Perenne & the double-N in Spanish...

Question

I just encountered this word in Spanish, 'perenne', which means 'perennial'. The word itself is unsurprising, as it's another Spanish/English cognate, but what is remarkable about it (to me) is its spelling. Hitherto I think I've only ever seen double-R (pronounced 'rrr') and double-C (pronounced 'ks).

It made me wonder if there are any other double-N words, so I looked up 'ignoble' and found 'innoble'.

This contradicts what I've so far learned (been taught) that Spanish doesn't have double-letters, except R and C.

Is the double-N given any special pronunciation ? For example, I believe in Italian you pronounce double-consonants long. Is 'perenne' pronounced 'pereN-Ne' or simply 'pereNe' ?

Are there any other double letters in Spanish ?

Gracias por ayudarme

I say my cc as k followed by th eg two syllables or if Mexican k followed by s - Mardle, May 14, 2015

Aye, 'ks' ('x') in Latin American or 'kth' in European (non-Andalusian)... ;-) - Faldaesque, May 14, 2015

Answer 1

There are lots of Spanish words with double n - most either begin with a prefix en or in or are commands ending in nos where the chosen verb ends in n and a few begin with con. I bet someone has asked this before - have you searched previous questions?

There are also ll but other double letters are usually foreign words. I woud break it into 3 syllables with second one ending in n and one starting. The SpanishDict dictionary has an audio as does word reference.

Still I am not a native Spanish speaker so I hope you get another answer.

Aye, of course I'm aware of double-L too, although isn't it really a separate letter on its own account ? Your suggested pronunciation of double-N would follow the Italian model... ;-) - Faldaesque, May 14, 2015

The sound icon provides one of the native speakers too, not the machine generated voice. :) - bosquederoble, May 14, 2015

Thats why I suggested it - but thanks for confirming it bosque - Mardle, May 15, 2015

Answer 2

Double "n" has no special sound, it is pronounce Exactly the same way as a simple "n".

Thanks. Perhaps the RAE needs to reform it, then... ;-) - Faldaesque, May 16, 2015

Answer 3

Falda:

usually the RAE will give you the correct way of how a word is used and is pronounced, but how the people uses it and pronounce it,....

I tend to elongate a bit, not much as in Italian, that double n. I think everybody does it, just that not everybody consciously know they do it.