Learning proper pronunciation can be done without much knowledge of phonetics, actually. A basic knowledge, however, helps to make pronunciation clearer and thus facilitates the process of learning how to speak a foreign language properly.
eAmbalam introduces a phonetic chart which is based on Dhevanagari script. The sounds of vowels and consonants and other speech sounds in Sanskrit and the languages which have completely or mostly borrowed from it can be covered with the help of the chart. A few other sounds common to some languages in this group and outside are also put in. Unique sounds of some languages are specified too.
Diacritical marks are used to aid perfect pronunciation. World over, these marks have been created and propagated by scholars to make understanding of the differences in speech sounds in different languages better. Team eAmbalam also has created a phonetic chart which helps even first timers to pronounce words accurately.
Our Phonetic chart is unique, comprehensive, learner friendly and is divided into four columns wherein:
In the first column, the letter is written with the associated diacritical mark.
In the second column, an example is given in Dhevanagari language containing the letter.
In the third column, an example is given in English, which contains the sound closes to the letter or instructions in few cases, to facilitate better understanding.
In the fourth column, an audio button is placed with the help of which you can hear the actual pronunciation of the letter.
An open minded approach with the above introduction and guidelines will definitely enable the user to understand the speech sounds of any language and pronounce it like a native, which is eAmbalam’s aim in this exercise.
VOWELS
Syllable
Usage in Sanskrit
Usage in English
A or a
Aḍavu
Arise
Ā or ā
Ānanda
Vast
I or i
Indhira
Sing
Ī or ī
Īśha
Meal
U or u
U ṣhā
Good
Ū or ū
Ū rdhhva
Boost
R or r
Riṣh i
Try
Ṛ or ṛ
Ni ṛ uti
Grr!
Lr or lr
Pronounce L and R together.
E or e
Eka
Ate
AI or ai
Aikya
Sight
O or o
Ojas
Robe
AU or au
Audh ā rya
Now
A M or am
Śhiva m
Drum
A HA or aha
R ā ma ha
Aha!
Syllable
Usage in Sanskrit
Usage in English
CONSONANTS
Syllable
Usage in Sanskrit
Usage in English
KA or ka
Kavi
Car
KHA or kha
Khalu
Mark -Him
GA or ga
Gamana
Gut
GHA or gha
Ghata
Ugh!
Ṅ A or ṅa
Tura ṅ ga
Ring
CHA or ca
Chakra
Chart
CHHA or cha
Chhandas
Branch
JA or ja
Jagath
Jug
JHA or jha
Jhallari
Fudge
NYA or nya
Gnyana
Knew
Ṭ A or ṭ
Ṭ anka
Top
ṬHA or ṭha
Pāṭha
Pothole
ḌA or da
Ḍ amaruka
Dog
Ḍ HA or ḍ ha
Mūḍ ha
Madhouse
Ṇ A or ṇ a
Ga ṇ a
Wander
THA or tha
Thanu
Health
THHA or thha
Athha
Theater
DHA or dha
Dha śha
This
DHHA or dhha
Dhhana m
Dha with an additional H sound
NA or na
Namask ā raha
Nut
PA or pa
Path ā ka
Past
PHA or pha
Phala m
P with a H sound
BA or ba
Bandhhu
Ball
BHA or bha
Bhadra
Abhor
MA or ma
Manas
Money
YA or ya
Yama
Yummy
RA or ra
Rajas
Rub
LA or la
Lath ā
Lust
VA or WA, va /wa
A śh va or A śhwa
Water/Valour
ŚHA or śha
Śhakthi
Shutter
ṢHA or ṣ ha
Ṣh a ṇ mukha
Shunt
SA or sa
Sarasvatī
Sun
HA or ha
Hari
Hum
Ḷ A or ḷ a
Ar āḷ a
Bold
KṢHA or k ṣ ha
Ak ṣh i
Try to pronounce Ka, Sa & Ha – all at one time.
Extra Vowels in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Malayalam Scripts
É or é
Éṇi
Angel
Ō or ō
Ō m
Ō M
ZHA
Exclusive to Tamil & Malayalam
Fold the tip of your tongue backwards and try to pronounce it with the aid of the audio button.
