Page:Simple Lessons in Irish, Part 1 - O'Growney.pdf/19

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19

back of the upper teeth, while the English word, “law,” is being pronounced, a thick sound of “l” will be heard. This sound does not exist in English. In the key-words we shall represent this sound by the symbol L (capital).

Similarly, if the tongue be pressed against the back of the upper teeth while the word “month” is being pronounced, a thick sound of “n” will be heard. This sound does not exist in English, and in the key-words it will be represented by N (capital).

§ 47. 3. The third sound of l is that given in English to the L in Luke, the l in valiant, or to the ll in William, million, as these words are usually pronounced. We shall represent this sound by italic l. In the same way, n has a third sound like that given in English to n in new, Newry, and we shall use n, italic, as a symbol for this sound.[1]

§ 48. We can now add to our table of consonant sounds the following:—

In the Keywords Are to be In the English
the Letters sounded like words
l l look, lamb
L thick sound not in English
l l valiant
n n noon
N thick sound not in English
n n new

  1. In English, in reality, the ll in William, the l in valiant, etc., etc., are pronounced exactly the same as the l in law, or in all.

    It is the lli or li, preceding a vowel, that gets the special sound. So, too, with the n in onion, Newry, etc.