Many consonants are pronounced similarly to English, but some have no direct equivalent and require special attention. The language also includes digraphs — letter pairs that are considered single consonants in the alphabet, such as ch, gh, ng, tlh, and ' (the glottal stop).
b – bay
As in bronchitis, gazebo, or bribe.
As in bronchitis, gazebo, or bribe.
ch – chay
As in chew or artichoke.
As in chew or artichoke.
D – Day
Similar to English d, but farther back. Let the tongue touch halfway between the teeth and the soft palate.
Similar to English d, but farther back. Let the tongue touch halfway between the teeth and the soft palate.
gh – ghay
Voiced version of H, like gargling with voice.
Voiced version of H, like gargling with voice.
H – Hay
As in German Bach, unvoiced and coarse.
As in German Bach, unvoiced and coarse.
j – jay
Like junk, with an initial “d” sound.
Like junk, with an initial “d” sound.
l – lay
As in lunge.
As in lunge.
m – may
As in mud.
As in mud.
n – nay
As in net.
As in net.
ng – ngay
As in thing; can begin a syllable.
As in thing; can begin a syllable.
p – pay
Like pop, with a strong puff of air.
Like pop, with a strong puff of air.
q – qay
Back-of-throat k-like sound.
Back-of-throat k-like sound.
Q – Qay
More intense, raspy version of q.
More intense, raspy version of q.
r – ray
Trilled with the tip of the tongue.
Trilled with the tip of the tongue.
S – Say
Like English s, but with tongue in D position.
Like English s, but with tongue in D position.
t – tay
Like tap, with a puff of air.
Like tap, with a puff of air.
tlh – tlhay
Say l, hold position, then blow air along sides of tongue.
Say l, hold position, then blow air along sides of tongue.
v – vay
As in vulgar.
As in vulgar.
w – way
Like wow.
Like wow.
y – yay
As in yodel.
As in yodel.
' – qaghwI'
Glottal stop. Like the break in uh-oh.
Glottal stop. Like the break in uh-oh.
Consonants are pronounced forcefully and clearly. Many require practice to master, especially H, Q, tlh, and '.