Kenai Dena’ina Vowels with Audio by Peter Kalifornsky
| Symbol | English Example | Dena’ina Example | Audio | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i | beet | ida | friend | |
| u | boot | ush | snowshoe | |
| e | cut | ena | mommy | |
| a | father | adada | uncle (voacative) |
Vowels are described by the position of the tongue in the mouth when the sound is made.
•”Front” and “High” means the tongue is forward and momentarily held near the roof of the mouth making the “i” sound as in the English word beet.”
•”Back” and “High” means the tongue is pulled back and momentarily held near the roof of the mouth making the “u” sound as in the English word “boot.”
•Vowel sounds made with the tongue in the middle of the mouth are indicated by “e” as in the English word “set.”
•”Low” and “Mid” means the tongue is in the middle and low in the mouth as in the “a” sound in the English word “father.”
