Native American language
Indian tribes
What's new on our site today!

| Character We Use: |
Sometimes Also Used: |
IPA symbol: | How To Pronounce It: |
| a | a | Like the a in father. | |
| aa | 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. |
| o | o | Like the o in note. | |
| oo | o·, o: | o![]() |
Like o only held longer. |
| u | u | Like the u in flute. | |
| uu | u·, u: | u![]() |
Like u only held longer. |
| Character We Use: |
Sometimes Also Used: |
IPA symbol: | How To Pronounce It: |
| ch | č |  t![]() |
Like ch in chair. |
| h | j | h | Like h in hay. |
| j | x | x | Like the raspy j in Spanish jalapeño. |
| k | c, qu | k | Like the soft k in skin. |
| kh | k, kk | kh | Like the hard k in key. |
| l | l | Like l in light, quickly tapped. | |
| m | m | Like m in moon. | |
| n | n | Like n in night. | |
| ng | ![]() |
Like ng in sing. | |
| ñ | ny | Like ny in canyon. | |
| p | p | Like the soft p in spin. | |
| ph | p, pp | ph | Like the hard p in pin. |
| r | ![]() |
Like the r in Spanish pero, somewhat like the tt in American English butter. | |
| s | s | Like s in sun. | |
| t | t | Like the soft t in still. | |
| th | t, tt | th | Like the hard t in till. |
| w | hu | w | Like w in way. |
| y | j | j | Like y in yes. |
| ’ | ![]() |
A pause sound, like the one in the middle of the word "uh-oh." |

Back to Native American Culture
Back to American Indian Words
Back to the Indian Languages of Colombia

Meaning of Native American names
Mandan Hidatsa Arikara
Ataniel Fiction
Tribal Designs
Would you like to help support our organization's work with endangered American Indian languages?

Contacts and FAQ page