Pronouncing V

Question

How exactly is v pronounced in spanish? All the written sources i've seen say as b, but whenever I hear spanish (including the woman who appears on the videos here) it always sounds like v.

Answer 1

.........................How to Pronounce B and V..................................

Here is the emphatic statement made by Lazarus1907 in this ----> Pronounce "B" and "V" reply from July 25 (Year uncertain):

What is the proper distinction between the pronunciation of "v" and that of "b"? Is that different in Spain than in Latin America (not trying to lump them all together)?

The difference? None, zero, nil, they are the same sound: "b". The words "Bictor" (made up) and "Victor" sound 100% the same in standard Spanish. We don't have a separate sound for "v". This "v" sound is used only in areas where they speak another language or dialect where the sound exists, and they mix it, plus poor areas with poor education with strong English influence, where they make efforts to pronounce the "v" sound, because not knowing much about Spanish, and listening to foreigners, they think they are mispronouncing.

My parents told me that they had some French teachers when they were at school, and they insisted that they had to pronounce the "v" sound (which exists in French). They did it in class, but all those students stopped doing it as soon as they exited the class. To speak Spanish with a "v" sound gives a very weird foreign sound to us.

I have noticed since I began to learn Spanish, that it seems that all native speakers from the Americas that I have met (unless I am forgetting about one) pronounce them the same.

As it should be, and has been for at least the last 8 centuries.

My understanding is that members of the Span¡shD!ct community tend to accept the replies of Lazarus1907 as conclusive.

Recuerdos/Regards,

Moe

de acuerdo - pacofinkler, Sep 15, 2011

Thanks! - Hyena27, Sep 15, 2011

Sí. - --Mariana--, Sep 15, 2011

Answer 2

You may find this thread interesting:

beh de burro o veh de vaca

Answer 3

here in spain V and B is the same sound.

Valencia, Barco, Baraja, Balcón, Vago.

Answer 4

Aha! the debate continues.

If you listen to native speakers there is no "English V " in Spanish, it is always a "B" sound even though depending on region that sound can vary just a little.

You surely will see other comments to your question so please wait to read them all.

See the post from Moe ! - pacofinkler, Sep 15, 2011

Read them all? Ja Ja That should keep the original poster for quite some time. - samdie, Sep 15, 2011

Answer 5

This is all so interesting. Thank you all for your responses prior to my query. Now i know that there is never an English-sounding 'V in Spanish.