How do you pronounce a voiceless /n/([n̊]). Because of analogy, I would think it is pronounced like the unvoiced /w/, just adding /h/, so it sounds like /hw/([ʍ]). So is an [n̊] pronounced something similar like /hn/?
The second question is. Does [ɡ̊] (this diacritic means unvoicing) differ in any aspect from [k]? Is it kind of voiced but a little unvoiced? And if not, why are these kind of phonemes in use, at all (for example in german dialects) and not just the [k]?
How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
I am not native to english, so there could be some errors in my grammar, spelling or the choice of words.
Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
[ɡ̊] is typically the same as [k]. It's used sometimes to indicate that the underlying phoneme is /g/. I think it may be used in some languages to indicate a third level of voicing, but I can't think of any examples right now.
[n̊] can be approximated by [hn], yes. However, [n̊] and [hn] are not the same thing (and neither are [ʍ] and [hw]).
[n̊] can be approximated by [hn], yes. However, [n̊] and [hn] are not the same thing (and neither are [ʍ] and [hw]).
After ordering a pint of his favorite ale, Robert was perplexed when the barmaid replied that the fishmonger was next door. The Great English Vowel Shift had begun.
Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
Yes. You basically put your tongue in the position for [n] and then blow air out through your nose.Arhama wrote:How do you pronounce a voiceless /n/([n̊]). Because of analogy, I would think it is pronounced like the unvoiced /w/, just adding /h/, so it sounds like /hw/([ʍ]). So is an [n̊] pronounced something similar like /hn/?
In describing German dialects, the distinction between [k] and [ɡ̊] is a fortis/lenis distinction, with [k] representing a fortis consonant and [ɡ̊] being lenis.Arhama wrote:The second question is. Does [ɡ̊] (this diacritic means unvoicing) differ in any aspect from [k]? Is it kind of voiced but a little unvoiced? And if not, why are these kind of phonemes in use, at all (for example in german dialects) and not just the [k]?
Glossing Abbreviations: COMP = comparative, C = complementiser, ACS / ICS = accessible / inaccessible, GDV = gerundive, SPEC / NSPC = specific / non-specific
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MY MUSIC
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MY MUSIC
Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
Exactly as you pronounce it while whispering.Arhama wrote:How do you pronounce a voiceless /n/([n̊]).
Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
Whispering is not the same as voicelessness, physiologically, although they sound similar. Voiceless nasals indeed sound just like you're breathing out through your nose – and I at least don't do this when whispering a regular nasal.
If you don't believe me, just try pronouncing 'vision' and 'fission' while whispering – they sound different because the normally voiced sounds are replaced by whispered sounds, but the normally voiceless sounds stay the same, in the larynx or glottis or whatever it's called. Voiceless is a wide open glottal state and whispering is a half-constricted state.
If you don't believe me, just try pronouncing 'vision' and 'fission' while whispering – they sound different because the normally voiced sounds are replaced by whispered sounds, but the normally voiceless sounds stay the same, in the larynx or glottis or whatever it's called. Voiceless is a wide open glottal state and whispering is a half-constricted state.
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Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
Voiceless nasals are usually only pronounced partially voiceless, but I think languages vary in where the voicelessness goes.
Angami has actually-aspirated nasals, with positive VOT, but what I wonder is if the first part of the nasal gets voiced, as apparently happens in some TB lang I was reading about the other day where, say, /na/ would be [nn̥a].
Angami has actually-aspirated nasals, with positive VOT, but what I wonder is if the first part of the nasal gets voiced, as apparently happens in some TB lang I was reading about the other day where, say, /na/ would be [nn̥a].
Siöö jandeng raiglin zåbei tandiüłåd;
nää džunnfin kukuch vklaivei sivei tåd.
Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei.
nää džunnfin kukuch vklaivei sivei tåd.
Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei. Chei.
Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
This page (which is bizarrely frustrating to search for on Google) has audio examples of Hmong nasals, including voiceless nasals. If you navigate around you can find all of the phonemes in the language spoken by a couple of different speakers, which also include a number of tricky sounds like uvulars, prenasalized stops, and breathy voiced vowels.
Re: How are these unvoiced consonants pronounced?
Say "hmm". That's a voiceless m followed by a voiced one. Practice until you can say it without the trailing voiced m. When you master that, repeat for other nasals.
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