Page:Aids to the Pronunciation of Irish - Christian Brothers.djvu/38

 the English words “longer,” “finger,” &c, are pronounced as if written “long-ger,” “fing-ger,” &c.

(d) In Munster a is heard after final broad—e.g.,, &c. are pronounced, &c. This occurs only when the is final. A is heard after final  slender in some parts of Munster.

(e) In Aran is pronounced, except when it is initial.

(f) In the past tense of the verb “, I come”—viz.,, &c., the is not sounded like the above. In Munster the is silent, hence the sound is broad. In Connaught a vowel is pronounced between the and the, thus—, &c.

26. The sound of the Irish is a great stumbling block to those who have been accustomed to speak only English. In his book on Phonetics, Professor Sweet, speaking of the English “r” says:—“This consonant is practically a vowel, there being no buzz in it even when emphasized or lengthened. Trilling—‘rolling one’s r’s’—is a defect of pronunciation.” is always a pure consonant in Irish, and is always trilled.

is the most variable and adaptable of all the Irish consonants, and has consequently several pronunciations, or variations of timbre, which can be learned by carefully listening to native speakers pronouncing them.

(a) Initial broad and  broad are produced by placing the edge of the tongue very close to the “hard rim” and causing the tongue to vibrate rapidly in a stream of voiced air. The sound resembles initial “r” in English (e.g., row, road, &c), but is more trilled (i.e., is stronger), and is more prolonged.