Extracts from "ORTHOGRAPHY AND PRONUNCIATION" by Professor A. N. Tucker
For each letter, see: Letters Index
Introduction:
An important feature of the spelling is the use of double vowels and double consonants.
Double vowels are pronounced long, and single vowels short. Stress is usually on the first syllable of the word stem, whether it be short, as in ku-sasira
♫
(to strew grass), or long, as in ku-saasira
♫
(to pity). Here the language differs from Swahili, where stress and vowel length usually come on the second last syllable.
In the case of double consonants, the first has syllabic quality and is therefore represented by a slight pause. The nearest approach to these sounds in English may be found in expressions like “mad dog,” or “good day,” as opposed to “ woody.”