Reading and Writing nimipuutímt
There have been several different spelling systems used to write nimipuutímt. The following is the preferred spelling system, as approved by the Advisory Board of Elders in 1997. It also follows closely with the spelling system used in Haruo Aoki's Nez Perce Dictionary, which uses symbols commonly used in the writing of American indigenous languages.
Why is it Important to Learn the Spelling System?
Communication and Comprehension. Using the same spelling system promotes good communication and ensures that the reader will understand what has been written. This is especially important for the following generations of speakers. When we all follow the same rules for spelling and grammar, it is easier for us all to understand the intended message.
It can also be a distraction for readers to see incorrect spelling while already trying to understand a text. In this agreed-upon spelling system, every sound has a letter to represent it. nimipuutímt has sounds that are not used in English, and vice versa, so nimipuutímt words cannot be accurately represented by using the English alphabet.
The following lesson will teach you how to read nimipuutímt and pronounce words correctly.
*This page will be updated periodically until all examples have audio. Thank you for your patience!*
Why is it Important to Learn the Spelling System?
Communication and Comprehension. Using the same spelling system promotes good communication and ensures that the reader will understand what has been written. This is especially important for the following generations of speakers. When we all follow the same rules for spelling and grammar, it is easier for us all to understand the intended message.
It can also be a distraction for readers to see incorrect spelling while already trying to understand a text. In this agreed-upon spelling system, every sound has a letter to represent it. nimipuutímt has sounds that are not used in English, and vice versa, so nimipuutímt words cannot be accurately represented by using the English alphabet.
The following lesson will teach you how to read nimipuutímt and pronounce words correctly.
*This page will be updated periodically until all examples have audio. Thank you for your patience!*
The Alphabet
nimipuutímt shares many letters with English, but not all. The letters b, d, f, g, j, r, v, and z are not used. The letters c, ɬ (or ɫ), q, x, and x̣ are used to represent sounds that are not present in English.
Vowels
nimipuutímt has 5 vowels that can be long, or short. Whether vowels are long or short they still represent the same sound, but a long vowel is pronounced for a longer duration than a short vowel. Long vowels are represented by double letters. If you use Aoki's Nez Perce Dictionary, you will see long vowels represented with the vowel followed by a dot (example: á· instead of áa)
nimipuutímt has 5 vowels that can be long, or short. Whether vowels are long or short they still represent the same sound, but a long vowel is pronounced for a longer duration than a short vowel. Long vowels are represented by double letters. If you use Aoki's Nez Perce Dictionary, you will see long vowels represented with the vowel followed by a dot (example: á· instead of áa)
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Short Vowels
a , e , i , o , u |
Long Vowels
aa , ee , ii , oo , uu |
Glottal Stop
A glottal stop is indicated by an apostrophe (’). This sound is made by stopping the air in your glottis (the part of the throat that houses vocal chords). When a letter is followed by a glottal, it will "stop" short. An example of this sound in English is when saying, "Uh-oh!"
When the letters c, k, p, q, and t are followed by a glottal, their sound will "pop."
A glottal can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a word. A word beginning with a vowel, will usually start with a glottal.
A glottal stop is indicated by an apostrophe (’). This sound is made by stopping the air in your glottis (the part of the throat that houses vocal chords). When a letter is followed by a glottal, it will "stop" short. An example of this sound in English is when saying, "Uh-oh!"
When the letters c, k, p, q, and t are followed by a glottal, their sound will "pop."
A glottal can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a word. A word beginning with a vowel, will usually start with a glottal.
Diphthongs
A diphthong is a vowel that ends by gliding into a "y" or a "w." In nimipuutímt, a diphthong is indicated by a "y" or a "w" following a vowel. Both long and short vowels can be diphthongs. The long vowel diphthongs sound more like the plain vowel.
A diphthong is a vowel that ends by gliding into a "y" or a "w." In nimipuutímt, a diphthong is indicated by a "y" or a "w" following a vowel. Both long and short vowels can be diphthongs. The long vowel diphthongs sound more like the plain vowel.
Basic Grammar
Capitals
Capital letters are not used in nimipuutímt. The only exception is when used for English names. Capitals are not used at the beginning of sentences, nor are they used for names.
