SPANISH PRONUNCIATION AND ACCENT MARKS Clyne 2012 PRONUNCIATION

SPANISH PRONUNCIATION AND ACCENT MARKS Clyne 2012

PRONUNCIATION v. Pronunciation is easy once you memorize the rules… v 1. When a word ends in a consonant (other than n/s) you stress the last syllable. v. Example: trabajar / azul

PRONUNCIATION v 2. When a word ends in a vowel, n or s the verbal stress is placed on the second to last syllable. v. Example: trabajo / nosotros / hablan

v. Most Spanish words end in a vowel, n or s, so the stress will normally be on the next-to-last syllable. v. Because Spanish has this rule, you never have to guess how to pronounce it!!

SO WHAT IS AN ACCENT MARK USED FOR? v So, it’s simple! An accent mark rule is used to say “break the rule!” v Ex: examen – rule #2 v examenes – The way this word is pronounced no longer follows rule #2. So what happens? v An accent mark is added because it breaks the rule and you now say it the right way! v exámenes

YOU DO THIS IN ENGLISH WITHOUT THINKING! v. English is HARD because it does not have written accents!

ENGLISH!!!! AHHHHH!! v. Think of the word: Convict v. Think of the word : Read v. Think of the word: Offense v. Think of the word: Minute v. Accent marks would be most helpful!!

EXCEPTIONS…OF COURSE: v. Some words need accents to have a different meaning… v. You have bumped into several of these already.

FOR EXAMPLE: v Tu=your v Tú=you v Si=if v Sí=yes v El=the v Él=he

ALSO… v. Se, can be a reflexive pronoun v. BUT sé means I know v. AND sé can be ser in command form!! v. Te, can be a reflexive pronoun v. BUT té=tea

NOW LET’S PRACTICE!

ACCENT OR NO ACCENT? IF SO, WHERE? v. Sofa v. Mujer v. Tambien v. Reloj v. Papa v. Pescado v. Mesa vcancion vpajaro

ACCENT OR NO ACCENT? IF SO, WHERE? v. Sofá v. Mujer v. También v. Reloj v. Papá v. Pescado v. Mesa vcanción vpájaro

DONE v. Relax…not too bad, right? v. It gets easier with practice…