Discussion Forum - Intro to Pāli

the "a" in cut......?

the "a" in cut......?

by Lisa Wong -
Number of replies: 2
Below is a copied and pasted section of the pali intro course.

I am very confused. Why does it say to pronounce the "a" as in cut when there is no "a" in cut??

Maybe I am just really dumb but I had to ask.

Metta.
Gary.
Also, I am logged in as Vicku chowdry but thats not me?? Weird.


Vowels can be short and long; a line over a vowel - ā, ī, ū - indicates a long vowel that resonates for about twice the time period of a short vowel10. As far as similarity to English is concerned the following pronunciation aid may be helpful11:
7
These are the main principles that were maintained through the ages. Although the same recitations of Pāli may
a - as the "a" in cut i - as the "i" in mint u - as the "u" in put
ā - as the "a" in art ī - as the "ee" in see ū - as the "oo" in cool
In reply to Lisa Wong

Re: the "a" in cut......?

by Klaus Nothnagel -

Hi, Gary,

There is no dumbness anywhere. You may be right, we could have written: as the u in cut! But it wants to say:

The u in cut sounds different from the u in put but a bit like a, doesn't it?

The ou in could sounds similar to the u in put.

So these comparisions just want to try to give an idea - but as it says as well:

The pronounciation of letters should be understood as an exercise only to develop a feeling for the correct touch of the organs of the mouth, the correct pronounciation will develop when texts are read and proper awareness is given to this movement

Good luck & Metta,

Klaus

In reply to Lisa Wong

Re: the "a" in cut......?

by toni prat -
Hi Gary and Klaus.

It's easier if you think in spanish becouse then the pronunciation is like the a spanish letter.

indeed is the same with all the letters. it seems that the first translators of pali were spanish people

With metta