Compendium of Italian pronunciation : (La Pronunzia Italiana); with rules and complete lists of exceptions, alphabetically for ready reference

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COMPENDIUM

OF

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION

(LA PRONUNZIA ITALIANA).

WITH

RULES AND COMPLETE LISTS OF EXCEPTIONS

TABULATED ALPHABETICALLY FOR READY REFERENCE

We

T. EY COMBA

AUTHOR OF “LA hist ITALIANA,” ETC.

yee
LONDON | ao Ty §
19
‘ HIRSCHFELD BROS. 26/9]

22-24 BREAMS BUILDINGS
1897

CopyRIGHT, 1897,
By T. E. COMBA.

-e

‘Tyrocrapny By C. J. PETERS & SON,

PREFACE.

THE object of this compendium of Italian pronunciation is prac-
tical usefulness. It contains rules, lists of exceptions, notes, etc.,
for which I have frequently been asked.

The arrangement is intended to facilitate ready reference. The
tables will be found, I think, sufficiently complete to be serviceable
to any student of Italian. As the proper pronunciation of ¢, 0, s,
and z really offers serious difficulties, I have thought it advanta-
geous to treat the subject as exhaustively as a work of this charac-
ter would permit, availing myself of such authorities as Buscaino,
Fornari, Moise, Rigutini, and others.

It may be well to state that I am not ignorant of the fact that
the same word may be differently pronounced in the various Italian
centres. In such cases I have endeavored to be guided by what
seem to me the best authorities, inclining, however, I should add, to
the Tuscan pronunciation.

I shall be much pleased if this little work prove instrumental in
eliminating some of the difficulties which Americans encounter in
the study of Italian.

T. E. COMBA.

NEw York, June 28, 1897.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION

(LA PRONUNZIA ITALIANA).

In Italian the letters are of common gender, and may, therefore,
take the masculine or the feminine article before them, with one
exception : K (cappa) is always masculine.

Following are the letters of the Italian alphabet, with their
names in English values. These, of course, can at best only be
approximate.

N. B. — Do not prolong the vowel sounds.

A, ah. 2H, ak’kah. ©) 70; 'W,:00:

B, be or be?! (bé). sey P, pe or pe}, V, vooor ve},
C, che or che}, J, e¢Joon’go. Q, coo. 3'W, dop’pio-voo.
D, de or de}. 3K, kap’pah. R, er’re}, 8X, ik’kasse}.
E, e! (as in met). L, el’le}. S, es’se}. 8'Y, ip’silon.

F, ef’fe}. M, em’me}, T, teor tel. Z, dze’tah.

G, je or je}. N, en’ne},

| E as in met (a in many, as pronounced by many people) ; or like
the first part of the sound of a in such words as gate, date,
fate ; which, from the Italian standpoint, is really a diphthong
equal to e—i, a sound which the Italian e never has.

2 Hf is always silent. With this exception (and the compound con-
sonants gn and se which form special combinations), all letters,
whether vowels or consonants, must be distinctly sounded.

* Strictly speaking, K, W, X, and Y do not belong to the Italian al-
phabet. But, inasmuch as they are used in words from foreign
languages, it seems proper that they should be known by name.

5

6 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

‘

A is pronounced like a in father. Ex.: madre, mother.

Bas well as d, f, 1, m, n, p, t, and v are pronounced as in English.
There are, it is true, slight shades of difference in d and t, for
instance, but they are almost imperceptible.

Bb like all double consonants, must be pronounced with double

_ emphasis.
C is hard, like English k:
1. Before a, 0, u. Ex.: cane, dog; cuoco, cook.
2. Before any consonant. Ex.: erudo, raw; chiesa, church.

N. B.— Ch occurs only before e or i, and always sounds like k.
Cis soft, like eh in chest, before e ori. Ex.: ceneio, rag; ciocea,

tuft ; ciancia, idle talk.

N. B.—Se before e or i is equal to sh in ship. Ex.: scettro,
sceptre.

Ce before a, 0, u, or a consonant, has the sound of English k, with
double emphasis. Ex.: ecco, behold.

Before e or i, ee is pronounced like teh in etching, always with a
double emphasis. Ex.: faccia, face; feccia, dregs; freccia,
arrow. |

D is pronounced as in English. Dd with double emphasis.

E has two sounds, one close, the other open or broad.

E close is like e in met (or a in many). Ex.: me ne vo, I go
away.

E open is like ain mare. Ex.: merito, merit.

As it is very difficult for foreigners, and not always easy te
Italians, to know when the e (and the ©) is close and when it is
open, it was thought best to offer the following notes in a tabulated
form.

{
ee ee EE a ee

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 3

Unaccented e is always close.
Generally speaking, when accented e is derived from the Latin T
or 6, ets close, Ex.: capello, from capillus; godere, from gaudere. And

. J ° ;
when from the Latin @ or #, e is open. Ex.: servo, from servus ;
premio from premium. ‘There are but few exceptions to this rule.

E is CLOSE.
Rule:
In monosyllables and last syl-
lables accented.

Ex.: e, se, sé, ce, te, me,
re, che, tre, ne; perché, ché,
poiché, teste, rendé, credé,
vende,

EB is OPEN.
Exceptions:

1. é (is), eh / se’ (thou art),
c’é (there is), te’ (for tient,
hold), me’ (meglio, better),
re (musical note), che/ (non-
sense !), cioé, coccodé, bembe,
(ben bene), and the interjec-
tions ahimé, ohimé, imme,
madie.

2. Proper names: Mosé, Noé, Giosué, Siloé.
3. Nouns of foreign origin: Caffé, canapé, aloé, té or thé, lacché, ete.

Exceptions:

1. In Imperfects. Ex.: cre-
dea, temea, etc.

2. In Preterites. Ex.: credei,

' temei, etc., and credeo, feo,
temeo, ete. (for credé, fé,
temé, etc.).

3. Also in quet, et, ehi, and

Ea,
Eo,
Ei.

Rule:
Followed by another vowel.
Ex.: reo, neo, assemblea,
platea, dea (goddess), Mac-
cabei, Ebreo, Reuma, neu-
tro, Nereidi, idea, miei, dei
(thou must, or, the gods).

dei, pei, nei (art. prep.), bea (beva), stea (stia), fea (faceva), dea

(dia, let him give).

8 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

E is CLOSE.
Exceptions:
1. All diminutive nouns in
tetto.
Ex. : maschietto, fischietto,
malizietta, ete.
2. Abstract nouns in iezza.
Ex.: vecchiezza, saviezza,
etc.

le.

E is OPEN.
Rule:
Preceded -by i expressed or
suppressed.

Ex.: cielo, siepe, siete, pie-
de, diede, cieco; ingegnere
(ingeniere), altero (altiero),
breve (brieve), ete.

3. Also, Bietta. — Chierico. — Glielo. — Intiero (from intéger). —

Schietto, siegue. — Tregua.

Exceptions:

Bebbi (bevvi) and similar
forms. — Crebbe. — Debito
(n. and adj.). — Inerebbe. —
Lebbra.— Nebbia. — Rebdbio.
Strebbio.— Trebbio, Trebbia

(proper n.).

Eb.

Rule:
Followed by b, bb, or b and
another consonant.
Ex.: Febo, plebe; ebke,
farebbe; ebbro, palpebre.

Exceptions:

Meco, teco, seco (con me, etc.).
All forms of the verb secare,
to saw, to cut. As: io seco,
tu sechi, egli seca, etc.

Rule:
Followed by e hard.
Ex.: arreco, arrechi, arre-
ca, pecora, secolo, eco, Te-
cla, tecnico.

