Long Vowels in the Middle of a Word

Sometimes an 'e' must be added in the middle of a word to show that the previous (stressed) vowel is long - for example, lately (the 'e' is needed to indicate that the 'a' is long), livelihood.

Omitting Vowels

e-speec omits vowels in the following cases:

• when an unstressed vowel is followed by 'l' - for example: hovl (hovel), litl (little), wunderfl (wonderful). But an 'e' is used before an 'l' if it is needed to make the preceding vowel long - for example: bibel (bible), cradel (cradle). Note that reegl (regal) does not need another 'e'. There are also a few cases where a vowel is required to indicate the correct sound - particularly after an 'r' - for example: jenerel (general), temporel (temporal), perrel (peril).
• the sound 'sh' or 'zh' followed by 'n' - for example: compashn (compassion), efishnt (efficient), rashnl (rational), divizhn (division). But an 'e' is used before the 'n' if it is needed to show that the preceding vowel is long - for example: nashen (nation), ocazhen (occasion).
  
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