Language/Finnish/Pronunciation/Alphabet-and-Pronunciation

Welcome to this comprehensive lesson on the Finnish alphabet. Finnish is a fascinating and unique member of the Uralic language family. Finnish is spoken by approximately 5 million people, predominantly in Finland, where it holds official language status alongside Swedish. In this lesson, we will explore the Finnish alphabet, pronunciation, and phonetics, covering essential topics such as long and short sounds, diphthongs, consonant clusters, vowel harmony, and more.

By mastering the basics of Finnish pronunciation, you will build a strong foundation for further language learning and gain the confidence to engage in conversations with native speakers. This lesson is designed for learners at all levels, whether you are just beginning your Finnish language journey or looking to refine your existing skills.

Throughout the lesson, we will provide examples, tips, and techniques to help you understand and practice the unique sounds of Finnish. Additionally, we will share resources and tools to support your language learning journey beyond this lesson.

Join us as we dive into the captivating world of Finnish language and pronunciation, and embark on a rewarding journey towards fluency and cultural understanding.

Happy learning!

After mastering the basics of Finnish pronunciation, you might also be interested to learn more about the basic Finnish phonetics and other aspects of the Finnish language and culture. For instance, you can dive into the world of Finnish traditional crafts to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Finland. Additionally, you can expand your vocabulary by learning about Finnish family terms and how they are used in everyday conversations.

The Finnish Alphabet

The Finnish alphabet has 29 letters, with the following additional letters not found in English:

• Ä ä - pronounced like the "a" in "cat" Ö ö - pronounced like the "u" in "fur".
• The rest of the letters are the same as in English, except for "w", "x", "y", and "z", which are only used in loanwords.

Letter (Latin)	Letter (IPA)	English Approximation
A	[a:]	father
B	[be:]	baby
C	[se:]	set
D	[de:]	dog
E	[e:]	set
F	[æf]	off
G	[ge:]	go
H	[ho:]	hot
I	[i:]	meet
J	[ji:]	yes
K	[ko:]	coat
L	[æl]	let
M	[æm]	met
N	[æn]	net
O	[o:]	own
P	[pe:]	pet
Q	[ku:]	cue
R	[ær]	red
S	[æs]	set
T	[te:]	ten
U	[u:]	boot
V	[ve:]	vet
W	[ve:], [kaksoisve:]	vet, double-v
X	[æks]	axe
Y	[y:]	cute
Z	[tset]	zebra
Å	[o:], [ruotsalainen o:]	own, Swedish o
Ä	[æ:]	cat
Ö	[ø:]	bird

Finnish Pronunciation

Finnish vowel harmony is an essential aspect of the language that affects not only the sound but also the meaning of words. The two classes of vowels, front and back vowels, must match within a word. For instance, in the word "koti" (home), both vowels "o" and "i" are back vowels, while in the word "keittiö" (kitchen), the first vowel "e" is a front vowel, and the second vowel "i" is also a front vowel. Paying attention to vowel harmony is crucial when learning to speak Finnish, as using the wrong type of vowel can lead to miscommunication. In addition to vowel harmony, Finnish has other unique pronunciation characteristics. For example, Finnish is syllable-timed, meaning that each syllable is pronounced with the same amount of time, giving the language a rhythmic and melodic quality. Furthermore, the stress in Finnish always falls on the first syllable of a word. English speakers may find some Finnish sounds challenging to master, such as the rolled "r" sound and the "l" sound pronounced by touching the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Additionally, Finnish has five diphthongs made up of two vowel sounds pronounced together as one sound, such as "ai," "ei," "oi," "ui," and "yi." Learning to correctly pronounce these sounds is important to improve one's spoken Finnish.

Examples:

• "Koti" - "Koh-tee"
• "Keittiö" - "Kayt-tee-oh"
• "Kissat" - "Kiss-aht"
• "Mökki" - "Merk-kee"
• "Sisko" - "Sis-koh"
• "Yö" - "Yuh"

Long and short sounds

Because Finnish uses few sounds, the length of similar sounds is important. As example - tapaan sinut "I meet you" and tapan sinut "I murder you".

ee, aa, oo, uu

So if you see ee, aa, oo, uu - read them loooong . Usual letters you read in a usual manner.

