Perception and production of Mandarin tones by pupils in Xinjiang ethnic areas

The characteristics and problems related to the acquisition of Mandarin tones by pupils in Xinjiang ethnic areas are investigated based on their ability to perceive and produce the tones.The results show that Tone 2 is often mixed with Tones 1 and 3 in perception,while Tone 3 is easily distinguished from Tones 1 and 4.The main problem is that the tone range is relatively narrow rather than the tone type with Tone 4 not falling enough,Tones 2 and 3 not rising enough,and Tone 1 shifting to a middle tone range.Factors,such as region,economic level,gender,ethnicity,age,school teaching resources and native language support,have variable effects on the phonetic acquisition of Mandarin by pupils in Xinjiang ethnic areas.Thus,the process of learning Mandarin is a dynamic developmental process with predictable acquisition patterns.