Oops! Not when it comes to the Hawaiian alphabet.
There are seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, and w) and five vowels in the Hawaiian alphabet. The following information is taken from this site:
Pronunciation of the stressed vowels are as follows:
a - ah, as in car: aloha
e - a, as in may: nene
i - ee, as in bee: honi
o - oh, as in so: mahalo
u - oo, as in spoon: kapu
There are unstressed vowels as well:
a - a, as in about: ali`i
e - eh, as in met: kane
Did you know that in the Hawaiian language, a consonant is always followed by a vowel? So, every word ends in a vowel!
Another interesting point, is the pronunciation of “w.” It is pronounced like a “v” in our alphabet. Try that with Hawaii. Now you sound like a native!!
Notice the apostrophe in the word ali’i (above)? It means you add a slight pause. So: ah-lee-ee. Now you’ve really got it!
Visit the web site above to see discover lots of Hawaiian words—and practice saying them!
A note of my own—I’ve found when there is not an apostrophe between the vowels, they kind of melt together. Can you pronounce the names of some of my characters in my series, The Hawaiian Island Detective Club?
Leilani Akamai, Maile Onakea, Kimo Akamai,
and Kainoa Onakea
How about this one? It’s Hawaii’s state fish:
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
Check the site if you need help! And, on Monday, I'll tell you how to figure out your Hawaiian name!
--Cheryl
The Hawaiian Island Detective Club
Book One—Pineapples in Peril
Available NOW!
Book Two—Menehunes Missing
Available NOW!
Book Three—Ukuleles Undercover
RELEASES August 14, 2013
mailto:cheryllinnmartin@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love hearing from my readers! Mahalo for visiting and commenting. Aloha! --Cheryl