Magin_Edward-thesis

58
w, W 35 [w] like ‘w’ in ‘wit’ were (come), kew (partridge)
x, X [χ] voiceless uvular xanî (house), ax (dirt)
fricative, similar to
German velar ‘ch’
in ‘Bach’
ẍ, Ẍ [ʁ] voiced uvular pêẍember (prophet), baẍ (garden)
fricative
y, Y [j] like ‘y’ in ‘yes’ yarî (game), mey (wine)
Note: The same symbol is used for ‘y and ‘î’
in the modified Arabic script. In the Latin based
script, ‘y’ is used word initial when it is
followed by a vowel. ‘y’ is also used for the
dipthongs ay and ey.
z, Z [z] like ‘z’ in ‘zoo’ zîv (silver), xîz (sand)
’ [ʕ] voiced pharyngeal ‘eciz (upset), du’a (prayer)
fricative
4.2.3 Diphthongs and sound variation
In Kurdish script (the Kurdish orthography based on the Arabic script) there is no
distinction between w and u. The same is true of y and î. Therefore, writing in the Latin
script varies. Often when a w is next to a vowel, the two join to become a diphthong.
Such is the case for the word for ‘salt,’ xwê. Additionally, variations exist according to
region and social identities, such as tribe and religion. Many Kurds of northern Iraq are
still very much divided into various tribes and each tribe may exhibit small differences in
pronunciation and, ultimately, differences in spelling.
35 The same symbol is used for ‘w’ and ‘u’ in the modified Arabic script. In the Latin based
script, ‘w’ is used word initial when it is followed by a consonant. When ‘w’ preceeds an “i, î or
ê, the sound is a close, back, unrounded semivowel [ɯ], like the French cuire.” (Thackston
2006:3)