=

— se

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 9

E is CLOSE. E is OPEN.
Rules: Exceptions:

1. Followed by ce hard. Eee; | Bernecche. — Cecia. — Deci-

Ex.: stecca, secchio, orec-| Ece, mo, decima (n. and v.), dieci.

chia, becco, ete. Eci. — Eccito, ecco. — Fece (n.),

2. Followed by ¢ or ¢¢ soft. Jfeccia. — Mecca (varnish).—

Ex.: fece, feci; freccia, Pecea (n. and v.), pecchero,

frecce. pecciolo, pernecche, prece. —

Recere, recipe, recita (n. and

v.). — Salamelecche, schimbescio, sottecche, specchio (n. and v.),
specie. — Vecchio.

Proper Names: Abimelecco, Decio, Grecia, Giudecca, Mecca, Re-
becca, ete.

Exceptions: Rule:
Credere (comp. and verbal] kd. Followed by d or dd.
forms), credito, cedro. — Ex.: Sedia, cedola, incre-
Edera,— Fede, freddo (adj., dulo.

n., and v.). — Mercede. —
Poledro. — Sedici. — Tredici. — Vedo (and other forms).
Proper Names: Alfredo, Goffredo, Manfredo, Toledo, etc.

Exceptions: Rule:
Artefice. — Carnefice. — In-| Ef. Followed by f or ff.
trefolo. — Orefice, ortefica. Ex.: acefalo, benefico ;
— Partefice, pontefice. — effe, beffa (n. and v.).

Refe.— Stefano, strefolo, —
Trefolo.

10

E is CLOSE.
Rules:

1. Followed by hard g or gg.
Ex.: Lega, segolo, segue,

stregghia, traveggo, etc.
2. Followed by soft gg or g

before another consonant.
Ex.: Legge (n.), solfeggio,
egli, contegno (n.), degno,

sostegno (n.), negro, etc.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

E is OPEN.
Exceptions: ;

Aggrego, annego, apotegma.
— Bega. — Chieggo, chieg-
gia, collega (n.), contegno
(v.), convegno (v.), congrega
(n. and v.). — Disgrego. —
Lgloga, egro. — Impiego (n.
and v.). — Meglio. — Niego
(n. and v.). — Omega. —
Pareglio, peggio, piega (n.

and v.), prego (n. and v.). — Regola (n. and v.), regolo, reggia. —
Seggia, seggio, seggiola, seggo, sostegno (v.), speglio, spegno. —
Tegno. — hitegno (v.). — Vegeto (v. and adj.), veglio (for vec-

chio), vegno (and deriv.).

Different forms of verbs in eggere, like seggo, posseggo, protegge,

reggo, leggo, chieggio, ete.

Proper Names, like Diego, Egla, Flegra, Orneglia, Regolo, Reggio

(d’Emilia).
N. B. — Reggio di Calabria is given the close sound of e by the
Southerners.
Exceptions: Rule:
Dilegine. — Fregio (n. and| Egi, | Followed by soft &.
v.). — Solegina. Ex.: collegio, Norvegia, etc.
Exception: Rule:
Capistejo. Ej. Followed by j.

Ex.: Plejadi, epopeja, ete.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

E is CLOSE

. Exceptions:

Ancella, attelo. — Belva. —
Candela, capello.— Del, del-
la, dello. — Elba, elce, ella,
ello, elleno, ellera, elmo. —

Fedele (pr. n.), felce, felpa,

El,
Ell.

11

E is OPEN.

Rule:
Followed by I or Il.
Ex.: Cappello, fratello;
elice, Vangelo, Adele, ete.

feltro. — Glielo. — Melma, mela (n. and v.), melo. — Nel, nella,
nello. — Pelo (n. and v.), pel (art. prep.). — Quello. — Ragnatelo.
— Scandella, scelgo, scelse, scelta, scelto, selce, Sele, selva, selice,
stella. — Tela, telo, (piece of cloth), tordela, trapelo (n. and v.). —

Vela, velo (n. and v.).

Exceptions :

Blasfema.— Femina. — Ma-
remma, memma. — Prezze-
molo.— Scemo (adj. and v.),
semina (n. and v.), seme, se-
mola. — Tema (fear; n. and
V.).

Futures in emo.

Ex.: faremo, diremo, ete.

‘Conditionals in emmo.

Ex.: faremmo, ete.

Preterites in emmo.

Ex.: facemmo, etc.

Em,
Emm.

Rules:
1. Followed by m single.
Ex.: Poema, premio, ge-
mito, tema (theme), etc.

2. Followed by mm, in words
accented on the _ penulti-
mate.

Ex.: Gemma, stemma, di-
lemma, ete.

Antiquated forms of Pres. Ind. in emo.

Ex. : semo, avemo, etc.

12

E is CLOSE.
Rules:
1. Followed by m and an-
other consonant.

Ex.: Nembo, lembo, scem-
pio (n., adj., and v.), sem-
plice, ete.

2. Followed by mm, in words
accented on the antepenult.

Ex.: Bestemmia, vendem-
mia, ete.

Emb,
ete.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

E is OPEN.
Exceptions :
Contemplo. — Esempio. —
Flemmone. — Grembo. —

Lemmo. — Membro. — Sem-
pre.— Tempia, tempio, tem-
po, tempera or tempra (n
and v.).
Names of the months: Sef-
tembre, novembre, dicembre.

Exceptions:

Addormento, alena (n. and
v.), allena, altalena, altale-
no, arcobaleno, arena (sand),
avena, ascendere, appena. —
Balena (n. and v.), baleno.
— Catena, cena (v. and n.),
cenere.— Divento, dimentico
(adj. and v.), domenica. —
Entro (prep. and v.), endice.

En,
Ene,
Enn.

Rules:
1. Followed by n single orn
before another consonant.
Ex.: Scena, bene, mensa,
sento, etc.
2. Followed by nn, in words
accented on the antepenult.
Ex.: Rendita, Agamen-
none, ete.

— Falena, freno (n. and v.).— Gliene. — Lena, lendine. — Mad-
dalena, mena (n. and v.), meno, menimo, mento (n.), mendico, men-
tre, mentovo. — Pena (n. and v.), pergamena, pentola, pentolo. —
Rammendo (n. and v.), rent (le). — Safena, seno, senza, sereno,
scendere, senici, sbrendolo. — Terreno, trenta, Trento. — Veleno,
vena, venti (20), vendere (and deriv.), vendico. — Zenzero.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 13

E is CLOSE. E is OPEN.
Exceptions (continued) :

Words in which n is followed by soft ¢ orf, as: Prence, enfio, cencio
(except Cencio for Vincenzo, Nencia for Lorenza, and Men/fi).
Nouns (not adj. and part.) in mento, menta, mente.
Ex.: Nutrimento, ete.
Verbs derived from such nouns. Ex.: Lamenta (from lamento), etc.
Adverbs in mente. Ex.: Rettamente, etc.

Rule: Exceptions:
Followed by nn, in words ac-| pay | Ammenne, andrienne.— Ben-
cented on the penultimate. na, bienne (and the other
Ex.: Penna, venne, otten- comp. of anno), bipenne. —
ni, senno, ete. Denno (devono), dienno
(diedero). — Enne (N), en-
no (sono). — Geenna. — Indenne. — Perenne. — Solenne.

Proper Names: <Ardenne, Brenno, Cajenna, Enna (village), Ge-
benna, Gujenna, Lenno, Perpenna, Porsenna, ete.

Exceptions: Rule:
Atrepice. — Discepolo. — Ep, Followed by p single or p be-
Ginepro. — Molteplice. —| Epl, fore a consonant.
Pepe. ete. Ex.: Epa, tepido, peplo,
. lepre, ete.
Rule: Exceptions:
Followed by pp. Epp. Seppi (from sapere).
Ex. : Ceppo, greppia, etc. Proper Names: Aleppo,
Beppe, Dieppe, Giuseppe.

14

E is CLOSE.