It is a bit trickier with long consonants , they are also important. Try to NOT speak them as two discrete k-k, t-t etc. Try instead :

• Set your mouth as if you are ready to say it.
• Take a very short pause.
• Say the sound - but strongly.

Congratulations, you've done it! :)

Perhaps it would be good if you train a bit with kk, pp, tt.

mm, ss, rr, nn, ll

Sounds mm, ss, rr, nn, ll don't need such an articulation, just say them a bit longer.

Ä, Y, Ö

Ä, Y, Ö are authentic for Finnish.

• Ä resembles "cAt" or "bAd" in English.
• Y resembles German Über or French vU
• Ö resembles the same sound in German

Finnish Diphthongs

Finnish diphthongs are combinations of two vowels that are pronounced together within the same syllable. They play an important role in the Finnish language, as they can change the meaning of a word and also influence the stress and rhythm of speech. Finnish diphthongs can be categorized into two main groups: native diphthongs and foreign diphthongs.

Native Diphthongs

Native Finnish diphthongs are those that are inherent to the language and can be found in many common words. These are the most frequently used diphthongs in Finnish:

• ai: like 'ai' in "aisle" (e.g., "kai" – probably)
• ei: like 'ei' in "eight" (e.g., "meitä" – us)
• oi: like 'oi' in "oil" (e.g., "poika" – boy)
• ui: like 'ui' in "suit" (e.g., "suihku" – shower)
• yi: like 'yi' in "yield" (e.g., "tyi" – had to)
• äi: like 'ay' in "bay" with a more open mouth (e.g., "häitä" – weddings)
• öi: like 'eu' in "neutron" (e.g., "möi" – sold)
• au: like 'ou' in "house" (e.g., "kauppa" – shop)
• eu: like 'eu' in "neutron" (e.g., "leukka" – snip)
• ou: like 'ou' in "boulder" (e.g., "koulu" – school)
• äu: like 'eu' in "neutron" with a more open mouth (e.g., "väu" – son-in-law)
• iu: like 'ew' in "new" (e.g., "hiu" – hair)
• iä: like 'ya' in "yarn" (e.g., "siä" – in there)
• ie: like 'ye' in "yes" (e.g., "lie" – flame)
• uo: like 'wo' in "won" (e.g., "kuori" – peel)
• yö: like 'yö' in "yodel" (e.g., "yö" – night)

Foreign Diphthongs

Foreign diphthongs are found in loanwords and are less common in Finnish. They include combinations like:

• ae: like 'ai' in "aisle" (e.g., "kae" – look for)
• oe: like 'eu' in "neutron" (e.g., "voe" – woe)
• ue: like 'we' in "wet" (e.g., "kue" – clue)

Pronunciation Tips

When pronouncing Finnish diphthongs, it is important to remember that both vowels should be clearly articulated within the same syllable. Avoid inserting a pause or break between the vowels, and try to maintain a smooth transition from one vowel sound to the other. This may take some practice, but with time, you'll become more comfortable with the unique sounds of Finnish diphthongs.

In conclusion, Finnish diphthongs are an essential aspect of the language and contribute to its distinct phonetic qualities. Understanding and practicing these diphthongs will greatly improve your Finnish pronunciation and overall language skills.

Finnish Consonant Clusters

Common Consonant Clusters

Consonant clusters are combinations of two or more consonants pronounced together without any vowels in between. Some common Finnish consonant clusters are:

• rk: like 'rk' in "park" (e.g., "karkki" – candy)
• rt: like 'rt' in "dart" (e.g., "kerta" – time, occasion)
• mp: like 'mp' in "lamp" (e.g., "pumpuli" – cotton)
• nt: like 'nt' in "dent" (e.g., "kanta" – base)

Rules for Pronouncing Consonant Clusters

To pronounce consonant clusters in Finnish, focus on clearly articulating each consonant in the cluster without adding any extra vowel sounds. This may require some practice, especially for learners whose native language tends to insert vowels between consonants.

