There are quite some sounds which doesn't directly correspond to a letter in the alphabet.
By that I mean the sound the letter has when spelling a word.
There are many ways to write the sje sound [ɧ] which is unique for the Swedish language.
So many that I have to discuss that in a future lesson alone. But now let us continue.
The [j] sound can be written in several ways without a specific system.
What you should note is that j, gj, dj, hj, y, lj is always pronounced the same, no matter what.
G however is pronounced [j] after E, I, Y, Ä and Ö and [g] after A, O, U and Å.
Y only occurs as the [j] sound in foreign loan-words, such as yacht and yoghurt.
Ge [jeː] give (infinitive), godis [guːdɪs] candy
The so called tje sound is pronounced [ɕ]. It can be written in 4 different ways. One of the spellings is also a way to write the sje sound but we'll discuss that in the sje sound lesson.
That's why I'm only talking about three ways.
Kj and tj are always pronounced [ɕ] no matter what letter is coming after it.
K is pronounced [ɕ] after E, I, Y, Ä, Ö but [k] after A, O, U and Å.
Kela [ɕela] cuddle (infinitive), kaka [kʰɑːka] cookie, cake
The retroflex consonants are sounds consisting of R and D, L, S, T, N merging into one sound.
The retroflex sounds of the Swedish language are [ɖ], [ɭ], [ʂ], [ʈ] and [ɳ].
The retroflex flap [ɽ] only occurs in northern dialects and the dialect(s) in Värmland.
The retroflex consonants aren't common in other languages.
Nord [nuːɖ] north
Härlig [hæːɭɪ] nice
Färsk [fæʂːk] fresh
Karta [kʰɑːʈa] map
Örn [œːɳ] eagle
That's all for now. Next time we will talk about the sje sound.
måndag 19 oktober 2009
fredag 16 oktober 2009
The consonant sounds pt. 2 (Trills, laterals and nasals)
The Swedish language has got one trill, R. It's rolled in Standard Swedish but in Southern Sweden it's pronounced like [ʀ] or [ʁ].
For example, rov [ruːv] loot.
The Swedish language has got one lateral, L. It's together with R the only letter which changes among the dialects. In Norrland and Värmland it's a retroflex flap, [ɽ].
For example, loppa ['lɔpa] flea.
The Swedish language has got 3 nasal consonants, two of them correspond to their own letters, M and N. The third one [ŋ] is written NG. G is pronounced like that when before an N, though with an N sound after it.
M is pronounced [ɱ] when preceding F, V and M.
Examples, sång [sɔŋ] song; regna [rɛŋna] rain (infinitive); kamfer [kaɱfɛr] camphor.
The combination [nj], which also can be rendered as the palatal nasal [ɲ], can be spelled in three ways.
The first way is Ñ, and it only occurs in señor in texts that has to do with Spain.
The second way is NJ, which is the most common way. It mostly occurs in names but also in a few words.
The third way is GN, whenever the syllable is stressed, such as in signerad [sɪɲeːrad] signed (adjective).
When the syllable isn't stressed or the word is mono-syllable, it's pronounced [ŋn].
For example, rov [ruːv] loot.
The Swedish language has got one lateral, L. It's together with R the only letter which changes among the dialects. In Norrland and Värmland it's a retroflex flap, [ɽ].
For example, loppa ['lɔpa] flea.
The Swedish language has got 3 nasal consonants, two of them correspond to their own letters, M and N. The third one [ŋ] is written NG. G is pronounced like that when before an N, though with an N sound after it.
M is pronounced [ɱ] when preceding F, V and M.
Examples, sång [sɔŋ] song; regna [rɛŋna] rain (infinitive); kamfer [kaɱfɛr] camphor.
The combination [nj], which also can be rendered as the palatal nasal [ɲ], can be spelled in three ways.
The first way is Ñ, and it only occurs in señor in texts that has to do with Spain.
The second way is NJ, which is the most common way. It mostly occurs in names but also in a few words.
The third way is GN, whenever the syllable is stressed, such as in signerad [sɪɲeːrad] signed (adjective).
When the syllable isn't stressed or the word is mono-syllable, it's pronounced [ŋn].
