5 Pronunciation

5 Pronunciation

Some consonant clusters

1) The /∫/ sound
In Norwegian some consonant sounds are represented by consonant clusters. The sound /∫/ is represented in several ways.

/ʃ/ may be written < sj >: 
< stasjon > /stɑ'ʃuːn/
/ʃ/ may be written < skj >:
< skjema > /'ʃeːmɑ/
/ʃ/ may be written < sk > in front of < i, y, ei, øy >:
< skinke > /'ʃiŋke/
/ʃ/ may be written < rs >:
< kurs > /kʉ:ʃ/


2) The /ç/ sound
The sound /ç/ is represented in several ways:

/ç/ may be written < kj >:
< kjøpe > /'çøːpe/
/ç/ may be written < k > in front of < i, y, ei, øy >:
< kino > /'çiːnu/
< kylling > /'çyliŋ/
/ç/ may be written < tj >:
< tjue > /'çʉːe/


3) The sounds /ʈ/, /ɖ/ /ɳ/ /ɭ/ /ʃ/
In Norwegian there are a set of consonant sounds that are pronounced with the tip of the tongue curled upwards and a little bit backwards. The bottom part of the tip of the tongue is touching the ridge behind the upper front teeth. The sounds /ʈ/, /ɖ/ /ɳ/ /ɭ/ /ʃ/ are represented by letter combinations:

/ʈ/ may be written < rt >:
< fortelle > /fo'ʈele/
/ɖ/ may be written < rd >:
< hvordan > /'vuɖɑn/
/ɳ/ may be written < rn >:
< gjerne > /'jæːɳe/
/ɭ/ may be written < rl >:
< ærlig > /'æːɭi/
/ʃ/ may be written < rs >:
< norsk > /'noʃk/


4) The /ŋ/ sound

The velar sound /ŋ/ is written < ng >:
< lang > /'lɑŋ/
< mange > /'mɑŋe/
< n > in front of < k > is in general pronounced /ŋ/:
< bank > /'bɑŋk/