Phonological Errors Analysis in Mandarin Pronunciation by Students of the Mandarin Language Program at Hasanuddin University

Abstract

Mandarin pronunciation is a crucial aspect of language acquisition, setting it apart from languages like Indonesian. Mandarin pronunciation is characterized by vowels, consonants, and tones, and errors in any of these can drastically alter word meanings. This research delves into Mandarin pronunciation errors among students in the Mandarin Language and Chinese Culture Study Program at Hasanuddin University. It comprehensively examines vowels, consonants, and tones to identify common pronunciation mistakes made by students. The research employs a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach, calculating and descriptively explaining the frequency and percentage of errors. Findings reveal that students tend to err in key areas, particularly consonants and tones, including vowel substitution, omission, addition, and difficulty identifying similar-sounding Mandarin characters. These results underscore the importance of a thorough understanding of Mandarin phonology in the context of Mandarin language learning in Indonesia.