Tok Pisin utilizes less sounds than the languages it is derived from. This is due in part to the nature of the language, where words are abstracted from other languages, and the sounds are simplified and streamlined over time and usage. Similar to what might happen if one were to xerox an image then proceed to xerox the xerox then xerox that again. Or make a recording of a recording of a recording of a recording of a recording.
The 'sh' sound becomes 's', 'bush' is changed to 'bus'. 'F' is a 'p' sound: such as 'finish' to 'pinis'. When 'r' and sometimes 'l' come after a vowel it is dropped no matter where it is in the word: 'part' to 'pat', 'for' to 'fo'. The other main pronunciation change is at the end of syllables or words. A 'g' becomes 'k' or 't'(good to gut, pig to pik) and a 'd' becomes 't' (hard to hat). The vowels are not pronounced quite like in English, most of the references say it be similar to Spanish where vowels have only one pronunciation or are “pure vowels”. Like any language, there are more than enough exceptions to these rules. But, for the most part Tok Pisin is phonetic. Listening to Lizzie speak it, it almost sounds like French in the way the words are said with a nasal-like quality, however I am unsure if it is just her accent.
Examples:
ENGLISH: TOK PISIN:
A as in hOt or sOUght hanta (hunter)
E as in trAIn or sAne keten (curtain)
I as in mEAN or rEAm blid (bleed) , pikinini (pequeño- Portuguese/Spanish, child)
O as in mOAt or tOte tumoro (tommorrow)
U as in jEw or trUE lukim (look, looking)