A voiced consonant, other than a sonant or a liquid, immediately
preceding
a voiceless consonant is normally devoiced. Thus b, d, g, z, ž
represent respec-
tively (p), (t), (k), (s), (š) in labs, bads, zirgs, aiztrenkt,
mežs.
A voiceless consonant immediately preceding a voiced consonant other than
a sonant or a liquid is normally voiced. Thus c, k, p, s, š, t
represent respectively
(dz), (g), (b), (z), (ž), (d) in piecgade, nākdams, kāpdams,
pusdivos, trešdiena,
atdot.
(b) in point of articulation
The dental nasal n occurs as a velar nasal before
the velar plosives k and g.
Thus in banka, banga, etc., the sound heard is that of the
ng of English sing,
followed by the k or g.
Before š or č, s is often assimilated to š;
thus :
pusčetri is often pronounced (puščetri)
visšaurākais is often pronounced (viššrākais).
Before ž or dž, z is often assimilated
to ž; thus :
izžūt is often pronounced (ižžūt)
aizdžinkstēt is often pronounced (aiždžinkstēt).
At the end of a word the combination -šs becomes (šš)
and reduces to (š);
thus :
drošs is pronounced (droš).
c) in both sonority and point of articulation
A combination of (a) and (b) above explains such cases
as
uzšūt pronounced (uššūt)
mežs pronounced (meš).
T.G. Fenell. H.Gelsen