-From someone who's studying Mandarin in Thailand-
Many people find Mandarin easier to learn than Cantonese due to its simpler grammar and larger number of resources available for learning. However, the choice ultimately depends on your interests and goals, as well as the resources and support available to you.
I am Cantonese and I usually don't understand what people are talking about when they speak in Mandarin. So the answer is no. You wouldn't be able to understand completely until you've learnt mandarin but you can sometimes make out what people are saying in mandarin. But if you do learn either of them, learning mandarin and already knowing Cantonese would make it easy to learn but it wouldn't be the case the other way round. This is probably because Cantonese has more tones and is harder?
To learn Cantonese, it's beneficial to immerse yourself in the language by practicing regularly with native speakers, listening to Cantonese music or watching movies, and using language learning apps or courses. Joining language exchange groups or finding a tutor can also help improve your proficiency in Cantonese.
There are many sorts of Chinese around the world and even in Asia so, no, not every Chinese child will learn Mandarin. Some may learn Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, etc. Some for instance may even learn English (if they grow up in the US, Australia, UK, etc).
The next two most useful languages to learn in the United States would be Mandarin Chinese and French. Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world and is increasingly important for business and cultural exchange. French is also widely spoken globally and is an official language of many international organizations.
Chinese is not a language. You can learn Mandarin or Cantonese from tutor or the internet because the internet is just that amazing.
Many people find Mandarin easier to learn than Cantonese due to its simpler grammar and larger number of resources available for learning. However, the choice ultimately depends on your interests and goals, as well as the resources and support available to you.
I am Cantonese and I usually don't understand what people are talking about when they speak in Mandarin. So the answer is no. You wouldn't be able to understand completely until you've learnt mandarin but you can sometimes make out what people are saying in mandarin. But if you do learn either of them, learning mandarin and already knowing Cantonese would make it easy to learn but it wouldn't be the case the other way round. This is probably because Cantonese has more tones and is harder?
It works the same as speaking any language. If you known Cantonese, you can speak it. You also take classes to learn it.
Mandarin is one of several dialects of the Chinese language. So, if you learn Mandarin, your are learning Chinese.
To learn Cantonese, it's beneficial to immerse yourself in the language by practicing regularly with native speakers, listening to Cantonese music or watching movies, and using language learning apps or courses. Joining language exchange groups or finding a tutor can also help improve your proficiency in Cantonese.
"Yes, there are many DVD movies available to purchase that help people learn the Mandarin language. Usually, to learn a language, you should also take actual classes from a person who is fluent in Mandarin."
There are many sorts of Chinese around the world and even in Asia so, no, not every Chinese child will learn Mandarin. Some may learn Cantonese, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay, etc. Some for instance may even learn English (if they grow up in the US, Australia, UK, etc).
Probably Mandarin Chinese.
The next two most useful languages to learn in the United States would be Mandarin Chinese and French. Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world and is increasingly important for business and cultural exchange. French is also widely spoken globally and is an official language of many international organizations.
The most important language for the Chinese is Mandarin as this is the official dialect used in china. People tend to learn the local dialect/language used in their home town from their parents, and will talk in that at home. But once they start school they learn standard mandarin. Also in school they will learn English. Many Chinese learn English and see it as an important way of connecting with the west. That aside there is little interest in learning the other dialects in china, as people from different regions will converse in mandarin. However in the canton (guang dong) province, particularly Hong Kong and neighbouring areas there is a history of cantonese the local language. And many Chinese who work there choose to learn this. Plus lots of Chinese movies and music is in cantonese, giving it some social significance. Hope this puts things in perspective for you!
To learn Mandarin, immerse yourself in the language by practicing speaking with native speakers, listening to Mandarin media, and using language learning apps. It's also helpful to take classes or hire a tutor to guide your learning process. Consistent practice and exposure are key to becoming proficient in Mandarin.