The
sounds of the T
1.
The sound of the T or /T/.
a) The single T in Italian has a flat sound and is neve aspirated like'the" in English.
ESEMPI: 
atleta
Atleta
(athlete) |
Dato (given) |
Pulito
(clean) |
Astuto
(cunning) |
Deserto
(desert) |
Quarto (fourth) |
Busta
(envelope) |
Morte (death) |
Rata (instalment) |
Cestino
(waste-basket) |
Motivo (motive) |
Recita (performance) |
Hotel
(hotel) |
Presto
(early, soon) |
Scortese (impolite) |
Data
(date) |
Prete (priest) |
Sete (thirst) |
2.
The sound of the TT or /TT/.
a) When
the T is doubled, its sound is more stressed. You achieve this sound by stopping for half a second before fninishing the sound.
ESEMPI:
gatto
|
Letto
(bed)
|
Dotto (learned man)
|
|
Lettura
(reading)
|
Gatto
(cat)
|
|
Attesa
(wait)
|
Piatto (plate)
|
|
Attento
(alert, careful)
|
Ricetta (prescription)
|
|
Cavalletta
(grasshopper)
|
Scenetta
(brief sketch)
|
|
Dettaglio
(detail)
|
Tetto (roof)
|