Rolling r in "arriba"

Question

Hello,

Sorry to bother you with a question that is probably quite common, but I can't for the life of me pronounce the "rolling r", as in arriba. I have read on the internet that I need to lift my tongue, while keeping the tip soft, and blow out air from my mouth, and the vibration of the tip should produce the "r" sound. The problem is that since I need to lift my tongue, it stays all stiff, and it won't vibrate. All I get is a "zzzz" sound which has nothing to do with the "r" sound.
I have been trying for months now but to no avail, it is the only sound in Spanish that I am missing now... Is there anybody who have had this problem that can give me some advice on how to overcome this problem?

Thanks,

Andrea

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, May 21, 2016

Thanks! I've started learning Spanish one year ago, hope I'll be fluent very soon, can't wait to visit Spain and chat with the locals! - AM84, May 21, 2016

Answer 1

I may be totally wrong, but I think the ability to trill an "rr" comes with your DNA. I have been able to do this since I was a child. I could imitate machine guns, motorcycles or anything else that required that sound.

I believe that it's like being able to curl your tongue or bring your little finger down by itself (without the ring finger coming down with it. ) Try it.

I have even had some Mexican friends who were "erre" challenged. They got around the problem by quickly "gargling" the sound like the French do. When it's done quickly enough, you really can't notice the difference.

Es verdad Daniela , sin embargo cada idioma utiliza una zona distinta de la boca para producir los fonemas. Estoy seguro que cuando hablas inglés articulas tus fonemas en una zona mas interna del paladar a cuando lo haces en castellano.. - 000a35ff, May 21, 2016

Then there must be a lot of people out their that it's in their DNA. jejejeje - rac1, May 21, 2016

True. Most people can do this. - Daniela2041, May 21, 2016

The Scots can do it - well most of them. :) - ian-hill, May 22, 2016

It's really weird then, I am Italian so it should be in my DNA, everyone in my family can say "perro" correctly but me... - AM84, May 22, 2016

Answer 2

Put your tongue close to your teeth ,but not touching them, expel air using your diaphragm and try till the tongue becomes to vibrate. Sorry for my English

RRRRR

Who wants to practice the rr sound, I think this video is great.

I hope the video helps to anyone to clarify the rr mystery

For starting be rude with your diaphragm. - 000a35ff, May 21, 2016

Thanks for your answer. I wonder: how do you raise your tongue? 45°? Or you try to keep the base low and raise only the tip? I tried to put the tip of my tongue close to my front teeth and expire air, but I just get a "t-t-t-t-t" sound, not a "rrrr" - AM84, May 21, 2016

I am still not there, but making progress- one of the things is you have to completely relax the tongue, not be tense about it, or it is too stiff to vibrate. It takes practice over and over. :) - bosquederoble, May 21, 2016

When you expire try to dificult the air exit with the tip of your tongue and at the same time apply more energy to you diaphragm. De tttt will becomes rŕrŕr - 000a35ff, May 21, 2016

Should be "expel" air. :) - rac1, May 21, 2016

Yeah, I still don't understand how you are supposed to lift your tongue and at the same time relax it. If you lift it then it's stiff right? Or is it just my tongue strange? - AM84, May 22, 2016

See the link in this post. I hope it helps - 000a35ff, May 22, 2016

Thanks rac1 - 000a35ff, May 22, 2016