Capital letters are not used in nimipuutímt. The only exception is when used for English names. Capitals are not used at the beginning of sentences, nor are they used for names.
Vowel Stress
Vowel stress is very important to proper pronunciation. Every word in nimipuutímt has a vowel that holds the most stress, or emphasis. Vowels that are stressed are pronounced a little longer and higher than other vowels. Stressing the wrong vowel can sometimes change the meaning of the word.
Vowel stress is very important to proper pronunciation. Every word in nimipuutímt has a vowel that holds the most stress, or emphasis. Vowels that are stressed are pronounced a little longer and higher than other vowels. Stressing the wrong vowel can sometimes change the meaning of the word.
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An example of vowel stress in English
Convict (noun) - Convict (verb) The convict might go to jail, if the court will convict him of the crime. |
The only difference in the example above is the which vowel is being stressed. In nimipuutímt, stressed vowels are indicated by a stress mark (´) above the letter. When stress is indicated on a long vowel, the stress is placed above the first letter.
Short vowels: á , é , í , ó , ú
Long vowels: áa , ée , íi , óo , úu
Long vowels: áa , ée , íi , óo , úu
Pronunciation
Easy Consonants
nimipuutímt shares a lot of letters with English. The "Easy Consonants" are shared letters that make the same sound in nimipuutímt and English. They are the letters: h, k, l, m, n, p, s, t.
nimipuutímt shares a lot of letters with English. The "Easy Consonants" are shared letters that make the same sound in nimipuutímt and English. They are the letters: h, k, l, m, n, p, s, t.
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hípt – food
máymay – intestines
sílu – eye
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kóta – quarter
núkt – meat
tít – tooth
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lepít – two
píst – father
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Glides
A glide is a sound made when your mouth, or tongue, "glides" into a new position while speaking. They are present in diphthongs, but may also start a word. They are represented by the letters w and y. They make the same sounds as they do in English.
A glide is a sound made when your mouth, or tongue, "glides" into a new position while speaking. They are present in diphthongs, but may also start a word. They are represented by the letters w and y. They make the same sounds as they do in English.
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wilúupup - cold air travels, January
yoosyóos - blue
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New Consonants
The following consonants make sounds that are not found in English. They may take some practice to pronounce properly. They are: c, q, x, x̣, ɬ
c
This sound is pronounced as t and s together. In English, it could be written as ts, but in nimipuutímt it is represented with the letter c. The sound is made by placing your tongue behind the teeth and keeping it there as you quickly pronounce s.
The following consonants make sounds that are not found in English. They may take some practice to pronounce properly. They are: c, q, x, x̣, ɬ
c
This sound is pronounced as t and s together. In English, it could be written as ts, but in nimipuutímt it is represented with the letter c. The sound is made by placing your tongue behind the teeth and keeping it there as you quickly pronounce s.
For Example:
cíickan - blanket
sounds like tseetskun
cíickan - blanket
sounds like tseetskun
q
This sound is sometimes called the "back k." It makes a sound like k, but it is formed farther back in the mouth, near the throat. You can practice by repeating k sounds and moving the sound to the back of your throat.
This sound is sometimes called the "back k." It makes a sound like k, but it is formed farther back in the mouth, near the throat. You can practice by repeating k sounds and moving the sound to the back of your throat.
For Example:
qáhas - milk
qáhas - milk
x
This sound is often called the "soft x." This sound is made by placing your tongue close to the roof of your mouth and letting the air rattle through the opening between hard palate and tongue. It sounds like a cat's hiss. This sound is almost never found at the beginning of a word.
This sound is often called the "soft x." This sound is made by placing your tongue close to the roof of your mouth and letting the air rattle through the opening between hard palate and tongue. It sounds like a cat's hiss. This sound is almost never found at the beginning of a word.
For Example:
wéeyux - leg
wéeyux - leg
x̣
This sound is a uvular x. It is often called the "hard x," but is also known as the "back x". The sound is formed in the same way as the soft x, only at the back of the mouth. It sounds as though you are clearing your throat to spit. This sound is often found at the beginning of words.
