Spelling East Cree (Southern) – Syllabic symbols not to forget to write

Short ᐃ or ᐊ at the beginning

In many words the short ᐃ or ᐊ at the beginning is not pronounced in ordinary fast speech. However, you can hear it when a prefix is added to the beginning of a word. Make sure to write the ᐃ or ᐊ, even when it is not audible or pronounced.

ᐧᐃ and ᐧᐄ

Words beginning with ᐧᐃ and ᐧᐄ sound alike. In order to decide which one to write, it is best to check with the dictionary.

ᐧᐃᓐ at the end of a word

A noun can be made from a verb by adding ᐧᐃᓐ to a verb.

ᐧᐊᑦ at the end of a word (A NEW RULE Fall 2015)

Words which refer to a box or container or sealed packages are now spelled with ᐧᐊᑦ at the end (and not ᐧᐃᑦ).

ᓂ at the beginning of a word

In many words, which begin with ᓂ, there is a tendency to write this syllabic symbol as a small. But the small symbol is only used at the end of words.

Some of the numbers are pronounced two ways, with or without ᓂ at the beginning.

ᒋ at the beginning of a word

Often words, which are written with ᒋ at the beginning, are pronounced with ᔥ or ᔅ. The big ᒋ should still be written before ᑎ, ᑐ, ᑕ.

Also before ᒌ…

ᒋ in the middle of a word…

See also: Spelling East Cree – Northern Dialect – Syllabic symbols not to forget to write