Re: Pronunciation

[John Cowan <cowan@ccil.org>]

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)