Help Me Pronounce Kadazan Words_Lahan Mangait Boos Kadazan

Learners of the Kadazan Language may find problems of pronunciation particularly in cases where double vowels are used (aa, ii, oo, uu). There is no 'e' except perhaps in the name of 'Penampang' which is a district.

Pronouncing the end part of certain Kadazan words (not a suffix) may pose problems such as 'tandah' and 'tandaah'. Now, an apostrophe is used instead of 'h' but even this may not solve the problem.

The Kadazan 'tandah' (wild geese) is not the same as the Malay 'tanda' (sign). 'tandaah' requires the 'aa' to be emphasized. (tandaah, cock, rooster). One needs to hear someone knowledgeable in the Kadazan Language say the words in order to appreciate the unique way certain Kadazan words are pronounced. (Please note that a domesticated goose in Kadazan is 'patu.')

Let us deal with the vowel 'o' first. The double 'oo' may be more problematic for those who are schooled in the English language. In English, words containing 'oo', for example, 'loose' is pronounced 'loos'. In Kadazan, 'loos' is pronounced to sound almost like 'laws'. Thus, 'oosin' (salty) is pronounce 'awe-sin' and not 'u-sin' (money), 'potoodon' as 'po-toh-don' (to stop), 'poo' (thigh) as in 'paw' or 'law', 'nosood' as 'no-soh-od' (filled to the brim). When the word is pronounced at the correct speed, people will be able to understand.

However, if the emphasis is wrongly placed then 'nosood' may sound like 'noh-sod' which means forced out as when a baby is forced out during delivery.

Going back to 'aa", in words like 'aasang' (angry), the emphasis is at the beginning of the word. In 'asaang' (bright), the emphasis is toward the end of the word.

A single 'i' in Kadazan is pronounced like the 'i' in the English 'is'. The English 'I, i' is not pronounced as 'ai' in Kadazan.and has a different meaning. 'I' is 'Izou' in Kadazan. The Kadazan sentence "I nopo otopot nga ovudut isido." This can be translated as "The truth is that he lied." The 'I' is not pronounced as 'ai' but as in 'is'. The 'I' is referring to the 'truth', not the speaker.

Using a double 'ii' is to put an emphasis. Example: "Ii no kangku nga au' ko mokinongou." This was what I said but you didn't listen. Emphasis on what had been said.

'Ii' often forms part of a word. Example: "Sondii ko monoodo dii." You have to do it yourself.

'Uu' is usually used as part of a word such as 'monuung', 'suungon' (to push), 'no-duung' (noh-du'ung), conned. Examples: 'Kada' zou suungo.' Don't push me. 'No-duung zou.' I was conned.

'Uu' as in 'Uu ko no,' can be understood to mean 'Serves you right.'


Note:
Grateful if anyone who detects any error in this blog regarding the way Kadazan words are pronounced will make some suggestions.