Pronunciation of Đ

[Jama]

Does anyone have some suggestions on how to pronounce the Vietnamese "Đ"? It it the same as the English "D?" It sounds different to me, but I can't figure out how. Thanks.

[MANH NGUYEN]

1). Đ: pronounced like D in English.
Example: đi means "to go" (pronounced like dee in English).
2). D: ponounced like Z (slightly z)
Example: Di in "DI CHUYỂN" (to move in English) is pronounced like Zee (Z is slightly pronounced: not zzz, but z, kind of short....)
Good luck.

[Jama]

1). Đ: pronounced like D in English.
Example: đi means "to go" (pronounced like dee in English).
2). D: ponounced like Z (slightly z)
Example: Di in "DI CHUYỂN" (to move in English) is pronounced like Zee (Z is slightly pronounced: not zzz, but z, kind of short....)
Good luck.

Thanks Manh Nguyen. Thank you very much for your help.

I can't help but notice that the ̣Vietnamese Đ sounds "heavier" than the English D. Listen to how this comedian imitates the Vietnamese accent in words like "do" and "today"...

Notice how she pronounces the word "do" in "whatever you like, we do for you." ̣(at 0:59). And listen how she pronounces the "d" in "today" in the sentence "Hi Honey, what you need today?" (at 1:12). She sounds just like the Vietnamese girls at the nail salons in America. The English D is much softer. (Is it just me, or does this Hispanic girl totally nail the accent?)

I think this Vietnamese Đ sound is created by putting the tongue further back while trying to pronounce an English D. Am I right? Thanks.

[xanghe]

I think this Vietnamese Đ sound is created by putting the tongue further back while trying to pronounce an English D. Am I right? Thanks.

You're right! The Đ is more gutteral than the English D. As far as creating that sound, the tongue placement is actually identical to the English one, but the location of the sounds original (where it's produced) is farther down the throat, whereas the English D is right at the tip of the tongue. That's how I see it anyway.

In reference to the comedian, she's over-emphasizing the accent of course, or else it wouldn't be humorous.

My two cents

[LtDra]

Jama

I suggest you would like to pronounce the D (VNese) like Y(consonant) sound in English. Because we have another couple-word "gi" will sound like your Z
EX: Tám giờ rồi,Dì đang làm gì đó .

[Jama]

You're right! The Đ is more gutteral than the English D. As far as creating that sound, the tongue placement is actually identical to the English one, but the location of the sounds original (where it's produced) is farther down the throat, whereas the English D is right at the tip of the tongue. That's how I see it anyway.

In reference to the comedian, she's over-emphasizing the accent of course, or else it wouldn't be humorous.

My two cents

Aha! I think I see what you mean. I was just putting my tongue further back and letting more air pressure build up before I let rip with a "harder sounding English D." I'll experiment with your advice. Thank you very much.

Jama

I suggest you would like to pronounce the D (VNese) like Y(consonant) sound in English. Because we have another couple-work "gi" will sound like your Z
EX: Tám giờ rồi,Dì đang làm gì đó .

Thank you, LtDra. Is the "R" also pronounced like an English "Z?"

[LtDra]

Aha! I think I see what you mean. I was just putting my tongue further back and letting more air pressure build up before I let rip with a "harder sounding English D." I'll experiment with your advice. Thank you very much.



Thank you, LtDra. Is the "R" also pronounced like an English "Z?"

Nope . The R sound just same with your R
ex: Rat in English sounds like Rác (trash) in VNese.

[paul_d]

Does anyone have some suggestions on how to pronounce the Vietnamese "Đ"? It it the same as the English "D?" It sounds different to me, but I can't figure out how. Thanks.

One difference is the level of aspiration - English /d/ is much more heavily aspirated than Vietnamese /d/. Put your hand (or a sheet of paper) in front of your mouth when you say English "do" and Vietnamese "đu"

This distinction is even more important when it comes to the voiceless counterpart "t" - initial English "t" is very heavily aspirated while Vietnamese "t" is not - compare English "tea" to Vietnamese "ty". In fact, if you aspirate the Vietnamese initial "t" it sounds like "the" (thi instead of ty).