Pengguna:Dubaduba/WP/Phonetic values of letters

B. PHONETIC VALUES OF LETTERS It is essential to know the correct phonetic value of every Hebrew consonant, since a great deal of Hebrew grammar results directly from the peculiar pronunciation of certain consonants.

Since some consonants have no equivalents in the English alphabet, it was not possible to give their true phonetic value in the foregoing Table. Below is given the pronunciation of each consonant: X (represented by the light breathing ') is a cutting off of the breath; its consonantal value being apparent when it has a vowel. It is analogous to the silent 'h' in a word like 'honest'. 3 is simply 'b' and D. (b) is pronounced as 'v'. î is hard 'g' as in 'go' and 1 (g) is almost like a guttural'r'. 1 is simply 'ď and 1 (d) is the same as 'th' in the word 'the'. H is 'h\ 1 is 'w'. T is V. ľ! ('h' with the dot underneath to distinguish it from H 'h') is like the 'ch' in the Scots word 'loch'. D (ţ with the dot underneath) is a dull 'ť produced by placing the tongue against the palate. "• is *y\ 3 is 'k' and D (k) is practically a harsh 'ch' as above.

• ? is T.

Q is *m\ 3 is 'n\ 0 is dull V. L7 (represented by the rough breathing ') is very difficult to pronounce, being produced at the back of the throat, almost like a gulping sound. Q is 'p' and D (p) is pronounced like 'f. S (represented by ş with dot under it) is a hissing 's\ j? (represented by'q'or'k') is a'k' at the back of the throat, like the cawing of a crow. "lisV. ÍZ? (with a dot over left-hand corner) is 's'—conventionally transcribed š. 57 (with dot over right-hand corner, represented by š) is pronounced as 'sh\ to and Xt were originally one letter, and they are still both represented by the one sign 5? (without a dot) in vowelless texts. H is 'ť and T\ (ţ) is 'th' as in the word 'think'.

DISTINGUISH carefully between consonants of similar form, as below : 3 and D 3 and i 1, 7, and final *] H and n D and Q "", 1, and final ] final □ and 0 17, S, and final f