I am a self confessed "ugly american" and only speak english-- but i find the tones of chinese often make it understandable..

In english, we us a rising tone/inflection to signify a question.. some versions of chinese do the same..

Once in a take out shop, the cashier, busy on the phone, seemed not to be paying attention to my order-- her father barked at her-- and i turned, and told him--Yes, she did put in a spoon and fork. His eyes widened! He asked if i spoke cantonese-- (right, when i have trouble with french!). But everything about the tones conveyed his question.. the meaning of his words were as clear as if he had spoken english.


my other obsession