ศาลาชุมนุม

[marvelledd]

Hello,

In this word phonemic:ขณะ /ขะ-หฺนะ/, what does mean the dot under the "หฺ"?

Thank you.

[tod-daniels]

The character is actually called a พินทุ (พิน-ทุ/pin tú) http://www.thai-language.com/id/147765

I imagine you're getting this from the phonemic thai listed in the RID box for the pronunciation of the word ขณะ - ขะ-หฺนะ

It normally is used to identify the first character in the syllable of a word which has more than one consonant usually a consonant cluster). Like เครื่อง - เคฺรื่อง, ไกล - ไกฺล

In this particular instance it means that too, BUT in this case it is only used to show the second syllable is LOW toned (as the ห is silent). If there was no ห in front the syllable, นะ would be high toned. Using the ห makes it follow the tone rule; high class initial consonant, short vowel, dead ending = low tone.

This is how phonemic thai or the spelling thai words syllable by syllable is usually represented in dictionaries which show pronunciation written in thai.

Hope that wasn't too confusing..

[marvelledd]

Very clear, thank a lot )