Page:Simple Lessons in Irish, Part 1 - O'Growney.pdf/20

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20

§ 49. In many parts of Ireland

l broad is always sounded like our symbol L
l slender l
n broad N
n slender n

We recommend to private students this simple method of pronunciation in preference to the following more elaborate rule, which is followed in Connaught Irish

§ 50. (A.) Between vowels, single t and n are pronounced as in English; as mála (maul-a′), a bag; milis (mil′ish), sweet; Úna (oo′-na), Una; minic (min′ik), often. At the end of words, single l and n, preceded by a vowel, are also pronounced as in English; as, bán (baun), white-haired; asal (os′-al), an ass. Single l and n, when next any of the gutturals, g, c, or the labials, b, f, p, are like English l, a; as, olc (ŭlk), bad; blas (blos), taste.

(B.) In the beginning of words,
l broad is pronounced L
l slender l
n broad N
n slender n
(C.) ll broad is always pronounced L
ll slender l
nn broad N
nn slender n

(D.) When next d, r, t, l, m, n, s (the consonants in “don’t let me stir”), l and n, if broad, are pronounced L, N; if slender, l, n.

§ 51. The student should not be discouraged by the rich variety of sounds for two characters. It may be borne in mind (1) that words involving these letters will be perfectly understood, even if each l and n is pronounced with the ordinary English sound; (2) that in many districts the people have simplified the pronunciation, as noted above