Sounds and Phonology
Somali has 22 consonant phonemes, with at least one in every place of articulation described on the IPA chart, except epiglottal. It has five basic vowel sounds, each possessing a front and back variation as well as long or short versions, giving distinct 20 pure vowel sounds. It also exhibits three tones: high, low and falling.
Read more about this topic: Somali Language
Famous quotes containing the words sounds and and/or sounds:
“Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices,
That, if I then had waked after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Bill: I have champagne, caviar, marinated truffles, brilliant foie gras and half-a-dozen assorted Hungarian gypsies.
Lili: Sounds delicious.
Bill: I thought we’d go on a picnic.
Lili: At three in the morning?
Bill: It’s the best time—no ants.”
—Blake Edwards (b. 1922)