FLASHCARDS
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English
How to Read Somali — Pronunciation Guide
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Somali uses the Latin alphabet but some letters sound very different from English. Here are the key ones to know:
C
A deep throat sound — like saying "ah" from the back of your throat (similar to Arabic ع)
e.g. Cunto → "uh-OON-to" (food)
X
A soft breathy "h" — like the Scottish "loch" or Spanish "j"
e.g. Xaggee → "ha-GEY" (where)
DH
A retroflex "d" — curl your tongue slightly back as you say "d"
e.g. Nadhiifsanaa → "clean"
SH
Just like the English "sh" — as in "shop" or "she"
e.g. Shan → "shahn" (five)
KH
A strong "k" breathed from the back of the throat — like Arabic خ
e.g. Khayr → "goodness"
Q
A "k" pressed further back in the throat — deeper than English "k"
e.g. Qoran → "written"
' (stop)
A brief catch in the throat — like the pause in "uh-oh"
e.g. Waa na'an → "it is clean"
AA / EE / OO
Double vowels are held longer — stretch the sound out for emphasis
e.g. Naag → "naahg" (woman)
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Somali is a tonal language — pitch (high or low) can change a word's meaning. In the phonetic guides on each flashcard, CAPS mark the stressed syllable to help you get the rhythm right.
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