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the English words “longer,” “finger,” &c, are pronounced as if written “long-ger,” “fing-ger,” &c.
(d) In Munster a “g” is heard after final ng broad—e.g., long, seang, &c. are pronounced lúng-g, seang-g, &c. This occurs only when the ng is final. A “g” is heard after final ng slender in some parts of Munster.
(e) In Aran ng is pronounced ng-g, except when it is initial.
(f) In the past tense of the verb “tigim, I come”—viz., ṫángas, ṫángais, &c., the ng is not sounded like the above. In Munster the g is silent, hence the sound is broad n. In Connaught a vowel is pronounced between the n and the g, thus—ṫánagas, ṫánagais, &c.
R.
26. The sound of the Irish r is a great stumbling block to those who have been accustomed to speak only English. In his book on Phonetics, Professor Sweet, speaking of the English “r” says:—“This consonant is practically a vowel, there being no buzz in it even when emphasized or lengthened. Trilling—‘rolling one’s r’s’—is a defect of pronunciation.” R is always a pure consonant in Irish, and is always trilled.
R is the most variable and adaptable of all the Irish consonants, and has consequently several pronunciations, or variations of timbre, which can be learned by carefully listening to native speakers pronouncing them.
(a) Initial r broad and rr broad are produced by placing the edge of the tongue very close to the “hard rim” and causing the tongue to vibrate rapidly in a stream of voiced air. The sound resembles initial “r” in English (e.g., row, road, &c), but is more trilled (i.e., is stronger), and is more prolonged.
