Marshallese Language Essentials
Marshallese Alphabet and Pronunciation
The Marshallese Alphabet
The Marshallese writing system uses 24 letters from the Latin alphabet. It looks familiar at first, but some letters have special marks that change their sounds. Getting to know these letters and their sounds is the first step to speaking and reading the language.
A Ā B D E I J K L Ḷ M Ṃ N Ṇ Ñ O O̧ Ō P R T U Ū W
Notice the letters with lines above them or dots and hooks below. These are called diacritical marks, and they are essential for correct pronunciation.
Diacritic
noun
A mark, point, or sign added or attached to a letter or character to distinguish it from another of similar form, to give it a particular phonetic value, or to indicate stress.
Vowel Sounds
Marshallese has four basic vowel qualities, but the writing system uses more letters to represent them. The sound of a vowel often depends on the consonants around it. The marks on vowels are crucial for knowing how to say them.
| Vowel | Approximate English Sound |
|---|---|
| a | Like the 'a' in 'father' |
| ā | A longer, more drawn-out 'ah' sound |
| e | Like the 'e' in 'pet' |
| i | Like the 'ee' in 'see' |
| o | Like the 'o' in 'go', but shorter |
| ọ | Like the 'aw' in 'law' |
| ō | A longer, more drawn-out 'oh' sound |
| u | Like the 'oo' in 'boot' |
| ū | A longer, more drawn-out 'oo' sound |
The line above a vowel, called a macron, generally means you should hold the sound a little longer. The hook or dot below a letter, called a cedilla, changes the quality of the sound entirely.
Consonant Sounds
Many Marshallese consonants sound similar to their English counterparts, but a few have unique pronunciations, especially those with diacritics. These special consonants often involve placing your tongue differently or using more air.
| Consonant | Pronunciation Notes |
|---|---|
| b | A 'b' sound, but often softer, almost like a 'p' or 'v' |
| d | Similar to 'd', but made with the tongue tip touching the back of the teeth |
| j | Like the 'j' in 'jump' |
| k | Like 'k' in 'kite', but can sound like 'g' between vowels |
| l | A light 'l' sound, like in 'leaf' |
| ḷ | A heavier, 'darker' l-sound, made with the back of the tongue raised |
| m | Like the 'm' in 'man' |
| ṃ | A heavier 'm' sound, made with rounded lips |
| n | Like the 'n' in 'now' |
| ṇ | A heavier 'n' sound, similar to the 'ng' in 'sing' |
| ñ | Also pronounced like the 'ng' in 'sing' |
| p | A 'p' sound, but often softer, almost like a 'b' |
| r | A light trill or flap, similar to the Spanish 'r' |
| t | Like the 't' in 'top', but made with the tongue tip at the teeth |
One other sound to know is the glottal stop. It's the little catch you feel in your throat when you say "uh-oh." In Marshallese writing, it isn't always marked, but it's a common sound that separates vowels in many words.
Marshallese pronunciation is very consistent. Once you learn the sound for each letter, you can reliably sound out new words.
Now, let's review the letters and their unique sounds.
Time to check your understanding of these new sounds.
What is the primary function of diacritical marks (like macrons and cedillas) in the Marshallese writing system?
In Marshallese writing, a line above a vowel (a macron) generally indicates that the vowel sound should be...
Practicing these sounds is the best way to master them. Listen to native speakers and try to mimic the way they pronounce each letter.