Pronunciation of “Dh”

I was wondering if I could get any tips for pronouncing the letter “Dh” in Somali?

From what I’ve seen, is it true that “Dh” is pronounced in the same place as “D” but with your tongue curled back?

Thanks
 

cunug3aad

3rdchild · Hamitic boy
Its a bit further back than d from what i know d is on the fleshy bit behind the tooth or on the the tooth in middle of word but dh is like a tongue tips width behind. If u can understand. The tongue does not go fully retroflex like indian only halfway to distingush from d

If you can then ask someone to pronounce dhan (whole) and dano (interest/work) and see the difference. Or in my opinion the best word is dhul (land) people pronounce it very strongly

In the middle or end of a word in southern speech the dh will shift to being much more like an r like in fadhiiso (sit) or shaadh (shirt). Like an r but instead of rolling it it only pats once softly if you can understand. Northerners furrow their mouths a bit and pronounce it harsher
 
Sort of like how Indians pronounce this:


The second one (18s) with less emphasis and no breathing out. And no throwing the tongue. Ours is positional. Saying dhiig. Means you first put the tongue on the area, then put pressure only on the upper end of the backside of the tongue, not like how Indians would start by slinging the tongue before hitting the area.

@cunug3aad in the north, the one in the middle is more like a roll than than r. It is technically different from how dh is pronounced in the beginning of a sentence. At the end, it sounds different but is almost silent and almost like a real d as the subtle soft landing. Some emphasize the normal d with still hitting the palatal rugae with the back of the tongue that could be a soft, subtle roll with d base or just a d in that same region, with a slight, also a subtle sound without pushing the tongue beyond just landing it and also doesn't quite go back of the tongue but close to the back tip if rolled and the d placing the tongue closer to the front of the tongue (still in the back transition).

The first one (beginning), minor pressure, like throwing your tongue out. Second one, a simple roll (middle). The third one (end), roll or d, but the former subtle, and the latter landing, but with a subtle base of the former.
 
Sort of like how Indians pronounce this:


The second one (18s) with less emphasis and no breathing out. And no throwing the tongue. Ours is positional. Saying dhiig. Means you first put the tongue on the area, then put pressure only on the upper end of the backside of the tongue, not like how Indians would start by slinging the tongue before hitting the area.

@cunug3aad in the north, the one in the middle is more like a roll than than r. It is technically different from how dh is pronounced in the beginning of a sentence. At the end, it sounds different but is almost silent and almost like a real d as the subtle soft landing. Some emphasize the normal d with still hitting the palatal rugae with the back of the tongue that could be a soft, subtle roll with d base or just a d in that same region, with a slight, also a subtle sound without pushing the tongue beyond just landing it and also doesn't quite go back of the tongue but close to the back tip if rolled and the d placing the tongue closer to the front of the tongue (still in the back transition).

The first one (beginning), minor pressure, like throwing your tongue out. Second one, a simple roll (middle). The third one (end), roll or d, but the former subtle, and the latter landing, but with a subtle base of the former.
Thank you.
 
Its a bit further back than d from what i know d is on the fleshy bit behind the tooth or on the the tooth in middle of word but dh is like a tongue tips width behind. If u can understand. The tongue does not go fully retroflex like indian only halfway to distingush from d

If you can then ask someone to pronounce dhan (whole) and dano (interest/work) and see the difference. Or in my opinion the best word is dhul (land) people pronounce it very strongly

In the middle or end of a word in southern speech the dh will shift to being much more like an r like in fadhiiso (sit) or shaadh (shirt). Like an r but instead of rolling it it only pats once softly if you can understand. Northerners furrow their mouths a bit and pronounce it harsher
Thanks for the tips
 
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