For t and p, there is no difficulty in spelling as is here done, but k, s, f, are not so easily disposed of. The initial k or g is enunciated thickly before the vowels i and ü, though according to the system of the Dictionaries, the initial is the same in all cases. Some foreign students regard it as an aspirated consonant. Others write it dj or d. This anomaly of pronunciation, so difficult to express, does not occur before w, a and é. Limited thus to í and ü, it is thought preferable not to depart from the analogy, by inventing a new symbol for the few words in use that contain this unmanageable consonant.
- 插旗 t’sah gí, set up a flag.
- 顯轎 ’h’ien giau‘, mountain chair.
- 葵花 kwé hwó, sunflower.
- 求告 kieu kau‘, pray.
67. The lower f and s, are often heard v, z, even without a word preceding. Thus the actual pronunciation cannot be fairly represented by the law that answers for the other letters, and the only resource is to follow the natives in each case. This v, as well as that from w (m.) are pronounced w on the eastern side of the Hwáng-p’ú.
- 服事 foh zz‘, to serve.
- 牢實 lau zeh, honesty.
- 謝謝 siá‘ ziá‘, I thank you.
- 俗字眼 sóh zz‘ ngan, colloquial expressions.
- 尙書 zong‘ sû, the Historical Classic.
- 飯吃曼 van‘ k’iuh man‘, have you dined?
- 邪派 siá p’á‘, depraved customs.
- 罰咒 vah tseu‘, to swear.
- 實在 seh zé‘, truly.
68. The initials z and dz correspond, though somewhat irregularly, to the tabular initials z, zh, and j, dz, dj.
- 樹丫枝 zû‘ au tsz, branches of trees.
- 若使 zák sz‘, if.
- 炰茶 p’au‘ dzó make tea.
- 傳下來 dzén ’au lé, deliver down.
- 聚攏來 dzü‘ ’lóng lé, collect.
The d is often dropped, both, in reading and in the conversational form.
- 勿會寫字 veh wé‘ siá zz‘, cannot write (m. tsz‘).
- 擺渡船 ’pá dú‘ zén,[1] ] ferry-boat (m. ch’uen).
- 養蠶 yáng‘ zén, keep silkworms, (m. t‘sán).
The d is in some words retained in reading, when dropped in the colloquial form.
- 豺狼虎豹 zá (r. dzé) long ’hu pau‘, wolves and tigers.
- 稻柴 tau zá (c.) rice straw.
- 柴門 dzé (r.) mun, wooden gate.
- 造完 ’zau (r. dzau) wén, finish building.