"Singing" Chinese
(continuation)
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Chinese is a tonal language.  There are four basic "tones" in Beijing dialect (Mandarin Chinese) indicated respectively by   -   /   v   and   \ . If you can read music, the diagrams below will make sense:
If you can't read music, here's a verbal description of what's going on:

First Tone:         high, level tone

Second Tone:     starting somewhat high and rising

Third Tone:        falling first, then rising

Fourth Tone:      starting high and falling
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