How is arabic pronounced

First, there are some Arabic consonants that do not exist nor have equivalents in English. Despite this difference, English and Arabic share fourteen common consonants. When any of these consonants are spoken, friction occurs in the position of the tongue against the lips, teeth or roof of the mouth. Thus, friction is made depending on the nature of the produced sound. Labial sounds consist of bilabial, labiovelar and labiodental sounds. Bilabial sounds are articulated between the upper and lower lips [4].

Labiodental sounds are produced when the lower lip touches the upper teeth [4]. Dental sounds are articulated with the tip or the blade of the tongue keeps in contact with the upper front teeth [4]. Dental sounds exist both in English and Arabic sound systems. Basically, there are two different ways to produce dental sounds. The first one is to use the tip of the tongue and put it at the back of the upper teeth without blocking the airflow by pressing hardly on them.

The second way is to use the blade of the tongue and makes it articulates with the bottom of the upper teeth. While the tip of the tongue protruding between the teeth and leaves enough space allowing the turbulent airstream to escape. The phoneme changed might change the meaning completely. Alveolar sounds are articulated with the tip or blade of the tongue against the alveolar ridge that is located behind the upper teeth [4]. The difference is in their place of articulation.

Unlike English, this sound is not common in native Arabic language. Thus, Arab speakers are cannot pronounce the flap easily. For example, Seattle has a flap in the middle of the word. The tip of the tongue comes close to the alveolar ridge but not touching. It makes a quick frictionless glide sound [11].

Palato-alveolar sounds are articulated with the blade of the tongue behind the alveolar ridge and the body of the tongue raised toward the hard palate [4]. Velarised alveolar consonants and Velarised denti-alveolar sounds do not exist in English.

Velarised alveolar sounds are produced by using the blade of the tongue and makes reach the alveolar ridge closely.

Velarised denti-alveolar sounds are difficult to pronounce because they have a very different manner. Non-native Arabic speakers can never pronounce these sounds clearly as natives. Palatal sounds are produced when the tongue body articulates with the hard palate. Velar sounds are produced when the body of the tongue reaches the velum or soft palate [4]. Uvular sounds do not occur in English. Pharyngeal sounds are pronounced by using the back of the tongue and pharynx.

Usually, sounds systems of all languages from all around the world are produced from the larynx to the lips. However, the Arabic consonantal system is unique because it differs from any other language system.

This is one of these sounds that I as a native English speaker never really knew existed. This is when we start to get into the really weird sounds. At least in Standard Arabic.

That will get you close to the correct pronunciation. Seems impossible at first, but is actually quite doable. This tends to be easier for non natives, though. However, not all words are like this. The best way to know whether you should pronounce it or not? One thing is to look up videos of people pronouncing these letters.

Videos like this are easy to come by on Youtube. Say these letters out loud, and repeat as many times as you need before you start to sound similar to the video speaker. No joke — this is what it takes. Repetition after repetition.

Just keep in mind that these pronunciation videos are usually covering how to say them in Standard. You want to make sure you are pronouncing them like an Egyptian would.

One other thing I also found was helpful was to repeat what people said in TV shows. Listen to a second clip of somebody speaking, and then rewind it repeatedly, mimicking them as you do it.

While this is not the most scientific way, it certainly helps. This assumes, of course, that you have Egyptian Arabic subtitles. A list of the entire Arabic alphabet, how Egyptians pronounce the letters, and extra information if it differs from Standard Arabic. You also have some basic tips for improving your Arabic pronunciation.

My own pronunciation of Arabic is still not perfect, and I still sometimes make mistakes. But just like anything, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Arabic letters are pretty hard at the beginning especially the ones where you have to create a completely new sound. But they get easier. There are a lot of reasons to learn Egyptian Arabic. Enter your email address below to get free access to my Japanese Vocab Power Pack and learn essential Japanese words and phrases quickly and naturally.

ALL levels! Enter your email address below to get free access to my German Vocab Power Pack and learn essential German words and phrases quickly and naturally. Enter your email address below to get free access to my Italian Vocab Power Pack and learn essential Italian words and phrases quickly and naturally. Enter your email address below to get free access to my French Vocab Power Pack and learn essential French words and phrases quickly and naturally.

Enter your email address below to get free access to my Natural Portuguese Grammar Pack and learn to internalise Portuguese grammar quickly and naturally through stories. Enter your email address below to get free access to my Natural Russian Grammar Pack and learn to internalise Russian grammar quickly and naturally through stories. Enter your email address below to get free access to my Natural German Grammar Pack and learn to internalise German grammar quickly and naturally through stories.

Enter your email address below to get free access to my Natural French Grammar Pack and learn to internalise French grammar quickly and naturally through stories. Enter your email address below to get free access to my Natural Italian Grammar Pack and learn to internalise Italian grammar quickly and naturally through stories.

What can we do better? Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Author Info Last Updated: June 22, Method 1. Before you start on anything, you have to memorize how each and every letter looks. It's important to have good basic information about the letters before you learning to pronounce them.

Try pronouncing each letter out loud several times. Take your time, and do this slowly. After getting familiar with the appearance of the letters and their sounds, write down a list of all the ones you find difficult to say. Usually, letters with rough, throaty sounds are most difficult for westerners. Method 2. Let's start off with the all of the letters, then single out the difficult ones. Method 3. Okay, so the most difficult ones are really tricky. You have to practice them correctly or they will stick with the wrong sound in your head.

One problem is, Arabic letters can be written in Romaji the same way but they each have their own pronunciation. Try to make your tongue light, your control of air pressure in your mouth precise and your throat and teeth more obedient in order to say them correctly. Read the explanation of the letter's sounds, and try to produce the sounds with accuracy.

Take your time! It's okay to taste the letters before saying them. Seeing your mouth's movements in the mirror helps. Usually when we clear our throats, we start by holding air then letting it out forcefully. I know it's gross, but khaa' requires less effort than you can imagine.

Remember not to put too much pressure on it, just a slight blocking of air will do. Start by saying S normally then pull the middle of your tongue to the base of your mouth, leaving the tip close to your teeth. Now try to make this sound and follow it with a, ending with D.