Maori Pronunciation and the Evolution of Written Maori
Pronunciation Table
Pronunciation Table
a | e | i | o | u |
---|---|---|---|---|
ha | he | hi | ho | hu |
ka | ke | ki | ko | ku |
ma | me | mi | mo | mu |
na | ne | ni | no | nu |
nga | nge | ngi | ngo | ngu |
pa | pe | pi | po | pu |
ra | re | ri | ro | ru |
ta | te | ti | to | tu |
wa | we | wi | wo | wu |
wha | whe | whi | who | whu |
Wo, wu, who, whu, are very seldom seen except in Maorified English words as wuru (wool); whuru (flu); wuruhi (wolf); whutupaoro (football); whoroa (floor); woro (wall).
Students should endeavour to gain great speed in saying the pronunciation table so as to gain some semblance of the soft liquid tone so peculiar to the Maori tongue.
page 12When endeavouring to pronounce a Maori word:
1. |
Put a stroke after every vowel, dividing the word into syllables, thus:
|
2. |
With the assistance of the table, con the syllables carefully and slowly. |
3. |
Note any probable guide to accentuation already given and try to say the word with correct accentuation. |
Words for practice: puwharetaiko, whakakenakena, hangengangenga, whakaaromahana, kotiwhatiwha, paepaekaiawha, urupounamu, ngohungohu, whakauenuku, ueue, tuwhengewhenge, Te Aute, turuawaenganuipo, Te Awamutu, Ngoengoetanga, Maungatauranga, Ohakune, Eketahuna, Okareta, Waipukurau, Wakatipu, Waikaremoana, Ohinemutu, Maungakiekie, Taranaki, Opoutama, Rangiaowhia, Paekakariki, Pewhairangi, Kumeu, Remuwera, Pipiwharauroa.