This sound is a uvular x. It is often called the "hard x," but is also known as the "back x". The sound is formed in the same way as the soft x, only at the back of the mouth. It sounds as though you are clearing your throat to spit. This sound is often found at the beginning of words.
For Example:
x̣áyx̣ayx̣ - white
x̣áyx̣ayx̣ - white
ɬ
This is a frickative l. This sound is made by placing your tongue behind the teeth, as though you are going to pronounce a regular l, but air is pushed out the sides of the tongue. This is not a vocal sound, as your vocal cords do not vibrate. This sounds much like a hiss.
This is a frickative l. This sound is made by placing your tongue behind the teeth, as though you are going to pronounce a regular l, but air is pushed out the sides of the tongue. This is not a vocal sound, as your vocal cords do not vibrate. This sounds much like a hiss.
For Example:
ɬéepɬep - butterfly
ɬéepɬep - butterfly
The Vowels
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a
e
i
o
u
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sounds like the a in "father"
háham - men can sound like the e in "set"
yéhet - neck can sound like the i in "hit"
sís - bellybutton sounds like the o in "potato"
tóhon - pants sounds like the u in "put"
kuhét - long/tall or the y in "crazy"
méeywi - morning |
aa
ee
ii
oo
uu
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sounds like the a in "hall"
háama - man sounds like the a in "lamb"
wéetes - earth/land sounds like the e's in "see"
síis - soup/gravy Sounds like the o in "tone"
sóox̣ - spoon Sounds like the u in "juice"
kúus - water |
Diphthongs
A diphthong is a vowel that ends by gliding into a "y" or a "w." Both long and short vowels can be diphthongs. The long vowel diphthongs sound more like the plain vowel.
A diphthong is a vowel that ends by gliding into a "y" or a "w." Both long and short vowels can be diphthongs. The long vowel diphthongs sound more like the plain vowel.
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aw
láwtiwaa - friend aaw
qi'yáawca - I/you am thirsty ey
léeheyn - day eey
méeywi - morning oy
támsoy - ant |
ay
híik'ay - bowl aay
'áayat - woman iw
laymíwt - youngest one iiw
qíiwn - old man |
ew
wéwluqse - I/you want eew
péews - tongue iy
hiyéete - female bighorn sheep iiy
píiyep - an olderbrother uy
k'úyc - nine |
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ooy
póoy - woman's niece (her brother's daughter) |
uuy
hipst'úuyce - I/you am full |
Glottalized Consonants
When the letters c, k, p, q, and t are followed by a glottal ('), their sound will "pop."
When the letters c, k, p, q, and t are followed by a glottal ('), their sound will "pop."
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c' – c'éwc'ew - ghost
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k' - k'úpk'up - back
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p' - p'áyn - to drain something out
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t' - t'iipít - cloudy sky
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q' - q'ocq'óc - naked
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When the letters m, n, w, y, and l are followed by glottal, they will be cut short.
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l' - hamól'ic - cute, lovable
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m' - hím' - mouth
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n' - tin'úun - male mountain sheep
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w' - wáaw'a - mosquito
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y' - wáy'at - far
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Vowel Harmony
In nimipuutímt, there are dominant vowels (a, o), recessive vowels (e, u), and a neutral vowel (i). In order to have vowel harmony, a nimipuutímt word will have only dominant vowels (a, o, i) or only recessive vowels (e, u, i).
nimipuutímt words can be made up of stems, prefixes, and suffixes. Vowel harmony is important when adding these pieces together. When recessive vowels (e, u) are added to dominant vowels (a, o), the stronger dominant vowels take charge and the weaker recessive vowels are changed. The vowel i is neutral and is unaffected by vowel harmony. When this change takes place, e's become a's, and u's become o's. This is also true for long vowels.
nimipuutímt words can be made up of stems, prefixes, and suffixes. Vowel harmony is important when adding these pieces together. When recessive vowels (e, u) are added to dominant vowels (a, o), the stronger dominant vowels take charge and the weaker recessive vowels are changed. The vowel i is neutral and is unaffected by vowel harmony. When this change takes place, e's become a's, and u's become o's. This is also true for long vowels.
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