Spelling & Pronunciation

Alphabet

Consonants

Nearly every consonant and every consonant cluster can be lengthened by doubling the consonant in spelling. For example, ténku, “a dream, to dream”, when reduplicated, becomes téttenku, “be dreaming, often dreams” (habitual), with a long t.

There are three notable exeptions to this rule. The first is bw, which becomes -bbw- when lenghthened, not bwbw; ex. bweéka, “wide, broad”, when reduplicated, becomes bwebbweka, “vast, expansive” (intensified). The second exemption is ch, which becomes -tch-, not ccha; ex. cháe, “to call, to yell”, when reduplicated, becomes chátchae “be calling, often calls” (habitual). The final exception is r, whose long form seems to not be attested, at least not in writing; ex. the Spanish burro, “donkey”, is borrowed into Yaqui as vúro, not vúrro.

Vowels