Eq.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

Rule:
Followed by 4q.

Ex.: Esequie, ossequio, requie, requia (v.).

Exceptions:

Cera (bees-wax), cerca (n.
and v.), cercine, cerchio (n.
and v.), cherico, chierico, ci-
cerchia, cuterzola. — Ermo,

Er,
Err.

Rule:
Followed by r or rr.
Ex.: Primavera, querulo,
erpice, ferro, ete.

erta, erto.— Fero (fecero), ferma (n. and v.), fermo. — Intero,
intiero. — Lercio. — Nero, nerola. — Pero and pera (n.), per,
palischermo, podere. — Rinvergo. — Scerre (scegliere), scherma,
schermo, scherno, scherzo (n. and v.), sera, serqua, sverza. — Verde,
verga (n. and v.), vergine, vergola, vero, verzica.

Infinitives in ére, like sedere, vedere, etc.

Third pers. pl. of Preterites in erono, as: poterono, ete.

Rules:

1. Followed by s before a
vowel in words accented on
the penultimate.

Ex.: Contesa, francese, sor-
preso, ete.

2. Followed by se hard or sp,
even in words accented on
the penultimate.

Ex.: Vescovo, fresco, ce-
spite, ete.

Es,
Ese,
Esp.

Exceptions:

Bleso. — Chiesa, chiesi, cri-
menlese, catacresi, catechesi.
— Despota. — Esegesi,
espero, esco, esca (n. and V.).
— Leso, lesi. — Nespolo, ne-
spola. — Obeso. — Pesco,
pesca (tree, fruit, and a
bruise). — Teschio, tesi (n.).
—Vespa, vespero or vespro.

Proper Names: Agnesi, Cre-
so, Lachesi, Teresa, ete.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 15

E is CLOSE.
Exceptions:

Bestia, bracchese, Brescia. —
Cesare, cesta, cesto (plant,
and for cesta), cestola, cape-
stro, cotesto, cresta, crescere.
— Desto (adj. and v.).—
Esso. — Fesso (n. and v.).
— Increscere. — Lesso, lesi-
na (n. and v.). — Mescere,
mescita, messa (n. and v.),
mestica (n. and v.), mesto

E is OPEN.
Rules:
1. Followed by ss or s before
another consonant.

Ex.: Cipresso, tessere, esta-
si, presto, testo, testa, etc.
2. Followed by s before a
vowel in words accented on

the antepenult.
Ex.: Fiesole, esito, cente-
simo, ete.

(adj. and v.), mestola, mestolo, medesimo. — Pesce, pesca (n. and
v., from pescare), pesta (n., adj., and v.), Pescia, pesolo. — Quare-
sima, questo. — Sghescia, spesso, stesso, svescia. — Vescia.

Nouns in esimo: Cristianesimo, paganesimo, etc.

Deriv. cf mettere: Permesso, commesso, ete.

Verbal endings in Preterites, and Imp. Subj. in esti, este; essi,
esse, essero, as: Avesti, aveste; facessi, facesse, facessero, etc.

Second p. s. of Condit. Pres. in esti: Temeresti, etc.

Feminine nouns in essa: Principessa, poetessa, ostessa, leonessa,

ete.

Rules:

1. Followed by tt in diminu-| Ett.

tives,

No Exception.

Ex.: Giovinetto, libretto, amaretto, etc.
Also in: Accetta (n.).— Bajonetta, belletta, bietta, biglietto. —

16

E is CLOSE.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

E is OPEN.

Civetta. — Detto (with all comp. from dire, like disdetta, contrad-
detto, etc.). — Fazzoletto, fetta, fretta. — Ghetto. — Metto (with
all comp. from mettere, as commetto, ammetto, etc.). — Netto. —
Picchetto, pretto. — Saetta, salvietta, soffietto, sonetto, sorbetto,
stretto (with all comp. from stringere, as costretto, distretto, etc.).

Tetto. — Vendetta, vetta. — Zibetto.

2. All forms of verbs in ettare, derived from a diminutive, or from
words in the above list: as, io umetto (from umettare, from umi-
detto), io svetto (from svettare, from vetta), etc.; and so the forms
of the verbs balbettare, calettare, cinguettare, dettare, traghettare.

Exceptions:

Abete, aceto. — Bettola, bret-
tine, Busseto. — Cheto (adj.
and v.), cometa, creta, cutret-
tola. — Decreto, diavoleto,
discreto, diletico (n. and v.).
— Farchetola.— Gaeta, gre-
to, gretola. — Inseto. — Leti-
co, librettine.— Meta (dung),
minareto, moneta, mettere
(with comp. and deriv.). —
Parete, parletico, pianeta,
peto (n. and v.). — Rete. —-
Sangioveto (grape), segreto,

Ett,
Et,
Etn,
ete.

Rules:

1. Followed by tt in words
other than diminutives, (all
verbal endings in etti, ette,
ettero), and those accented
on the antepenult.

Ex.: Credetti, credettero,
accetto, oggetto, protetto,
diletto, cospetto, etc.

2. Followed by t single, or
before a consonant.

Ex.: Dieta, eretico, poeti-
co, retina, Etna, ete.

seta, sete (n.). setola, sgretolo, solletico, Spoleto. — Tappeto, tret-

tica. — Vetro, vetrice.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 17

E is CLOSE, E is OPEN.

Collective nouns in eto, eta: as, pineta, oliveto, etc.
Presents, Futures, and Imperatives in ete: as, avete, farete, te-
mete, etc.

Rule: Exceptions:
Followed by v or vv. Ey, Allevio (v.).— Benevolo, breve
Ex.: Neve, beva, bevve,| Evv. and deriv.).— Devo, devono,
bisognevole, ete. deve, devi. — Evito, evo. —
Greve. — Leva (n. and v.),

longevo. — Malevolo. — Parasceve, persevero, previo. — Sevo.
Proper Names: Eva, Levi, Mevio, Scevola, Trevert, etc., ete.

Rule:
Ez. Followed by z single.

Ex.: Venezia, Lucrezia,,
facezia, inezia, etc.

Rule: Exceptions:
Followed by zz. Ezz. | Mezzo (half, middle). — Pez-.
Ex.: Bellezza, fermezza, 20, pezza, prezzo, and deriv.:
brezza, mezzo (over ripe), as, appezza, spezzo, apprez-
etc. 2a, disprezzo.

F is pronounced as in English. Ff with double emphasis.
G@ is hard, like English k :
1. Before a, 0, u. Ex.: gatto, cat; goffo, stupid; guida,
guide.
2. Before any consonant except liand n. Ex.: grido, ery;

18 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

conglomerare, to conglomerate ; inglese, English; ghiaccio, ice;
mughetto, lily of the valley.
N. B. — Gh only occurs before e or i:

G is soft, like g ‘in gentleman, before e or i. Ex.; gente, people;
Giorgio, George. :

Gg is hard, like English k, wherever g would be hard, and must be
pronounced with double emphasis. Ex.: raggomitolare, to
wrap up; ragguaglio, report, notice; agghiaccio, sheep-cote ;
agghermigliare, to clasp.

Before e or i gg is soft, and pronounced like dg in edging. |
Ex. : oggi, to-day ; distrugge, he destroys. :

Gli is pronounced like Ili in brilliant. Ex.: briglia, bridle: cordo-

glio, affliction.

Exceptions:

Negligere and its deriv., negligente, negligenza, etc. Gliconio,
Angli, Anglicano, Anglia, geroglifo, glicerina, and a very few
more words from the Greek and other foreign languages.

Gin is pronounced like ni in wnion. Ex.: ugna, finger-nail ; ognuno,
every one; agnello, lamb.
His never pronounced. Ex.: ho, 1 have, is pronounced o. It is
used as a graphic sign, to harden the e and g before e and i.
Ex.: Duchessa, duchess; jfichi, figs; streghe, witches; funghi,
mushrooms. Hh never occurs.
I is pronounced like e in me. Ex.: mio, my; conjini, boundaries.

