Le 24 Nov 2004 11:35:56 -0800, eazy927@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Homer) écrivit :
>I have the book Alif-Baa and it goes through pronunciation for long
>vowel Alif. It says the range of the sound is 'a' bat or 'a' as in
>father. That is consistent with other books. But then in the examples
>it pronounces most of the Alif as 'e' in bed.
>
>In the next paragraph after the first drill it shows difference
>between alif (long a) and fatha (short a) and states: alif range, 'a'
>in bad to 'a' in father, fatha range- 'e' in bet to 'u' in but.
>
>I thought fatha sounds like 'a' in cat or 'o' in top. And I thought
>Alif was just a longer version like 'a' in cab (but a little longer)
>and or 'a' in calm. (According to other books).
>
>Will someone please clarify this sound. Thank you.
>
>-Homer
I am not an authority, but here is what I have learnt in three years:
The pronunciation of fatha differs according to the consonant
environment, and also according to the dialect. Near emphatic
consonants, the 'a' is much more darker ('father') than elsewhere, for
instance in the word 'SâHib' (companion, owner). Its pronunciation
varies also according to the length and stress.
In North Africa for instance, the word 'samâH' (generosity, forgiveness)
sounds to my ear like 'samêH' ('e' as in bed, and long).
But as I said, I am no specialist. Before you believe what I have
written, check it in real life, with native speakers from different
countries, if possible.
Raymond
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