Want to try your hand at a little language learning and analysis? The data below is from my language learning notes. See if you can figure out how to make the plural of the mmm-BELLY-may word for "fish". Post it in the comments to see if you're right, don't worry about the exact characters, I'll know if you got it or not.
|
English |
mmm-BELLY-may singular |
mmm-BELLY-may plural |
|
goat |
kÿÞ buÎoÎkÿ |
siî buÎoÎsi |
|
cat |
kÿÞ nýÎnÎtikÿ |
siî nýÎnÎtiîsi |
|
fish |
kÿÞ paÎakÿ |
???? |
Notes: The backwards “c” – ý- is pronounced like the vowel in “ cot.” The backwards “3” -ÿ- is pronounced like the vowel in “bed.” The lines above the vowels mark tone. Ask me about tone after I’ve had a few more months to study it back in Benin!
palasi?
you’ve got the ending right, Lor, and you win the prize for being the bravest. C’mon, I know some other geeks read this blog!
school?…jk
sil palalsi?
whatever it is, I want to hear you say it on Sunday!
hmmm, I wonder if the fonts are turning up funny on your computers, because there’s no ‘l’ in fish in mmmBELLYmay. I’m thinking you got it right, Kelly. Do you doubt my ability to say fish? : )
of course not…I just want an early little sample of the tone!!
how about sii palaisi