Tamil Script Book: Learner's Manual - Sankaran Radakrishnan

Tamil Script/Sankaran Radhakrishnan
F R A M E 9
va
la
v
v
l
l
v (v): In its production the lower lip is very close to the upper front teeth. The
soft palate is raised. The air stream passes through the stricture without audible
friction. The vocal cords are vibrated. This may be described as a voiced
labia-dental frictionless continuant. It occurs in word initial and medial
positions. It occurs medially as a single consonant between the vowels, as the
second member of a consonant cluster and in an identical consonant cluster.
l (l): In the production of this sound, the tip of the tongue has contact with
alveolar ridge in such a way that there is complete blockade of air in the middle
of the mouth. The soft palate is raised so that the air cannot get through since
they are not in contact with the sides of the palate. The vocal cords are
vibrated during its production. This sound is described as a voiced alveolar
lateral. It occurs in the word initial, medial, and final positions. In medial
position it occurs as a single consonant in the intervocalic position, as the first
member of a consonant cluster and in an identical consonant cluster.
Compare the letter e with the letters (va) and (la) and note
the difference. Write them three times each (see Appendix I for
hand-movements).
e _____ _____ _____
_____ _____ _____
_____ _____ _____
e