The document provides an overview of Spanish pronunciation: 1) It describes the pronunciation of each Spanish vowel and some consonants that differ from English, such as the trilled 'r' and soft 'c' and 'z' sounds. 2) It explains Spanish diphthongs formed by combinations of vowels within the same syllable, such as 'ai' and 'ie', and how their sounds blend together. 3) It lists the Spanish alphabet and the pronunciation of each letter in Spanish, noting where they differ from English pronunciations.

1. Spanish Pronunciation Power Point Presentation By: Srta. Minguela

2. Las vocales (the vowels) The 5 Spanish vowels are the same as the English ones but are pronounced differently.

3. A E I O U makes an “ah” sound as in father makes an “eh” sound as in elephant makes an “ee” sound as in teeth makes an “u” sound as in tooth makes an “oh” sound as in open

4. Goofy letters Spanish has four extra letters than the English alphabet. The letters are: ch ll ñ rr we will discuss the pronunciations shortly

5. Pronunciation: The Spanish b/v The Spanish "b" (be grande) and "v" (be chica) are pronounced exactly alike. In Spain and many parts of South America there is no difference between the 'v' and the 'b' B --Similar to the English 'b' but less plosive; between vowels it is pronounced very softly so that the lips touch only slightly. “ b e b ida” V -- does not vibrate “video”

6. Pronunciation: The Spanish c C , as in English, before a , o and u it is pronounced as a K, as in c an Before e or i the c is pronounced as an s as in c ent. *In Spain, the C before e and i is pronounced 'th'. “ c iudad” “ c in c o”

7. Pronunciation: The Spanish d D -- Similar to the English 'd' in 'bed' but with the tongue further forward; between vowels or as the last letter of a word it is pronounced very softly similar to the th in the “ciu d a d ”

8. D - de Most estadounidenses have trouble with the d because they think you can't really change the way a d sounds. The subtle difference, however, is readily apparent to native speakers. Instead of forming the d by placing the tip of the tongue on the ridge of the roof of the mouth slightly behind the front teeth (like it is normally formed when speaking English), you will need to place it touching against the back of the top front teeth, but not against the roof of the mouth.

9. Pronunciation: The Spanish g G -- Before A, O or U it is pronounced as the G in g et “ g ato” -- Before E or I it is pronounced like the English H but more emphatic. “ g eneral” “gigante”

10. Pronunciation: The Spanish h H -- Always silent in Spanish. Hotel is pronounced otel “ h otel”

11. Pronunciation: The Spanish j J Always pronounced like the English H but more emphatic “ j alapeño”

12. J - jota This sound is a little more difficult for estadounidenses to reproduce at first, because there is no equivalent sound in English. The basic idea of the j is that of the English h , with a healthy clearing of the throat mixed in. The sound is produced in the back of the mouth, almost in the throat, and involves the partial restriction of airflow by moving the tongue back (not up) toward the throat. To get the hang of it, produce the English h sound, and while doing so move the tongue toward the back of the throat until the back of your mouth vibrates. Beware: During the first week or so of saying the j correctly, you will often find yourself with a slightly sore throat.

13. Pronunciation: The Spanish ll LL Always pronounced as the Y in y es. “e ll a”

14. LL - elle The pronunciation of the ll varies widely among Spanish speakers, and even among the various regions of Spain. Probably the easiest (as well as the most common) way to pronounce this letter correctly is like the English y . The Spanish pronunciation never differs much from this, but there are some areas that add an almost imperceptible l sound slightly before the y sound. Other areas of Spain pronounce the ll with a hint of an English z - sh mix, although it is never as distinct as the ll of Argentina.

15. Pronunciation: The Spanish ñ ñ -- This Spanish character is pronounced NY as in ca ny on “espa ñ ol”

16. Pronunciation: The Spanish r R -- Slightly trilled “ho r a” When it is the first letter of a word it is strongly trilled. “Costa R ica”

17. Pronunciation: The Spanish q The Spanish "q" -- which always appears in combination with the letter "u" -- is pronounced like the "k" in the word "kid," but without the puff of air.

18. Pronunciation: The Spanish rr RR -- Always strongly trilled. “a rr oz”

19. Pronunciation: The Spanish t When making the "t" sound in English, the tongue touches the gum ridge behind the upper front teeth. The Spanish "t" is produced quite differently, with the tongue actually touching the back of the front teeth, and without the puff of air that characterizes the English "t".

20. T - te In order to pronounce the t correctly, you must place the tongue against the back of the upper front teeth instead of on the ridge on the roof of your mouth as is normal when saying the English t . Then, much like the Spanish p , you must make the t much less aspirate in comparison to the English t . The resulting sound should be softer than English speakers are used to. Try the Spanish words te and está .

