The Sounds of Kashmiri

READ ME FIRST

THE PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE

GLOSSARY

Consonants

Stops

These are pronounced with a complete closure in the same way as in Hindi-Urdu and English. The air pressure builds up behind the closure and is released with a mild explosion. The stop sounds are of the following three types:

the voiceless unaspirated , , , ,
voiceless aspirated , , , , and
voiced unaspirated b, d, , g.

On the basis of place of articulation, these may be further be grouped into four types.

Bilabial

The two lips are the primary articulators, and these are completely closed. The , , and b are bilabial stops. They are pronounced in the same way as p, ph, and b in such Hindi-Urdu words as pa:ni: 'water', phu:l 'flower' and bartan 'utensil'. The Kashmiri is not aspirated, as in English put, it is like p in spin. The b is pronounced the same way as the b in English bull or body.

Dental

The tongue tip articulates with the upper teeth. The , , and d are dental stops. They are pronounced in the same way as the comparable stops in Hindi-Urdu ta:l 'rhythmic beat', tha:na: 'police station', and dard 'pain'.

Retroflex

The tongue tip is curled back. It articulates with the hard palate. The , , and are retroflex stops. These sounds are similar to the initial sounds of the Hindi-Urdu words 'gunny bag', 'cold' and 'fear', respectively.

Velar

The back of the tongue articulates with the soft palate. , , and g are velar stops. These sounds are similar to the initial sounds in the Hindi-Urdu words ka:m 'work', kha:na: 'food' and ga:na: 'song', respectively.

Contrast between palatal and non-palatal consonant sounds

The Sounds of Kashmiri

Table of Contents