“uo’aXy’an Lesson One - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSOETxLuUHo
The Xi’an Alphabet - Xi'an Alphabet and Practice Sheet - Star Citizen Spectrum
An Overview of the Xi’an Language for Diplomats”
In this video segment of the Xian language series, the focus is on pronunciation and writing. The Xian sound system incorporates elements from various Asian languages, but it is not difficult to pronounce. Pitch and vowel length are two important aspects of pronunciation in Xian. Different pitches can alter the meaning of words, and vowel length can also change the meaning in Xian. There are also diphthongs in Xian, such as “ai” and “au,” which have short and long variations. Rounding is another phenomenon in Xian where a vowel sound is influenced by the sound that comes before it.
The Xian script uses a combination of the Roman alphabet and punctuation marks to represent the sounds and pitches of the language. The vowel sounds and consonant clusters are introduced, and their pronunciation is demonstrated. The alphabet also includes pitch markers using punctuation marks. There is a strong emphasis on the syllable structure in Xian, with onsets, nuclei, and codas. The language has specific rules for allowable sounds in codas, and it is somewhat flexible with the pronunciation of the “L” and “R” sounds.
The Xian script is introduced, which is more complex than the Roman alphabet. Each letter and combination of letters represents a separate sound, and syllable blocks are created with the combination of sounds. Pitch markers are also incorporated in the script to indicate the tone of a syllable. Recognizing the shapes and forms of the script letters takes practice and memorization. Finally, the video discusses how pitch is marked on syllable blocks in the Xian script, with various ticks and dots indicating rising, falling, or flat pitches.
In the next chapter, the focus will shift to learning basic words and phrases in Xian, as well as practising reading and writing in the Xian script. It is emphasized that practicing repeatedly is important for success in learning the script and improving pronunciation.