\chapter{Phonetics of Italian}

We study the patterns of sounds in Italian (contrasted to phonetics, which studies how sounds are produced physically).


\section{Vocali (Vowels)}
7 vowel sounds.
\section{Dittongi (Dipthongs)}
aiuto
schiena
uovo
questo - 

\section{Stress}

\chapter{Phonology of Italian}

\section{Euphonic 'D'}

Italians are stylish; they ensure their language matches their philosophy.

There are 4 words in italian that are made up of only 1 letter; a, i, e, o. For aesthetic purposes, Italian imposes the rule of the euphonic D on these words.

e becomes ed if the next word starts with e but not ed
o becomes od if the next word starts with o but not od
a becomes ad if the next word starts with a but not ad

Note that due to the rules of the definite article, 'i' will never follow a word beginning with the letter i.

\section{Dropping final 'e' of infinitives}

\section{Merged words}
Chi sa -> chissà
chissà is used in a rhetorical sense

Se no -> sennò
va bene -> vabbè
là giù -> laggiù

