σ, ς always as Lat. s (Eng. s in mouse), except before β, γ and μ, where the sound was as in Eng. has been, has gone, has made: e.g. ἄσβεστος, φάσγανον, ἑσμός.
ξ as Eng. x in wax, and ψ as Eng. ps in lapse.
ζ as Eng. dz in adze, ds in treads on.
Aspirates
The Committee has carefully considered the pronunciation of the aspirated consonants in Greek. It is certain that the primitive pronunciation of χ, θ, φ was as k.h, t.h, p.h, that is as k, t, p followed by a strong breath, and the Committee is not prepared to deny that this pronunciation lasted down into the classical period. Further, there is no doubt that the adoption of this pronunciation makes much in Greek accidence that is otherwise obscure perfectly comprehensible. If φαίνω be pronounced πhαίνω, it is readily understood why the reduplicated perfect is πεπhηνα; but if it be pronounced fαινω, the perfect, pronounced πεfηνα, is anomalous. The relation of ἀφίστημι and the like to ἵστημι, of φροῦδος to ὁδός, of θρίξ to τρίχα becomes intelligible when it is seen that θ, φ, and χ contain a real h-sound. This advantage seems to be one of the reasons why it has been adopted in practice by a certain number of English teachers.
In the course of time the pronunciation of the aspirates changed by degrees to that of fricatives, which is now current in most districts of Greece, φ becoming f, θ pronounced as th, in English thin, and χ acquiring the sound of the German ch.[208]
If the later sounds are accepted, no change in the common pronunciation of θ and φ in England will be required, but it will remain desirable to distinguish between the sounds of κ and χ, which are at present confused: ἄκος and ἄχος, καίνω and χαίνω being now pronounced alike. This may be done by giving χ the sound of kh, or of German ch, as in auch. The Committee would, on the whole, recommend the latter alternative as being more familiar in German, Scotch, and Irish place-names.[209]
The Committee, though loath to do anything to discourage the primitive pronunciation of the aspirates, has not been able to satisfy itself that it would be easy to introduce this pronunciation into schools to which it is strange; and it is of opinion that it is not advisable to recommend anything at present that might increase the labour of the teacher or the student of Greek. It therefore abstains from recommending any change in the common pronunciation of the aspirates except in the case of χ.
Accentuation