandarin...

When it comes to Mandarin I don't think phrase books are a great help. It's all about intonation so you need to listen to someone say the words. Do a search I'm sure there's some on-line help somewhere.

Yes, well that's exactly why a phrase book is a lifesaver, when you can point to a written phrase and make yourself understood where nothing short of an immersive language course would enable you to pronouce those words correctly...

You're right ggreen as long as it's not just in pinyin but has the Chinese characters too.

Very true Cilla: good point to make sure the phrasebook you buy has Chinese characters, not just pinyin!

Also look for the same when purchasing map(s): English or pinyin for you, Chinese characters for any taxi driver you may have to show it to. :D

I had Cds from used book shop and tried to learn some phrases, give up. I usually try to know some basics in the language where I travel, not in China.
The merchants all know how to communicate, especially by inputting prices into a hand held calculator and showing it to you. No cab driver will speak English, so you make sure you have your destination in Chinese. All hotel staff will speak English, though you will still have comprehension issues. After a couple of days, you get used to the isolation, language wise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/real_chinese/

It is a excellant idea before you visit China.