Mandarin vs. Cantonese: Which One Ought to You Study First?

If you’re thinking about learning Chinese, you is perhaps wondering whether to start with Mandarin or Cantonese. Both are major languages in the Chinese-speaking world, rich in history and tradition, however they serve totally different areas and purposes. The decision largely depends in your goals, location, and interests.Understanding the FundamentalsMandarin and Cantonese are both part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. They share the same writing system (Traditional or Simplified Chinese), but their pronunciation, tones, and vocabulary can differ significantly. Mandarin has four tones, while Cantonese has six to 9 tones depending on the dialect, making it more tonal and probably…