NISIDOTAM SPELLING & PHONETIC CHARTS OF THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE

Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, does not have one universally accepted writing system. Instead, multiple systems are utilized, mainly adapting the Latin alphabet or using Canadian Indigenous syllabics.

Latin Alphabet Systems:

Fiero Double Vowel System:
This is a popular Roman alphabet-based system, especially in the US, where long vowels are indicated by doubling the vowel letter ( "aa" for a long "a", "ii" for long "i", "oo" for an "oo" sound).

Other variations:
Various Anishinaabe and Ininewak (Cree) communities and educators have created their own alphabetic systems, frequently drawing from English or French orthography. These systems may differ in how they represent sounds such as /ʃ/ (commonly written as "sh" or "š") and /tʃ/ (commonly written as "ch" or "č").

Canadian Syllabics, often referred to as "Canadian Aboriginal Syllabics," is a writing system used for Cree and other related languages. Each symbol in this system represents a syllable composed of a consonant-vowel pairing. It is extensively used in northern Ontario and Manitoba.

Other Systems:
Ininewak-Nakawēk (Cree-Salteaux) Roman System:
This system, related to the Cree syllabic system, is used by some Ojibwe speakers, particularly in northern Ontario.
Great Lakes Algonquian Syllabics:
This system, based on French spelling, was used by speakers of Meskwaki (Fox), Bodewadmi (Potawatomi), and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), and there's some evidence it was used by some Southwestern Ojibwe speakers.

Ojibwe Hieroglyphs:
Ojibwemowin, while not a standard writing system, involves the use of anishinaabewibii'iganan (Ojibwe hieroglyphic symbols) on wiigwaasabakoon (birch bark scrolls) and in various other settings. The Midewiwin, the Ojibwe Medicine Society, largely keeps the meanings of these symbols private.

All Ojibwe words are made of sound (phonemes) and meaning (morphemes). The best way to learn the language is to be sure you are sounding out the meaning, which involves learning careful pronunciation and recognizing how sounds create meaning.

This website employs three writing systems: the Fiero double vowel spelling, a generic folk-phonetic script developed by Zhaawano Giizik (intended to unify several Ojibwe dialects), and a Turtle Mountain-based folk-phonetic script provided by Jessie Cree. Syncope, which is the omission of one or more sounds or letters leading to the loss of unstressed vowels within a word, is not represented, though it appears in some South Eastern dialects. Generally, a word in Fiero spelling is accompanied by one or both phonetic folk versions in brackets. While the following charts strive for accuracy, truly precise pronunciation often requires guidance from fluent speakers. Additionally, remember that

pronunciation can differ by region.

1. Fiero Double Vowel Chart

This guide offers a general pronunciation of Ojibwe words. The consonants are pronounced in a way that is largely similar to English.

“a”- sounds like the “a” in English"tuba" or the "u" in English "but"

“aa”- sounds like the extended “a” sound in the English word "pecan"

"ay" - sound like the "ye" in English "bye-bye"

“i”- sounds like the “i” in English "bit"

“ii”- sounds like the “ee” in English "reed"

“o”- sounds like the "u" in English "put": for example: "onjibaa" (s/he comes from a certain place) or the "u" in English "bush": for example: "animosh" (dog)

“oo”- sounds like the “oo” in English "loot"; for example: "boozhoo" (greetings). In some cases it resembles the "oa" in English "boat"; for example, "indoonjibaa" (I come from a certain place) or "gidoodem" (your clan)

“e”- sounds like the “ay” in English "stay" or the "e" in "ledger"

y - The letter “y” followed by a long or short vowel resembles the "y" sounds of "yin-yang"

"zh"- sounds like the "su" in pleasure.

Vowel + nh - The "nh" indicates a nasalized vowel, with the "h" not pronounced as a separate sound. Examples: aanh (also written as a'anh), enh, iinh, oonh.
An apostrophe (') is used to express a glottal stop.

Consonants: generally pronounced similarly to English consonants.

"sh" sounds like the "sh" in English show or the “su” in English measure - corresponding with "zh" in Fiero script

"zh" sounds like the “su” in English measure - corresponding with "zh" in Fiero script

"j" resembles the "j" sound in "Jim."

2. Phonetic Writing Chart - non-standardized generic"folk-phonetics" in brackets partially using English phonology, though not according the IPA standard. * Words are placed inside brackets and individual syllables and/or morphs are hyphenated.

"a" related sounds:

a before consonants, the "y" sound, and a glottal stop (') sound - a short, distinct, straightforward "a", akin to the "a" in British English "fashion." Examples: izhinam, "s/he has a certain dream or vision, thinks s/he sees something a certain way ([ih-zhih-NAM]). Ayaa, "s/he is in a certain state or a certain place or moves a certain way" ([a-YAH]). Nisawa'igan, "tipi" ([nih-sa-wa-IH-gun])

-a at the end of a word: the "a" is a distinct, straightforward "a" and resembles the "a" in English "blah." Example: MEEH-ka-NA (path, road, trail) - corresponding with Fiero "miikana"

ah before consonants - resembling the long "a" sound in "Khan" of Genghis Khan. Example: [aw-dih-zo-kahn] - Corresponding with Fiero "aadizookaan" (sacred story; nonhuman protagonist of a sacred story).

