Which Italian sounds English speakers struggle with most
Italian Pronunciation Unlocked: Your Guide for Beginners: Which Italian sounds English speakers struggle with most
English speakers learning Italian most struggle with the Italian double consonants (geminates) and certain Italian consonant sounds not found in English, particularly “sc” before “i” or “e” (as a soft “sh” sound) and the palatal lateral “gl” as in “famiglia.” These sounds can be challenging because they require precise tongue placement and control that are unfamiliar to English speakers. Additionally, Italian’s rolled “r” and the contrastive length of double consonants are often difficult for English speakers to master. Overall, the double consonants are considered the most difficult aspect of Italian pronunciation for non-native speakers, including English speakers.