N. B. —I is sometimes used for euphony in such words as
istrada (strada), road; istudio (studio), study; tiene, he holds ;
siedo, I sit; and in verbal forms, —cambii, thou changest, etc.,
in which case the i is very short.

2mm

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 19

is pronounced like i, of which it often takes the place between

two vowels. Ex.; gioja, joy.

V. Remarks on the use of the J, at page 44.

is pronounced as in the language from which it may be borrowed.

as in English. LI with double emphasis.

as in English. Mm with double emphasis.

as in English. Nn with double emphasis.

N. B. — The nasal sound of English ng is heard when n comes
before ¢, g hard, andq. Ex.: stanco, tired ; stanga, window-
bar ; dunque, then.

has two sounds, one elose, the other open or broad.
0 close is like © in pope. Ex.: potere, to be able.
0 open is like o in for. Ex.: forte, strong.

As it is difficult in many cases to know whether 0 is close or

open, the study of the following tables will be found very helpful.

Unaccented 0 is always close.

When 0 comes from the Latin 0 or d, it is close.

Ex.: Ordine, from ordo ; ove, from ubi.
. VU . .
When o comes from the Latin 0 or au, it is open.
Ex.: Morte, from mors ; oro, from aurum.

Exception: coda, tail; 0 close.

20 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

O is CLOSE. O is OPEN.
Exceptions: Rules:
1. Lo, 0, oh! con, co’ (coi), co 1. In monosyllables and pa-
(capo), scio/ (shoo !). role tronche; i. e., words ac-
2. Coda (from cauda). cented on the last vowel.

Ex.: Po, do, fo, and 3, pero, ho.
2. When o stands for au.
Ex.: Oro (auro), lode (laude), tesoro (tesauro), ete.

Exceptions: Rule:
1. Cot (con i), noi, vot. 0a, When followed by a vowel.
2. In the verbal forms ingoi,| 9¢ Ex.: Stoa, eroe, Zoe, poi,
impastot, spastoi, ingoino, se puoi, vuoi, ete.
impastoino, spastoino ; from :

ingojare, impastojare, spastojare.

Exceptions: Rule:

Ottobre. — Robbia. Ob. When followed by b or bb.

Forms of the verb conoscere ; Ex.: Robe, gobba, obbro-
i. e., conobbi, conobbe, etc. brio, ete.

Exceptions : Rule:

Atroce. — Bocca, bocchi. —| Ve. When followed by ¢ or ee.
Cioccia (n. and v.), conoc- Ex.: Boccia, oca, rocea
chia, croce. — Doccia, doccio (fortress), ipocrita, me-
(n. and v.).— Feroce, foce. diocre, suocero, carroccio,
— Goccia and gocciola (n. tocca (cloth), tocco (cap,
and v.). — Moccio, moccico, piece), ete.

moccolo.— Noce (n.).—
Poccia (n. and v.) — Rocca (distaff). — Tocca (a hole), tocea and
tocco (from toccare and for one o’clock). — Veloce, voce, vocia.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

21

O is CLOSE. O is OPEN.
Exceptions: Rule:

Coda, code, codola, codolo. —| Od. When followed by d.
Dodici. — Rodere with its Ex.: Frode, lode, lodo,
compounds and derivatives. modo, moda, fodera, ete.

Exceptions: Rule:

Battisofjia. — Cosoffiola. —| Of. When followed by f or ff.
Soffice, soffio (n. and v. with Ex.: Goffo, sofo, soffre,
deriv.). orfanotrofio, etc.

Exceptions: Rule:
Affogo. — Boga, boglio, bogli-| Og. When followed by g or gg.

olo, borboglia. — Cogli (con
gli). — Doga. — Foga (n.
and v.). — Germoglio (n.

Ex.: Toga, pioggia, elo-
gio, rogito, togliere, etc.

and v.), giogo, gorgoglio (n. and v.). — Logoro (n., adj., and v.). —
Moglie. — Orgoglio. —Rigoglio, roggio, rogo (rovo, briar). — Soga.

— Voga.
Rule: Exceptions:
When followed by gn. Ogn. | Agogna (river). — Bologna.
Ex.: Menzogna, bisogno, — Cognito, cogno (conio),
agogna (v.), etc. Cologna. —Incognito. —
Progne. — Togno (Tonio).
Rule: Exceptions:
When followed by j. Oj. Ancroja. — Boja, Bot (n. pl.).

Ex.: Feritoja, cesoje, fila-
tojo, lavatoj, rasoj, ete.

— Convojo (n. and v.), ewajo,
crojo.— Dimojo.— Gioja. —
Leucojo, loja, lojola.— Moje,

22 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

O is CLOSE.

Exceptions (continued ) :

O is OPEN.

moja, muojo.— Noja (n. and v.).— Precojo or procojo. — Ribuoja.
— Soja, salamoja, Savoja, squarquojo, stugja.— Troja (pr. and

¢c. 0.).

‘Exceptions:

Ampolla, ascolto (n. and v.).
— Biroldo, bolla and bollo
(n. and v. from dollare and
bollire), bolgia, bolso, brollo
(brullo). — Catollo, cipolla,

Ol.

Rule:
1. When followed by I or IL
Ex.: Scuola, nolo, colgo,
soldo, colla (n.), collo (n.),

etc.

cocolla, corolla, corollo, col, collo (con lo), colla (con la), cola and
colo (n. and v. from colare), colto (adj. and n.), consolo. — Folgore,
folta (n. and adj.). — Gola. — Ingolla and ingollo (n. and y.). —
Lolla. — Manigoldo, midolla, midollo, ‘molto. — Polla, pollo, polso,
polvere.— Rampollo (n. and v.), raspollo.— Satollo (n., adj., and
v.), scapolla, scolo (n. and v.), scolta, sepolto, soggolo, sole, solo,
sollo (adj.), spolvero (n. and v.), stollo, stolto.— Volo (n. and v.),

volgo (n.), volto (n.), volva.

Rule 2:

When | is followed by e, f,
m, p, t: as, Dolce, solco,
golfo, zolfo, olmo, coltre,
colpa, volto, ete.

01

Exceptions to 2:

Colchico (n. and adj.), coleo
(v.), solfa (mus. term), colto
(from cogliere), sciolto (from
sciogliere), volto (from vol-

gere).

Proper Names: Coleco, Colchide, Stocolma, Astolfo, Marcolfo, and

others in olfo.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 23

O is CLOSE. . O is OPEN.
Exceptions: Rule:

Cocomero, come. — Domo (v.| Om. When followed by m simple.
and adj.).— Gomena, gomi- Ex.: Comodo, uomo, Co-
to. — Lome (lume). — Nome mo, nomina, etc.

(n.). — Pomo, pomice. —

Romice. — Toma and tomo (from tomare, n. and v.).
Proper Names: Koma, Romolo.

Rule: Exceptions:
When followed by mm, or m| Omb, | Comma, commodo (n., v., and
and another consonant. 0mm, deriv.), complice, compito.—
Ex.: Gomma, somma, ete. Domma (dogma).

rombo, piombo, etc.

Rules: : Exceptions:

1. When followed by n sim- On, A. Buono. — Dittongo (also
ple in monosyllables and| Qnd, trittongo, quadrittongo). —
words accented on the pe-| Onf, Colono, concavo, condito,
nultimate (parole piane). | Ong, conjuge, cono. — Frastuono.

