Kyrgyz Phonology: The Sounds of Kyrgyz
Info
Chapter 1a: Sounds
In Kyrgyz, there are 12 vowels, and 22 consonants. Most phonemes in Kyrgyz match one to one with the consonants, with a few palatalizations. This will be compared to the sounds of English.
Vowels
Romanized to Aa. This is a lot like the "o" in "hot" in General American and the "a" in "bath" in British RP.
Romanized to Ee. This is a lot like the "e" in "fence" in General American and British RP. Can also be "ye", like "yell"
Romanized to "Yo". This is like the "yo" in "yoke", in the General American and British Registers.
Romanized to İi. This is a lot like the "ee" in "free" in General American and British RP.
Romanized Oo. This is a lot like the "o" in "glow" in General American and British RP.
Romanized to Öö. This is a lot like the "oo" in "hood" in General American and British RP.
Romanized to Uu.This is a lot like the "u" in "rude" in General American and British RP.
Romanized to Üü. This is a lot like the "ew" in "new" in General American and British RP.
Romanized to Iı or Yy. This is a lot like the "i" in "cousin" in General American and British RP.
Romanized to Ee. This is a lot like the "e" in "fence".
Romanized to "Yu". This is like the word "you", in the General American and British Registers.
Romanized to "Ya". This is like the "ya" in "yawn", in the General American and British Registers.
Consonants
Romanized as "Bb", as in "bank"
Romanized as "Vv", as in "valley"
Romanized as "Gg", as in "gray"
Romanized as "Dd", as in "dark"
Romanized as "Jj", as in "jump", can also be the "g" in mirage.
Romanized as "Zz", as in "zebra"
Romanized as "Yy", as in "yellow"
Romanized as "Kk", "C" as in "card"
Romanized as "Ll", as in "light", or "sell"
Romanized as "Mm", as in "malt"
Romanized as "Nn", as in "night"
Romanized as "Ng", as in "sing"
Romanized "Pp", as in "point"
Romanized as "Rr", this is a "rolled" r, with only one trill.
Romanized as "Ss", as in "steal"
Romanized as "Tt", as in "tank"
"Ff", as in "farm"
Romanized as "Xx", the "ch" in Loch Ness
Romanized as "Ts", as in "tsunami"
Romanized as "Ch", as in "change"
Romanized as "Sh", as in "shoes"
Romanized as "Shch", a combo of "sh" and "ch"