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D — Vowels: Diacritics

The Diereses
The Dieresis separates two vowels that would be pronounced together. The dieresis is placed on the second vowel to indicate the start of a new syllable.

naïf, mikroörganisme, beëindig
naif, mikroorganisme, beeindig

beïndruk
beëindig
mikroöefening
mikroöes
koeël
vroeër
moeër
boë
reünie
geëet
geëindig
geëer

The Circumflex
The circumflex is placed over any vowel that has an unusual pronunciation. It does not dictate the same sound change in every instance. Remember it like this; "Sorry, this vowel does not play by the rules. Please pardon the exception."

se
le
nerens nêrens
bere bêre

skêr
skêre
wêreld

lêplek
sêgoed

wig
wîe
wie
blêr
êrens
nêrens
môre
sôe

The Acute Accent
The acute accent is used to place emphasis on any given word. This is done instead of bolding or underlining a word for emphasis. This diacritic can be used over any vowel, and also over "y." It is a great feature. I wish every langauge could use it-->it is véry useful!

Dít is jou boek.
Dit ís jou boek
Dit is jóú boek.
Dit is jou bóék.
Dit kán loop!
Sy sál moet kom.
Ons móét gaan!
Ek wíl dit sien
Ék is die een!
Júlle sal betaal!
Wát wil hy doen?
Wié is daar?
Ek wil dit nóóit sien nie!
Dié lepel is myne.
Slaan hom dóód!
Slaan hóm dood!

The Grave Accent
The grave accent is used virtually exclusively on the following words:
nòg...nòg (no difference in pronunciation) [neither....nor]
òf.....òf (no difference in pronunciation) [whether....or whether]
appel (Accent on the first A) [apple]
appèl (Accent on the E) [appeal]