Utenti:Michiluzzu Scalisi/English/Note 4
Note 4 cancia
R has three pronunciations, depending on its placement within a word and whether it's written single or double.
First Pronunciation cancia
The first pronunciation - /ɾ/ - takes place (1) between vowels, (2) before a consonant and (3) after a consonant, except D and T where it then has the second pronunciation of /ɹ/:
| Letter | Pronunciation | Example | Pronunciation | Significato italiano | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| r | /ɾ/ | ||||
| (1) | viritati | /wɪɾɪ'tatɪ/ | verità | truth | |
| (2) | arma | /'aɾmɐ/ | anima | soul | |
| (3) | saprò | /sɐ'pɾɔ/ | perché | because, why |
Second Pronunciation cancia
The second pronunciation - /ɹ/ - takes place (1) after D and (2) after T. This sound is called cacuminal or retroflexive:
| Letter | Pronunciation | Example | Pronunciation | Significato italiano | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| r | /ɹ/ | ||||
| (1) | dragunara | /dɾɐɣʊ'naɾɐ/ | tempesta | storm | |
| (2) | trásiri | /'tɾasɪɾɪ/ | entrare | to enter, go in |
Third Pronunciation cancia
The third pronunciation - /ʐ/ - takes place (1) at the beginning of a word and (2) wherever it's written doubled:
| Letter | Pronunciation | Example | Pronunciation | Significato italiano | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rr | /ʐ/ | ||||
| (1) | rugghiu | /'ʐuɣɣjʊ/ | rosso | red | |
| (2) | parrari | /pɐ'ʐʐaɾɪ/ | parlare | to speak |