Language/Finnish/Pronunciation/Alphabet-and-Pronunciation
Hei!
I'll try to tell you about pronunciation of Finnish.
In common, it's easier than English writing/reading system. You read words precisely as they are written. But there are also some vital details you should always remember.
Alphabet
Letter | Pronunciation |
---|---|
a | [a:] |
b | [be:] |
c | [se:] |
d | [de:] |
e | [e:] |
f | [æf] |
g | [ge:] |
h | [ho:] |
i | [i:] |
j | [ji:] |
k | [ko:] |
l | [æl] |
m | [æm] |
n | [æn] |
o | [o:] |
p | [pe:] |
q | [ku:] |
r | [ær] |
s | [æs] |
t | [te:] |
u | [u:] |
v | [ve:] |
w | [ve:], [kaksoisve:] |
x | [æks] |
y | [y:] |
z | [tset] |
å | [o:], [ruotsalainen o:] |
ä | [æ:] |
ö | [ø:] |
Long and short sounds
As soon as Finnish uses really 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 konsomants , that are also important. Try NOT to read them as two discreet k-k, t-t etc. Try that 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
Video
Authors
Contributors
Vincent, 87.92.174.96, Maintenance script and 2a04:cec0:11ac:a3d4:9801:86e8:1413:9fca