It's been some time not updating this blog. I've been thinking over whether it's meaningful to keep updating this blog or not, since a blog like this is not very popular among common readers and it takes a lot of time and effort to write a post. That's why when I've got other things to do, I just put this blog aside. The reason why I've decided to write again is a comment of appreciation from a reader. Although there is only one single comment, I felt very motivated knowing that my posts are helping someone through the learning of Manchu, knowing that my efforts go to somewhere, not nowhere. I want to try my best to protect this dying language.
回到我們的學習內容，六個母音我們只剩一個而已，請注意這個母音正確寫法並不是「ü」，只是因為我找不到電腦字就用了一個較接近的寫法，正確寫法請見以下︰
Going back to our lesson, we only have one vowel left, among the six vowels. Please be noted that the correct writing for this vowel is like the below, "ü" is only the closest I can find on the keyboard. For a easier handling, our lesson will keep using this incorrect "ü".
以下是滿語母音「ü」和它在不同位置時的寫法。
Below is vowel "ü" and how it looks like in different positions within a word.
語頭形（母音「ü」作為語頭出現的例子不過兩、三個，所以大部份學者相信這些詞語為外來語）
Word-initial (Since there are only two or three words starting with vowel "ü", most scholars believe that they are imported words)
語中形（「ü」比母音「u」簡單的是它的語中形並不會受子音影響而改變寫法）
Word-middle ("ü" is simpler comparing to "u" as its word-middle form is always the same whichever consonant it follows)
語末形︰
Word-end:
讀音和母音「o」又點像，像普通話韻母的「o」。
Pronunciation of vowel "ü" sounds like vowel "o" which sounds like "o" in "orange".
讀音方面文字表達得不清楚，有興趣的可以點擊以下連結前往廣定遠老師的字頭讀音教學。
It's hard to describe the pronunciation by words, those interested can click the below link which teaches pronunciation of vowels by Mr. Guang Dingyuan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5IRtsxiMqc
滿語作為阿爾泰語系其中一員，具有母音調和特性，這方面我們會於下節再繼續探討。
Being a member of the Altaic language family, Manchu has vowel harmony and we are going to explore this expect in next post.
再次感謝所有對滿語有興趣的朋友！
Thanks again for your interest in Manchu!
