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Iro: Γεια σας!Είμαι η Ηρώ.
Maria: Maria here! Pronunciation Series, Lesson 3—Double consonants.
: Hello, and welcome to the GreekPod101.com, the fastest, easiest, and most fun way to learn Greek!
Iro: Thanks again for being here with us for this Pronunciation lesson. This lesson is a continuation of the second lesson on the double vowels.
Maria: This lesson will give you an insight into how the Greek language uses double consonants and how to pronounce them.
Iro: Okay, let's start. There are six double consonants in Greek.
Maria: They are all separate sounds than either one alone.
Iro: Don't get too frustrated with all these extra sounds!
Maria: Yeah, just remember if you have these standard sounds down, you'll be able to read every word, sentence, or book correctly!
Iro: So let's get to them!
Maria: What are the six double consonants then, Iro?
Iro: They are "μπ", "ντ", "γκ", "γγ", "τσ", and "τζ".
Maria: Great! Doesn't sound too hard.
Iro: Sure! If you can master these sounds, you will have a great variety of sounds to play around with!
Maria: Okay, let's start with the first one.
Iro: "Μπ". This double consonant consists of "μ" and "π" to create a "-b" sound.
Maria: It's a "-b" sound with an "-m" in front of it. Let's hear it again.
Iro: "Μπ", "Μπ".
Maria: The closest sound in English would be that of "boy" or "bottle." Can you give us a Greek example, please?
Iro: "Μπουκάλι", μπου-κά-λι, μπουκάλι.
Maria: This means "bottle" in Greek.
Iro: The next one is "ντ". It's "ν" and "τ" put together to make a "-d" sound. Like in "dog" or "door."
Maria: I found that this sound is very similar to a "-d" sound when you have a stuffy nose!
Iro: Yeah, it's a rather nasal sound. Let's try. "ντ", "ντ".
Maria: See, stuffy nose.
Iro: A Greek example is "πέντε", πέ-ντε, πέντε.
Maria: Which means "five." But I think you knew that already.
Iro: The third one is "γκ".
Maria: "γ" and "κ" put together.
Iro: This creates a "-g" sound, as in "get" or "good."
Maria: This too is kind of nasal. You kind of add a soft "-n" sound in the beginning.
Iro: "γκ", "γκ".
Maria: Example, please!
Iro: "Άγκυρα", ά- γκυ-ρα, άγκυρα.
Maria: Which means "anchor." So you'll do fine on a boat for now!
Iro: The next double consonant is "γγ" and actually has the same sound as the previous one.
Maria: So both "γγ" and "γκ" have a kind of "ng" sound.
Iro: Yes, as in "finger."
Maria: Great! One less sound to learn! Let's hear it.
Iro: "γγ", "γγ".
Maria: Do we have any more useful Greek examples?
Iro: Sure! "Αγγούρι", αγ-γού-ρι, αγγούρι.
Maria: "Cucumber!" Awesome.
Iro: I'm glad you like my examples.
Maria: They are quite impressive.
Iro: Thanks.
Maria: Next, please.
Iro: "τσ". "Τ" and "σ" combined to make a "ts" sound, as in "pots."
Maria: Or "spots." Or "dots." Or…
Iro: I think they get it…
Maria: Right. Let's hear it again.
Iro: "τσ", "τσ".
Maria: And what's our Greek example here?
Iro: One of your favorite beverages, "τσάι", τσά-ι, τσάι.
Maria: Ooh, "tea!" I like jasmine tea the best!
Iro: Good for you… Now the final double consonant. "Τζ".
Maria: Aah, "τζ". The enemy of untrained tongues.
Iro: Yes, there is no representative sound used in English, so this is difficult for English speakers to pronounce.
Maria: It's kind of a cross sound between "-t," "-d," and "-z." Let's hear it.
Iro: "τζ", "τζ". This sound comes from the belly, so slightly tensing your diaphragm might ease the presses.
Maria: "τζ", "τζ". Once you get it down, it's quite fun to say actually! "Τζ", "Τζ".
Iro: I'm glad you can make everything into a game, Maria.
Maria: It's how I learn! Let geniuses play, right!
Iro: A Greek example might give you a clearer idea of how this sound is used. "Τζατζίκι", τζα-τζί-κι, τζατζίκι.
Maria: Yeah, anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of the Greek cuisine should be familiar with this yogurt-based dressing.
Iro: Yep. And it also contains "αγγούρι" too!
Maria: Two birds with one stone.
Iro: And that was all the double consonants!
Maria: Let's hear them all one last time before we go.
Iro: "μπ", "ντ", "γκ", "γγ", "τσ" and "τζ".
Maria: Great! That's it for today! My mouth hurts from all the pronouncing!
Iro: Thanks for listening and have a nice day.
Maria: Premium members, use the review track to perfect your pronunciation.
Iro: Available in the premium section of the website,
Maria: and through iTunes via the premium feed,
Iro: the learning center
Maria: the Review Track gives you vocabulary and phrases followed by a short pause so you can repeat the words aloud.
Iro: The best way to get good fast!
Maria: Okay, that´s it for this lesson.
Iro: Γεια σας!
Maria: Bye!

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