Is there a 'J' sound in spanish?

Question

I have been listening to some spanish music and some of the Colombian artists that i have seem to pronounce their 'Y's and 'LL's like 'J's, is this just my ears or is that their accent?

Answer 1

Your ears do not decieve you. It is quite common in Colombia and in many other areas of South America, although perhaps to a lesser degree. In Argentina, it is a primary characteristic of the language... they do it very strongly. I find it quite attractive.

Answer 2

This is from: http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/learning_module/QA.htm

Link:

J sound in Spanish

Q: ...when I took Spanish in High School, we learned to pronounce the elle ("ll") like a "y" but I've noticed some of my friends who are native Spanish­speakers from South American countries, as well as the woman on the online verb course, pronounce the "elle" almost as a "j". Does the pronounciation differ by country, even among the Latin American countries, or is it a "y" sound in Spain and a "j" sound in all Latin American countries? A friend of mine from Puerto Rico pronounces her last name, Castillo, with a "y" sound. But another friend of mine from Venezuela pronounces his last name, Murillo, with a "j" sound, and actually almost like a "yj" sound (if that makes any sense). Personally, I feel more comfortable with the "y" sound because I learned it that way in high school. But should I practice with the "j" sound from now on? Or is it acceptable either way?

A: Frequently in South America, they'll say "jo" more than "yo". Argentina and a few other countries always will use a "j" sound for the "y" and "ll". Up north in Mexico, they don't use it as much (or so they say). If you ask most Mexican speakers if they use a "j" or a "y" sound for the "y" and "ll", they'll tell you they use a "y" sound instead of a "j" sound. The interesting thing is if you record them, and I have recorded many over the years, almost all of them will use the "j" sound more frequently than they think or realize. Like Mexico, in Spain they will also pronounce the "y" and "ll" sometimes with a "y" sound and sometimes with a "j" sound. To answer your question, either is correct and equally understood. Personally I lean towards the "y" sound but I sometimes get on kicks where I will switch to the "j" sound just for fun.

Answer 3

I read recently that the J sound is more correcly pronounced as a soft 'dy' sound and has roots in old Spanish. The book said is was in fact a more correct way of saying the Y as in Yo and the LL sounds.

I wish I could find a more definitive reference but I seem to have lost it!!

In my district (Axarquia in Andalucía) it is widely heard but the accents and pronunciations here vary from valley to valley.