Review the letter groups "amh" and "eamh" this week. When these groups are in the first syllable of a two-syllable word, pronounce them usually as (ou). Examples: amhrán (ou-RAW*N), song; amharc (OU-uhrk), sight; Samhain (SOU-in), November; samhradh (SOU-ruh), summer; damhsa (DOU-suh), dancing; deamhan (DYOU-uhn), demon; sleamhain (SHLOU-in), slippery.
The letter group "amh" in a one syllable word can be (ahv), as in damh (dahv), ox; amh (ahv), raw. Pronounce the letter group "eamh" in a one-syllable word as (av): leamh (lav), tasteless; neamh (nyav), heaven.
At the end of a two-syllable word, "amh" and "eamh" can be (uhv), as in the verbal nouns "déanamh", doing, and "caitheamh", throwing, wearing, spending.
For the letter groups "ámh" and "áimh", the "á" (aw*) is the predominant sound. In a one-syllable word "ámh" is (aw*v) and is nasalized. Examples: lámh (law*v), hand; sámh (saw*v), tranquil. Do not nasalize the sound in a two-syllable word such as "lámha" (LAW*V-uh). Pronounce "áimh" as (AW*-iv), which will resemble (oyv) when said quickly. "Láimhe" (LAW*-i-ve), of a hand; sáimhín" (saw*-i-VEEN), rest, quiet.
Do not mistake the group "éamh" for the above groups. Always pronounce "éamh" as (ay*v): léamh (lay*v), reading;éamh (ay*v), crying.