Part 2: Sound Combinations

There are a few other sounds that occur as a combination of multiple sounds/letters.

tsi, tshi, and si

When ts is followed by i or i, it is pronounced like English joy.

Similarly, s followed by i is pronounced like English show.

Kanien’kéha Letters	Kanien’kéha Example	Translation	Audio	IPA
tsi	ionttsi‘tsiahninón:tha	florist		[dʒ]
tshi	wa’keronwaróhtshi	I remove nails		[tʃ]
si	áhsire’	blanket		[ʃ]

tt, kk, tk, kt

When t and k are next to each other, they are pronounced as two separate sounds. These may occur at the start of words.

Kanien’kéha Letters	Kanien’kéha Example	Translation	Audio	IPA
tt	tehotténion	he changes		[td]
kk	kkontsheráhrhos ní:’i	I am painting		[kg]
tk	atátken	mirror		[tg]
kt	ohì:kta	thorn		[kd]

wh

wh is pronounced like in English face.

Kanien’kéha Letters	Kanien’kéha Example	Translation	Audio	IPA
wh	ówhare’	fur		[f]

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