Answers
Jul 05, 2012 - 02:04 PM
Dear Joe, I'm sorry about the confusion. The double-L in Spanish is usually pronounced as the -ja- for -Jake- would sound. Usually the sound is stronger when the double L is at the beginning of the word rather than at the end:
i.e.: Lluvia (Rain), Llevar (to take), Lleno (Full), Llamar (to call), etc.
And the sound is slightly softer when the double L is in the middle or towards the end of a word:
i.e. Cabello (hair), Bello (beautiful), Escollo (reef), Enrollar (to wrap), etc.
But now and then, people just pronounce the double L with the same intensity either at the beginning or end of the sentence, so I would stick with the stronger sound at all times to make it simpler. It will sound well-spoken and everybody will understand you that way. Hope this helps. Cheers!
i.e.: Lluvia (Rain), Llevar (to take), Lleno (Full), Llamar (to call), etc.
And the sound is slightly softer when the double L is in the middle or towards the end of a word:
i.e. Cabello (hair), Bello (beautiful), Escollo (reef), Enrollar (to wrap), etc.
But now and then, people just pronounce the double L with the same intensity either at the beginning or end of the sentence, so I would stick with the stronger sound at all times to make it simpler. It will sound well-spoken and everybody will understand you that way. Hope this helps. Cheers!
Jul 06, 2012 - 12:16 AM
I've heard Pollo pronounced like Po-yo. A last name of Casilla is pronounced Ca-Sea-Ya. I know this is Jmarts question, but I am confused by Leo's answer. Are both correct? I understand that the LL in the beginning of the word is stronger than in the middle...but what sound do we make? A strong J sound or a strong Y sound?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Jul 06, 2012 - 12:27 PM
Hi Tony, yes both are correct. As I've mentioned before, in Latin America people are a little bit lazy at pronunciation, so they mix sounds. the double L sound should always be like a strong J. So to be phonetically correct, make all double-L sounds as a strong J. However, as you catch along the South American accent you will see the subtle differences. Two syllable words like Pollo, usually have the double-L sound as a strong J. Three or more syllable words have the double-L sound pronounced more like a strong Y. However, they are both the same LL. In Spanish all words are spoken out just the same as they're written (unlike some words in French or English). So technically, Casilla should sound as Ca-Sea-Ja (not Ya), but that takes an extra effort to produce, so they end up softening up. That's all.
So to keep it simple, just pronounce everything with a strong J. If you catch along words which they themselves pronounce with a softer "LL" you can follow them, but don't worry about it now. If you stick to the strong J sound at all times, everybody will understand you and your Spanish will be perfect.
So to keep it simple, just pronounce everything with a strong J. If you catch along words which they themselves pronounce with a softer "LL" you can follow them, but don't worry about it now. If you stick to the strong J sound at all times, everybody will understand you and your Spanish will be perfect.
Jul 08, 2012 - 04:58 PM
Thanks!