So we were talking in etymology (study of word origins) and we're learning Chinese. Without the full story, I am wondering about inflections. I know they mean something in Chinese, so I'm wondering about specifics. I've seen 4 kind of accents on the words, so here's what I think it is...
ă - accent means that you say it with a low pitch
ā - accent means that you say it with a high pitch
á - go from a low pitch to a high pitch
à - go from a high pitch to a low pitch

So the phrase "Nĭ haŏ ma" would be pronounced with a low pitch for the first two words (and then I don't know what exactly on the last word).

Right or wrong?

Oh come on, there has to be someone that knows Chinese AND reads seek...

Knows? Not really. But does know the pinyin accent marks.
You basically got it, just the third tone.

ā - first tone: straight tone (high)
á - second tone: rising tone
ă - third tone: falling then rising
à - fourth tone: falling tone
a - no tone

That third one makes even more sense now. Thanks a lot.

Was it just me or did one of the sentences the lady on the tape said sounded like "Tie your shoe"

This wep page might help.
http://www.newconceptmandarin.com/suppo ... Pinyin.asp