tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Sat Dec 07 15:19:37 1996
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RE: KBLC: letter pronounciations
- From: "David Trimboli" <[email protected]>
- Subject: RE: KBLC: letter pronounciations
- Date: Sat, 7 Dec 96 20:57:16 UT
December 07, 1996 12:53 AM, jatlh Andrew 'Ska' Netherton:
> Although I haven't had to deal with it (except for spitting at
> myself and my TKD), I'm wondering if there is a better explanation for the
> sounds <q> and <Q>.
Sure! {q} is a dorso-uvular unvoiced stop, and {Q} is a dorso-uvular unvoiced
affricate. :)
> All that TKD (and the web page) tell me are that one
> sounds "a litte like you're choking", whereas the other sound "a lot like
> you're choking".
You've heard the language tapes? Okrand pronounces these two clearly
(usually) on them. I don't know if I can describe it better than Okrand does;
{q} is the choking sound, whereas {Q} sounds like you're trying to get
whatever is choking you out of your throat.
> Exactly what is the difference? Should I just be choking on <q>,
> but triggering my gag reflex on <Q>? Or is there an appreciable
> difference in conversation?
Oh, yes, there's quite a difference! Some people have trouble distinguishing
these sounds from one another and some don't.
> All the phrases section of TKD offer is that
> the first is pronounced "k", and the other "kkh", which to me is more what
> <H> sounds like.
Ick. Remember, those "pronunciations" are for those who have not taken the
time to study the section on correct pronunciation. They are not at all
accurate. Klingon {q} is not "k."
> (And while we're on the subject, I'm assuing <gh> is
> <H>, but voiced?)
Yes.
--
SuStel
Beginners' Grammarian
Stardate 96936.0