Silent H and ahm & um sounds

[rmaarberg7_19186]

How to determine if ห is silent or not?

_ ำ is supposed to be "um", but too often I see it pronounced as"am" without any characters above the first consonant like in น้ำ water, why, what is the rule?

[community.thai]

Hello

Thank you very much for your comment and questions. ห is silent when the unwritten ะ is used with middle or high consonant, and the following syllable start with a low consonant, the tone rules effected. Frequently, the low consonant will take on the tone characteristics of initial middle or high consonant. In these cases, the word is pronounced as if the low consonant hid a silent ห (for high consonant) or a silent อ (for middle consonant) in front of it. ำ is pronounced either "um" or "am" Is it not the same sound for you? there is no rule. Hope that help. Please let me know if you have any futures questions. I will be glad to help. Wish you enjoy our lessons.

Have a nice day.
Parisa
Team ThaiPod101.com