Page:Aids to the Pronunciation of Irish - Christian Brothers.djvu/18

  is impossible without a constant and careful study of the way in which we ourselves pronounce the various sounds.

To sum up:—

6. Having fully mastered the idea that is meant to be conveyed by the terms voiced sound and voiceless sound, the next step is to study the movements of our own tongue and lips in the production of the various vowels and consonants.

7. Pronounce the word “feel” prolonging the vowel sound “e” for several seconds. Observe that the front of the tongue is brought very close to, but does not touch, the upper teeth and “hard rim” (§ 2), whilst the tip of the tongue rests against the inside of the lower teeth. Notice also the tension in the muscles of the tongue, the sides of the tongue being pressed pretty firmly against some of the side teeth in the upper jaw. The passage left for the escape of the air is very narrow, just wide enough to prevent audible friction. By