Pronunciation Guide for the Mobilian Trade Language
Adapted from the works of Kaufman, D.V & Crawford, J. M.
We will be learning the Anglicized spelling for the words to make it easier to write and speak to each other.
a as “a” in English word father
ã is a “nasal” pronunciation, like pronouncing father through the nose
b is same as English
č is the “ch” sound in English
d is pronounced as a mix between the “d” and “t” in English
f is same as English
h is same as English
i is “ee” sound like Beef in English
ĩ is a “nasal” pronunciation of “i” like pronouncing “beef” through the nose
k is same as English but may also take the English “g” sound
l is same as English
lh place tongue in position to make “l” sound then blow air out around the tongue. Often replaced with the shl sound
m is same as English
n is same as English
o pronounced as “oo” in the word root
õ is a “nasal” pronunciation of “oo” like pronouncing “root” through the nose
p is same as English
r is trilled like in Spanish
s is same as English
š is pronounced “sh” like in the word sheep
t is same as English
w is same as English
y is pronounced as the “y” in the word yet.