-wah - the "ah" in "wah" has a long, distinct, straightforward "a" sound. Example: mee-nah-WAH - Corresponds with Fiero ""miinawaa" (also; and; again)
chahg - "aw" has a long, distinct, straightforward "a" sound. Example: [(nin)-jih-CHAHG] (my spirit, my soul) - corresponding with Fiero "ninjichaag"

aw before consonants - resembling the "aw" sound in English "saw"

bay - resembling "ie" in English "pie" Example: [gee-BAY] (ghost; spirit) - corresponding with Fiero "jiibay"

gun - the "u" is similar to the "u" in "gun" - corresponding with "gan" in Fiero spelling

nun - the "u" is similar to the "u" in English "nun" - corresponding with "nan" in Fiero spelling

shun - the "u" is similar to the "u" in English "nun" - corresponding with "shan" in Fiero spelling

aw - similar to the “a” sound in English "dawn" but longer in duration

wah - the "ah" is pronounced like the extended “a” sound in the English word "pecan" - corresponding with "aa" in Fiero. Example: bawaagan [bah-WAAH-gun] - Guardian Spirit Animal; sacred pipe

uck - similar to the "uck" sound in English "luck" - corresponding with "ak" and "ag" in Fiero spelling

ock - similar to the "ag" sound in English "bag" but pronounced longer - corresponding with "aak" in Fiero spelling

wuck - similar to the "uck" sound in English "luck" - corresponding with "wag" in Fiero spelling

knock - resembling the "awk" sound in English "hawk" but pronounced longer - corresponding with "naak" in Fiero spelling. Example: mikinaak [mih-kih-knock] (snapping turtle)

"e" related sounds:

eh - like the “e” sound in English "bet"

eh in front of a consonant: like the “e” sound in English "bet." Example: [gih-gun-a-wish-koht-da-WEHM] (You (plural) tend the fire) - "Giganawishkodawem" in Fiero script
beh/deh/geh/keh/meh/neh/teh/weh - a straight "e" sound similar to the "ba" in English "baby." Example: [ah-nih-shih-nah-BEH] - corresponding with "Anishinaabe" in Fiero script

eigh - similar to the "eigh" sound in English "height"

wake - similar to English "wake" - corresponding with "weg" in Fiero script

nay - the "ay" sound is similar to the "ay" in English "bay"; corresponding with "ne" in Fiero "Binesi" (Thunderbird)

gwaytch - the "ay" is similar to the “ay” in English "bay"; corresponding with "gwech" in Fiero script
mayne - the "ay" sound is similar to the "ay" in English "bay"; corresponding with "e" in Fiero script
daym/wayn - the "ay" sounds are similar to the "ay" in English "bay"; corresponding with "e" in Fiero script
way/wayn/yay - similar to English "way"; the "ay" corresponds with "e" in Fiero. Example: [zhaw-wayn-nin-dih-win] -"zhawenindiwin" in Fiero script

eñ - the "ñ" in "eñ" is pronounced with a nasal sound, like the "n" in the French word "pain" (bread). Example: [noo-zhis-sheñ] (my grandchild) - corresponding with noozhishehn in Fiero script

"shiñ" is pronounced like the French word "chien" (dog). Example: oozhishenyan [oo-zhis-shiñ-yañ] (her/his grandchild/grandchildren)

"i" related sounds:

ih - similar to the “i” sound in English "bit"

che - similar to "ji" in English "jibberish" - corresponding with "ji" in Fiero

im - similar to the "im" sound in English "rim"

in - similar to the "in" sound in English "win"

ick - similar to the "ick" sound in English "lick" - corresponding with "ig" in Fiero "waawiyekamig" (the Universe)

ew - like the "ew" sound in English "brew"

ee- before consonants: resembling the "ee" sound in English "reel"

gee- is pronounced like English "Je" in "Jezus" - corresponding with Fiero "jii" - Example: jiibay [GEE-beigh] (spirit; soul; ghost)
eeh - like the “ee” sound in English "heed"
wee - like English "we"
mee - like English "me" but pronounced longer
nee - "ee" resembles the "ee" in English "reel"
chee - [tchee] corresponding with the "chi" sound in Fiero "gichi"

been - the "ee" is similar to the "ee" sound in English "keen" - corresponding with Fiero "biin" (Example:"biindigen" (welcome) [BEEN-dih-kehn])

gee - like the sound "je" in English "Jesus"- corresponding with "jii" in Fiero

geeh - The "g" is a guttural sound, corresponding with "gii" in Fiero

keeh - The "k" is similar to "g" but is pronounced slightly harder, corresponding with "gii" in Fiero

neen - corresponding with "niin" in Fiero aaniin (how?; why?; greetings!)

