Key Kannada consonants, retroflex versus dental sounds, aspiration, and vowel length for accurate pronunciation. Front: the sound pattern or example word. Back: meaning plus a plain-English pronunciation note.
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- ಅ vs ಆ (a vs aa)
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A short vowel a versus a long vowel aa held about twice as long; the length can change a word's meaning.- ಇ vs ಈ (i vs ii)
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A short vowel i versus a long vowel ii; vowel length is meaningful in Kannada.- ಉ vs ಊ (u vs uu)
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A short vowel u versus a long vowel uu, held for roughly twice the duration.- ಟ retroflex ta
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A retroflex t, pronounced with the tongue curled back against the roof of the mouth, distinct from the dental ತ.- ತ dental ta
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A dental t, pronounced with the tongue tip against the back of the upper teeth.- ಡ retroflex da
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A retroflex d, pronounced with the tongue curled back, distinct from the dental ದ.- ದ dental da
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A dental d, pronounced with the tongue against the upper teeth.- ಣ retroflex na
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A retroflex n, pronounced with the tongue curled back, distinct from the dental ನ.- ನ dental na
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A dental n, the plain everyday n sound.- ಳ retroflex la
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A retroflex l, pronounced with the tongue curled back, distinct from the plain dental ಲ.- ಲ dental la
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A plain l sound, similar to English l.- ಶ vs ಸ (sha vs sa)
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A palatal sh as in shoe, versus a dental s as in sun; the two are distinct sounds in Kannada.- ಕ vs ಖ (ka vs kha)
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An unaspirated k with no extra breath, versus an aspirated kh released with a strong puff of air.- ಗ vs ಘ (ga vs gha)
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An unaspirated g versus an aspirated gh released with a strong puff of air.- ಚ vs ಛ (cha vs chha)
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An unaspirated ch versus an aspirated chh released with extra breath.
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