MI and NI at the beginning of words

At the beginning of words, NI and MI can sound different from how they are spelled. We will present some regular examples (where NI and MI sound like they are spelled), and then talk about the exceptions.

NI at the beginning of the word

NI often sounds just like it is spelled: [nɪ].

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		* nisit	ni-sit	[ ˈnɪs – sɪtʰ ]

* Note that the [s] sounds long in this example.

Southern			Syllables	IPA

Often, however, NI sounds like a long (syllabic) N at the beginning of the word.

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		nitikushinaan	ni-tiku-shi-naan

Southern			Syllables	IPA

NI can even sound like IN [ɪn] at the beginning of the word. The first two examples are two instances of the same word. In the first instance, NI sounds like a long N. In the second instance, NI sounds more like IN:

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		nituchikin	ni-tu-chi-kin	[n̩]
		nituchikin	ni-tu-chi-kin	[ɪn]
		nichikw	ni-chikw	[ɪn]

Southern			Syllables	IPA

When NI is before an S, SH, or CH sound, it can be silent (or perhaps you might hear a short T sound). In the following example, the prefix NI is silent:

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		nishikii	nishi-kii

Southern			Syllables	IPA

In contrast, in the following Northern example, nisikus, a short [n] can be heard at the beginning of the 3rd repetition of the word, but not in the other repetitions. This can also be heard in the 2nd repetition of next example, nispitun.

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		nisikus	nisi-kus
		nispitun	nispi-tun

Summary of NI

In some words, NI always sounds like it is spelled. In other words, NI sounds like a long N or even like IN. Finally, when NI is at the beginning of the word and followed by S, SH, or CH, it becomes a short, T-like sound, or can even delete entirely.

MI at the beginning of words

MI often sounds just like it is spelled.

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		mimaaniiwaau	mi-maa-nii-waau	[ mɪ – ma – ˈni – wɑw ]

Southern			Syllables	IPA

However, MI can also sound like a long (syllabic) [m̩]; the length is even more obvious because MI is followed by M.

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		mimaaniiwaau	mi-maa-nii-waau

Southern			Syllables	IPA

As with the cases of NI that we saw earlier, MI can be silent when followed by S, SH, or CH.

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		mishaayaakuyaan	mishaa-yaa-ku-yaan

Southern			Syllables	IPA

MI can also sound like a P at the beginning of the word.

Northern			Syllables	IPA
		miskumii	misku-mii

Southern			Syllables	IPA

Summary of MI

In some words, MI always sounds like it is spelled. In other words, MI sounds like a long M. Finally, when MI is at the beginning of the word and followed by S, SH, or CH, it becomes a short, P-like sound, or can even delete entirely.