21. When making the "t" sound in English, the tongue touches the gum ridge behind the upper front teeth. The Spanish "t" is produced quite differently, with the tongue actually touching the back of the front teeth, and without the puff of air that characterizes the English "t".

22. Pronunciation: The Spanish k and w In Spanish, the letters "k" and "w" are found only in foreign words. The "k" is pronounced like an English "k" without the puff of air. The "w" is pronounced like the "b/v" when it occurs between vowels.

23. Pronunciation: The Spanish y Y -pronounced as the English Y except when it stands alone ( y is Spanish for and ) then it is pronounced ee as in tr ee “ yeso” “ cinco y media” [five thirty]

24. Pronunciation: The Spanish x The Spanish "x" has three separate sounds. The first is like the "ks" in the word "talks" (examen). The second is pronounced like the English letter "h" and is reserved for certain proper nouns and words that are derived from them (México, mexicano). The third is pronounced like the English "ch" and it, too is reserved for certain proper nouns (Xitle, Xela).

25. Pronunciation: The Spanish z Z -- In South America the 'z' is pronounced as the English S; in Spain the 'z' is closer to the 'th' in the English word, 'bath' “die z ”

26. Pronunciation QUE -- pronounced ke as in ke pt “ ¿Que pasa?” QUI --pronounced kee as in kee p “ qui nce” GUE -- pronounced ge as in gue st, and ge t “Min gue la” GUI -- pronounced gee as in gee se “guitarra”

27. Pronunciation: Diphthongs Diphthongs occur when an unstressed "i", "u", or "y-ending" appears next to another vowel in the same syllable. Their vowel sounds do not change, but they blend together to form a single syllable.

28. Pronunciation: Diphthong - ai (ay) The vowel combination, "ai" (or "ay" word ending), is pronounced like the English word "eye," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "i", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

29. Pronunciation: Diphthongs - ei (ey) The vowel combination, "ei" (or "ey" word ending), is pronounced like the "ay" in the English word "say," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "i", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

30. Pronunciation: Diphthong - oi (oy) The vowel combination, "oi" (or "oy" word ending), is pronounced like the "oy" in the English word "boy," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "i", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

31. Pronunciation: Diphthong - ui (uy) The vowel combination, "ui" (or "uy" word ending), is pronounced like the English word "we," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound.

32. Pronunciation: Diphthong - au The vowel combination, "au", is pronounced like the "ow" in the English word "owl," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "u", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

33. Pronunciation: Diphthong - eu The vowel combination, "eu", does not have an English equivalent. It sounds like a combination of the "ay" of the word "say" and the "oo" of the word "boot." Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "u", as in the word "transeúnte," the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

34. Pronunciation: Diphthong - ia The vowel combination, "ia", is pronounced like the "eo" in the English word "neon," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "i", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

35. Pronunciation: Diphthong - ie The vowel combination, "ie", is pronounced somewhat like the English word "yea," except that the sounds are shorter. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "e", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

36. Pronunciation: Diphthong - io The vowel combination, "io", is pronounced like the "eo" in the English word "video," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "i", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

37. Pronunciation: Diphthong - iu The vowel combination, "iu", is similar to the English word "you," except that it is a somewhat shorter sound.

38. Pronunciation: Diphthong - ua The vowel combination, "ua", has no real English equivalent, but can be reproduced by combining the "oo" of the word "boot" with the "a" of the word "papa." Be sure to combine these two sounds into a single sound. Note that when there is a written accent over the letter "u", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

39. Pronunciation: Diphthong - uo The vowel combination, "uo", has no real English equivalent, but can be reproduced by combining the "oo" of the word "boot" with the "o" of the word "note." Be sure to combine these two sounds into a single sound. Note that when there is an accent over the letter "u", as in "dúo," the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

40. Pronunciation: Diphthong - ue The vowel combination, "ue", has no real English equivalent, but can be reproduced by combining the "oo" of the word "boot" with the "a" of the word "paper." Be sure to combine these two sounds into a single sound. Note that when there is a diaeresis (umlaut) over the letter "u", the diphthong is "broken" and the two vowels are pronounced separately.

41. el alfabeto

42. A (ah) B (be) C (ce) Ch (che) * D (de)

43. E (eh) F (efe) G (ge) H (ache) always silent I (i)

44. J (jota) K (ka) L (ele) LL (elle) M (eme)

45. N (ene) Ñ (eñe) like the “ni” in onion O (oh) P (pe) Q (cu) R (ere)

46. RR (erre) trill the r S (ese) T (te) U (oo) V (ve) B/V are pronounced the same

47. W (doble u) (doble ve) X (equis) Y (I griega) Z (zeta) pronounced like an S

48. Some information borrowed from: Spain Bilbao Mission http://www.spainbilbaomission.com/sbm_index.php?Lang=en