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Diphongs
A diphong is the combination of a weak and a
strong vowel becoming one sound. In Zarma three vowels are use to form
dihphon with a consonant: "a", "e", and "o".
The consonants are "y" and "w".
The
diphongs are: ay aw ey
oy |
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Diphongs
Diphong |
Pronunciation |
Example |
ay
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It may be long as the "i" in ice.
When short, it has no exact parallel in English. The "a" of it is the short "neutral" vowel as in
sonata, combined with a short "y".
Must be learned by ear. |
ay, kay, may
bay, way, day |
aw
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like the "ou" in house, quit quickly.
In a few exceptions it is similar to the "ow" in row. |
caw, jaw, haw
diraw |
ey
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Is like the "ey" in hey! |
feym, dangey, ngey |
oy
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Is generally to our ears, like the "uay" in quaver.
In a few rare words it is like the "oy" in boy |
koy, foy, haggoy
boy, doy |
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Last updated:
29 januari 2006
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