Th (digraph)
Th is a digraph in the Latin alphabet. It is used in several languages, including English, German, and Welsh. The digraph represents different sounds in these languages and has a significant role in their phonetic and orthographic systems.
Usage in English[edit | edit source]
In English, the digraph "th" can represent two different dental fricative sounds: the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ as in "think" and the voiced dental fricative /ð/ as in "this". These sounds are relatively rare in the world's languages but are essential in English phonology.
Voiceless Dental Fricative (/θ/)[edit | edit source]
The voiceless dental fricative is produced by placing the tongue against the upper teeth and forcing air through the gap. Examples of words containing this sound include:
- Think
- Bath
- Thin
Voiced Dental Fricative (/ð/)[edit | edit source]
The voiced dental fricative is produced similarly to the voiceless dental fricative but with vocal cord vibration. Examples of words containing this sound include:
- This
- That
- Father
Usage in German[edit | edit source]
In German, the digraph "th" is used in some loanwords from Greek and Latin, where it represents the sound /t/. Examples include:
- Theater
- Thema
- Thron
Usage in Welsh[edit | edit source]
In Welsh, the digraph "th" represents the voiceless dental fricative /θ/, similar to its use in English. It is a distinct letter in the Welsh alphabet and is alphabetized separately from "t". Examples include:
- Llanfairpwllgwyngyll
- Cath (cat)
- Beth (what)
Historical Development[edit | edit source]
The digraph "th" originated from the Greek alphabet, where the letter theta (Θ, θ) represented the voiceless dental fricative. The Romans adopted this digraph into the Latin alphabet to represent the same sound in words borrowed from Greek. Over time, the use of "th" spread to other languages, adapting to their phonetic needs.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Digraph (orthography)
- Voiceless dental fricative
- Voiced dental fricative
- English phonology
- Welsh alphabet
- German orthography
See Also[edit | edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
