FSI integration
The syllable is the tone-bearing unit.
Tone docks on exactly one place — the vowel of each syllable. So you cannot represent tone without first decomposing the word into its syllables, and you cannot do that without the language's Full Syllable Inventory. BantuNomics has assembled 459 of them — the first complete collection in history.
Minimal pairs
Same syllables. Different tone. Different meaning.
Each card is one written word that the FSI decomposes into the same syllable sequence for every meaning. The spelling is identical; the tone — carried in the audio, on the syllable nuclei — is what separates the meanings. Play them back to back.
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: Lee-ntah-ngah
{
"take_id": "66c6f95e-7087-4848-b9c1-70498df8d427",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Iintanga",
"english_gloss": "Age mates",
"switch_ms": 5145,
"duration_ms": 11280,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5145
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5145,
"t1_ms": 11280
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: Lee-ntah-ngah
{
"take_id": "fb070344-bccc-473e-a258-001767089003",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Iintanga",
"english_gloss": "Grazing Outpost",
"switch_ms": 5145,
"duration_ms": 10480,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5145
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5145,
"t1_ms": 10480
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: Lee-ntah-ngah
{
"take_id": "c8c0ceeb-d64f-4e95-ba5e-0e813f8f8e2f",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Iintanga",
"english_gloss": "Pumpkin Seeds",
"switch_ms": 5147,
"duration_ms": 10760,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5147
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5147,
"t1_ms": 10760
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "a364e356-e601-4f24-b36b-7e5373746793",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Isela libanjwe ngama polisa",
"english_gloss": "The thief was arrested by the police",
"switch_ms": 8985,
"duration_ms": 14080,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 8985
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 8985,
"t1_ms": 14080
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: oo-koo-bah-mbah
{
"take_id": "b47bc968-289e-450c-be89-f554b63d89b0",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukubamba",
"english_gloss": "To substitute or hold fort",
"switch_ms": 5625,
"duration_ms": 12980,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5625
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5625,
"t1_ms": 12980
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "54d7540c-06f8-4a5a-ba6c-600cdc768694",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Musa ukubamba izitya ezishushu",
"english_gloss": "Don't touch the hot dishes.",
"switch_ms": 9946,
"duration_ms": 13660,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 9946
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 9946,
"t1_ms": 13660
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: EE-bah-lah
{
"take_id": "dbb6f0b6-b8f1-4705-8020-60f541f92d39",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ibala",
"english_gloss": "A yard",
"switch_ms": 5144,
"duration_ms": 18680,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5144
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5144,
"t1_ms": 18680
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "cdfb6d2b-7816-427f-8532-37458daf7ab7",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Ndiyalithanda ibala lale gusha",
"english_gloss": "I like the colour of this sheep",
"switch_ms": 9465,
"duration_ms": 14590,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 9465
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 9465,
"t1_ms": 14590
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: EEM-bee-zah
{
"take_id": "36241992-2490-42b7-be6d-ad7022352d25",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Imbiza",
"english_gloss": "Herbal tonic",
"switch_ms": 5146,
"duration_ms": 10900,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5146
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5146,
"t1_ms": 10900
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "d875d10b-2878-4c86-8388-d0982d7dd7ea",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Umama ubeke imbiza enkulu eziko upheka inyama",
"english_gloss": "My mother put a big pot on the fire to cook meat",
"switch_ms": 13787,
"duration_ms": 20860,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 13787
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 13787,
"t1_ms": 20860
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: een-Tsi-kah
{
"take_id": "c44d692a-2650-44f0-a90c-bd6418baf90e",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Intsika",
"english_gloss": "Pillar",
"switch_ms": 5145,
"duration_ms": 9790,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5145
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5145,
"t1_ms": 9790
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: een-Tsi-kah
{
"take_id": "08cf81bb-5aaa-4003-8a3b-489b3342cfae",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Intsika",
"english_gloss": "Pillar of strength",
"switch_ms": 5147,
