MASTERING THE “RR”

 


The "RR" sound its roots in the evolution of the Latin language. In Latin, the sounds represented by "R" were often rolled or trilled, especially when they occurred in certain positions. As Latin evolved into the various Romance languages, the rolled "R" became a distinctive feature in Spanish.

1. Pronunciation

The Spanish "RR" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar trill, which means that the tongue vibrates against the alveolar ridge (the area just behind the upper front teeth). This sound is produced by:

- Placing the tip of the tongue against the alveolar ridge.

- Allowing air to pass over the tongue, causing it to vibrate.

It's important to note that "RR" is different from a single "R" in Spanish. The single "R" as in "pero" (but) is pronounced more softly, while the "RR" as in "perro" (dog) is strongly trilled.

Its pronunciation can be a little tricky for foreign learners. However, to help you succeed in saying words with "RR" , just imagine the sound a purring cat makes or how a lion roars. These sounds are approximate to the Spanish "rr" sound.

2. Usage

a. Spelling: In Spanish, the "RR" sound typically occurs between vowels or at the beginning of a word. Examples include:

   - Between vowels: "carro" (trolley), "perro" (dog).

   - Beginning of a word: "ratón" (mouse), "rápido" (fast). Note that in this case, when written, we use only one “R” but it´s pronounced as “RR”

b. Cultural Significance: The ability to pronounce the "RR" correctly is often seen as a hallmark of fluency in Spanish, and mispronouncing it may lead to confusion or a change in meaning (e.g., "pero" vs. "perro").

If you want more info about it or to start learning Spanish face-to-face or online at affordable rates, you can contact me here or through my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZJFtq9gKG/

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