inwemowin: Pronunciation
key
The following Ojibwe
language pronunciation key is an introduction to Ojibwe language speech
patterns. The key is best learned
with an Ojibwe language speaker who speaks in your dialect.
The double vowel system will
be used to enunciate the Ojibwe language. The
English language will be used to compare like sounds between the Ojibwe language
and English language. This is
merely a guide. The sounds the
student is learning will be in bold text in both languages.
The English alphabet will be
used to enable the use of either a typewriter or computer.
The following English
alphabets are not found in the Ojibwe language: f,l,q,r,
The glottal sound (stop) is
not found in the English alphabet or language.
The symbol apostrophe,’, will be used to indicate a
glottal sound.
The Ojibwe language has a nasalized vowel which is not found in the English language. To indicate this sound a double vowel plus capital N will be used: aaN, iiN, ooN, eN.
The alternative designated nasalized vowel will also be introduced since it is used in some texts. To indicate this sound a double vowel with an underline underneath the double vowel will be used, aa, ii oo e.
LONG
VOWELS
| Ojibwe vowel | English | Ojibwe Word (s) |
| aa | father | waabooz, waabang |
| e | say, weigh, ate | esiban, bine |
| ii | see, we, me | jiimaan, niin |
| oo | loon, spoon | biboon, boozhoo |
SHORT VOWELS
| Ojibwe vowel | English | Ojibwe Word (s) |
| a | but, apply | makwa, amik |
| i | bit, sit | opichi, aki |
| o | propose, to | bimose, ozow |
Nasalized Vowels
capitalized V + N
| Ojibwe vowel | Ojibwe Word (s) |
| aaN | aaNziyaan, maaNzina’igan |
| eN | meNmeNgwaa, manidomineNs |
| iiN | niiNzh, bizhikiiNs |
| ooN | ooN, ginooNzheN |
Vowel with underline
| aa | aaziyann, maang |
| ii | niizh, bizhikiis |
| oo | oo, ginoozhe |
| e | meme gwaa, maang |
Glottal
| ' | i'iw, a'aw |
Ojibwe alphabet adapted from the English alphabet
The alternate designated nasalized vowel can be substituted.
| a | short vowel |
| aa | Long vowel |
| aaN | Nasalized vowel |
| b | Consonant |
| c | Consonant |
| ch | Consonant |
| d | Consonant |
| e | Long vowel |
| eN | Nasalized vowel |
| g | Consonant |
| h | Consonant |
| i | Short vowel |
| ii | Long vowel |
| iiN | nasalized vowel |
| j | Consonant |
| m | Consonant |
| n | Consonant |
| o | short vowel |
| oo | long vowel |
| ooN | nasalized
vowel |
| p | Consonant |
| s | Consonant |
| sh | Consonant |
| t |
Consonant |
| w | Consonant |
| y |
Consonant |
| z | Consonant |
| zh | Consonant |
| ' | Glottal |
| k | Consonant |