Phonological Significance
The Shaviyani sound is unique to the Dhivehi language and is most similar to the cerebral t (ඨ ) in Sinhalese. Wilhelm Geiger in his Maldivian Linguistic Studies states:
"The sound is very difficult to describe and to imitate. It varies between r, h and s: is rather soft,; and is, so far as I could observe uttered by putting the tip of the tongue in the highest part of the palate, and letting the breath escape sideways between the teeth".
Read more about this topic: Sha Viyani
Famous quotes containing the word significance:
“Of what significance the light of day, if it is not the reflection of an inward dawn?—to what purpose is the veil of night withdrawn, if the morning reveals nothing to the soul? It is merely garish and glaring.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)