Page:The Making of Latin.djvu/53



§  are now prepared to study the chief changes of sound that happened in Latin after it had become a separate language. But for clearness’ sake it is well to begin by observing what the sounds of the language actually were, and how the language was accented, in the time of Cicero, that is, after most of the changes which we shall have to study in what follows had been completed.

§ The following list of Latin sounds is taken from the table issued by the authority of the Classical Association.

Vowels.
 * ā (prātum), as a in father.
 * ă (răpit), the same sound shortened as a in aha.
 * ē (mēta), as e in prey, Fr. é as in blé.
 * ĕ (frĕta), as e in fret.
 * i (fido), as ee in feed, or Fr. ie in amie.
 * ĭ (plĭco), as i in fit.
 * ō (nōtus), as o in note, or nearer Italian o in Roma.
 * ŏ (nota), as o in not, Fr. o in botte.

Rh