Ex.: Padrone, corona, Ongr,) __ Giona. — Incondito, ipo-
Ons, :

sono (I am, they are), con, sta: condrio. — Nona (n. and

non, etc. adj.). — Patrono, polono,

2. When followed by n and ponce, pondero, pondo, pon-

-another consonant (s im- tico, prono. — Onere. — Re-
pura). condito. — Suono (n. and
_Ex.: Onda, trionfo, pron- v.), spondulo. — Testimone,
to, gonfio, ete. tono, trono, tuono. — Zona.

Also: Alfonso, Ildefonso. B. When n is followed by s,

or by another consonant, in
words accented on the antepenult.

24 . ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

O is CLOSE. O is OPEN.
Exceptions (continued)
Ex.: Intonso, console, responso, congruo, congrega, ete.
C. Adj. in ontico: as Anacreontico, acherontico, ete.
D. Proper Names: Ascalona, Bajona, Epaminonda, Ponto, Ponzio,
etc. Excerpt: Alfonso and Ildefonso.

Exceptions: Rules:
Cionno, colonna. — Garonna.| On, 1. When followed by n sim-
— Onice.—Sonno, —| Onn. ple, in words accented on
Tonno. the antepenult.

Ex.: Antonio, Aonio, in-
tonaco, monaca, etc.
2. When followed by na.
Ex.: Donna, _ eleisonne,
gonna, amonno (amarono),

ete.
Exceptions: Rule:

Dopo, doppio and doppia (n.,| Op, When followed by p or pp.
adj., and v.). — Coppo. —| Opp. Ex.: Topo, coppa, intop-
Groppo. — Poppa (n. and po, copia, coppia, popolo,
v.). — Scopa, sopra, stoppa opera, ete.

(n. and v.), stoppia, stroppa
or stroppia.
Rule: !

0q. When followed by q.
Ex.: Celoquio, colloquio,
ete.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 25

O is CLOSE.
Rules:

1. When followed by r single
in words accented on the
penultimate, and especially
in nouns and adjectives in
ore and their fem. ora.

Ex.: Fiore, ora, ancora,
signore, filatora, imperatore,
candore, foro, ete.

2. When followed by rr.

Ex.: Torre (n.), borro, cor-
rere, borra, etc.

Or,
Orr.

O is Open.
Exceptions:

Aborro, alloro, Azzorre. —
Barbassoro, battiloro.—Can-
timplora, cuore or core (and
the like, as erepacuore, ac-
cora, etc.), coro, canoro, ca-
morra, camorro, castoro, ci-
porro, correo, corre (cogliere).
— Decoro (n. and v.), dimora
(n. and v.), Dora (pr. n. and
v.). — Fora (sarebbe), fuori,
fuore, fuora (as also fora,
etc.), foro (a place). — Gora,

granciporro. — Moro (n.), moro (v. and adj.).— Naborre, nasorre, °
nuora or nora. — Ora (aura), oro, orrido. — Poro, porro, pretorio,
prora. — Risporo, ritorre (ritogliere). — Suora, sora (v.), sciorre
(sciogliere), stajoro, sonoro. — Tesoro, toro, torre (togliere), torrido.
Proper Names: Yeodoro, Gomorra, Flora, Antenora, ete.
Forms of the verbs: Dimorare, decorare, deflorare, deplorare, do-
rare, esplorare, ignorare, implorare, imporrare, intorare, irrorare,
morire, orare, plorare, ristorare, and words formed with core.

2% ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

O is CLOSE.
Exceptions:

Accorcio (n. and v.), accorse
(from correre), adorno (adj.
and v.), aggiorno (n.).—
Balordo, bagordo, borsa, bor-
go, bitorzolo, borbora (bur-
bera), bornia. — Corte (n.),
corto, capitorzolo, corsa (from
correre, also other forms). —
Disordine. — Forea, forcola,
forcolo, forfora, forma (n.
and v.), forno, forse, fra-

O is OPEN.
Rules:

1. When followed by r sim-
ple in words accented on
the antepenult.

Ex.: Boria, florido, storico,
storia, dorico, flora, ete.

2. When followed by r be-
fore another consonant.

Ex.: Morbo, corda, corpo,
morto, forte, Corso, torse,
ete.

storno. — Giorgio, gorbia, gorgo, giorno. — Ingordo, ingorgo, imborgo
(v.), imporpora, inforco, (v.), informo, intorno. — Livorno, lordo
(adj. and v.). — Mormore. — Organo, orcio, ordine, ordina (v.), orno
(n. and v.), orlo (n. and v.), orma, orso, Orsola. — Porpora, ponte,
porla (porre la). — Quattordici.— Ricorso, riforma, risorto (and
every form of risorgere), rimborso (n.).— Sborso (v.), scorcio (n.
and v.), scortico, scorso (scorcio), sgorbia (n.), sgorga (V.), sorcio,
sorcolo, sordo, sorgere (and deriv. sorgo, etc.), sorso, stormo, storno.
— Torba (n., adj., and v.), torbido, tordo, torma, tornio and torno
(n., v., and adv.), torso, torsolo, torta (food), tortora or tortola.

——_—

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. oF

O is CLOSE.
Rule:

When followed by s simple
in words accented on the
penultimate.

Ex.: Annosa, rosa (from
rodere), posi, rispose, vi-
zioso, etc.

Os.

O is OPEN.
Exceptions:

Arrose (from arrogere). —
Basoso, Beroso. — Chiosa or
glosa (n. and v.), cosa, coso.
—Dosa (n. and v.), dose. —
Esoso. — Oso (v. and adj.).
— Posa (n. and v.), prosa.
— Riposo (n. and v.), rosa

(flower), roso (rosajo). — Sposa. — Uosa.
Greek nouns ending in osi, as, Metempsicost, ipotiposi, apoteost, ete.

Exceptions:

Agosto. — Bosso.— Conoscere
(and deriv.). — Fosco, —
Mosca, moscio, mostra (n.
and v.), mosto, mostro. —

Prevosto.— Rosso, rossola,
rossolo. — Tosco (Tuscan)
tosseé.

The forms of the verb essere,
like fossi, fosti, etc.

Derivatives of nascondere,
rispondere, porre, aS nasco-
sto, risposto, ete.

Oss,
Osd,
ete.

Rules: a!
1. When followed by ss ors
before another consonant.

Ex.: Fossa, arrosto, oste,
costa, ossa, tossico; imposta
(shutter), posta (P.O. and
der.), imposto (I mail), ap-
posta (from appostare), etc.

2. When followed by s sin-
gle in words accented on
the antepenult.

Ex.: Elemosina, posola,
Eufrosine, proposito, ete.

Except: Imposta (shutter).— Posta (office, with deriv. imposto,

I mail, etc.). — Apposta (from appostare).
Words ending in posito, as proposito, etc.

(V. Rule 1.)

28

O is CLOSE.
Exceptions:

Boto (voto, n. and v.), botro,
botte. — Dotta (n. and v.).
—Ghiotta (n.), ghiotto,
gotta. — Imbotta, inghiotto.

Ot,
Ott.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION,

O is OPEN.
Rule:
When followed by t or tt.
Ex.: Noto, ruota, otto,
dotto, ciotola, nottola, etc.

— Loto, lotta.— Nipote. —Poto (v.). — Otre. — Sotto. — Voto (vow.,

n., and v.).

Derivatives of ducere (to lead), as:

aquidotto, etc.

condotta, ridotto, prodotto,

Derivatives of rompere and its compounds, as: rotto, prerotto,

corrotto, dirotto, etc.

Exceptions:

Alcova, altrove. — Cova, covo
(n.andv.).—Dove.— Giova,
giovane, giovo (giogo).—
Ove. — Ricovero or ricovro
(n. and v.), rovere, rovo. —
Sovero, sovra.

Ov,
Ovy.

Rule:
When followed by v or vv.
Ex.: Piova, ovvio, provvi-
do, manovra, trovo, piovve,
ete.

