Sentence Structure 23

Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers 27
 
 

How to Read and Write Persian

I.  KEY TO THE PERSIAN SOUNDS

 In this book the following symbols are used  as the basis for a consistent transliteration and transcription system, leaving the question of the exact pronunciation to the instruction of a competent teacher.
Book symbols  Examples IPA symbols
1. A as in 'bad', 'hat' [    æ ]

2. I as in 'bed', 'ebb' [    ?   ]

3. U as in 'toe', 'oh' [    o   ]
      ?
4.  as in 'father', 'guard' [ a ? a ]
 
5.  as in 'ooze', 'canoe' [    u   ]
 
6.  as in 'beam', 'key' [     i   ]

7. IY/AY as in 'pay', 'rain' [    ei ]

8. UW (AW) as in 'show'  [ a:w  ]

 In order to acquire the habit of correct pronunciation of the above mentioned vowels, practice pronouncing the following words, while contrasting A, I, U with A, I, U in different combinations of sounds; first syllable by syllable, then word by word in sentences:

Practice 1: ba  ra  dar  i  man  ba  ma  dar  am  bih  i  ran  raft.
baradar-i man ba madaram bih iran raft. 'My brother went to Iran with my mother’.
Practice 2: in sib ri si dih nist.
in sib risidih nist. 'This apple isn't ripe’.
Practice 3: us  tad  i  ma  tu u   tu(w)   bus   bud .
ustad-i ma tu utu(w)bus  bud. ‘Our professor was in the bus’.
 

What is Mihrigan?

Recommended Books on Persian Studies