| 2.3.1.2.2. Contrast of Centralised Short Vowels |
| /ë/ lower front centralised short vowel |
| /ä/ lower-back centralised short vowel |
| /ü/ higher-back centralised short vowel |
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|
| /ëRi/ |
`throw’ |
| /äRe/ |
`rock’ |
| /vëRu/ |
`stomach’ |
| /väre/ |
`beans’ |
| /mëri/ |
`proper name’ (male) |
| /märi/ |
`proper name’ (female) |
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|
| /känji/
|
`gruel’ |
| /künji/ |
`proper name’ (female) |
|
| 2.3.1.3. Contrast of Noncentralised Long Vowels |
| /i:/ higher-front noncentralised long vowel |
| /e:/ lower-front noncentralised long vowel |
| /a:/ lower-back noncentralised long vowel |
| /o:/ higher-mid-back noncentralised long vowel |
| /u:/ higher-back noncentralised long vowel |
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|
|
| /i:ru/ |
`lice’ |
| /e:ru/ |
`plough’ |
| /bi:msu/ |
`beans’ |
| /be:msu/ |
`margosa’ |
| /pi:/ |
`excreta’ |
| /pe:/ |
`ghost’ |
|