Re: Pronunciation

[John Cowan <cowan@xxxxx.xxxx.xxxx]

Jack Raven wrote:

> Is "n" always pronounced like "note" "button" "no"
> as opposed to "sling" "wink" "finger"?

Either pronunciation is permitted. Most Lojbanists use the
latter sound before g and k.

> Is "r" always used like a vowel (er) "winter" "colorful" "better",
> or is it sometimes harder (more lip involved) when followed
> by a vowel as in English "rabbit" "crowd" "surround" (2 r's)

"r" should be distinctly audible, not a mere vowel coloring.
It may be trilled or flapped/tapped, or pronounced as an approximant.

> "Y" = (uh)? (mini-lesson)

Yes.

> what about (ih) "fit" "sit" "little" My name "Tim" My wife "Melissa"

Not a Lojban sound, but may be used as the so-called "buffer"
to separate consonant clusters that you find difficult to articulate.

> I personally think that "uh" and "ih" are not distinct enough.
> Our names could be "tem" "malesa" or "tim" "melisa"

Most people use the full Lojban "i" (English "ee") in such names.

-- 
John Cowan	http://www.ccil.org/~cowan	cowan@ccil.org
You tollerday donsk? N. You tolkatiff scowegian? Nn.
You spigotty anglease? Nnn. You phonio saxo? Nnnn.
Clear all so! 'Tis a Jute.... (Finnegans Wake 16.5)