Huichol Pronunciation and Spelling Guide

˜Vowels

Character We Use:	Sometimes Also Used:	IPA symbol:	How To Pronounce It:
a		a	Like the a in father.
a	a:, aa	a	Like a only held longer.
e		ε ~ æ	Like the e in bet or the a in bat.
e	e:, ee	ε ~ æ	Like e only held longer.
i		i	Like the i in police.
i	i:, ii	i	Like i only held longer.
i		i	Somewhat like the e in roses.
i	:, ii	i	Like i only held longer.
u		o ~ u	Like the o in note or the u in flute.
u	u:, uu	o ~ u	Like u only held longer.

˜Consonants

Character We Use:	Sometimes Also Used:	IPA symbol:	How To Pronounce It:
ch	c, tz, ts, s	t ~ ts	Like ch in chair or ts in cats.
h		h	Like h in hay.
k	c, qu	k	Like the soft k in sky.
kw	qu	kw	Like qu in English square.
l		l	Like l in light.
m		m	Like m in moon.
n		n	Like n in night.
p		p	Like the soft p in spy.
r	r		No exact equivalent in American English. This is a retroflex r, pronounced with the tongue touching the back of the palate. You may recognize this sound if you've heard people from India speaking English. Some American English speakers pronounce this sound in the middle of the word "hurting."
t		t	Like the soft t in star.
v	w, hu	β ~ w	Usually it is pronounced like the v in Spanish vaca, with both lips touching rather than with top teeth touching bottom lip. Sometimes, especially before an a, it is pronounced like w in way instead.
y		j	Like y in yes.
z	rr, x	~	Sometimes this sound is pronounced as a retroflex sound, far back in the mouth and sounding somewhat like the sh sound in harsh. Other times, it is pronounced like a regular English sh.
’			A pause sound, like the one in the middle of the word "uh-oh."

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