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Dhaalan » Pronunciation

The following is a brief introduction to pronunciation rules in Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay. There is more information in the Garay Guwaala language lessons.


Yuw spelling Similar English sound
a short vowel, as in 'cut', but sounds like 'o' in 'got' after w
aa long vowel, as in 'father'
i short vowel, as in 'pin'
ii long vowel, as in 'peel'
u short vowel, as in 'put'
uu long vowel, as in 'cool'
ay as in 'bay' or 'hay'
aay as in 'my' or 'buy' (but sometimes said 'oy', as in 'boy'
b between English 'b' and 'p', or can sound like either
d between English 'd' and 't', or can sound like either
g between English 'g' and 'k', or can sound like either
dh like English 'd'd, but with the tip of your tongue between your teeth
m same as in English
n same as in English
ng a single or 'one' sound, as in 'singer' (not 'two' sounds, as in 'finger'
nh like English 'n' but with the tip of your tongue between your teeth
ny as in onion
dj

sometimes sounds like John, or as in budge, and even like 'ch' in 'catcher'

l the same as in English
r like 'r' in English 'run', but with the tongue tip turned back
rr a 'rolled' 'r', as some Scottish or German people say it. Often, at the end of a word, it can sound like the 'd' in 'bed'
w the same as in English, though wu at the start of a word is mostly pronounced like u
 y the same as in English, though yi at the start of a word is mostly pronounced like i