4、alunitofspeech.Mandarinsyllablesgenerallycomposedofinitialconsonants,vowelsandtones.Byplacesofarticulation,itisclassifiedinto:(I)Bilabials:b p m(II)Labiodental:f(III)Blade-alveolars:d t n l(IV)Velar:g k h(V)FrontPalatal:j q x(VI)Retroflex: zh ch sh r(VII)Dental:z c sMouthCo