"duration_ms": 10080,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5147
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5147,
"t1_ms": 10080
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "7ce01f46-c842-460f-84cc-ed82bb0ec75e",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Inkomo inesiphondo eside kakhulu kwicala lasekhohlo",
"english_gloss": "The cow has a very long horn on the left side",
"switch_ms": 13785,
"duration_ms": 20250,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 13785
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 13785,
"t1_ms": 20250
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "ccafd0d5-0fe8-4e81-9c84-c7ebca394a6e",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Ndihlala kwiphondo lase Mpuma Koloni",
"english_gloss": "I live in the Eastern Cape province",
"switch_ms": 9944,
"duration_ms": 17450,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 9944
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 9944,
"t1_ms": 17450
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "11cc2829-9d3d-4e2a-b185-5b6d18e45749",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Nceda uvale isango ukuze izinja zingaphumi ebaleni",
"english_gloss": "Please close the gate so that the dogs do no leave the yard",
"switch_ms": 14264,
"duration_ms": 20210,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 14264
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 14264,
"t1_ms": 20210
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: EE-SAA-ngoh
{
"take_id": "064f88d3-614a-4170-9f4f-e86aadbfd817",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Isango",
"english_gloss": "Opportunity",
"switch_ms": 5146,
"duration_ms": 10430,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5146
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5146,
"t1_ms": 10430
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: ee-see-ba-neh
{
"take_id": "7deb73b8-80e2-4a83-887c-e9e95c52b0e2",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Isibane",
"english_gloss": "Guidance",
"switch_ms": 5624,
"duration_ms": 10880,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5624
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5624,
"t1_ms": 10880
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: ee-see-ba-neh
{
"take_id": "859ddc66-cb33-4a97-8ba7-10a5a5887110",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Isibane",
"english_gloss": "Lamp or Light",
"switch_ms": 5625,
"duration_ms": 10260,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5625
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5625,
"t1_ms": 10260
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "aa08da3e-ccfd-47b1-96bf-fa2b9e84f882",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Ndishiye isikhwama sam ngaphakathi emotweni",
"english_gloss": "I left my bag inside the car",
"switch_ms": 11385,
"duration_ms": 16000,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 11385
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 11385,
"t1_ms": 16000
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: oo-koo-zar-lah
{
"take_id": "c4d202f7-5034-4b82-9bb8-d7f828f5d9fa",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Isikhwama",
"english_gloss": "Financial fund or Budget",
"switch_ms": 5624,
"duration_ms": 12190,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5624
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5624,
"t1_ms": 12190
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "29591a16-3f34-40c3-9464-70c38ffd3ddd",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Umama upheke ithanga elimnandi namhla",
"english_gloss": "My mother cooked a delicious pumpkin today",
"switch_ms": 10905,
"duration_ms": 15510,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 10905
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 10905,
"t1_ms": 15510
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: EE-tah-ngah
{
"take_id": "58a84292-419d-4120-a82b-00d3bd60e09d",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ithanga",
"english_gloss": "Thigh",
"switch_ms": 5150,
"duration_ms": 9750,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5150
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5150,
"t1_ms": 9750
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "2e2c2bae-660a-4f32-abe6-00a3b7d64b7c",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Ndinetyala ezininzi ekufuneka ndizihlawule",
"english_gloss": "I have many debts I need to pay",
"switch_ms": 12347,
"duration_ms": 17900,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 12347
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 12347,
"t1_ms": 17900
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: EE-chya-lah
{
"take_id": "5b423ddf-b888-4b45-8e9f-bd7c95280548",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ityala",
"english_gloss": "Law suit or Case",
"switch_ms": 5145,
"duration_ms": 10080,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5145
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5145,
"t1_ms": 10080
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: OO-koo-beh-kah
{
"take_id": "a4c1dceb-96d6-4aad-96dd-ddd2bf7b823d",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukubeka",
"english_gloss": "Put down",
