<p>The phonology table shows it quite simply, it modifies the <code>e</code> to indicate that it is a long vowel. I don't know why the vowel table shows the dipthongs <code>a:i</code> and <code>a:u</code> but not <code>e:i</code> (or any others).</p>

<p>Note that although this may seem to be a common colon, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Length_(phonetics)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the actual IPA diacritic</a> is two triangles, flat sides on the outside: U+02D0 <code>ː</code>. But as the colon doesn't have another meaning in the IPA and it's much easier to type, a lot of people just use it instead.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-07-26T11:32:52.110Z
I'm pretty sure it's because a:i and a:u are the only actual (long) diphthongs, e:i is read as two syllables (which is allowed because it's word final)
No Name
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-11T09:02:39.227Z
Interesting. I've never seen that before.
Mithical
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-11T08:54:44.927Z
2018-03-21T03:32:11.343Z
2018-03-21T03:32:11.343Z
curiousdannii
<p>Looking at the zompist page for <a href="http://www.zompist.com/wedei.html#Phonology" rel="noreferrer">Wede:i</a>, I don't see any instructions on how to pronounce the ":" that we see in the name of the language and other places.</p>

<p>Am I missing something? How are you supposed to pronounce the ":"?</p>

<phonology><verdurian-languages>
How do you pronounce the ":" in Wede:i?
# How do you pronounce the ":" in Wede:i?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-11)

Looking at the zompist page for [Wede:i](http://www.zompist.com/wedei.html#Phonology), I don't see any instructions on how to pronounce the ":" that we see in the name of the language and other places.

Am I missing something? How are you supposed to pronounce the ":"?

**Tags:** phonology, verdurian-languages


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-02-11. Score: 14

The phonology table shows it quite simply, it modifies the `e` to indicate that it is a long vowel. I don't know why the vowel table shows the dipthongs `a:i` and `a:u` but not `e:i` (or any others).

Note that although this may seem to be a common colon, [the actual IPA diacritic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Length_(phonetics)) is two triangles, flat sides on the outside: U+02D0 `ː`. But as the colon doesn't have another meaning in the IPA and it's much easier to type, a lot of people just use it instead.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Interesting. I've never seen that before.  
> **username_2**: I'm pretty sure it's because a:i and a:u are the only actual (long) diphthongs, e:i is read as two syllables (which is allowed because it's word final)  

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