Vowel systems FIRE

The FIRE set of words is very small, but does show two interesting forms (deriving from ME /i:/ before /r/). The one is an example of /r/-loss finally, while the other must derive, because of the double vowel in Ndyuka, from an intermediate structure like /*a’jeren/. Something resembling the r-full standard pronunciation variant /ai´rn/ must lie behind this form. As far as the /e/-color of the vowels is concerned, we may see a parallel in the non-rhotic Krio /ajεn/.