3 syllables: Og, la, la. Stress on la.
oh-GLAH-luh
/oʊˈɡlɑlə/
Oglala is pronounced oh-GLAH-luh (/oʊˈɡlɑlə/). It has three syllables (Og-la-la), with the stress on "la". Oglala is a proper noun referring to the Oglala Lakota people or their language and culture. In English usage it designates a specific Native American group and also appears in place names and institutional titles. It is pronounced with attention to Lakota phonology, using particular syllable stress and vowel qualities distinct from English patterns.
nounOglala is a proper noun referring to the Oglala Lakota people or their language and culture. In English usage it designates a specific Native American group and also appears in place names and institutional titles. It is pronounced with attention to Lakota phonology, using particular syllable stress and vowel qualities distinct from English patterns.
How to Pronounce Oglala
"The Oglala Lakota Nation governs a portion of the Pine Ridge Reservation."
"During the festival, Oglala dancers showcased traditional regalia."
"Linguists study the Oglala language for its unique tonal features."
US/UK/AU: oʊˈɡlɑː.lə. The primary stress is on the second syllable: go-GLA-la. Start with a rounded /oʊ/ diphthong, then /ɡ/ as in go, followed by /lɑː/ with a long open back unrounded vowel, and end with a schwa-like /lə/. Tip: keep the middle vowel crisp and avoid rushing the final syllable.
Common errors: flattening the second syllable, pronouncing as o-GLA-la with equal emphasis; failing to use the low-back /ɑː/ quality in /lɑː/ and ending with a weak final /ə/. Corrections: ensure stress lands on the second syllable, open the mid-back vowel to /ɑː/, and land the final /lə/ quickly but clearly without a silent or reduced vowel.
In US and UK, /oʊ/ and /ɡ/ are stable; US rhotic ɹ is not present in this word, so rhoticity isn’t a factor. AU may exhibit a slightly broader vowel in /oʊ/ and a warmer /ɑː/; nevertheless the main difference is vowel length and the quality of /ə/ at the end. Emphasize /ˈɡlɑː/ with a clear long a in the second syllable in all varieties.
Difficulties include handling the Lakota-influenced vowel /ɑː/ and maintaining a distinct middle-stressed /ɡlɑː/ cluster. Native phonotactics drive a longer central vowel before the final syllable, and the trailing /ə/ can easily become a schwa or be swallowed. Practice with slow, precise articulation of /ˈɡlɑː/ and record to ensure the final /lə/ isn’t reduced too much.
There are no silent letters in Oglala. The unique feature is the stress pattern on the second syllable (o-GLA-la) and the long /ɑː/ vowel in the second syllable. No silent letters; ensure genuine full vowel pronunciation for /oʊ/ and /ɑː/ with a crisp /lə/ ending.
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US: rhotics not affecting this word; UK/AU share same core vowels but AU may show broader /oʊ/ and slightly broader /ɑː/; always keep the second syllable stressed; use IPA /oʊˈɡlɑːlə/ in US, /əʊˈɡlɑːlə/ in UK and Australian variants, noting that final /lə/ might reduce in casual speech.
Oglala originates from the Lakota language, where the term Oglala is a name for a band of the Teton Sioux. The word is often analyzed as Oglala Lakota (Laḱota) and is tied to the people’s own ethnonym. In historical contexts, Europeans transcribed the name variously, including Ogalla and Ogalala, reflecting phonetic approximations of Lakota sounds. The Lakota language is part of the Siouan language family; Oglala is linked to band identities within the larger Lakota Nation. Over time, as U.S. territorial and tribal governance structures evolved, “Oglala” became a standard ethnographic and political identifier in treaties, federal documents, and modern tribal administration. First known written references appear in 19th-century records from voyageurs, missionaries, and government agents, with the term solidifying in late 1800s to early 1900s as tribal names were codified in treaties and reservations. The name’s endurance reflects both linguistic heritage and colonial recordkeeping, preserving a distinct sub-identity within the broader Lakota people. In contemporary usage, it commonly appears in tribal governance, cultural organizations, and academic discourse about Lakota language and history.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Oglala" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Oglala" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Oglala"
-ula sounds
-ola sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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