Preface: Ok, let’s start with giving a little credit, where credit is due. As you know, I am not Italian! Lol! I was able to buy two dictionaries at my local Barnes & Noble. I was glad I was able to see them in person and not just order them off the internet, as I had to look through quite a few of them to decide what would be the best. Both dictionaries are by Collins. The first one is: Collins Beginner’s Italian Dictionary, more than 84,000 entries. 2nd edition 2008. The second one is: Collins Italian Concise Dictionary 5th Edition, in Color. 2nd edition 2010. (even though the title says “5th” edition.) The third book I was able to see it in the store before I purchased it online, as it was a bit cheaper. I have the B&N member discount… was Easy Italian, Step-by-Step; by McGraw Hill. Both the dictionaries have special sections for concentrated categories, even shorthand for texting, etc. The McGraw Hill book is more like a real textbook, something you might use if you took a “live” class somewhere in school.
Ok, now on to the lessons….
Your first lesson will be hosted by Ignazio!
Part 1:
Buongiorno – Hello class! Today, we will start with basics. We start with the vowels and how they are pronounced. Ok…
a – sounds like “ah” – like in Ignazio and Ancora
e – has 2 sounds
- Like a long “a” – as in Grande and Te
- Like “eh” – as in Amore and Credo
i – sounds like “ee” – as in Piero and Bambino
o – has 2 sounds
- Almost like an “au-o” sound – as in Come and Sole
- Like a regular “o” sound – as in Boschetto and Volo (smile)
u – sounds like “oo” – as in Gianluca and Unico
Ok, now for the consonants. I will only go over those that are different from English.
c – has 2 sounds
- Like a “k”, before a, o, u, or any consonant – as in Ercole and Gianluca
- Like a “ch”, before i or e – as in Ciao and Cercano (from Romantica)
ch – sounds like “k” before i or e – as in Boschetto and Chi
g – has 2 sounds
- Like English “g” before a, o, u and any consonant – as in Grande and Frega
- Like a soft “g” before e or i – as in Gianluca and Gelato “we get gelato after class, yes?”
gh – is a hard “g” sound before e or i – as in Spaghetti and Funghi
h – initial “h” is always silent, as in honor – as in Ha and Ho
q – sounds like “k” or English “queen” – as in Quello and Questa
r – “r” is trilled…- no real English equivalent – will take practice – as in Roma and Piero
s – has 2 sounds
- Usually like regular English “s” – as in Respiro and Boschetto
- If between 2 vowels, sounds like a “z” – as in Cose (from Canzone Per Te) and Chiusa (from Ancora)
t – the “t” sounds like t, however, it is a “soft” t sound, where your tongue is more where your two front teeth, meet your gums. If you listen closely, you will hear it. It’s not a sharp “t” sound. You can hear it mostly with “me!” (Ignazio’s pronunciations…)
Now for sounds that are just in Italian…
The letters “g” and “l” together sound like a double “l” sound as in the English million. There are several versions and are usually, but not always, at the end of a word:
- gli – as in orgoglio (from Canzone Per Te)
- glie – as in sceglierai (from Grande Amore)
- glia – as in voglia (from Ancora)
- glio – as in voglio (from Canzone Per Te)
The letters “gn” – sound like “ny” as in English canyon – or as in Ignazio (smile)
The letters “sc” before e or i – sound like English “sh” sound – as in Nasce (from Grande Amore)
The letters “sch” sound like English school “k” – as in Pesche
And that is the end of Part 1. Part 2; tomorrow.
Buonanotte!