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The language has five primary vowels, each pronounced clearly and consistently. There are also combinations with w and y that are treated as diphthongs or vowel blends. These sounds are regular and never shift the way English vowels do.
– 'at
Like "a" in psalm, never as in apple.
– 'et
Like "e" in pet.
– 'It
Like "i" in bit.
– 'ot
Like "o" in go.
– 'ut
Like "u" in prune.
Vowel + w Combinations
– rhymes with English "cow"
– like "e" in "bed" blended into a "w" (Elmer Fudd: “tewwible”)
– like "i" in "bit" run into "w"; close to "Eww!"
Vowel + y Combinations
– rhymes with English "why"
– rhymes with English "may"
– rhymes with English "key"
– rhymes with English "boy"
– like "gooey" but compressed into one syllable
Vowels are always pronounced fully and never reduced. There's no vowel slurring or silent letters.
This section contains audio of Dr. Marc Okrand describing the sounds.
