4

How was consonant + i + vowel pronounced in Classical Latin - for example, in the words Gallia and diurnus?

I googled a bit and found videos sounding for me like [gallija], [gallia] and even [gallja], the first predominating. W. S. Allen's Vox Latina—a Guide to the Pronunciation of Classical Latin (page 40) says in a footnote that

The pronunciation [in some other situation] may in fact have been no different from that of words like diurnus, where the i would automatically induce a consonantal i-glide before another vowel,

but does not mention it in the main text. If [ij] is indeed correct, then why neither Wiktionary pronunciation guide nor other online sources I found mention [j]?

Improve this question
2
  • Not really relevant to an answer, but I was trying to pronounce Gallia without the "i-glide" as that source calls it, and I was having some issues! You almost need a glottal stop there to prevent the sounds from just meshing together in that way. That may just be my native accent, but it certainly wasted a minute of my time looking like an idiot saying Gallia out loud over and over again!
    – Sam K
    Mar 4, 2018 at 18:40
  • 1
    Similar: How was “VV” pronounced?
    – Asteroides
    Mar 5, 2018 at 18:28

0

Reset to default

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.