"o" related sounds:

oh - similar to the “o” sound in English "off"

-gong - "ong" is similar to the "ong" sound in English "long." Example: Fiero "giizhigong" (in the sky)
-gonk - "onk" is similar to the "onk" sound in English "honk." Example: Fiero "giizhigong" (in the sky) - as pronounced by, among others, members of Obaashiing (Red Lake, Minnesota)

o- like the “oa” sound in English "load." Example: [oh-do-DAYM] - corresponding with the "oo" in Fiero "odoodem" (his clan)

ooh - like the “oo” sound in English "food"

tu - the "u" sound resembles the "ou" in English "you" - Example: [mah-nih-TU] - corresponding with "doo" in Fiero "manidoo" (spirit; mystery)

bow - like English "bow"- corresponding with "oo" in Fiero

Peculiarities:

eñ - a nasal ending like the sound in the French name "Jean." Corresponding with "nh" in Fiero spelling

"sh" sounds like the "sh" in English show or the “su” in English measure - corresponding with "zh" in Fiero script

Vowel + ñ: The "ñ" indicates a nasalized vowel. Examples: ñ (also written as "aanh" or "a'anh" in Fiero script), ñ (enh in Fiero script), iiñ (iinh in Fiero script), ooñ (oonh in Fiero script).

An apostrophe (') is used to express a glottal stop.

Consonants: generally pronounced similarly to English consonants.

"j" resembles the "j" sound in "Jim."

"dj" in "djaah" resembles the "j" sound in "Jim." Example: [djaah-sah-keed] - corresponding with Fiero "jaasakiid" (shaking tent seer)
"dj" in "djeez" resembles the "j" sound in "Jim" (Example: [djeezhe-kahn] - corresponding with Fiero "jiisakaan" (shaking tent)

A capital letter used for a single letter signifies a brief pause or "apnea," a sound akin to a glottal stop, which nonetheless does not disrupt the continuity of a word or sentence. For example: Ka-na-weE-ish-koh-tE-ih-WE ("S/he tends the fire over there"): the capital letters in "Ka", wE, and tE indicate an apnea (small pause in breathing)).

A syllable entirely written in capital letters means that the syllable is stressed.

For example: [ah-nih-shih-naw-BEH] (Anishinaabe).

* IPA: International Phonetic Alphabet.

3. Phonetic Writing Chart - based on Mikinaakwajiwing (Turtle Mountains) dialect; non-standardized "folk-phonetics" in brackets using English phonology, though not according the IPA standard. Words are placed inside brackets; individual syllables and/or morphs are not hyphenated.

This phonetics system primarily seeks to demonstrate the movement of sounds within words and sentences. Several techniques are employed to clarify this:

The climax of a sentence is reached by using "carry on," which shifts the focus to the next word through inserted morphs — temporarily used to create a direct link to the following word. These "in-between-sounds" that can be added to a sentence are virtually endless, allowing you to describe anything; ay, ee, ah, uh, e, o, i, y, as well of the use of double consonants (kk, gg, ss, tt, zz, etc.) can change the meaning of a word.
Double consonants in a word indicate that the final sound is repeated in the next syllable.
A capital letter used for a single letter indicates a very small pause or "apnea," a stress sound similar to a glottal stop, which, however, does not interrupt the flow in a word or a sentence.

For example, the term "Mikinaakwajiiwing (At Turtle Mountains) can be articulated as follows: [mee kee knock kwuh Cheeng"] (a brief pause in breathing occurs between the fourth and fifth morph, "kwuh" and "cheeng").

A syllable entirely written in capital letters means that the syllable is stressed.

For example: Waaban - [WAH pun]

A word is often provided with several variations to convey (slight) differences in meaning or emotion.

Examples:

[puck kun nay gee ZHICK] - hole in the sky; corresponding with Fiero "bagonegiizhig"
[mun nit too kay win nawn] - ceremonies; corresponding with Fiero "manidookewinan"
[awt dee zo KAY win] sacred-storytelling) - storytelling; corresponding with Fiero "aadizookewin"
Variations:
[awt tiss soo KAY ah win]
[awt tiss soh KAY Ah win]
[awt tiss soh KAY O win]
[awt tiss soh KAY E win]
[awt tiss soh KAY I yah win]
[awt tiss soh KAY Y yah win]

For more detailed information on the topic of Ojibwe phonology, also see: Understanding Sound & Meaning.

Presented below is Jessie Cree's detailed Anishinaabemowin sound table, which showcases the intricate and rich nature of the Ojibwe language, highlighting its (at least144) unique sounds. Our teaching method emphasizes these sounds in a relaxed and informal way, ensuring a fun learning experience.
It's important to note that Jessie created this list of sounds back in 1986 as part of his effort to learn the Ojibwe sounds his father taught him. There are likely additional sounds, including those not represented in the English alphabet, as the different scripts were developed by missionaries. The table above displays the sounds using the alphabet they utilized. You can expand the table with more sounds as your vocabulary grows, but it should be applicable to most Ojibwe vocabulary levels.