To: "Biblical Hebrew" <b-hebrew AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
Subject: Re: Pronunciation of WAW
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2002 10:42:56 +1100
The samekh is a rounder "s" sound. If I can describe it this way: Put your
mouth in position to
make an "r" sound but make an "s" sound instead. It's similar to our English
"s", but with a bit of
a whistle quality to it.
With sin, it is a much more sibilant sound, similar to modern Arabac sad (ie,
tsadhe). Put your
mouth in position for "th" (as in "think"), but say "s". It should come out
as a hissing sound,
almost like a "th", but distinct from "th". You should feel very snake-like
as you pronounce it.
:)