Exceptions:

Gozz0. — Ingozz0. — Mozza,
mozzo (n. Meaning waiter;
adj. and n. from mozzare).
— Pozza, pozzo (n.). — Roz-
20, rozza (jade). — Saragoz-
2a, singhiozz0, sozz0.

Oz,
0zz.

Rule:
When followed by z or zz.
Ex.: Equinozio, ozio, coz-
zo, bozzolo, Scozia, bozza,
ete.

~~

Qq

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 29

is pronounced as in English. Pp with double emphasis.

is always followed by U, and pronounced like gu in guart. Ex.:
Quattro, four.

only occurs in the two words: Sogquadro, ruin; sogqguadrare, to
ruin. It is pronounced with double emphasis.

is strongly rolled whether it follows or precedes a vowel. Hence
there is no such difference as in the English bearded, iron,
grain,ete. Ex.: Birboneria, fraud ; tronia, irony ; grano, grain.

Rr is rolled with double emphasis, or better, the rolling is pro-

longed. Ex.: Carro, wagon; corro, I run.
has two sounds: hard and soft.
1. By hard sound we mean that of the English s in sea.
Ex.: Se, if; casa, house.
2. By soft sound we mean that of the English z in daze.
Ex.: Caso, case; chiesa, church.
The following tables will enable the student readily to ascertain

whether the s is hard or soft.

S is HARD (as s in sea). S is SOFT (as z in daze).
Rule 1: Exceptions:
At the beginning of a word fol- | Biéisaccia, bisesto. — Hsangue. —

lowed by a vowel or by e, f, Filosofo.
P, q, t.

Ex.: Savio, servo, si, santo, sacerdote, studio, sforzo, ete.
N. B. The same principle obtains when such words are com-

pounded with others.

Ex.: Girasole, dicesi, sconsacrare, risento, etc.

30 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.
S is HARD. S is SOFT.
Rule 2:
When it is double.
Ex.: Basso, messo, fisso,
fosso, ete.
Rule 3: Exceptions:

In adjectives and a number of
nouns ending in osa and oso,
and their derivatives.

Ex.: Invidioso, glorioso, go-
losita, maroso, ete.

Tosa and toso (Lombard expres-
sion). Basoso, Esoso.

Words of foreign origin, like:
dose, diocesi, apoteosi, flogosi,
etc.

Rule 4:

In words ending in esa, ese, esi,
eso (specially in the forms of
verbs in endere), and their
derivatives.

Ex.: Inteso, compreso, speso,
mese, scesi, arnese, arnesino,
ete.

Exceptions:

Bleso.— Chiesa, cortese, cri-
menlese. — Francese. — Iileso.
—Lesi, leso, Lucchese. — Mar-
chese, Meso. — Obeso. — Paese,
palese, and also palesare with
its different forms.

Greek nouns: Tesi, diaresi,
catechesi, ete.

Proper names: Agnese, Tere-
sa, Creso, etc.

Rule 5:
In the middle of a word when
preceded by I, a, r.
Ex.: Falso, bolso, mensa,
borsa, elsa, ete.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 81

S is HARD.
Rule 6:
When preceded by ra, re, ri, at
the beginning of a word.
Ex.: Raso (n. and v.), rasojo,
riso (n. and forms from ridere),
risaja, etc.

S is SOFT.
Exceptions:
Rasente, resina, risico, risi-
pola, and derivatives, rasen-
tare, resinoso, etc.

Rule 7:

In compounds and derivatives
of the verbs: ascondere, chie-
dere, chiudere, porre, ridere,
rimanere, rodere.

Ex.: Ascosi, chiuso, rimase,
risposi, risi, la chiusa, il ri-
poso, la posa, etc.

Exceptions:
Clausura, concluso, escluso, re-
cluso, and the like.
Deposito, composito, posizione,
sproposito, and the like.
Rosicare, erosione,
corrosione, etc.
Derisi, deriso, derisione, irri-

corrosivo,

sione.

Rule 8:
In the following words and
their derivatives:

Asino. — Basalte. — Casa,
Chiusi, cosi, cosofjiola. — De-
siderio. — Fuso (n.), fusolo.
— Musulmano. — Naso. — Pa-
rasito, Pisa, pisello.— Susino,
susurro. — Taso.

82 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

S is HARD.
Exceptions:

Words mentioned under Rules
6 and 7.

S is SOFT.
Rule 9:
When preceded by a— i- u-and
followed by another vowel.
Ex.: Asola, basilico, bisogno,
fisima, lusinga, fisica, muso,
ete.

Exceptions:

Presumere (not presuntuoso, and
presunzione), presupporre, Pre-
side, presidente ; presentire,
presidio, proseguire, diservire,

ete. (V. Rule 1).

Ex.:

Rule 10:

When the word begins with
esa, ese, esi, eS0, eSU; OSa, OSE,
0so, osu, (even though these
may be preceded by the conso-
nants b, ¢, d, g, 1, m, n, p, pr, q,
r, Ss, t), and their compounds.

Esame, esercito, esito, esofago, esusto, Cesare, cesello,

desire, mosaico, lesina, prosodia, quesito, rosellina, ete.

Exceptions:
Words derived from adjectives
in oso (V. Rule 3), as: Gelosia,
bramosia, etc.

Rule 11.
When followed by ia, ie, io.
Ex. : Desio, ambrosiano, etc.

Exceptions:
Cosa, coso. — Posa. — Riposo,
and the other words excluded
by Rule 7.

Rule 12.
When followed by e or 0 open.
Ex.: Chiesa, doso, elemo-
sina, etc.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 83

: S is HARD.

S is SOFT.
Rule 13.

In the prepositional particles
bis, cis, dis, mis, tras, tris, in
words that begin with a
vowel.

Ex.: Disagio, bisunto, cisal-
pino, trasandare, misogallo,
ete.

Rule 14,

When words end in esimo,
esima, osimo.
Ex.: Ventesimo, cresima,
Cosimo, ete.

Exceptions:
Trrisi, arrisi, sorrist and deriv-
atives (not irrisione, etc.). V.
Rule 7.

Rule 15.

Preterites and Participles in.
asi, ase, asero, aso; isi, tsé,.
tsero, 180 ; OSi, O8e, OSeTO, OSO 5
ust, use, usero, uso; and de-
rivative forms (not excluded.
by Rule 7).

Ex.: Io misi, ho deriso, dif-
fusamente, persuasivo, etc.

> jee

34 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

S is HARD. S is SOFT.
Rule 16.

In ‘the following words and
their derivatives: Arrosare
— Elemosina — Icosaedro, in-
tisichire — Mausoleo.

Se When se precede e or i, they form a compound consonant with
the sound of sh in English ship. Ex.: Scena, scene; scienza, .
science.

Sch is pronounced like sk in English skipper. Ex.: Scherzoso, play-
ful; schiaffo, a cuff.

T is pronounced as in English. Tt with double emphasis.

U_ is pronounced like 00 in poor. Ex.: Puro, pure.

Vis pronounced as in English. Vv with double emphasis.

W is pronounced as in the language from which it is borrowed.

X is pronounced as in the language from which it is borrowed.

Y is pronounced as in the language from which it is borrowed.

Z has two sounds: Hard and Soft.

1. By hard sound we mean that of the English ts. Ex.:
Senza, without.

2. By soft sound we mean that of the English dz. Ex.:
Zelo, zeal. .

Zz is sometimes pronounced like tts, sometimes like ddz.

We append the necessary rules, with a list of exceptions, which
it is hoped will be found quite complete.

Rule I.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

Z is hard at the beginning of a word.

zappa, ete.

Exceptions:
zabajone
zaffe
zafferano
zaffetica
zaffiro
zaffrone
zagaglia
zaganato
zaganella,
zaino
zambecchino
zamberlucco
zambra
zambracca

Rule 2:

zanni
zanzara
zara
zavorra
zebra
zeffiro
zelamina
zelo
zendado
zeno
zenit
Zenzero
zeolita
zerbino

And their compounds and derivatives.

