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Alphabet Vai

Vai Syllabary

The Vai syllabary was created around 1833 by Momolu Duwalu Bukele in Liberia. It is one of the few indigenous West African scripts still in active use, with over 200 syllabic characters.

Vai Vowel Series

CaractèreNomRomanisationPrononciation
Aalike 'a' in 'father'
Eeeelike 'ee' in 'see'
Iiilike 'i' in 'sit'
Oooolike 'oo' in 'moon'
Uulike 'u' in 'put'
Eelike 'e' in 'bed'
Oolike 'o' in 'go'

Vai Syllables (B series)

CaractèreNomRomanisationPrononciation
Babalike 'ba' in 'ball'
Beebeelike 'bee'
Bibilike 'bi' in 'bit'
Booboolike 'boo'
Bubulike 'bu' in 'bull'
Bebelike 'be' in 'bed'
Bobolike 'bo' in 'boat'

Vai Syllables (D series)

CaractèreNomRomanisationPrononciation
Dadalike 'da' in 'day'
Deedeelike 'dee'
Didilike 'di' in 'din'
Doodoolike 'doo'
Dudulike 'du' in 'dull'
Dedelike 'de' in 'den'
Dodolike 'do' in 'dot'

Vai Syllables (F series)

CaractèreNomRomanisationPrononciation
Fafalike 'fa' in 'far'
Feefeelike 'fee'
Fifilike 'fi' in 'fit'
Foofoolike 'foo'
Fufulike 'fu' in 'full'
Fefelike 'fe' in 'felt'
Fofolike 'fo' in 'fond'