Shona + IPT 

A (a) = a in “father.”

B (b) = b in “bat.”

Ch (ch) = ch in “cheese.”

D (d) = d in “dog.”

Dz (dz) = dz (A voiced affricate, similar to the ‘ds’ in “pods.”)

E (e) = e in “let.”

F (f) = f in “fish.”

G (g) = g in “go.”

Gw (gw) = gw (A voiced sound similar to the ‘gw’ in “gwent.”)

H (h) = h in “hello.”

I (i) = ee in “see.”

J (j) = j in “judge.”

K (k) = k in “kite.”

M (m) = m in “mother.”

N (n) = n in “no.”

Nj (nj) = ny in “canyon.”

Nh (nh) = nh (A nasal sound similar to the ‘ny’ in “canyon,” but with a stronger nasal quality.)

Nz (nz) = nz (A voiced nasal sound, similar to the ‘nz’ in “tins.”)

O (o) = o in “go.”

P (p) = p in “pen.”

R (r) = r (a slight roll of the tongue, like the ‘r’ in “car.”)

S (s) = s in “snake.”

Sh (sh) = sh in “shoe.”

T (t) = t in “top.”

Ts (ts) = ts in “cats.”

U (u) = oo in “moon.”

V (v) = v in “very.”

W (w) = w in “water.”

Y (y) = y in “yes.”

Z (z) = z in “zebra.”

High Tone (á) = This is a high-pitched tone that is indicated by an acute accent (á) above the vowel. For example:

“máma” (mother) – High tone on the first syllable.

Mid Tone (a) =  The absence of diacritics or accents represents the mid tone by default. For example:

“karo” (field) – Mid tone on the single syllable.

Low Tone (à) =  This is a lower-pitched tone and is indicated by a grave accent (à) above the vowel. For example:

“kàro” (spade) – Low tone on the first syllable.

Tone can change the meaning of words.