Baniva del Guainia Pronunciation and Spelling Guide

˜Vowels

Character We Use:	Sometimes Also Used:	IPA symbol:	How To Pronounce It:
a		a	Like the a in father.
aa	a·, a:	a	Like a only held longer.
e		e	Like the e sound in Spanish, similar to the a in gate.
ee	e·, e:	e	Like e only held longer.
i		i	Like the i in police.
ii	i·, i:	i	Like i only held longer.
u		u	Like the u in flute.
uu	u·, u:	u	Like u only held longer.

˜Consonants

Character We Use:	Sometimes Also Used:	IPA symbol:	How To Pronounce It:
b		b	Like b in boy.
d		d	Like d in day.
dz		dz	Like the ds in Edsel.
g	gu	g	Like the g in go.
j	h	h	Like h in hay.
k	c, qu	k	Like the k in king.
l		l	Like l in light.
m		m	Like m in moon.
n		n	Like n in night.
p		p	Like the p in pin.
r			Like the r in Spanish pero, somewhat like the tt in American English butter.
sr			This sound does not exist in English. It sounds a little like the sh of shell, only pronounced with the tongue curled back. If you are familiar with Russian, this is the dark "sh" sound used in Russian.
t		t	Like the t in tell.
ts		ts	Like the ts in cats.
w	gu, hu	w	Like w in way.
y		j	Like y in yes.
zr			This sound does not exist in English. It sounds a little like the ge of garage, only pronounced with the tongue curled back. If you are familiar with Russian, this is the "zh" sound used in Russian.

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