Klallam Vowels
i is the same as the i in English ‘machine.’
e is rare in Klallam and occurs before ʔ and sometimes before y or y̓. It is the same as the e in English ‘bet.’
ə is called a ‘schwa.’ It is pronounced like the a and o of English ‘above’ or like the u in English ‘cut.’ It also can sound like the vowels of English ‘hook’ or ‘hit’ or ‘hot,’ depending on what sounds it is next to.
u is usually pronounced like the u in English ‘tune’ or the oo in English ‘hoot.’ It also sometimes sounds more like the vowel of English ‘boat’ especially when it comes before ʔ.
a is usually slightly longer than the other vowels. It is pronounced like the vowel in English ‘call.’ Each of the vowels is shown below with an accent mark. (Note that ‘a’ is just the italics version of ‘a.’ They are not different vowels.)
| i | ɬíxʷ | three |
| ʔítt | sleep | |
| e | ʔéʔɬx̣ʷaʔ | Elwha |
| šéʔtəŋ̓ | wishing | |
| ə | nə́kʷ | you |
| čə́saʔ | two | |
| u | ʔúpən | ten |
| nə́c̓uʔ | one | |
| a | tán | mother |
| ʔáʔyəŋ | house |