Spanish pronounciation for ll and y?

Question

Words like llora, yo, lluvia, llena and others... do they start with an english "j" sound? It does not say this in phrasebooks and stuff like that but I hear it all the time. My neighbor's last name is Magallanes, but he says "Mah-gah-JAH-ness" I am trying to get a feel for this language. Also, abajo? Do u try to say the j (h) sound far back in the thoat (kind of gutteral) Thanks!

Answer 1

In modern Spanish, in almost all the Spanish speaking countries, we pronounce "ll" and "y" the same but in old Spanish it was different, the pronunciation of Magallanes was something like Mah-gahl-jah-ness (note the "l"), you can find this in some rural places. Also, in different countries we pronounce that harder or softer, for example Argentinians say "ll" and "y" like "sh", but in others countries is like "j".
We pronounce "J" not guttural most in the Caribbean countries, but in others countries (like Mexico, Chile, etc), we say that very guttural.

I hope it helps.

Answer 2

When I was 10, my Spanish teacher taught me that the double l (ll or 'eh-yeh') was pronounced as a 'yuh'. So I've stuck to that. Different countries say it as a 'jzsh'.

There is a place called Magallanes in Chile. In Chile (along with Argentina... Uruguay...) , they pronounce the ll as 'jzsh'. It sounds just like the 's' in division and leisure. So that would completely explain why your neighbor says his name is pronounced that way.

But you are perfectly in your right to pronounce the ll with a 'yuh' instead, as I believe most spanish-speaking regions today use that. And even if you are in Argentina or Chile... They will still understand you. =]

Answer 3

Yes, it should be pronounced Magayanes. It's no the sound of "j" like you do in English but in some countries like Argentina and Uruguay they do this way.
The spanish sound "j" It's difficult for people who speak English. It's a litle gutteral, It's much more strong than sound "h" in English.

Javier jalaba jamón con trabajo.

Answer 4

Proper Argentinean way is " Mah- Gah- SHAH - nes" . With a " J" is how a preppy from Buenos Aires would say it. ;)

All " LL", and "Y" sounds like "SH" in Argentinean... and yes I said ARGENTINEAN. ;)


In Spanish from other places is different. Now, the J is stronger than in other languages yes. Very gutteral.

Answer 5

no it is not the j sound....ll or elle is pronounced like eyeah so your word magallanes would be pronounced magayanes....as for the y or ye it is pronounced like our y and no the j or jota (pronounced hota) is not gutteral

Answer 6

It depends on what country they are from. Argentinians say "sh", cubans say "j". Just use "y" and you will be fine. That is 'standard'.

And the j (h) is a little guttural, yes.

Answer 7

they sound like "yuh", but in certain parts of south America they pronounce them like "juh".

Answer 8

do you have mail ?, maybe you can practice your spanish and I can practice my inglish, this is my mail [e-mail]