Current rules for reading Tama – From English
These may change later. Please note that there are MORE rules for writing Tama. This should just help you read easily. It will not help with writing since so many writing rules are still being worked on.
These letters make the same sound as in English
b d f g h j k l m n s t w y z
These letters sounds like the example word below
a – ma Tama example wal - house
e – egg Tama example te - cow
i – meet Tama example ita - here
o – go Tama Example lotit - bed
u – boot Tama example duut - big
Other sounds
ch – In english this sound is written as ‘sh’
Tama example
Bichi - knife
n̰ - This sounds like ‘ny’ together
Tama example
esi n̰ali – he knows
ŋ – In English, this is written ‘ng’
Tama example
waraŋa – he went out
r – this sound does not exist in English or French. It is close to the letter ra in Arabic.
Tama example
at iri – A person is here
í – This is not a letter, this is the word "you", singular. Whenever you see the letter í with an accent over it, it is the word "you".
Tama Example
í afi ane? - Are you well?
If a letter is written twice, say the sound long.
Daasa – now
Maa – man
Kiiti – Bone
Ŋuun – Jackal
Unniŋa – He brought
Kibitta – Next to