Utenti:Michiluzzu Scalisi/English/Note 4
Note 4
canciaR has three pronunciations, depending on its placement within a word and whether it's written single or double.
First Pronunciation
canciaThe 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
canciaThe 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
canciaThe 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 |