"switch_ms": 5626,
"duration_ms": 9850,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5626
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5626,
"t1_ms": 9850
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "605308b9-1fd5-4e3c-a85e-06ce08997ff3",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Kubalulekile ukubeka abazali bakho",
"english_gloss": "It is important to respect your parents",
"switch_ms": 11385,
"duration_ms": 15810,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 11385
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 11385,
"t1_ms": 15810
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: OO-koo-bee-lah
{
"take_id": "48927d3a-b0b1-4273-bacc-a1615a28d67a",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukubila",
"english_gloss": "Sweat",
"switch_ms": 5625,
"duration_ms": 10040,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5625
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5625,
"t1_ms": 10040
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "53adc335-9be6-4adc-8e64-91ca821cc219",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Amanzi ayabila eketelini, ungenza iti ngoku",
"english_gloss": "The water is boiling in the kettle, you can make a tea now",
"switch_ms": 12827,
"duration_ms": 18910,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 12827
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 12827,
"t1_ms": 18910
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "5a32d9a8-ce91-4674-b959-e0b44f80625f",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Ndichole imali ebaleni ekuseni",
"english_gloss": "I picked up money on the ground in the morning.",
"switch_ms": 10424,
"duration_ms": 15490,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 10424
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 10424,
"t1_ms": 15490
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "92696327-4018-4e66-aea9-6c8497af959a",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Yiza ukuqoqosha la maphepha asabalele apha phantsi",
"english_gloss": "Come and tidy up these papers scattered here on the floor",
"switch_ms": 13305,
"duration_ms": 18430,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 13305
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 13305,
"t1_ms": 18430
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "52fbe256-f16c-4e1b-b336-32d3a31b5820",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "Isela lazama ukugwaza iphoyisa",
"english_gloss": "The thief tried to stab the police officer",
"switch_ms": 10429,
"duration_ms": 15190,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 10429
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 10429,
"t1_ms": 15190
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
{
"take_id": "b3807de6-bb7b-4dda-b4b7-3c55c44e2302",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "sentence",
"bantu": "UNtando wazama ukugwaza igosa likarhulumente ukuze afumane ilayisenisi yokushayela.",
"english_gloss": "Ntando tried to bribe the government official in order to get a driving license.",
"switch_ms": 21465,
"duration_ms": 30180,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 21465
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 21465,
"t1_ms": 30180
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: OO-KOO-KAR-MAH
{
"take_id": "384676c5-cac4-4d5f-a902-ff9f06de1602",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukukhama",
"english_gloss": "Strangle",
"switch_ms": 5625,
"duration_ms": 11330,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5625
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5625,
"t1_ms": 11330
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: OO-KOO-KAR-MAH
{
"take_id": "b7a00b66-b1cf-4e4c-93e6-369ad7cd4f12",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukukhama",
"english_gloss": "To squeeze or wring out",
"switch_ms": 5625,
"duration_ms": 11560,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5625
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5625,
"t1_ms": 11560
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: OO-KOO-COO-LAH
{
"take_id": "4a98f21f-f7ac-4f3a-94e8-92c86090bc92",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukukhula",
"english_gloss": "To grow up or Mature",
"switch_ms": 5632,
"duration_ms": 11280,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5632
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5632,
"t1_ms": 11280
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Audio pending.
Native pronunciation note: OO-KOO-COO-LAH
{
"take_id": "5da13f64-5ef5-426a-ae54-4a1567d435f6",
"language_iso": "xho",
"kind": "word",
"bantu": "Ukukhula",
"english_gloss": "To increase",
"switch_ms": 5627,
"duration_ms": 10170,
"segments": [
{
"lang": "xho",
"t0_ms": 0,
"t1_ms": 5627
},
{
"lang": "en",
"t0_ms": 5627,
"t1_ms": 10170
}
],
"speaker": "Speaker XHO-A01",
"consent": "granted"
}
Why a model can't fake this
Generation is cheap. Certification against native ground truth is not.
A model can output a plausible syllable list; it cannot prove the list is complete, correct, or native, and it cannot produce the consented audio that carries the tone. The FSI plus this audio is the certified standard underneath alignment, ASR, and TTS.