The Vowels

The long vowels (aa, ii, uu) are pronounced like the short vowels except they are lengthened.

There are six dipthongs:

“ai” has the long i sound.
“au” has the cow sound.
“ai” has the area sound.
“au” is close to the wa sound pronounced slowly.
“ui” is close to the cooing sound.
“iu” has a mew sound.

The sounds are demonstrated on the accompanying CDs.  You will need to listen to the CDs and pronounce the words repeatedly. Talk with an Iñupiaq speaker as often as you can to get practice.

From here on you are the only one who can make it possible for you to speak Iñupiaq.

Good luck and welcome to our world!