Finnish Stress and Intonation

Word Stress

In Finnish, the primary stress usually falls on the first syllable of a word. Secondary stress may occur on the third syllable or every second syllable thereafter. However, some compound words and loanwords may have stress patterns that deviate from this general rule.

Sentence Stress and Intonation Patterns

In spoken Finnish, sentence stress typically falls on content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs) while function words (prepositions, pronouns, conjunctions, and articles) are usually unstressed. The intonation of a sentence is generally level, with a slight rise at the end of a question.

Finnish Vowel Harmony

Rules for Vowel Harmony

Vowel harmony in Finnish is a phonological phenomenon where vowels within a word must belong to one of two sets: the front vowels (ä, ö, y) and the back vowels (a, o, u). The neutral vowels (e, i) can appear with either set. Words typically cannot contain both front and back vowels, except in compound words or loanwords.

Exceptions and Loanwords

Exceptions to Finnish vowel harmony include loanwords, proper names, and some interjections. In these cases, words may contain both front and back vowels.

Finnish Palatalization

Examples of Palatalized Consonants

Palatalization refers to the modification of a consonant's pronunciation by bringing the middle part of the tongue closer to the hard palate. In Finnish, palatalization often occurs before front vowels (ä, ö, y). For example:

• ty: like 't' in "tune" (e.g., "tyttö" – girl)
• ky: like 'k' in "cue" (e.g., "kyllä" – yes)

Pronunciation Tips

When pronouncing palatalized consonants in Finnish, focus on keeping the middle part of the tongue close to the hard palate while maintaining the original consonant sound.

Finnish Sandhi and Assimilation

Consonant Gradation

Consonant gradation is a phonological process in Finnish that affects the pronunciation of certain consonants in specific morphological contexts. Gradation occurs primarily in words containing a strong grade (e.g., "katto" – roof) and a weak grade (e.g., "katon" – roof's).

Vowel Sandhi

Vowel sandhi is the phonological process in which the quality of a vowel is influenced by the surrounding vowels. In Finnish, vowel sandhi can occur in compound words or phrases. For example, when "kala" (fish) and "mies" (man) are combined to form "kalamiestä" (fisherman), the "a" in "kala" is assimilated to "ä" due to the influence of the front vowel "i" in "mies."

Resources for Learning Finnish Pronunciation

Online Tools and Websites

There are numerous online resources available for learning Finnish pronunciation, including websites with audio recordings, videos, and interactive exercises. Some popular options are:

• Forvo: A pronunciation guide with recordings of native speakers pronouncing words and phrases.
• YLE News in Easy Finnish: News articles with accompanying audio to practice listening to spoken Finnish.
• YouTube channels: Search for Finnish language lessons and pronunciation guides on YouTube to find a variety of instructional videos. (see Videos below).

Books and Courses

Books and language courses can also provide valuable guidance on Finnish pronunciation. Look for resources that include audio recordings or access to online materials to ensure you can practice listening to and imitating native speakers.

Practice Tips and Techniques

To improve your Finnish pronunciation, consider incorporating the following tips and techniques into your language learning routine:

• Regularly listen to native speakers, either in person or through recordings, to familiarize yourself with the natural rhythm and intonation of Finnish.
• Record yourself speaking Finnish and compare your pronunciation to native speakers to identify areas for improvement.
• Practice speaking Finnish aloud, focusing on the pronunciation of individual sounds, diphthongs, and consonant clusters.
• Find a language partner or join a conversation group to practice speaking Finnish with others.

By exploring these resources and following the tips provided, you will be well on your way to mastering Finnish pronunciation and enhancing your overall language skills.

Finnish Online Virtual Keyboard

Authors

Alexofwermland