Pronuciation Guide


Symbol          Pronunciation



a (long)        as in saw, star



a               as in up, tub



i (long)        as in key, feet



i               as in pin, him



u (long)        as in room, food



u               as in put, pull



e (long)        as in egg, day



e               as in test



o (long)        as in so, foe



ai              as in eye, Thailand



au              as in crow



ch              as in chase, avoid aspiration



dh              aspirated d



jh              aspirated j



jn              gy pronounced simultaneously



mr              mr pronounced simultaneously



sr              as in shrine



th              aspirated t



ty              ty pronounced simultaneously



dhy             aspirated d and y pronounced simultaneously



r               in between the English r and d

South Indian Solkattu


Syllables                      Pronunciation





da, lan, na, ta, tam, tang     long a



ka, kita                       short a



dim, ki, mi, ri                long i



din, di                        short i                            



dum, gu                        long u



ju                             short u

North Indian Bols


Syllables                           Pronunciation



dha, na, ta                         long a



ga, ka, kat, ta (kata, kita)        short a



de, dhe, ge, gen, ke, kre, tre      long e



re, te, tet                         short e



dhi, di, ki                         long i



dhin, din, ri, ti, tin              short i



tun                                 long u