Description of Vowels

The open central vowels – a and ā

a This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the short a as heard in are (n. rock) and ase (n. clothes-line).

ā This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the long ā as heard in āne (n. elephant) and āgui (n. yawn).

In Badugu, the difference in sound and meaning between hasu (n. hunger) and hāsu (n. large stretch of plain land) is taken to indicate the existence of two open central vocalic phonemes, a and ā.

The close front vowels – i and ī

i This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the short i as heard in ilu (n. bone) and iruppu (n. ant).

ī This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the long ī as heard in īga (adv. now) and īkaḍe (adv. at or to this side).

In Badugu, the difference in sound and meaning between kiru (n. dry monsoon) and kīru (v. tear) is taken to indicate the existence of two close front vocalic phonemes, i and ī.

The close back vowels – u and ū

u This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the short u as heard in uri (n. sweat) and uli (n. waterfall).

ū This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the long ū as heard in ūṭu (v. feed) and ūṭe (n. windpipe).

In Badugu, the difference in sound and meaning between buḍu (v. leave) and būḍu (n. blow) is taken to indicate the existence of two close back vocalic phonemes, u and ū.

The close-mid front vowels – e and ē

e This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the short e as heard in ede (n. heart) and eḍe (n. place).

ē This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the long ē as heard in ēṇu (n. brim) and ēru (n. ache).

In Badugu, the difference in sound and meaning between heru (v. give birth) and hēru (n. bags of rice, etc given as dowry) is taken to indicate the existence of two close-mid front vocalic phonemes, e and ē.

The close-mid back vowels – o and ō

o This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the short o as heard in oṛlu (n. stone bowl in which grain is hulled or pounded) and oṇakke (n. long stout heavy wooden club with metal end(s) for hulling or pounding grain).

ō This symbol represents the sound commonly known as the long ō as heard in ōḍe (n. kind of bamboo) and ōre (n. slope).

In Badugu, the difference in sound and meaning between koḍe (n. umbrella) and kōḍe (n. wet monsoon) is taken to indicate the existence of two close-mid back vocalic phonemes, o and ō.