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Gabrielino Pronunciation and Spelling Guide

Gabrielino Vowels

Character We Use:	Sometimes Also Used:	IPA symbol:	Gabrielino pronunciation:
a		a	Like the a in father.
aa	á	a	Like a only held longer.
e		ε	Like the e in red.
ee	é	e	Like the ey in they.
i	ə, ü	i ~ ə	This sound doesn't exist in English-- it's similar to the "dark i" of Slavic languages. Modern Gabrielino/Tongva people pronounce this sound similar to the i in hit or the a in about.
ii	í	i	Like the i in police.
o		o	Like the o in note.
u		u	Like the u in flute.
uu	ú	u	Like u only held longer.

Gabrielino Consonants

Character We Use:	Sometimes Also Used:	IPA symbol:	Gabrielino pronunciation:
ch	č	t	Like ch in child.
h		h	Like h in hay.
k	c, qu, g	k	Like k in king.
kw	qu	kw	Like qu in queen.
l		l	Like l in light.
m		m	Like m in moon.
n		n	Like n in night.
ng		ŋ	Like ng in sing.
p	b	p	Like p in pine.
r			Like the r in Spanish pero, somewhat like the tt in American English butter.
s		s	Like s in see.
sh	š		Like sh in shell.
t	d	t	Like t in time.
v	b	v ~ β	Like v in vine. Sometimes it is pronounced like the bilabial v in Spanish navidad instead.
w	u	w	Like w in way.
x	j	x	Raspy sound like the j in Spanish jalapeño.
xw	hw	xw	Light raspy sound like blowing out a candle.
y		j	Like y in yes.
’	ʔ, ?		A pause sound, like the one in the middle of the word "uh-oh."

Gabrielino Indian Pronunciation and Vocabulary Resources

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