I've recently started studying Spanish (Latin American) with Rosetta Stone. I think I'm doing trilled r's right but I'm not sure if I'm doing single r's right. Are they supposed to have a single trill, or no trill? Please help me learn how to pronounce a single r.
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Encontré algunos videos en Youtube que explica los detalles de la pronunciación de la letra R, con ejemplos: |
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I think is very similar to the english 'r' but you have to put your tongue closer to the teeth. You can also try to understand this: |
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In my experience (4 years study of Castilian Spanish, 7 years of Latin Spanish conversations [mostly Colombian style]), for the Latin style Spanish at least, the single trill is what I use and everyone understands it well and I haven't had anyone correct me yet. It is similar to the English 'r' only in the constant sound the 'r' produces. The English 'r' starts with the lips together and pointing out while pulling them back and widening them, while a single trill is more like a single roll of the tongue from top to bottom while emitting a very quick English 'r' type of sound. Also, while you don't mention it, I think it's worthwhile pointing out that a single 'r' at the beginning of a word is rolled like a double 'rr' (alveolar trill). However, I find that a single 'r' at the end of a word is like a whispering trill with a slight English 'r' sound. In study, they might make you have the 'r' at the end be just like a strong double 'rr', but in actual conversation with Latin people you will probably never hear it emphasized like that (at least I haven't yet). I hope that makes sense. |
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The closest sound in American English is a soft d or t. Think about really enunciating a strong d or t and then do the opposite. In both sounds your tongue taps the roof of your mouth. Whereas the tongue touches quite close to your teeth for a t sound, try moving it back towards the middle of the roof of your mouth. Tap your tongue softly as you make the sound, touching with most of the front of your tongue, not just the tip. It's not too dissimilar to the soft d and t sounds in the following American English words:
Try saying the following Spanish words with this in mind, keeping the r's (d's) soft:
That's always worked really well for me. Hope that helps! |
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This is an absolutely fabulous site that not only explains the various elements of the mouth (articulatory anatomy) and how they contribute to speech, but also provides animations, audio and video. It is available in English, German, and Spanish. |
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Say "pot of tea" out loud. Gradually say it quicker and quicker, maintaining pronunciation as best as possible. You will notice that the 't' from 'pot' and sounds less and less like a 't' and more like the Spanish single 'r'. Actually, as you say it faster and faster, it sounds more and more like the Spanish "para ti" ("for you"). |
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