The letter "ç" (c-cedilla) is pronounced like a voiceless "s" sound (as in "snake") in Portuguese, French, and Turkish when it precedes the vowels a, o, or u. The cedilla indicates that the "c" should be pronounced softly, rather than as a "k" sound.
Detailed Explanation
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The purpose of the cedilla is to modify the pronunciation of the letter "c." Normally, the letter "c" is pronounced as a hard "k" sound before the vowels "a," "o," and "u" (e.g., "cat," "cot," "cut"). The cedilla ensures that it retains a soft "s" sound in these contexts.
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Pronunciation example: In the French word façade, the "ç" is pronounced as /s/, so the word sounds like "fa-sahd". Without the cedilla, facade would likely be pronounced with a "k" sound instead.
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Similar Sounds: While the video mentioned a "ch" sound, the "ç" is typically closer to an "s" sound. The "ch" can be close depending on the dialect; however, the standard pronunciation leans towards the "s" sound. The video excerpt mentions positioning your tongue to blow air, similar to how the "s" sound is formed.
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Languages Using Ç: This letter is commonly found in languages like French, Portuguese, Turkish, and Albanian. The pronunciation remains largely consistent (as an "s" sound) across these languages when preceding a, o, or u.
