Basics
First things first
You'll want to be familiar with some symbols that may appear on or around words, you may have an easier time if you listen carefully to the audio.
Basic Concepts
a̓ or ’ (Glottal Catch)
The symbol a̓ or ’ appears on top of a letter or beside a letter. When it is on top of a letter it indicates a glottal catch or stoppage of breath as you pronounce the sound. If it appears beside a letter it indicates a short pause in the word.
̌ (Backsign)
If the symbol ̌ appears on top of a letter it's called a back sign and indicates that the sound is pronounced further back in throat.
v
If the letter v appears behind a letter, it indicates that you pronounce the previous symbol with a rounded mouth.
So for example, gv would sound like a g, but with a rounded mouth.
Stress Sign "à"
If the stress sign appears over a vowel, as in "à" it means it's given more emphasis over other vowels, it's usually the first vowel of a word.
Sound List
Below you'll find a list of sounds in the language along with tips for pronouncing them.
If an example is available, you'll also see an example word along with audio.
a
similar to english `ah`
Example: a’aìnix
à
similar to english `ah`, à is pronounced with more emphasis
a̓
similar to english, but shorter than the other 'a' sounds
Example: a̓m̓i
ǎ
similar to english, but pronounced further back in the throat than the other 'a' sounds
b
similar to english
Example: bùkv
c
similar to a `ch` sound in english
Example: cə̀nqa
c̓
similar to a `ch` sound in english, but with glottal catch
Example: c̓ə̀m
d
similar to english
Example: də̀mxs
dh
similar to a `gl` sound in english
Example: dhà’ǎus
əl
similar to an `i` sound in english words (immerge, indoor, ill)
əm
similar to an `i` sound in english words (immerge, indoor, ill)
ən
similar to an `i` sound in english words (immerge, indoor, ill)
ǧ
similar to english, but pronounced further back in the throat
Example: ǧə̀nəm
g
similar to english
Example: gìgik
ǧv
similar to english, but pronounced further back in the throat and with a rounded mouth
Example: ǧvuw̓i
gv
similar to english, but with a rounded mouth
Example: gviùkv
h
similar to english, more like a `ha`
Example: haə̀msa
i
similar to an `ee` sound in english
ì
similar to an `ee` sound in english, but with more emphasis
k
similar to english
Example: kàc̓ən̓aq
k̓
similar to english, but shorter
Example: k̓ìt̓əm
k̓v
similar to english, but shorter and with a rounded mouth
Example: k̓vik̓vasiza
kv
similar to english, but with a rounded mouth
Example: kvə̀lilhəm
l
similar to english
Example: la'a
lh
similar to english, but with the tongue further forward
Example: lhàw̓ənəm̓
l̓
similar to english, but with a glottal catch
Example: l̓x̌vuà
m
similar to english
Example: mìa
m̓
similar to english, but shorter
Example: m̓ə̀lxvəla
n
similar to english
Example: nàq̓a
n̓
similar to english, but shorter
Example: n̓nà
p
similar to english
Example: pàpa
p̓
similar to english, but shorter
Example: p̓sp̓iy̓ù
q
similar to `kha` in english
Example: qàm̓ila
q̓
similar to `kha` in english, but shorter
Example: q̓àq̓ut̓ha'ailas
q̓v
similar to a `kh` sound but with a rounded mouth and shorter
Example: q̓vàq̓vax̌v’ǎimas
qv
similar to a `kh` sound but with a rounded mouth
Example: qvə̀la
s
similar to english
t
similar to english
Example: tsà
th
similar to a `kl` sound in english
Example: thsà
t̓
similar to english, but shorter
Example: t̓ə̀nikv
t̓h
similar to a `kl` sound in english but with a glottal catch
Example: t̓hgìs
u
similar to `oo` in english
ù
similar to `oo` in english
w
similar to `wa` in english
Example: wiìkv
w̓
similar to `wa` in english but with a glottal catch
Example: w̓a’aə̀m
x̌
similar to `ha` in english, but pronounced further back in the mouth
Example: x̌t̓ə̀m
x
similar to `ha` in english
Example: xàta
x̌v
similar to `hwah` in english, but pronounced further back in the mouth
Example: x̌və̀nukv
xv
similar to `hwa` in english, but with the back of the tongue against the roof of your mouth
Example: xvə̀ltəla
y
similar to the `y` sound in `you` in english
Example: yaù
y̓
similar to `y` sounds in english, but with a glottal catch
Example: y̓ìta
z
a mix between `ch` `j` and `z` sounds in english