The BG Language Creation Guide

Solving Phonology Problems

For the Novice

Procedure

Examples

Here are some data for your consideration from two invented languages.
Canish
{R} denotes a uvular trill. Note that Canish is a tone language. For the sake of simplicity however, tone is not indicated in these examples.

1. {maw} moon
2. {bu} my tummy
3. {mR} my master, alpha dog
4. {haf} Hello, I greet you
5. {vro} stick
6. {avof} You must be kidding
7. {vrawaw} I see something terrific!
8. {avawf} look at that!
9. {vraf} I scratch
10. {vavro} let's play!
11. {muof} I disagree
12. {bawuf} I'd like to eat that cat
13. {mra:wf} I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it.
14. {wuouf} I'd like to eat that bird
15. {abuvraf} you want to scratch my tummy
16. {mawuf} a cry of exultation
17. {hof} I'll just rest a minute
18. {amR} You win, I surrender

1. Examine segments {m} and {b} in the data above. Follow the steps and then click here for the answer.

2. Examine segments {f} and {v}. Follow the steps and then click here for the answer.

3. Examine segments {a} and {o}. Follow the steps and then click here for the answer.

Felese
{f'} denotes an ejective consonant: that is, one made longer and with more energy than a standard consonant.

1. {wi} litterbox
2. {mwaw} milk
3. {ra} yarn
4. {mi} beautiful
5. {f'aw} dog
6. {mao} queen
7. {fof'a} sofa
8. {ai} bird
9. {fyaw} bath (in the tub)
10. {myaou} I'm going outside now
11. {mwai} sleeping bird
12. {mwra} string cheese
13. {fi} ugly
14. {wimao} a terrible insult
15. {frao} moth
16. {myaw} tongue bath
17. {f'ari} shredded paper

4. Examine segments {f}, {w} and {m}. Follow the steps and then click here for the answer.

5.Examine segments {f} and {f'}. Follow the steps and then click here for the answer.

6. Examine segments {i} and {y}. Follow the steps and then click here for the answer.


Back to Language Creation Homepage
Updated 2/22/2011