Usually, when we learn a new language, we start with the alphabet. This is also true for Pwekish. Pwekish has 2 sets of writing system, bentolRomak and bentolPwék. We will start with bentolRomak as it is easier and more similar to English.
BentolRomak consist of a set of Latin letters. It is the most used script due its simplicity. There are total 28 letters and each of them represents only one sound.
| Letter | Pronunciation | Letter Name | Letter Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| A a | /a/ | aki | /ˈaki/ |
| B b | /b/ | bayn | /bajn/ |
| C c | /s/ | cidu | /ˈsidu/ |
| D d | /d/ | do | /do/ |
| E e | /e/ | edu | /ˈedu/ |
| F f | /ɸ/ | fisn | /ˈɸisn̩/ |
| G g | /g/ | gun | /gun/ |
| H h | /h/ | hew | /hew/ |
| I i | /i/ | ito | /ˈito/ |
| K k | /k/ | kayn | /kajn/ |
| L l | /l/ | loy | /loj/ |
| M m | /m/ | ma | /ma/ |
| N n | /n/ | nur | /nur/ |
| Ņ ņ | /ŋ/ | ņiw | /ŋiw/ |
| Ñ ñ | /ɲ/ | ñep | /ɲep/ |
| O o | /o/ | orlo | /ˈoɬo/ |
| P p | /p/ | pak | /pak/ |
| R r | /r/ | rin | /rin/ |
| S s | /s/ | sil | /sil/ |
| T t | /t/ | tolo | /ˈtolo/ |
| U u | /u/ | umi | /ˈumi/ |
| V v | /β/ | vur | /βur/ |
| W w | /w/ | wob | /wob/ |
| X x | /ʁ/ | xun | /ʁun/ |
| Y y | /j/ | yi | /ji/ |
| Z z | /z/ | za | /za/ |
| ` ' | /ʔ/ | 'yaņ | /ʔʲaŋ/ |
| ə | /ə/ | tem | /tem/ |
Some of the pronunciation does not exist in English (like those represented by "r", "x", "f", "v") and can be challenging to pronounce. You may find the following resources useful to help you practice.
` ' is the only letter that uses symbol (the apostrophe) instead of Latin character.
No word starts with the letter "ə". And it's also the only letter without capital form.
1. Write down the name of the following letters.
A D F I K Ñ S V Y `
A: aki D: do F: fisn I: ito
K: kayn Ñ: ñep/nyep S: sil V: vur
Y: yi `: 'yaņ/'yang
2. Match the letters to their pronunciation.
C F N Ņ Ñ O P S V X `
/o/ /p/ /z/ /s/ /n/ /ɸ/ /ŋ/ /ʔ/ /ɲ/ /β/ /c/ /ʁ/
C: /s/ F: /ɸ/ N: /n/ Ņ: /ŋ/
Ñ: /ɲ/ O: /o/ P: /p/ S: /s/
V: /β/ X: /ʁ/ `: /ʔ/