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letter

letter

by Devon Humphreys -
Number of replies: 3
Hey, I am new to the open of course program. I have been studying Russian for about two months now, and I know most all the alphabet. one question; I can't pronounce the letter bl to save my life. Any ideas? I know what sound it makes, I just can't make it.Thanks
In reply to Devon Humphreys

Re: letter

by Anna Dahlqivst -

I have just started and have not gotten further than the letters yet, so I might not be the best adviser... but according to the "russian language helper" in the links here, I think it sounds like a "ö" in Swedish, or eu in french, but more... hm, how to explain, as though your throat is less open, as if your about to cry :) . or perhaps as if trying to sound cute, as when some people talk in an annoying way to children.

I am not sure it is right (as I don't really have any knowledge in russian at all) but if I imitate that sound, the tongue sort of blocks part of the throat, while the sides ot the tongue is on the sideteeth, like a tunnel, and the tip of the tongue touch the "root" of lower front teeth).

Hopefully someone with better knowledge can give better advise.

In reply to Anna Dahlqivst

Re: letter

by Anna Dahlqivst -

ok that was wrong I think, looked at that page agian, and the examples where they use the letter does not sound the same as the way the letter is pronounced on its own... or does it sound different in different contexts?

In the word for 4 and the colours I think it sound quite a lot like a "i" (not "aj", but as in sit, but much longer and somewhat throatlike, or something) 

In reply to Anna Dahlqivst

Re: letter

by Devon Humphreys -
thanks, that makes more sense. I have two russian friends, but they don't know how to explain it, only how to say it, because it's easy for them.From what they sound like, it is kinda like the French eu only deeper in the throat( I speak French way better than russian). Anyhow thanks for the help. by the way, are you russian? your last name sounds Russian.