The consonant sounds pt. 1 (Plosives and fricatives)
The Swedish language has got 6 plosives. They're written with the letters B, D, G, K, P and T.
K and G occasionally has other pronounciations apart from their pronounciations in the alphabet (The letters are called [koː] and [geː]). More about that in an another lesson.
P, B, T and D, however, are always pronounced the same.
[k] This sound can be written either like K, Q (Rare) and (G).
G is pronounced [k] before the letter T. Example, sagt [sakt] said (perfect tense).
K, P and T are aspirated, except of when they're after an S.
For example, ko [kʰuː] cow, sko [skuː] shoe.
The Swedish language has got 7 fricatives. 5 of them have their own letters - F, H, J, S, V - and two of them are written with letter combinations (More about that in the lesson(s) about non-alphabetical sounds).
There is nothing special with the 5 letters; they're always pronounced the same. The two sounds with doesn't have their own letters are [ɕ] and [ɧ], the second one being unique for the Swedish language and thus being hard to pronounce for foreigners.
That's all for this lesson. Next time it's time for trills, laterals and nasals.
K and G occasionally has other pronounciations apart from their pronounciations in the alphabet (The letters are called [koː] and [geː]). More about that in an another lesson.
P, B, T and D, however, are always pronounced the same.
[k] This sound can be written either like K, Q (Rare) and (G).
G is pronounced [k] before the letter T. Example, sagt [sakt] said (perfect tense).
K, P and T are aspirated, except of when they're after an S.
For example, ko [kʰuː] cow, sko [skuː] shoe.
The Swedish language has got 7 fricatives. 5 of them have their own letters - F, H, J, S, V - and two of them are written with letter combinations (More about that in the lesson(s) about non-alphabetical sounds).
There is nothing special with the 5 letters; they're always pronounced the same. The two sounds with doesn't have their own letters are [ɕ] and [ɧ], the second one being unique for the Swedish language and thus being hard to pronounce for foreigners.
That's all for this lesson. Next time it's time for trills, laterals and nasals.
torsdag 15 oktober 2009
The vowel sounds pt. 3
Due to a lack of time, the lessons about the back vowels got split up into two parts, but nevermind that, we will now learn about the letters U and Å.
The letter U has got two sounds, depending on the length of the letter.
[ʉː] This is the long version of the letter U. It occurs when the letter U is stressed and in one syllable words with single consonants.
Example, ful [fʉːl] ugly.
[ɵ] This sound is always short. It's usually not stressed, but if it occurs in two syllable words before double consonants, this sound is stressed.
Usually, this letter occurs in one syllable words with double consonants.
Examples, rulla [rɵla] roll, full [fɵl] full, drunk (adjective).
Å is one easy letter in the Swedish alphabet because it only has one sound.
[oː] This is the only sound of the letter Å. It only occurs as a stressed letter and as a letter in one syllable words with single consonants. There are a few words in which Å is pronounced [ɔ] but they're rare and we will discuss that in the lessons about Swedish spelling.
For example, mål [moːl] goal.
That's all for now. In the next lesson we will learn about the consonant sounds.
The letter U has got two sounds, depending on the length of the letter.
[ʉː] This is the long version of the letter U. It occurs when the letter U is stressed and in one syllable words with single consonants.
Example, ful [fʉːl] ugly.
[ɵ] This sound is always short. It's usually not stressed, but if it occurs in two syllable words before double consonants, this sound is stressed.
Usually, this letter occurs in one syllable words with double consonants.
Examples, rulla [rɵla] roll, full [fɵl] full, drunk (adjective).
Å is one easy letter in the Swedish alphabet because it only has one sound.
[oː] This is the only sound of the letter Å. It only occurs as a stressed letter and as a letter in one syllable words with single consonants. There are a few words in which Å is pronounced [ɔ] but they're rare and we will discuss that in the lessons about Swedish spelling.
For example, mål [moːl] goal.
That's all for now. In the next lesson we will learn about the consonant sounds.
The vowel sounds pt. 2
In this lesson we will learn the back vowels.
The letter A has two sounds, which changes depending on the length of the vowel.
