How to read and say Tausug

Tausug is written with either the Latin alphabet or a version of the Arabic alphabet.

Vowels

We will classify them into 4 kinds: (1) repeating vowels, (2) dual vowels, (3) prolonged vowels and (4) diphthongs.

Repeating vowels

The correct way of reading their written text is to pronounce each vowel individually and not to connect them or create a prolonged sound. Examples are:

daakan (command/order)

which is read /da-a-kan/ and not /dá-kan/

giik (step on, v.)

which is read /gi-ik/ and not /giyk/

Dual vowels

each vowel sound must be pronounced individually.

saub (cover)

read as /sa-ub/ and not /sawb/

piul (limp)

read as /pi-ul/ not /pi-yul/

Prolonged vowels

They are usually written in stressed forms as /ā/, /ī/ and /ū/ or in diphthongs as /iy/ and /uw/.

dāgan

run

kiyta’

saw, v., p.t.

sūwng

go forward, v.

kātas

paper

dūwm

night

Glottal stop (‘)

Another sound in Bahasa Sug is the “Glottal stop” (‘) which is also found in Tagalog syllables as /ta’/ in “bátâ” (child). It is usually characterized by a sudden stop in the end of the sound. Examples are:

tagna’

before or beginning

baba’

down

sukna’

curse

ka’nu

when, p.t.

ina’

mother

ama’

father

Consonants

b

as in bee

/b/ per default [b], but [β] between vowels

k

as in key

d

as in dough

g

as in gold

/g/ per default [ɡ], but [ɣ] between vowels

h

as in heat

/h/ per default [h], but [ɦ] between vowels

l

as in let

m

as in me

n

as in nice

ng

as in song

p

as in pea

r

as in raw

/r/ per default [r], but [ɹ] before /m,n,g,k/

s

as in sea

t

as in tea

w

as in weak

y

as in you

Common diphthongs

The Diphthongs /ay/, /iy/, /aw/, /iw/, /uw/ and /uy/. Diphthongs are also found in various Tausug words. Examples include:

kayt

cloth pins

kiyta'

saw

sawm

under

duwm

night

suysuy

hearsay

Note

In the pseudo-pronunciations below, glottal stops are shown as apostrophes, usually at the end of word or syllable.