The art and architecture of India - Buddhist, Hindu, Jain (Art Ebook)

10
PRONUNCIATION OF INDIAN WORDS
Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and Vernacular
Avoid accent (stress) altogether, but pay strict
attention to quantity (short and long vowels).
Every letter must be sounded. The sound of
each letter is invariable. Pronounce vowels as in
Italian, consonants as in English. Note especially
:
a
a
e
i
as in America
as in father
always long, as in kte
as in b/'t
i
u
u
bh
c
ch
d
dh
kh
as in ee\
always long, as in note
as in foot
as in boot
as in ca/>-/*orse
as in church
as in church-housz
as in drum.
as in mzd-houst
as in inborn
1 as in lu//
n or rh as in smg
ph as in uph\\\
ri as in memly
ri as in marme
s
t
th
as in shut.
as in ?rue
as in an//nll
Most important is the pronunciation of 'a'
(never like 'a' in man or 'a' in late): in Himalaya,
ma requires twice the time of the other
syllables. Final 'a' is always lightly sounded;
V is rolled; 's' is sibilant; V corresponds to sh.