[ɑː] This is the long sound of the letter A. It occurs in one syllable words with single consonants at the end. This letter is always stressed. For example, lokal [lʊkʰɑːl] local
[a] This the short sound of the letter A. Most of the time when it occurs it isn't stressed but in some rare cases it can get stressed.
Examples: arbete [arbeːtə] work, operation [opəra'ɧuːn]
The letter O has got three sounds. Two of them may occur in other languages as U.
[uː] This sound is the only long sound of the letter. It may only occur as a stressed letter and also as the only letter in a one syllable word with single consonants. For example, bot [buːt] penance
[ʊ] This sound occurs only in one syllable words with double consonants, though it may sometimes occur in such words with single consonants.
For example, bott [bʊt] lived (perfect tense)
[ɔ] Whenever this sound occurs with the letter O, it's always short.
For example, boll [bɔl] ball
That's all for now, see you in part 3 .
The letter A has two sounds, which changes depending on the length of the vowel.
[ɑː] This is the long sound of the letter A. It occurs in one syllable words with single consonants at the end. This letter is always stressed. For example, lokal [lʊkʰɑːl] local
[a] This the short sound of the letter A. Most of the time when it occurs it isn't stressed but in some rare cases it can get stressed.
Examples: arbete [arbeːtə] work, operation [opəra'ɧuːn]
The letter O has got three sounds. Two of them may occur in other languages as U.
[uː] This sound is the only long sound of the letter. It may only occur as a stressed letter and also as the only letter in a one syllable word with single consonants. For example, bot [buːt] penance
[ʊ] This sound occurs only in one syllable words with double consonants, though it may sometimes occur in such words with single consonants.
For example, bott [bʊt] lived (perfect tense)
[ɔ] Whenever this sound occurs with the letter O, it's always short.
For example, boll [bɔl] ball
That's all for now, see you in part 3 .
onsdag 14 oktober 2009
The vowel sounds pt. 1
The Swedish vowel system may be a little bit complex for those whom aren't used to it.
I hope I will be a lot of help for you.
Let's start with the sounds of the front vowels:
E is the letter which carries most sounds. Its pronounciation depends on whether it's stressed or not and whether it's the only letter in a word.
[eː] Whenever the letter is stressed. For example, redigering [rɛdiɧeːriŋ] (editing)
The letter É always have this sound.
[ə] One of the letters used when unstressed. It's usually in words with two syllables, such as pojke [pojkə] (boy)
[ɛ] Whenever the letter has this sound, it means that it's the only letter of the word. The word also ends with a double consonant at the end, which we will talk more about an another lesson.
Also, this letter occurs when an unstressed E is put in a word consisting of three or more syllables. Whenever E is the stressed vowel in a word when put behind double consonants, it's pronounced ɛ. For example, Pelle [pɛlə]
NOTE: Whenever ɛ is spelled with E, it's always short.
I has two sounds which changes due to the length of the letter.
[iː] This is the long sound which occurs whenever I is stressed and put behind a single consonant. For example, bil [biːl] car.
[ɪ] This sound occurs when I is not stressed and when put behind double consonants. The sound may occur when I is stressed but then it has to be a two syllable word and it has to be put before double consonants. For example, pilla [pɪla] pick/poke.
Y works just like I, only that you change [iː] to [yː] and [ɪ] to [ʏ] and follow the rules of the letter I.
Syl [syːl] awl
Syll [sʏl] sleeper (railroad)
Ü is used in some words and lastnames instead of Y. It's then always short [ʏ]. Müsli [mʏslɪ] muesli.
Ä works just like I and Y. Just change [yː] to [æː] and [ɪ] to [ɛ] and follow the rules of the letter Y.
Ärlig [æːɭɪg] honest
Hända [hɛnda] happen (infinitive)
Ö is a letter which has two sounds but nowadays no difference is made between the two.
Öra [œːra] ear
The obsolete sound which isn't used anymore: Öl [øːl] beer
[œ] used to represent a short Ö but now it's also a long Ö.
That's all for now. Next time we will talk about the back vowels.
I hope I will be a lot of help for you.
