theoretical_phonetics / Welsh consonants
.docWelsh consonants vs. RP consonants
RP |
Articultary changes |
Auditory changes |
Phonological changes |
Reasons |
p |
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Initial p changes to b (mutation) |
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b |
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Initial b changes to f (mutation) |
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t |
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Initial t changes to d (mutation) |
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d |
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Initial d changes to dd (mutation) |
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k |
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Welsh doesn’t possess the letter K. “C” as in cat, never as in since. Welsh words: canu (Kenee), cwn (come), cael (kile), and of course Cymru (Kumree) this is the Welsh “k”. |
** C>G (mutation)/ e.g. Mae cath yn y gegin – a cat is in the kitchen. There is a cat in the kitchen. |
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g |
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* G has to be lost (mutation of feminine nouns after definite article) |
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f |
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v |
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Welsh doesn’t possess the letter V |
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Ө |
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∂ |
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s |
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z |
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Welsh doesn’t possess the letter Z |
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Ş |
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3 |
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h |
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“H” is always pronounced, never silent |
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tŞ |
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d3 |
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Welsh doesn’t possess the letter J |
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m |
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Initial m changes to f (mutation) |
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n |
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ŋ |
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w |
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j |
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Y has become YR because, as G is lost, it now comes before a vowel |
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r |
Flapped [r] W. – noun – rhotic language(linking and intrusive [r] do also occur). “Rh” sound as if “h” come before “r”. there is a slight blowing out of air before “r” is pronounced. Welsh words: rhengau (hrengye), rhag (hrag), rhy (hree). |
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l |
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“l” is clean in all positions |
“Ll” is an aspirated “l”. that means you form your lips and tongue to pronounce ‘l”, bur\t then you blow air gently around the sides of the tongue instead of saying anything. The nearest you can get to this sound in English is to pronounce it as “l” with “th” in front of it. Welsh words: llan (thlan), llawr (thlour), llwyd (thlooid). |