Maranaoan phonology

Below is the sound system of Maranao including underlying phonetic features.

Velar fricative [h]
According to Lobel (2013), [h] only occurs in a select number of Malay loanwords:
 * tohan 'God'
 * tahon 'astrological sign'
 * hadapan 'in front (of God)'

Consonant elongation
Consonants are also pronounced longer if preceded with a schwa. However, this process is not a form of gemination since consonant elongation in Mëranao is not distinctive as seen in other Philippine languages such as Ilokano and Ibanag. Some of these are:
 * tepad [təpːad] 'get off a vehicle'
 * tekaw [təkːaw] 'startled; surprised'
 * Meranaw is spoken by the Maranao tribe.