The vowelsystem
East Frisian Platt has short and long vowels like those found in High German, Low German or Dutch.
However, vowels in East Frisian Platt can also become overlong!
short vowels with overlength / open vowels
| pronunciation |
If short vowels are subject to overlength, then the schwa /ə/ approaches them. The first sound in the word "about" /əbaʊt/ is a schwa. |
| spelling |
You write this schwa with an e attached. |
long vowels with overlength / overlong vowels
| pronunciation |
When long vowels and the short a are subject to overlength, they are pronounced a little longer, with the tone first rising and then falling towards the end of the word. |
| spelling |
There are two categories for writing. In the first category, the double vowel is written with a circumflex on the first vowel; in the second category, an e is added to the double vowel. |
This overview shows the different lengths using examples:
| short vowel |
short vowel with overlength / open vowel |
long vowel |
long vowel with overlength / overlong vowel |
| acht |
- |
waark |
bâank |
| elt |
äen |
peerd |
dêel |
| ik |
iem |
tiid |
knîin |
| bost |
boel |
brood |
bôon |
| busk |
buer |
huus |
tûun |
| Amerikó |
- |
tóól |
stróóet |
| grötsk |
röet |
föör |
klööer |
| stük |
büelt |
lüüntje |
süüekt |
| plesärelk |
- |
bäär |
- |
The rules of the vowels also apply to the East Frisian diphthongs:
| short diphthong |
long diphthong |
long diphthong with overlength / overlong diphthong |
| ailand |
laaj |
mâaj |
| gaud |
baauen |
kâauk |
| häi |
- |
läieft |
| freidağ |
säj |
fräejt |
| moin |
roojen |
gôoj |
| - |
swóójen |
tóóejt |
| - |
kröjen |
sköej |
| wröyten |
- |
blöyem |