Adding expression to your words

In most cases, you first learn to pronounce a word in a "normal" manner; that is, not under special circumstances (such as excitement, anger, jealousy -- you name it!). But you can add feeling to Swedish words just as you would to words in your native language.

Here are some examples using the simple word nej ("no"):

	.WAV examples
Aspirated. For short yes/no responses, a common Swedish pronunciation is to aspirate the answer. You inhale quickly as you pronounce the word.	Aspirated nej
Emphatic. If that yes or no is final, you can say it firmly, definitively.	Emphatic nej
Incredulity. To express incredulity, you can stretch the single syllable out, varying the pitch as you go.	Incredulous nej

You can use the same effects with ja ("yes").