PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

The letter "n" has two basic sounds. The broad sound, made with the tongue spread soemwhat and pressed against the upper front teeth, occurs when the "n" begins a word and the next vowel is "a, o, u". Examples: ná, nó, nús, nasc (nahsk), náisiún (naw*-SHOON), nocht (nohk*t).

The slender sound of "n" occurs when "n" starts a word in which the first vowel is "e, i". The "n' is pronounced with the front of the tongue on the hard rim behind the upper front teeth. There will be a faint sound resembling "yuh" at the end as you begin to pronounce the rest of the word. Do not pronounce a separate (yuh) sound, however. Examples: néid (nyay*d), ní(nee), níl (neel), nead (nyad), neimh (nyev), neoin (NYOH-in).

Notice that in "ní" and "níl", the (yuh) sound trace disappears.

If "n" is inside a word or at the end, the pronunciation is usually similar to the American pronunciation of "n". Compare "ainm" (AN-im) with "anam" (AH-nuhm). See Lesson 25 for the difference in "m" pronunciation. The "m" is slender in "ainm" and broad in "anam", but the "n" in both words resembles the "n" you know from English.

Slender double "n" at a word end after "e, i" can be pronounced either (n) or have a faint (y) sound at the end. The sound may resemble the (ng) sound at the end of English "sing". Try: sinn (shin); linn (lin), crainn (krin).

Pronounce double "n" broad like a broad "n" that starts a word, such as "ná". Try: tagann (TAHG-uhn), donn (doun).

A slender double "n" inside a word gets a clear (y) sound, as in bainne (BAHN-ye), rinne (RIN-ye), fuinneog (fwin-YOHG).

A broad "n" sound can begin a word in which the next vowel sound is slender, (ay*) or (ee). "Naoi" and "naíonán" are examples. A faint, short (uh) sound occurs between the (n) and (ee). Try: naoi (nee), naíonán (NEE-uh-naw*n). This "n" differs from the slender "n" in "ní" or "Nioclás" (NEE-klaw*s).

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