Rule 6 of 6
Quick winUse your long vowels
Kinyarwanda already separates short and long vowels, and Standard English uses the same difference in many common pairs. Hold every long vowel (a double letter in the sound spellings) about twice as long as the short one, as you do in Kinyarwanda.
can and can't
Say can't as kaant: aa held twice as long, then a full t. Say can as kan, or as an unstressed kən in the middle of a sentence.
When the answer matters (a promise, an appointment, a request), say 'cannot' instead of can't.
When Americans speak, listen for stress: 'I kən go' means can, and 'I kant go' means can't.
Short and long vowels
| Short | Long | Play both |
|---|---|---|
| ship | sheepshiip | |
| liveliv | leaveliiv | |
| fillfil | feelfiil | |
| sit | seatsiit | |
| fullful | foolfuul | |
| pullpul | poolpuul | |
| cutkat | cartkaat | |
| huthat | hearthaat | |
| cankan | can'tkaant |
The short i in ship sits between Kinyarwanda i and e; the short u in full sits between Kinyarwanda u and o.
Always hold the ii in sheet, beach and piece: each one has a rude short-vowel partner.