Letter X
Letter x is pronounced with the tongue in the same part of the mouth as for k, except that air is permitted to flow between the back of the tongue and the roof of the mouth, giving the sound a distinctive "raspy" quality. While this sound does not occur in English, it is common to many other European languages, occurring for example as the last sound in German 'Bach' or Scottish 'loch'.Click on a video below to see and hear Mrs. Irene Arnold pronouncing words with X.
xunhéeyh she or he is talking
xeenixtét-thet they are insulted
xį̌įth raft
ná'egséex I'm hunting
xey winter
lóx fish hook
The x sound is similar to other sounds in Tanacross. Below are examples that contrast these similar sounds.
Click below to hear Mrs. Laura Sanford illustrating the difference between k and x at the start of syllables.
Click below to hear Mrs. Irene Arnold illustrating the difference between x, x and gh at the start of syllables.
The x sound should not be confused with h.
Click below to hear Mrs. Irene Arnold illustrating the difference between x and h at the start of syllables.
Sentences contrasting x and h sounds.
Hąháalá stáanét-t'ek. The oldsquaw duck quickly flew away.
Nxeh xah ts'į́ xen aahaał. You sister-in-law is walking quickly toward the goose.
Sentences contrasting velar sounds -- sounds produced in the back of the mouth.
Gah gha xuu'éł naxghogdek. I am telling them a story about a rabbit.
Naagêddh ké' k'ée shgáal' aaxá' nék-'ęh. I see fox tracks near my rabbit snare.
Wuk'îig yaashěg' ts'enh xetl gaay xaaxeeł. They are packing the small sled down from the distant ridge.
similar sounds