Shona has some whistling sounds which are usually mispronounced by English speakers. I will add some audio files to demonstrate the sounds.
Sv
Tsw Tsv Zv Dzv Nzv |
Pronounced "s" + "vo" with a soft v. Example is svosve (an ant)
Pronounced "ts" + "wa". Example word is Kutswa (to pound) Pronounced "ts"+"va" with a soft v. Tsvangirai - mispronounced by the BBC as Changirai Pronounced "z"+"v". Example is zvinhu (things) Pronounced "dz"+"v". Example is dzvinyu (lizard) Pronounced "nz"+"v". Example nzvimbo (place) Please visit www.shonalessons.com for audio lessons and quizzes |