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


Diphongs
Diphong Pronunciation Example
ay
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
like the "ou" in house, quit quickly.

In a few exceptions it is similar to the "ow" in row.

caw, jaw, haw

diraw

ey
Is like the "ey" in hey! feym, dangey, ngey
oy
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


Last updated: 29 januari 2006