Trying to discuss pronunciation in writing is not always easy. In fact, I think it is downright difficult. But we\u2019re going to try anyway, because pronunciation is obviously an important aspect of fluency. One easy way to improve your pronunciation is to understand how consonants respond to the vowels that follow. This post is going to focus specifically on what happens to the -g sound, the -k sound, and the -sk sound.<\/p>\n
First let\u2019s start with the vowels. There are nine vowels in Swedish: -a, -e, -i, -o, -u, -y, -\u00e5, -\u00e4, and -\u00f6. You\u2019ll notice, if you\u2019re an English speaker, that they look pretty similar except for those additional vowels at the end. Those nine vowels though, can be separated into what are traditionally known as hard (h\u00e5rda) and soft (mjuka) vowels. The hard vowels are: -a, -o, -u, -\u00e5. The soft vowels are: -e, -i, -y, -\u00e4, -\u00f6. They are also sometimes referred to as front and back vowels. The hard vowels are the back vowel and the soft vowels are the front vowels. This describes where in your mouth that you articulate the vowels.<\/p>\n
So, to review:
\nHard\/back vowels: -a, -o, -u, -\u00e5
\nSoft\/front vowels: -e, -i, -y, -\u00e4, -\u00f6<\/p>\n
With all that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at the consonants. The few we\u2019ll be looking at all change depending on the vowels that follow it. I\u2019ll list a few words as examples that demonstrate each change in pronunciation.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll start with -g.
\nThe hard \u2013g sound is similar to how you would pronounce the \u2013g in the English word, gift.<\/p>\n
Notice the \u2013a, -o, -u, and -\u00e5 that follow the \u2013g.<\/p>\n
The soft \u2013g sound is similar to the \u2013y sound in the English word, yawn.<\/p>\n
This time, notice the -e, -i, -y, -\u00e4, and \u2013\u00f6 that follow the \u2013g.<\/p>\n
Next, the \u2013k.
\nThe hard \u2013k sound is similar to the \u2013c sound in the English word cookie.<\/p>\n
The soft \u2013k sound is similar to the \u2013sh sound in the English word, shopping.<\/p>\n
And finally, the \u2013sk.
\nThe hard \u2013sk sound is similar to the \u2013sch sound in the English word, school.<\/p>\n
The soft \u2013sk sound is similar to the sound of the wind on the ocean. This is one of the more difficult sounds to make in Swedish for a lot of students. And that\u2019s ok. The pronunciation differs a bit depending on dialect. I prefer the wind on the ocean sound. The sound that many people try to say is most similar is the \u2013sh sound in the English word, shoe. Now take that sound and move your tongue further back in your mouth and you\u2019ll get closer to that wind on the ocean sound.<\/p>\n
Phew. There you have it. Hard and soft vowels and how they change the pronunciation of words. Maybe not a super exciting post, but hopefully a helpful one.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Trying to discuss pronunciation in writing is not always easy. In fact, I think it is downright difficult. But we\u2019re going to try anyway, because pronunciation is obviously an important aspect of fluency. One easy way to improve your pronunciation is to understand how consonants respond to the vowels that follow. This post is going…<\/p>\n