Zero
zeugma
zeta
Z@ZZ010
zibaldone
zibellino
zibetto
zibibbo
ziffe
zigolo
zigoma
zimarra
zimino
zinco

zingone
zinna
zinale
zirla
zirlare
zirlo
ziro
zizzania
zizzola
zodiaco
zolla
zombrare
zona

35

Ex.: Zana, zecca,

ZONZO
zoofito
zooforico
zooiatria
zoolito
zoologia
zotico
zotomia
ZOZZA

zugo

zurlo

ZUITO
zuzzerullone

Z is hard in the verbal endings azzare, ezzare, izzare, ozzare,

uzzare, and in all their derivatives.

Ex.: Impazzare, carezzare, rizzare, carezza, puzzo, etc.

Exceptions:

1. Verbs in izzare of more than four syllables in the infinitive,
like: armonizzare, caratterizzare, or derived from words with a

36 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

soft Z, as: frizzare, shuzzare —or a few that may also be written
with a g Ex.: Matrizzare or madreggiare ; patrizzare or pad-
reggiare.

2. The following verbs: Abbrezzare, adorezzare, ammezzare (to
half.) — Battezzare. — Dimezzare, dirozzare. — Insozzare, intra-
mezzare. —Olezzare. — Rammezzare, razzare (from razzo), ruz-
zare. — Sozzare, spetezzare, strabuzzare, suzzare. — Tramezzare.

Rule 3:

Z is hard in nouns and adjectives ending in: azzo0, azza ; ezzo,
C220 5; 1220, 1220 3 0220, O23 UZZ0, uzza ; and when the accent
falls on the antepenult; also on those ending in: azzolo, azzola,
azzone, etc., and their derivatives. .

Ex.: Piazza, chiarezza, carrozza, pozzo, pagliuzza, rezzola, etc.

Exceptions:

Amazzone, azzimo (adj. and v.). — Bazza, bizza, bozzima, brezza,
bozza, bozzo (a pool), buzz0.— Chiozzo. — Dosuzza.— Frizzo (n.
and v.) — Gazza or gazzera, ghezzo, ghiozzo, ghiribizzo, grezzo. —
Intirizzo. — Lacchezzo, lapislazzuli, lazza, Lazzaro, lazzo (jest),
lezzo. — Mezzo (half, and its compounds), mozzo (nave of a wheel).
— Olezzo, orezzo, ozzimo. — Pruzza. — Razza (ray-fish), razze
(n. and v.), rezzo, ribrezzo, rozza (n.) rozzo, ruzzo (n. and v.).—
Sezzo, schiribizzo, sizza, sozzo (n. and v.) suzzo (v. and adj.).—
Uzza, uzzolo. — Volezzo. — Zizza, zizzola, zozza.

Rule 4:
Z is hard when preceded by another consonant. Ex.: Forza,
force.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 387

Exceptions:

Abbronzare, alcorza, archipenzolo, arzente, arzica, arzigogolo,
arzillo. — Barzelletta, Belzebu, benzina, benzoino, borzacchiare,
Bonzo, bronzo. — Calenzuolo, catarzo. — Donzella. — Fronzolo,
Sronzuto. — Ganza, ganzerino, ganzo, garza, garzo, garzare, gar-
zone, garzuolo, gironzo, gonzo. — Ingarzullito, inzibettato, inzoti-
chire. — Manzo, manzuolo, marzocco. — Orzajuolo, orzeruolo, orza,
orzata, orzese, orzo, orzuolo. — Penzolo, pranzare, pranzo. — Ra-
manzina, rifronzire, rinverzicare, rinverzire, romanzo, ronzare,
ronzo (n. and v.), ronzone. — Sbonzolare, scorza, scorzare, scorzone,
sfarzo, sfronzare, sgarza, spenzolo, sverza, sverzare. — Verzicare,
verzicolare, verza, verzino, verzotto, verzwme, verzura. — Zanzara,

RENZEVETO, ZENZETO, ZONZATE, ZONZO.

° Rule 5:

Z is hard when followed by io, ia, ie, Ex.: Prezioso, etc.
Exceptions:

1. Azienda, Nazianzo.

2. Words derived from others with a soft z, as: Romanziere,
ronzio, bronziere, etc.

Zz is soft (like ddz) in the following unclassified words.

Aguzzino, aggrezzire, allazzerire, arrozzire, azoto, azzeruola,
azzeruolo, azzimare, azzimella, azzimina, azzimino, azzollare, az-

- gonare, azzorare, azzuolo, azzurro. — Bazzana, bazzecola, bazzoffia,

bazzotto, bizzeffe, buzzurro. — Dozzina. — Gazzarra, gazzella, gaz-
zerio, gazzetta, gazzina, gazzurro, ghiazzerino, ghiazzeruola. —
Imbozzacchiare, imbozzimare. — Lazzeretto, lazzerone, lazzeruola,
lazzeruolo, — Magazzino, mezzule. — Ossizzacchera, ozena. —Pa-
nizzare. — Razzente, razzese, Rezzonico. — Shizzarrire, sgabuzzino,
suzzacchera. — Valezzato.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 39

ACCENTS.
The Tonic Accent.

1. When the Tonic Accent rests upon the last syllable, Z’wltima,
the word is called in Italian parola tronca, plur. parole tronche.

2. When the Tonic Accent rests upon the penultimate, la penul-
tima (this is the case with the very large majority of words), the
word is called parola piana.

3. When the Tonic Accent rests upon the antepenult, l’antepe-
nultima, the word is called parola sdrucciola.

4. When the Tonic Accent rests upon the syllable before the
antepenult, la quart’ultima, the word is called parola bisdrucciola.

5. The Tonic Accent may go still further back on the quint’ul-
tima and the sest’ultima, as in porgamivisene ; but such words are
very seldom found.

No absolute rule can be given which will enable one instantly
and unhesitatingly to place the Tonic Accent on the proper syl-
lable. Words are generally accented as in Latin; yet there are a
considerable number of rather unjustifiable exceptions.

The Graphic Accent.

Three graphic accents are used: the Grave, the Acute, and the
- Circumflex.

The Grave Accent is used : —

1. On the last vowel of all monosyllables ending in a diphthong,
and all other words ending in a vowel, whenever the tonic accent
falls upon it, whether because of contraction or for any other
reason.

40 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

Ex. : Gia, pié, cid, pud, pil, git; bonta, credé, venerdi, leggerd,

virta.

2. On a number of monosyllables to distinguish them from

others otherwise spelled alike.

Ex.: @, is, from e, and; da, gives, from da, from; di, day, from

di, of; té, tea, from te, to thee; né, neither, from ne, of it, ete. ;
nei, imperfections, from nei, in thee; vdi (vuoi), thou wishest,
from voi, you; dai (v.), from dai (art., prep.).

3. On the last vowel of shortened forms of the preterite, to dis-

tinguish them from the present infinitive of the same verbs.

Ex.: amar = amarono, to distinguish it from amar = amare.
temér = temerono, to distinguish it from temer = temere.
nutrir = nutrirono, to distinguish it from nutrir = nutrire.

N. B.— Some use the circumflex accent in the above cases,

claiming thus better to indicate the excision of several letters.

4, While the grave accent is regularly wsed on the final syllable

only of words, it may be properly employed also in the following
cases :

a. On the e or 0 of a penultimate to indicate the open sound, in
a word which with the close sound, would have an entirely
different meaning.

Ex.: ora = aura, zephyr; ora, hour.

b. In certain verbal forms with suffixes, to avoid ambiguity.

