For many NRIs and foreigners, the journey to learn Marathi is driven by the heart. It is about being able to sit across from your in-laws, grandparents, or extended family and share a laugh without a language barrier standing in the way. However, many learners find that even when they know the words, they struggle to be understood because of subtle pronunciation differences.
Marathi is a phonetic language, meaning it is spoken exactly as it is written. But for someone used to the English alphabet, certain sounds in the Marathi Devanagari script require a bit of extra attention.
At Speak Marathi, we provide one on one customised spoken Marathi classes designed specifically for those living abroad. We focus on cultural immersion and the ability to connect with family, ensuring your Marathi sounds natural and clear.
1. The Power of the “A” Sound
One of the most common mistakes is how we handle the inherent vowel. In Marathi, every consonant includes a short ‘a’ sound. For example, the character अ is pronounced as a.
- The Soft ‘Uh’: When the letter अ appears at the end of a word, it often sounds like a very soft uh, such as in the word द्राक्ष (draaksh-uh).
- The Full ‘A’: When starting or in the middle of a word, it is more distinct, like the a in अननस (ananas).
Mispronouncing this “a” can change the rhythm of your sentence, making it sound clipped or overly formal.
2. Aspirated vs. Unaspirated Consonants
English speakers often miss the distinction between aspirated and unaspirated sounds. Marathi uses “breath” to differentiate between two completely different letters.
- Non-aspirated: Take the letter क (k) as in कधी (kadhee). It is a sharp, clean sound.
- Aspirated: Now compare it to ख (kh) as in खरा (kharaa). You must release a distinct puff of air to pronounce the ‘kh’ correctly.
If you don’t aspirate the kh or gh, you might end up saying a completely different word!
3. Mastering the Soft and Hard ‘D’ and ‘T’
English has one ‘d’ and one ‘t’ sound. Marathi has two of each.
- Retroflex (Hard): Sounds like ट (t) in टरबूज (tarbooz) or ड (d) in डबा (dabaa). These are made by curling your tongue back to touch the roof of your mouth.
- Dental (Soft): Sounds like त (t) in तबला (tabalaa) or द (d) in दहा (dahaa). For these, your tongue should touch your front teeth.
Getting these right is the secret to sounding like a native speaker rather than someone reading from a textbook.
4. The Famous Marathi ‘L’
The letter ळ is a sound that often defines the Marathi language. It is a retroflex l sound found in words like मूळ (mool). It is distinct from the standard ल (l) found in लवकर (lavakar). Practising the ळ sound is a rite of passage for every Marathi learner!
Focus on Speaking, Not Just Script
At Speak Marathi, we understand that your primary goal is to strengthen family bonds. That is why our classes do not emphasise the Devanagari script unless you specifically request it in your lesson plan. We want you to feel comfortable speaking first.
By focusing on these phonetic nuances in a one on one environment, you can avoid common pitfalls and speak with a clarity that will surprise and delight your family back home.
Ready to perfect your Marathi pronunciation?
We invite you to experience our teaching style first hand. Book a free demo session today and see how we can help you connect with your loved ones through the beautiful sounds of Marathi.