In the first lesson
we just jumped in with both feet to get a feel and taste
of the language, some vocabulary and sentence construction.
In this lesson we will examine the alphabet and visit
some pronunciation. Look for vocabulary words.
The Alphabet
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, r, s,
t, u, y, z. (Uppercase letters are same and first letter
of all proper names are capitalized)
Pronunciation
Rule of thumb - in Basque all letters create a sound.
There is always a syllable that is accented. ex. chantza,
chance or luck.
Vowels - a, e, i, o, u. They are pronounced similar
to French or Spanish with the exception of u, sounds like
the Spanish vowel.
Diphtongs - ai (bai, yes), ei
(sei, six), oi (hogoi, twenty),
ui, au (lau, four), eu
(neurri, measure)
|
The letter y
To avoid using two i's we use y instead. ex. Mayi,
Marie instead of Mai-i. Y is also used in names
like Etchegaray, Etchechury and Etcheverry.
Letters like s, z, and ch
Pronounce s and ch similar to sh in English. There is
a distinction between the Basque s and ch but we won't
get into that now. Z is pronounced as English s.
Two r sounds
The single r is soft while the double rr is pronounced
harder with more roll of the tongue. (Marilou, you can
do it) ex. ura, water and urrun, far.
Note: Words ending in r, the r becomes non-existent
ex. hirur, three; laur, four.
Pronouns also get the same treatment, nor, who;
zer, what; nehor, nobody;
haur, this one.
Words with wet consonants
In certain words the doubled consonant becomes soft
& wet and the tongue placement is important. Otto,
uncle; Pello, Pierrot. Oñoña,
candy; chakur, dog instead of zakura.
|
2002,
Pierre Igoa