PRONUNCIATION 5
also is pronounced in two different ways: like a vigorous
ts (unvoiced z), or like a prolonged dz (voiced z),
UNVOICED: marzo azione zio terzo
VOICED: roraaazo bronzo zero maaro
Each Italian consonant, except those forming digraphs (see § 8),
has a distinct and separate sound value, and should be clearly
pronounced.
The letters 1, m, a and r, when preceded by a stressed vowel and
followed by another consonant, are uttered longer than usually.
palma ambo banca parte
7. Double Consonants. Note carefully that in Italian
the double consonant is always more prolonged and em-
phatic 'than the single, except in the case of zz» which is
pronounced almost like z. A similar doubling ocdjxs in
English only when two words, the first of which ends and
the second of which begins with the same consonant sound,
are pronounced without a pause between, as good day, pen-
knife, etc.
In Italian, double consonants always represent a single,
energetic and prolonged sound. This is true also of double c
and double g, which are never pronounced separately, as two
distinct sounds, as in the English words accept, suggest, etc.,
but together, with more intensity and length than if they
were single. Their palatal or guttural nature is determined
by their being followed or not by e or L
atto vacca accsnto aggettivo palla
*
8. Combined Letters* The following combinations, or
digraphs, which really represent single sounds, are to be
noted:
ch and glx (used only before e or i), the first representing the sound
of a kj the second that otgingo.
chiave laghi schiavo