Let's start with the sounds of the front vowels:
E is the letter which carries most sounds. Its pronounciation depends on whether it's stressed or not and whether it's the only letter in a word.
[eː] Whenever the letter is stressed. For example, redigering [rɛdiɧeːriŋ] (editing)
The letter É always have this sound.
[ə] One of the letters used when unstressed. It's usually in words with two syllables, such as pojke [pojkə] (boy)
[ɛ] Whenever the letter has this sound, it means that it's the only letter of the word. The word also ends with a double consonant at the end, which we will talk more about an another lesson.
Also, this letter occurs when an unstressed E is put in a word consisting of three or more syllables. Whenever E is the stressed vowel in a word when put behind double consonants, it's pronounced ɛ. For example, Pelle [pɛlə]
NOTE: Whenever ɛ is spelled with E, it's always short.
I has two sounds which changes due to the length of the letter.
[iː] This is the long sound which occurs whenever I is stressed and put behind a single consonant. For example, bil [biːl] car.
[ɪ] This sound occurs when I is not stressed and when put behind double consonants. The sound may occur when I is stressed but then it has to be a two syllable word and it has to be put before double consonants. For example, pilla [pɪla] pick/poke.
Y works just like I, only that you change [iː] to [yː] and [ɪ] to [ʏ] and follow the rules of the letter I.
Syl [syːl] awl
Syll [sʏl] sleeper (railroad)
Ü is used in some words and lastnames instead of Y. It's then always short [ʏ]. Müsli [mʏslɪ] muesli.
Ä works just like I and Y. Just change [yː] to [æː] and [ɪ] to [ɛ] and follow the rules of the letter Y.
Ärlig [æːɭɪg] honest
Hända [hɛnda] happen (infinitive)
Ö is a letter which has two sounds but nowadays no difference is made between the two.
Öra [œːra] ear
The obsolete sound which isn't used anymore: Öl [øːl] beer
[œ] used to represent a short Ö but now it's also a long Ö.
That's all for now. Next time we will talk about the back vowels.
Introduction to vowels
The Swedish alphabet has 9 letters to indicate vowels: A, E, I, O, U, Y, Å, Ä, Ö
As told in the introduction, the letters Ü and É are rarely used.
É indicates a stressed E at the end of a word.
The letters are divided into back and front vowels, in Swedish called "Mjuka och hårda vokaler" (Soft and hard vowels).
The soft or front vowels are:
E, I, Y, Ä, Ö
The hard or back vowels are:
A, O, U, Å
Many of the letters have two or more sounds. Sometimes one sound can be written with several letters.
The vowels usually have different sounds depending on the length.
The letter E is the only letter to have an entirely different sound when unstressed.
That's all for now. In the next lesson we're gonna talk about the sounds.
As told in the introduction, the letters Ü and É are rarely used.
É indicates a stressed E at the end of a word.
The letters are divided into back and front vowels, in Swedish called "Mjuka och hårda vokaler" (Soft and hard vowels).
The soft or front vowels are:
E, I, Y, Ä, Ö
The hard or back vowels are:
A, O, U, Å
Many of the letters have two or more sounds. Sometimes one sound can be written with several letters.
The vowels usually have different sounds depending on the length.
The letter E is the only letter to have an entirely different sound when unstressed.
That's all for now. In the next lesson we're gonna talk about the sounds.
Introduction
Swedish is a Germanic language, and so are English, Dutch, German and Icelandic for example.
Swedish is a hard language for those whom doesn't have much knowledge in English but once you got the hang out of it, it's quite easy.
This blog is going to help you learn Swedish in an easier way because the many lessons will be really small.
What we will start with now is the alphabet. We will go into more detail with the sounds next time.
Here it is:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Å Ä Ö
Occasionally É and Ü appear, but they aren't common.
Swedish is a hard language for those whom doesn't have much knowledge in English but once you got the hang out of it, it's quite easy.
This blog is going to help you learn Swedish in an easier way because the many lessons will be really small.
What we will start with now is the alphabet. We will go into more detail with the sounds next time.
Here it is:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Å Ä Ö
Occasionally É and Ü appear, but they aren't common.
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