Pronunciation of "b"

Question

I have been taught that "b" is pronounced as v. Suddenly a woman's voice on this site is pronouncing the b as a b in beber for example. Are there rules or is it a matter of geography?

Good question!! - Findy, Apr 28, 2013

Answer 1

In Spanish, there is no difference in pronunciation between the letter b or v. They are both pronounced as the letter b in English. Pronouncing them differently is a mistake.

Certain countries have a tendency to pronounce all b's and v's as a v. (Chile is the consummate culprit). Likewise, some Spanish speakers, who also speak another language, where v's and b's are pronounced differently, can be guilty of that mistake too.

Interesting and thank you for your response. What really brought on the confusion for me was that on this site I get a male voice pronouncing most b's as "v" and then a female voice pronouncing b's as "B". Go figure and I can't. I - melrac, Apr 29, 2013

Answer 2

I also have been taught that but I do say beber with a b. That is a great question that I would also like to hear an explanaiton.

Edit perhaps it is the other way around now that I think about it...XD Franco+Rodney gave great answers...

Yes, sometimes during the listening part of the quizzes, I'm looking for a b or a v and the clock is ticking away... - Findy, Apr 28, 2013

Answer 3

I have been taught that "b" is pronounced as v.

In reality, you would be closer the other way around, pronouncing Vs as Bs, though the pronunciation of each (which should be identical) is somewhere between our English Bs and Vs. (lips slightly open, thus a slightly softened B). You will sometimes here natives disagree, and then I just bow out, because who am I to argue ones one language with them, or defend or promote the RAE. I just walk around, gringo-style, pronouncing each identically, albeit with my American accent, and sometimes, when I´m really careful, getting it almost right

Officially, (RAE) they are pronounced identically, and in fact you will sometimes see natives make mistakes in spelling, switching the two. When trying to spell to each others, even natives sometimes need to clarify, using terms like B-grande and V-chiquito, or in latin America, B-Burro y V-Vaca.

Pronunciation varies a bit, according to region, and surrounding letters in the word.

Executive summary - if you had to pick a blanket rule, that was close, you´d pronounce them both identically, and really close to English Bs. (and definitely not pronounce all the Bs as Vs, again, sooner the converse)

A search here would lead to threads where you could find natives even disagreeing with each other. Makes it tough for us, eh?

Buena suerte.

Good answer! Good answer! I'd like to buy a vowel, please. - Findy, Apr 28, 2013

(Some of us even get our game shows confused.) - Findy, Apr 28, 2013