learn Finnish PRONUNCIATION and VOWELS
-PRONUNCIATION
The Finnish language has eight vowel sounds and thirteen consonant sounds. Each
(with the exception of one consonant) has its own symbol in writing. almost all Finnish sounds can be short or long,The long sound has the same quality as the short one, being just prolonged. It is extremely important to distinguish clearly between long and short sounds, as difference in length also reflects difference in mean ing.
The descriptions of sounds given below must necessarily be considered rough ap proximations, and learning the pronunciation of Finnish by imitating a native speaker of the language, for instance by listening to cassettes or tapes, is strongly recommend ed.
-VOWELS
Finnish vowels are, in general, more sharply and vigorously pronounced than their English counterparts. They retain the same quality in all positions within a word: they must never be slurred or swallowed, not even in unstressed syllables.
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i like in sit (but raising the tongue higher towards the roof of the mouth)
e like in set (but raising the tongue higher)
ä like a in hat (but opening the mouth
wider in all directions)
y like German ü, French u (that is, like i but with rounded lips)
ö like German ö, French eu (that is, like e but with rounded lips)
u like u in loose (but with tightly pursed lips)
o like o in hot (British pronunciation; but with more rounded lips)
a like a in father
Short sound
nimi name
lasi glass
meri sea
kolme three
sa you, thou
(colloq.)
älä don't (sing.)
kylä village
syksy fall
hölmö fool
uni sleep
suku family,
relatives
jo already
sano! say!
ja and
Long sound
niin so
lasiin into a glass Meeri (girl's name) kolmeen until three sää weather
älkää don't (pl.)
kyy viper syksyyn till fall,
autumn Töölö (district in Helsinki)
Töölöön to Töölö uuni oven
sukuun into the family
joo yes
(colloq.)
sanoo he says Jaana (girl's name) Vantaa (city near
Helsinki).