Cristão

Vocabulary

One feature of the kristang language is the inverted "r". For example, the Portuguese word "Gordo" (meaning "fat") is pronounced "Godro" in kristang.

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The digraph "ch" is pronounced as in "cheese" to accommodate and be inline with a host of malay words that begin with "ch". Thus the soft "ch" in "chegar" and "chuva" is prounounced "chegak" and "chu" in a malay way. This way of pronunciation occurs in Northern Portugal dialects and related Portuguese Creoles, and it could be the real origin. Many Portuguese words have been simplified in kristang to avoid confusion and to accommodate a peranakan/malay speaking environment in old Melaka. Thus "Padrinho" and "Madrinha" (Godfather and Godmother) in Portuguese is simplified to "inyu" and "inya" in kristang.

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The dipthong "oi" is simplified to "o". Thus Portuguese words such as "Dois" (Two) and "a noite" (Tonight) becomes "Dos" and "anoti" in Kristang.

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The vowels "e" before "i" is pronounced with a long "ee" sound, thus "penitensia" (penitention) is pronounced as "pinitengsia".

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