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.
(C) This document was produced at the request of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 18, 2019, to document the History, Anthropology, Culture, Religion, and Archaeology of The Chickamauga Nation.