"Tsap'lute" or "Tsapxalute"?

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Paul Frommer's
Language Workbook

[Rikxyu]

Sorry if this topic has already been covered. I looked for it and didn't find it so...

In the pocket guide, "apologise" is spelled "tsapxalute."
On the dictionary page, it is spelled "tsap'alute."

Which form is correct? I saw (while lurking) that someone said the pocket guide needed to be changed. But how would one pronounce the p followed by a glottal stop? Every time I try it, it comes out sounding like an ejective. Any tips?

[Fnua Atxkxe]

I'll give this a shot but i could be wrong . My understanding of the glottal stop is that it is literaly a stop (closing of the glottis) i.e no sound produced. Think of Na'vi (there are audio clips if you need them) repeat word Na'vi and then try and imitate glottal stop in na'vi after p in tsap'alute. You should not be releasing any air on the glottal stop unlike ejectives that are created by a strong burst of air. Put your hand up to your mouth and you should feel if you're producing air or not

[Rikxyu]

So should the p sound like I'm just closing my mouth? No popping sound at all, even if it is very subtle? I think I might have it now...

[Fnua Atxkxe]

The best example we have is the expression uh-oh, without thinking about it you have just pronounced two glottal stops, one at beggining of uh and one before oh, touch your throat as you say and you will feel what it does. It's not really like closing your mouth, I found this site helpful http://masempul.org/. It contains an audio of a long message fro Frommer himself that demonstrates ejectives and glottal stops in it. There is also plenty of info in the begginer section on pronounciation, chances are if you're tripping up on it someone already has

[Rikxyu]

I've got the glottal stop itself down. (I didn't realize how much we use it in 'ìnglìsì until studying Na'vi: Latin, uh-oh, what)
It was more of the placement behind the "p" that tripped me up. Your suggestion helped a lot. When I say it now, the "p" sounds more like an unvocalized "m" when the word is slowed down. I think that's right. It sounds a lot better to me.

[Fnua Atxkxe]

Also k, p and t are unaspirated in Na'vi which means that no burst of air to accompany letter, best explained here http://wiki.learnnavi.org/index.php?title=User:Erimeyz/Beginners'_Guide/Letters_and_Sounds#Consonants.2C_Part_II. I don't think p is supposed to sound like unvocalised m. Check out http://masempul.org/ as it really does cover most of the phonetics of the language, I think Frommer used the word Fpole which demonstrates the sound of the p, then just add your glottal and your done.

[Rikxyu]

Irayo!
Those resources help a ton.
Eywa ngahu, tsmuktu.

[wm.annis]

In the pocket guide, "apologise" is spelled "tsapxalute."

That is an error.  In many languages that have ejectives they are notated with a following apostrophe — just like a glottal stop.  For example, Navajo át'é would be spelled in Na'vi like atxe.  However, Frommer used the px tx kx notation because it would be ambiguous in Na'vi to use the apostrophe — both hap'i and hapxi are legal — and different — words.

I assume someone got confused by the tsap'alute, and assumed it was actually an ejective in there.