The Sounds of Owens Valley Paiute

All languages contain a finite or limited set of sounds. This unique combination of sounds is what makes every language sound so different. The Eastern Mono or Owens Valley Paiute language contains 27 consonantal sounds and six vowel sounds. Some of these consonants and vowels are the same or quite similar to English sounds, and some of these Paiute sounds are completely different.

Paiute consonants Of the twenty-seven consonantal sounds in Owens Valley Paiute, twenty-three of these sounds also occur in English. These are given in the standardized Paiute orthography (or writing system): bb pronounced like English “b” in “Bob” tübba mouth d pronounced like English “tt” in “butter” when said quickly; this sound only occurs in American English, and is known as the “flap” among linguists tsiidopi' bird dd pronounced like English “d” in “bedding” pohidda skunk dz pronounced like English “dds” in “adds”or like "ds" in "woods" yagwadza' frog gg pronounced like English “g” in “go” ataggiizhi grasshopper h pronounced like English “h” in “hello” mahu that (one), he, she, it hw pronounced like English “wh” in “which” pahwa aunt j pronounced like English “j” in “jam” piji'i milk

k pronounced like English “c” in “cap”; some speakers pronounce this sound much further back in the throat than the English “c” kapa bed kw pronounced like English “qu” in “queen” kwiwi north m pronounced like English “m” in “mom” maya hand n pronounced like English “n” in “noon” naka ear ng pronounced like English “ng” in “singer” and not “ng” in “finger” tangabü knee ngw pronounced like English “ng” in “singer” with “w”on the end

taangwa all of us

p pronounced like English “p” in “pizza” paya water s pronounced like English “s” in “so” sibi east sh pronounced like English “sh” in “ship” wisha'a sneeze t pronounced like English “t” in “top” tapeda sole (of foot) w pronounced like English “w” in “witch” wo'a angleworm y pronounced like English “y” in “yes” toyabi mountain z pronounced like English “z” in “zoo” tabazupa sunset

zh pronounced like English “s” in “pleasure” punizhi'i mouse ’ pronounced like the interruption in the flow of breath that occurs in the middle of the English word “uh oh”; this sound is known as the “glottal stop”; note that even though this sound exists in English, it is not represented in the English orthography (or writing system). Haa'a yes Four of the consonants in Paiute do not occur in English. These are: b this sound is pronounced like the English “b” without letting your lips touch; note that some people pronounce this sound more like an English “v” tüba pinenut g this sound is similar to the one made when gargling; also similar to Parisian

French “r” (Try saying a “g” without the back of your tongue touching the top of your palate.)

togowano night, night-time gw pronounced like Paiute g with “w” added to it taagwa we (inclusive, plural) ŵ this sound is pronounced similar to an English “w” but with air going through the nose and mouth simultaneously; this is known as “nasalization” (this symbol can be inserted through and word program under “symbol”)

taŵa tooth Paiute vowels Owens Valley Paiute contains six vowels, five of which are similar to vowels in English. These vowels can occur long or short. When long, they are pronounced almost twice as long, and are written doubled. Here are the Paiute vowels: a pronounced similar to English “o” in “on”or “a” in “about”

apo cup aa pronounced similar to English “a” in “father” naana man

e pronounced similar to English “e” in “get” ego tongue i pronounced similar to English “ee” in “beet”, but shorter ihi this (one), he, she, it ii pronounced similar to English “ee” in “bee”, but longer hii what (material object) o pronounced similar to English “oa” in “coat”, but shorter oho bone oo pronounced similar to English “oh”, but longer and without the “w” sound at the end woo head u pronounced similar to English “oo” in “boot” yuhu fat, lard uu pronounced similar to English “oo” in boot”, but longer huuba cradleboard, baby-basket ü pronounced similar to English “u” in “put”, but with the lips spread far apart as if smiling; this sound does not occur in English tüka- eat (this symbol can be inserted through and word program under “symbol”)

üü similar to “ü” but pronounced twice as long üügwa you (plural)

Paiute diphthongs Owens Valley Paiute also has a number of diphthongs. These are two or more vowels pronounced as one. All but one sound similar to English diphthongs. Paiute has ten common diphthongs. These are: ae pronounced similar to English “a” in “had” -wae to, in, at ai pronounced like English “y” in “my” kaigai cardinal

au pronounced like English “ow” in “how” tauna town, city ei pronounced similar to English “a” in “cake” heiti what (non-material object) ia pronounced like English “ee” in “meet” followed by a short “a” as in “about, or similar to how a Bostonian says “pier” pia mother oi pronounced like English “oy” in “boy” koinui- to hunt ua pronounced like English “oo” in “book” followed by a short “a” as in “about”, os similar to the “ua” in “Kahlua” tabadua sun ui pronounced like English “ewy” in “chewy” tümuinu pencil, pen, something which writes, camera üa pronounced like English “u” in “put” with the lips spread far apart as if smiling, followed by a short “a” as in “about”; this diphthong does not occur in English müa moon üi pronounced like English “u” in “put” with the lip spread far apart as if smiling, followed by a short “ee” sound as in “meet” üi-bia your (plural) mother