Lezgi alphabet and its pronunciation



Below you can find the Lezgi alphabet with an approximate pronunciation guide. In the second column comes a Roman transliteration of the Cyrillic. As far as I know there is no universally accepted standard for latinizing Lezgi language and everyone uses their own way of writing. I treat what's listed here as an auxiliary system, an ad hoc proposal aimed at inspiring some discussion, eventually leading to adoption of consistent and widely accepted latinization scheme. If my proposal has any merits I owe it entirely to Iveri Stvilia's suggestions (on which I have based it), and any flaws it may have are exclusively my responsibility. Please tell me what do you think.

Now for the sounds of Lezgi

а a So called continental "a", pronounced as in Italian, Spanish or Polish. Clear sound without glides 
б b Quite normal English  "b" will do
в v Pronunciation may vary between English "v" and "w". The latter variant prevails when in the middle of a word or after a consonant
г g English "g"
гъ gh Voiced version of the "ch" in Scottish "loch". The sound of Arabic "ghein"
гь h English "h"
д d English "d"
е e
je		 (after a consonant) approximately as English "e" in "let"
(word-initially or after a vowel) as "ye" in English "yes"
ё jo "Yo" with clear "o" sound ie. without glide
ж zh Depending on dialect it can be pronounced as "s" in "measure" or "j" in "jam"
з z English "z"
и i As "ee" in "fleet" but shorter
й j English "y" as in "year"
к k English "k", aspirated (ie. pronounced with an audible puff of air)
къ q Something like "k" but "throaty" (ie. pharyngeal) and unaspirated (no puff of air)
кь q' Previous sound but glottalized (with a 'tense' articulation - as if you were choking when saying it)
кI k' Usual "k" but glottalized
л l English "l", depending on circumstances, can be clear or dark
м m English "m". Straightforward
н n English "n". Another straightforward one.
о o Clear "o" sound, without any glides. Like Spanish or Italian "o"'s. Found only in loanwords.
п p Usual "p" sound.
пI p' As above but glottalized
р r Trilled "r". Like Scottish one
с s Normal "s" sound
т t English "t"
тI t' As above but glottalized
у u As "oo" in "book" but shorter
уь y The sound of the French "y" or German "ü"
ф f English "f"
х x As German "ach - Laut" in "Bach" or Scottish "ch" in "loch"
хъ qh Throaty (ie. pharyngeal) "k" again, but aspirated (pronounced with an audible puff of air) this time. 
хь xh As German "ich - Laut" - х pronounced further to the front of the mouth
ц c "ts" but pronounced as one sound
цI c' As above, glottalized
ч ch English "ch" in "chapter"
чI ch' As above but glottalized
ш sh English "sh" in "ship"
э e English "e" in "let", approximately.
ю ju "yoo"... "y" as in English "yes"; "oo" as in "book"
я ja
ae		 (after vowel) "ya" "y" as in English "yes" plus clear "a" sound
(after consonant) as "a" in English "cat"
ъ ' So called glottal stop, the sound in the middle of American "uh-huh"

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I owe this page, as I owe everything, to K.D. , whose smile makes the impossible happen