hi everyone,
i was hopeing someone could tell me what dialect of chinese most of the locals use in the shaolin region. i think i heard somewhere that it is mandarin but i wanted to make sure, i want to learn the basics before i go over there.
thanks in advanced
“satisfaction loses,and humility gains”
they speak shaolin :rolleyes: 
:eek:
Henan province is Mandarin country, but it is probably a dialect of Mandarin and not exactly the putonghua of Mandarin teaching material. But if your choice is between Mandarin and Cantonese, Mandarin is without question the way to go.
Something I’ve wondered…
Does anyone have any suggested software…book series…tapes…etc., that might help someone get a good start with Mandarin?
I KNOW the best thing would be to converse with a native speaker, but that’s not a possibility for me.
-Radhnoti
Technically you should be able to speak Mandarin anywhere in China and be understood.
cxxx:::::::::::>
What we do in life echoes in Eternity
Fukkien, my mother tongue 
hehehe I dunt really know.
starter
“Ellie mok” a cassette course with small book. I started on that a long time ago, exactly my situation as yours. . It is still being sold. Best short course i’ve seen about 6-8 tapes.
Every city has their own dialect, but the north is the best mandarin country and also you have to get used to how each region speaks Manarin.
Rad,
Get the mandarin course by Pimsleur. It’s pricey, but it’s worth it. I gaurantee if you don’t completely suck, that you’ll be speaking and thinking in Mandarin.
Oh yeah, someone on ebay is most likely selling it, so you can get it for cheaper!
Iron
MUCH thanks to the Fists. I’ll see which I can come up with and which suits best.
Thanks again.
-Radhnoti