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Description of Language Phonetics and Phonology (Sounds): Consonants: There are 23 consonant
sounds in Persian, most of which are also found in English. The
velar fricatives [x] and [q] are the only Persian consonants that
do not occur in English. Conversely, there are four English consonants
that do not exist in Persian. These sounds are the interdentals
[ Persian Consonants
Vowels: There are six vowel
sounds in the Persian language. Three are considered long vowels;
the other three are short vowels. The three long vowels are [i:],
[u], and [ Persian Vowels
English Vowel Chart for Comparison
Stress: In Persian, word stress is progressive; therefore, it falls on the final syllable of a word, unless the final syllable is a clitic. Phrase stress, however, is regressive; therefore, verbs tend to be stressed on the initial syllable. For example, the compound noun baz-kon, which means 'opener,' is stressed on the final syllable, while the verb phrase represented by baz kon, which means 'open,' is stressed on the initial syllable (Windfuhr, World's Major Languages, 1987, p. 529). Syllable Structure: Syllable structure is
very predictable in Persian. The possibilities are CV, CVC, and
CVCC. |
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]
and [ð], as in thigh and thy, the rounded velar
glide [w], as in went, and the velar nasal [
],
as in the final sound of sing. 
];
the three short vowels are [æ], [e], and [o]. There are also
two diphthongs: [ei] and [ou]. All of the Persian vowel sounds are
the same or very similar to English vowels; however, English has
several vowels that do not exist in Persian. These include [i] as
in bit, [
]
as in but, [
]
as in book, and [
]
as in the middle vowel sound in sympathy. 