Pronunciation Guide
Lugbara phrases are spoken in several dialects (clan-wise) but the Muni (Ayivu) version, from which many of the explanations below are based, is the one approved for teaching in schools. The language has diphthong clusters and other noteworthy phonetics including the following:
aa as in bat, for example embataa
c as in church, for example Candiru (which is also spelt Chandiru)
dj as in jilt, for example odji, the ‘d’ is silent
ee as in emblem, for example Andree
gb as in bend, for example gbe, the ‘g’ is silent.Gb in Lugbara does not have an equivalent in English.What stands out in these Sudanic languages is the special manner in which 'kp,gb,'d,'b,'y,'w are pronounced.
i as in inn, for example di-i
oa as in oar, for example Adroa
oo as in old, for example ocoo, othertimes oo as in food, for example ‘doo
uu as in chew, for example cuu
z as in jean after n, for example onzi. Otherwise, most times remains z as in zebra, for example Ozu and when the first letter of a word.
Read more about this topic: Lugbara Language
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