The Italian Language

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Double Consonants in the Italian Language

All consonants can double and this doubling is reflected n pronunciation. Exception q, which doubles as cq:

acqua

Cc before e and i never represents ks but a reinforced c:

accento

sc, gn and gli never double.

Voiced s never doubles and is found exclusively between two vowels:

casa

ss is always double and nd is found exclusivelybetween two vowels:

cassa

No word starts with a double consonant.

A double consonant reinforces the sound of an explosive consonant or lengthens the sound of a fricative consonant:

Here are some exmples of reinforced sounds:

And of lengthened sounds: