Initials.
The Upper Series are—p, ’m, ’v, t, ts, s, ’l, ’ny, ’ng, k, ky, kw, i and ’w. These initials are pronounced in most cases much the same as in English, but without aspiration, higher in pitch and with very little vibration of the larynx. The apostrophe before a letter indicates that the letter belongs to the “higher series.” Pure vowel initials also belong to this series.
’ny has a sound similar to that of ni in spaniel.
ky ＝ ch in chuk with all aspiration eliminated.
i as an initial has the sound of i in dahlia.
The Aspirates are—ph, f, th, tsh, kh, ch, khw, h, hy, and hw (th as in Thomson—not as in thing).
ch ＝ ch in church.
hy is nearly like ti in Portia.
The other aspirates are like the corresponding initials of the higher series with the addition of a strong aspiration (indicated by h).
The Lower Series are—b, m, v, d, dz, z, l, n, ny, ng, g, j, gw, y, and w. Their pronunciation is much the same as in English. They are lower in pitch than corresponding initials of the “higher series,” and have more “voice,” being pronounced with more decided vibration of the larynx. The lower vowel initials, indicated by an inverted comma (‘) and attended with a slight aspiration, belong to this series.