Ex.: dalle = le da; dalle = da le.
donogli = gli dono ; donogli = gli dono.
amarti = ti amarono ; amarti = amar te.

c. On the vowel a— which has naturally an open sound —on
any syllable other than the last, to distinguish homonyms.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 41

Ex.: danno, verb; danno, noun; abitino, verb; abitino, dim. noun.

N. B. —Some prefer to use the acute accent in these cases, as
we shall see farther on.

d. On the penultimate vowel of polysyllables ending in two
vowels, whenever the tonic accent falls upon it.

Ex.: Giudéo, pazzia, Menelao, Pirdo.

But the majority do not follow this rule except when there may
be danger of ambiguity.

Ex.: balia, power; balia, nurse; stropiccio, the rubbing; stro-

ptecto, I rub.
N. B.— Some use the acute accent, but the grave is preferable.

The Acute Accent is used.

1. And very properly, to distinguish polysyllabic homonyms.

Ex.: ddénno, verb; danno, noun; séguito (n. and v.); seguito,
participle; dditino, verb; abitino, noun.

2. Instead of the Grave as per Rule 4, d. But, we repeat, the
use of the grave accent in such cases is preferable.

3. The words simile, umile, celebre, tenebre, funebre, lugubre,
feretro, and a few others are accented on the antepenult. Poets
often use them with accent on the penultimate, and write simile,
umitle, celébre, funébre, lugibre, ferétro, etc. It is better, however,
to write celébre, tenébre, funébre, ferétro, with the grave accent, thus
indicating the open sound of the e.

Some grammarians advocate the use of the acute accent on the
e of all parole tronche.

Ex.: perché, poiché, perdé, credé, etc. But this is not in gen-
eral use.

42 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

Unfortunately, writers and publishers are not unanimous in their
adoption of this or that system of accenting. Thus, for instance,
in Villari’s “Storia di Firenze,” Florence, Sansone, 1893, we find
the acute accent used as follows: né (neg.), a sé, poté, perché,
poiché, cost, s’apri, segut, riusct, pit, virti, etc.

The Cireumflex Accent is used:

1. Upon certain syncopated words, which, if written without
accent, might be confounded with others otherwise spelled alike,
but having a different meaning.

Ex.: cérre = cogliere; corre, he runs; térre = togliere; torre, a
tower.

2. By some excellent writers and publishers, on the f, plural of
nouns and adjectives in unaccented io, while others use i, ii, or j.
(V. our Remarks on the use of these in Plural Forms.)

Ex.: studi, municipi, giudizi, feudatari, necessari.

Norr. — When for any reason whatsoever, a graphic accent has
to be used on the third or fourth syllable from the last of any word,
it is advisable to use the grave accent whenever the vowel is to have
an open sound. This rule is sanctioned by the best writers. There-
fore we should write: cdlice, valicano, ténere, etc.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 43

DIVISION OF WORDS INTO SYLLABLES.

1. A consonant between two vowels unites with the following
vowel.

Ex.: a-mo, na-tu-ra, o-do-ro-so.

Except in the case of compound words, which are divided in
their component parts. Ex.: dis-onore, ab-uso, mal-agevole, in-esti-
mabile.

2. Double consonants are divided.

Ex.: an-no, er-rore, bel-lis-simo, spet-tro, sac-chi.

N. B. — Apostrophized syllables, which of themselves contain no
sound, should never begin or end a line.

Ex.: Do not write: d’-oggi, gl’ - Inglesi, no-’l so

But you may write: que’-tempi; be’ -fiori ; va’ -via.

3. Of two or more consonants, the first unites with the preced-
ing vowel, the other or others with the following.

Ex.: al-to, con-fon-de-re ; al-tro, den-tro, in-ter-pre-ta-re.

Exceptions:

a. If f, or one of the mutes, b, ¢, d, g, p, t, v, is followed by a
liquid (I, r, or n), both unite with the second vowel.
Ex.: de-cli-na-re, a-frez-za, co-pri-re.
b. S$ followed by any consonant or consonants (S impura) unites
with it or them and the following vowel.
Ex. : 0-scu-ro, a-po-sto-lo, mo-stro.
N. B. Not, however, in the case of compound words, as we
have seen under Rule I.
. Ex.: legis-latore, tras-gredire.

44 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

ce. Compound words in which e precedes q may be divided in

two ways: by dividing the waynes or joining them to

the following vowel. |

Ex.: ac-quistare, or, a-cquistare. Moise says that the latter
way is more general.

THE APOSTROPHE.

The ear, better than rules, should guide one in the use of the
apostrophe. For instance, it is quite evident that 2’ uso is more
euphonic than lo uso. The following rules, therefore, are more or
less of a general character.

1. The articles or pronouns Jo, da, gli, le are usually elided when
the next word begins with a vowel.

Gli, however (and all words ending in gli), only before i.
Therefore we say: Gl’ Italiani, gl’ Inglesi ; but gli Americani.

2. The pronominal particles mi, ti, ci, vi, ne, si are similarly
elided. Ci, however, only before e or i; otherwise its sound would
be hard.

3. The preposition di takes the apostrophe before a vowel.

N. B. — The preposition da is never elided.

4. The conjunctions se, and che (and its compounds), are elided.
The latter, preferably, only before e and i.

N. B. — No monosyllable, other than those mentioned in the
above rules, is ever elided.

5. All words of more than one syllable, ending in a vowel, may
be elided, wnless such a vowel be accented, in which case the word
must be written in full. The only exceptions are compounds of the

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 45

conjunction che; such as, dacché, giacché, benché, etc., which may
take the apostrophe.

6. The apostrophe is also commonly used at the end of words
which have dropped a vowel, and some that have lost a syllable.

Ex.: a’ for ai; da’, dai; ne’, nei; crede’, credet ; sara’, sarai ;
me’, meglio ; mo’, modo ; po’, poco.

Excerpt contracted forms which originally ended in te or de;
like, bonta (bontade), merce (mercede) ; and the particles testé, su,
and giz, which originally ended in so, but are now considered com-
plete in their modern form. :

46 ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION.

REMARES
ON
THE USE OF i, ii, j, i, IN PLURAL FORMS,

VERBAL ENDINGS, ETC.

1. J (or1) is commonly used in the plural of Nouns and Adjec-
tives in wnaccented io.

Ex.: Esempio, esempj ; principio, princip) ; studio, stud] ;

Socio, soy ; naufragio, naufrag) ; rifugio, rifug).

Exceptions:

a. Nouns ending in chio, ghio, glio. As: occhio, mugghio, ce-
spuglio.

b. A few in cio and gio, in which the i is used merely to soften
the e or g. As: arancio, fregio.

These form their plural by changing io into 7.

N. B.—Some authorities have advocated, and a number of au-
thors have adopted, the use of 7 instead of j to designate the plural
of nouns and adjectives in unaccented io (excepting those few in
cio and gio mentioned under b).

2. As the mark of the plural of Nouns and Adjectives ending’

in the singular in jo.

EX.: operajo, operaj ; rasojo, rasoj.

N. B.—The use of 7 instead of 7 between two vowels is recom-
mended and objected to by equally good authorities, while writers
of equal repute differ in their usage.

Ex.: calamajo, gioja; muojono; calamajata, bajonettata, or
calamaio, ete.

ITALIAN PRONUNCIATION. 47

Use i.

1. In the plural of Nouns and Adjectives ending in 20, with the
tonic accent on the 2.

Ex.: natio, natii ; calpestio, calpestii ; zio, xii ; mormorio, mor-
morit.

2. In verbal endings, such as: tu odii (from odiare), tu allevii
(from alleviare), tu principii, tu studii, tu incendii, tu varii, tu
dubbii, io nutrii, io finii, etc., to distinguish them from: tu odi (from
udire), tw allevi (from allevare), principi (plural of principe), prin-
cipj (plural of principio), etc.

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