SIMPLIFIED APACHE
DESCRIPTION
The vowels of Apache are the same as those
commonly known as "continental." That is, they are quite similar to
those of Spanish and other continental European languages. They are pronounced
approximately as follows:
a -- ah
e -- eh
i -- ee
o -- oh
u -- oo
Examples:
gah -- rabbit
beso -- coin
bigan -- his hand
cho -- large
hayú -- where
The vowels are also often nasalized.
Nasalization is indicated by a "hook" under the vowel. This is called
an ogonek:
ą -- somewhat like on, without
completing the n
ę -- like en, without completing the n
į -- like een, without completing the n
ǫ -- like own, without completing the n
ų -- like oon, without completing the n
Examples:
bighą -- because
nkęęz -- time
kįh -- building
nzhǫǫ -- good
hat'ųgha -- why
Vowels can also be pronounced using high or
low tones (lowering or raising of the pitch of the voice). Low tones are
assumed if the vowel is not marked by the high tone symbol. The acute accent
mark is used for the mark of the high tone.
á
é
í
ó
ú
Examples:
isdzán -- woman
bésh -- metal
gídí -- cat
gosdóón -- ribbon
tú -- water
Vowels are also often prolonged, indicated
by doubling.
Examples:
chaa -- beaver
izee -- medicine
piishii -- nighthawk
shiwoo -- my teeth
dąą -- spring
The combination of a high tone and
nasalization is marked by simultaneous appearance of the acute accent and the
ogonek on the vowel.
Examples:
nadą́' -- corn
dlǫ́' -- bird
All consonants and consonant clusters are
pronounced approximately as in English, but the following:
gh -- somewhat like a gargling sound; does
not occur in English
Examples:
ighaa -- fur
tághaa -- length
n -- can occur as a single syllable, as in
Nnee. Both "n's" are distinctly pronounced. In some dialects (notably
nn̲ee -- people
Bik’ehgo’ihi’n̲ań – God (It actually means “In charge of life”)
Other distinctive Apache sounds are the
following:
' -- glottal stop. If one were saying
"oh-oh" to a baby, this sounds very similar as an Apache saying o'o.
The ' symbol indicates the "catch" in breath between the two o's.
Examples:
ch'ah -- hat
dit'ood -- wet
ni' -- ground, earth
ha'ándáh -- come in (to one)
"Voiceless l." Sounds rather like
thl, as if one were lisping thlip, instead of slip.
Examples:
łog -- fish
diłhił -- black
łį́į́' -- horse
The Apache is language is still spoken
today. On San Carlos Reservation there are about 4,000 speakers, and on the White
Mountain Reservation there are probably 5,000 speakers. These are considered
"Western Apache." The Mescalero Reservation has several thousand
Mescalero and Chiricahua speakers. They are related Eastern Apache dialects. A
small group of Chiricahuas in
It should also be noted that Navajo, the
most-widely spoken Native American language in
FINALLY -- A REAL
TREAT!
I am including in this introduction a tale from the San Carlos Apache--in the
original Apache and an English translation.
I HAVE ALSO NOW ADDED A VERSION OF THIS
TALE IN THE PROPER ORTHOGRAPHY (USING OGONEKS, ETC.)
(If you are seeing this page with the proper
characters you have probably already downloaded and installed the TITUS
Cyberbit Basic font. If not, you should
do so first!)
Enjoy it!
LEADER OF THE BIRDS-- An
original Apache tale