Diphtongs |
A diphthong is the combination of a weak and a strong vowel becoming one sound. In Zarma the vowels are used to form diphthong with consonants. The consonants used are 'y' and 'w'.
In the tables below the general pronunciation of the consonants in Zarma is given with examples. |
Diphtongs [masifunarey]
| base |
w |
y |
| a |
aw |
ay |
| e |
(ew) |
ey |
| i |
iw |
(iy) |
| o |
ow |
oy |
| u |
- |
uy |
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| sources Hanafiou, 1999 (page 2); Hamani, 1984 (page 30). |
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pronunciation of diphtongs with an a
| Type |
aw |
aw exceptions |
ay (long) |
ay (short) |
| Examples |
caw
danaw
haw
|
diraw |
ay
kay
dungay
|
bay
day
koytaray
|
| English* |
to read,
blind (person),
wind |
departure |
I,
utterance of disapproval,
heat |
to know,
to buy,
chieftaincy, |
| Pronunciation |
like the 'ou' in house, quit quickly. |
in a few exceptions it is similar to the 'ow' in row. |
the 'ay' may be long as the 'i' in ice.
A few times pronounced as 'ey' in 'hey', e.g. Nyamay (Niamey) |
When short, it has no exact parallel in English.
The 'a' of it is the short 'neutral' vowel as in sonata, combined with a short 'y'. Must be learned by ear. |
* most words have more meanings, see dictionary for others |
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pronunciation of diphtongs with an e
| Type |
ew |
ey |
ey exceptions |
| Examples |
- |
ngey
jirbey
zaarey
|
|
| English |
- |
their
the days
the days |
|
| Pronunciation |
- |
similar to short ay |
sometime like the 'ey' in hey! |
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pronunciation of diphtongs with an i
| Type |
iw |
iy |
| Examples |
siw
|
- |
| English |
completely |
- |
| Pronunciation |
- |
- |
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pronunciation of diphtongs with an o
| Type |
ow |
oy |
oy exeptions |
| Examples |
wow
|
koy
foy
foyjinay
|
- |
| English |
to insult |
to go,
to pass the day time,
ingredients
|
- |
| Pronunciation |
- |
is generally it is like the 'oy' in boy |
some spreakers pronounce the 'oy' that it sounds to our ears, like the 'ua' in quaver. |
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pronunciation of diphtongs with an u
| Type |
uw |
uy |
| Examples |
- |
fuyye |
| English |
- |
to be lazy |
| Pronunciation |
- |
- |
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