Page:Kutenai Tales.djvu/14

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ALPHABET

Vowels
a e i o u
(a˘) ι υ, ϋ
aₐ eᵢ iᵢ oᵤ
Consonants
(dl)
p t ts k, kᵘ q
p! t! ts! k!, k!ᵘ q!
s (x̯)[1] ł
m n
h, w, y, ʼ
· long sounds.
: very long sounds.
˘ short sounds.
principal stress accent.
‵  secondary stress accent.
. separate sounds, particularly in t.s and t.ł, indicating that these sounds are not affricatives.
–́ high tone.
–̂ sinking tone.
Description of Sounds
e, i represent a sound which is by origin probably a somewhat open i. In contact with velars and palatals, it inclines toward the sound of e. When long, the sound is always slightly diphthongized.
o, u represent a u with very slight rounding of lips. In contact with velars, it inclines toward the sound of o. When long, the sound is always slightly diphthongized.
(a˘), ι, υ open vowels, often followed by long consonants.
ϋ open short, about as German ü in Hütte. The pronunciation of this vowel differs very much among individuals. Some pronounce a clear ι; others a u. All admit that both these extreme forms are correct.

  1. Only in Coyote's pronunciation.
xi