Page:The Esperanto Teacher.pdf/24

 THE ALPHABET

Sounds of the Letters

IN Esperanto each letter has only one sound, and each sound is represented in only one way. The words are pronounced exactly as spelt, every letter being sounded.

Those consonants which in English have one simple sound only are exactly the same in Esperanto; they are — b, d, f, k, l, m, n, p, r, t, v, z (r must be well rolled).

q, w, x, y are not used.

c, g, h , s, which in English represent more than one sound, and j are also used with the mark ^— cĉ, gĝ, hĥ,jĵ,sŝ

c (whose two English sounds are represented by k and s)has the sound of ts, as in its, tsar.

ĉ like ch, tch, in church, match.

g hard, as in go, gig, gun.

ĝ soft, as in gentle, gem, or like j in just, Jew.

h well breathed, as in horse, home, how.

ĥ strongly breathed, and in the throat, as in the Scotch word loch. (Ask any Scotsman to pronounce it). ĥ occurs but seldom.

j like y in yes you.

ĵ like s in pleasure.

s like ss in ass, less, never like s in rose.

ŝ like sh in she, shall, ship.

I