Second letter of the Bemba alphabet.

Its pronunciation varies:

1.     There is a soft b mostly used at the beginning ofwords. Its phonetic sound is rather vague, ranging between b and v (labialfricative). Set the lips as if to pronounce b, then with the lips thus set,pronounce v. the explosive sound of b as in European languages should beavoided.

2.     At other times b is more distinct, but still soft.

3.     After m only, b has the explosive sound as in Eurpean languages. All three soundsare designated by letter b.experience will teach the difference between them.