Here's a breakdown:
Tamil:
* The sound represented by "zha" is actually a retroflex "z". It's produced by curling the tongue back and touching the roof of the mouth behind the alveolar ridge.
* This sound is represented by the letter 'ழ' (zha) in Tamil script.
* Pronunciation: Imagine a softer "zh" sound, almost like the "j" in "pleasure".
Malayalam:
* Malayalam also has a retroflex "z" sound, but it's typically represented by 'ഴ' (zha) in Malayalam script, similar to Tamil.
* Pronunciation: It's often described as a "zh" sound, but with a slightly more pronounced retroflex articulation compared to some English pronunciations of "zh".
Important Note:
* When you see "zha" in English transcriptions of Tamil and Malayalam words, it's usually referring to this retroflex "z" sound.
* It's essential to learn the correct pronunciation of the retroflex "z" sound for accurate pronunciation of Tamil and Malayalam words.
Let me know if you have any other questions about Tamil or Malayalam pronunciation!