ConsonantsĬomanche has a typical Numic consonant inventory. Unstressed short vowels are usually devoiced when /s/ or /h/ follows and optionally when word-final. Short vowels can be either voiced or voiceless. Short vowels can be lengthened when they are stressed. An example of a long vowel is the (ee) in meaning 'turtle'. Long vowels are never devoiced and in the orthography they are represented as (aa, ee, ii, oo, uu, ɨɨ). In the conventional orthography, these vowels are marked with an underline: a̱, e̱, i̱, o̱, u̱, ʉ̱.Ĭomanche distinguishes vowels by length. Note that Comanche also has voiceless vowels, but they are non-phonemic and therefore not represented in this chart. In the following chart, the basic symbols given are in the IPA, whereas the equivalent symbols in the conventional orthography are given to the right of them, in parentheses and boldface. Historically, there was a certain amount of free variation between and (as shown by comparison with Shoshoni cognates), but the variation is no longer so common and most morphemes have become fixed on either /ai/ or /e/. In addition, there is the common diphthong /ai/. Phonology VowelsĬomanche has a typical Numic vowel inventory of six vowels. The college is conducting a language recording project, as the language is "mostly oral," and emphasizing instruction for tribal members. Comanche language courses are also available at the Comanche Nation College. An online class is available from the Learn Comanche organization, and the Comanche Language and Cultural Preservation Committee offers dictionaries and language learning materials. Army to send messages conveying sensitive information in the Comanche language so that it could not be deciphered by the enemy.Īs of July 2013, there are roughly 25-30 native speakers of the language, according to The Boston Globe. A group of seventeen young men referred to as the Comanche Code Talkers were trained and used by the U.S. The Comanche language was briefly prominent during World War II. The second generation then grew up speaking English, because of the belief that it was better for them not to know Comanche. In the late 19th century, Comanche children were placed in boarding schools where they were discouraged from speaking their native language, and even severely punished for doing so. Although efforts are now being made to ensure its survival, most speakers of the language are elderly.
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