MOBA

O.P.L. WORKBOOK
(Oral Proficiency Learning)

Peace Corps Togo 2010

Acknowledgement
Peace Corps Togo is very pleased to present the first ever Moba local language manual to Peace Corps Togo Trainees and Volunteers. This manual has become a reality due to the meticulous work of many people. The training team expresses its deepest gratitude to the Peace Corps Togo Country Director Rebekah Brown LEE, for supporting and encouraging the materials development in local languages. Her support is tremendous. The team is grateful to Peace Corps Togo Admin Officer, Priscilla Ashamu Sampil and all the Administrative Staff, for their logistical support and for having made funds available for this material development. A genuine appreciation to the language Testing Specialist Mildred RiveraMartinez , to the Training Specialist Rasa Edwards, to Stacy Cummings Technical Training specialist, and to all the training Staff from the center for their advice and assistance. A sincere gratitude to Peace Corps Togo Training Manager Blandine SamaniZozo, for her guidance and lively participation in the manual development. A word of recognition to all Peace Corps Volunteers who worked assiduously with the training team by offering their input. Congratulations to Trainers Cyrille Lamboni DOUBONG, Sarah GOE and the Training Secertary Jean B. KPADENOU who have worked diligently and conscientiously to develop this manual.

To the learner
Congratulations to all of you Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers for your acceptance to learn a new language. Of course learning a new language is not easy, but with dedication you will make and achieve your goals. This manual is competency based and contains useful expressions related to all training components such as technique, health, safety and security.This will build up your ability to communicate in local language and will bring you closer to the community with which you will work. This capacity will also enable you to know your community better. You will participate effectively and with increased personal satisfaction in the type of cultural and technical exchange that Peace Corps has been advocating for since its creation. Some suggestions for succeeding in this learning process is being receptive and taking risks. Use the new language, analyse it and be methodic. Search for new words with friends, host families or counterparts. The training staff invites you to share your comments in the event that it becomes necessary to revise the material. Any kind of feedback would be most welcomed. Send it to: Peace Corps Togo Training Manager PO Box: 3194 Lom, Togo Have fun and enjoy using this manual

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Table of Contents
Page Acknowledgement To the learner The Moba alphabet Lesson 1: Lesson 2: Lesson 3: Lesson 4: Lesson 5: Lesson 6: Lesson 7: Lesson 8: Lesson 9: Lesson 10: Lesson 11: Lesson 12: Lesson 13: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Greetings -------------------------------------------------------------------Intoduce oneself and someone else ------------------------------------Introduce ones family --------------------------------------------------Buying essential items ---------------------------------------------------Talk about food habits of the host country -------------------------Invite someone, accept or decline an invitation --------------------Talk about daily activities ----------------------------------------------Ask for and give direction and time ---------------------------------Talk about transportation ----------------------------------------------Talk about ones state of health ---------------------------------------Express ones sympathy in a happy or sad event ------------------i ii 1 3 10 17 28 37 46 52 59 68 73 79

Ask for help in an emergency case ------------------------------------- 83 Talk about his/her work ------------------------------------------------Useful expressions --------------------------------------------------------English to Moba glossary -----------------------------------------------87 92 95

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The moba alphabet

A a

B b

C c

D d

E e

F f

G g

H h

I i

J j

K k

L l

M m

N n

O o

P p

S s

T t

R r

U u

V v

W w

Y y

Some of the sounds do not exist in English. Short vowels are represented by one letter and long vowels are represented by two letters.

Letter
a b c d e f g h i ii k l

Pronunciation (similar sound in English) bat bat chair dog date bet farm go have feel bt

Moba example
bd td b cici dg len pi l ji fdl gign hl pg db kpd tiig

kaki Ldy

kankadl lidl

English translation chief ground father bike country discount white ten potassium lamp drum up to white millet sauce tree hyena shirt

Letter
m n o p s t u u(nasal) uu w y kp gb ny m

Pronunciation (similar sound in English) may no no log price Site towel look

Moba example
mnu na nu kolg bkobug sn b plu sbt tb jg guguod kl wt

yes

ybl kpb gban nybg mlig

English translation sweetness mother broom chicken animal way/path stream strenght Saturday tobacco knife cotton hoe children lion farm belt crocodile moon

Tones The moba language is tonal and uses at least three main tones: High medium Low The tilde ~ is the symbol for a nasal sound.

Lesson 1 Greetings

Objectives: After studying this lesson, trainees will be able to: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Use the specific vocabulary related to greetings to greet people at the different times of the day Use the specific verbs in the present tense Discuss cultural notes related to greeting Ensure their own security through interpersonal relationships Practice greetings in the community while respecting the social and cultural norms

Dialogue Pamela meets Kondjit at the post office around eight in the morning and she greets her. Pamela: Kondjit: Pamela: Kondjit: Pamela:
Cn, dn gm! w dk l mni? Lfi ! Si-yg nny Nf

Dialogue in English: Pamela: Kondjit: Pamela: Kondjit: Pamela:

Good morning, Madam How do you feel? Fine See you later Thanks!

Cultural and safety and security notes

Greeting is a moral and social obligation that should not be neglected. Its a sign of respect. You greet people first before you talk about anything else. For an elder, a chief or a notableyou bend down or genuflect while greeting You dont snap fingers with elders and women You initiate greeting with elders but not hand shaking. Greeting is not only to ask about peoples state of health but also to show interest in a person or to engage someone in the conversation. A greeting eases your integration and acceptance in the community. Therefore people are ready to help you whenever you have a problem or a safety and security issue.

Words and useful expressions Different greetings

D gm Tn-p Jug p y nyig

(06h-11h) (11h-16h) 16h-18h) (18h .)

good morning good afternoon good evening good evening/night

Periods of the day Titles Verbs

B Cn Cb Sp Ns Dn won (mb bt) won (mb w gl) dn tie b dal Won tie b dal Won w tie b dal Larb-dal Sg Sg -n Ysig Da(juog) Da(juog) po Nyig Nyig

morning in the morning noon evening in the evening night in the night

madam, old woman mister, old man young lady young man to day tomorrow yesterday whats the date of today? what the date of tomorrow? whats yesterdays date the day of Wednesday

to be (location), exist. to lie down to sleep to get up

D G Fiil

Expressions
A w d k l mni? y soml-m Cn cn bila Y soml m G tm Tm Gd gu A som lfi Lfi n w d lfi / n w d mnu A be lfi ? Lfi be i? A be Lfi A be lfi N P Jg-p L m Bg/bt L m bt i? g g yb i? g A g A g nib i? B be lfi Tuon Tuon-ni Tuon p Pu aapu a aapuoo ? Lebuol A be lebuol i? k fn i ? ?

did you have a good night? welcome welcome welcome welcome (you plural) come/be back early early/quick go and come safe journey fine I slept well are you fine are you fine are you health do you have a good health? in about what about the evening ok,fine child/children how are the children doing? house/home what about the people of the house? ones house/home your house/home what about the people of your house? they are fine work/office at the work place/at the office what about the office/work wife/woman spouse what about your spouse? there are you there? and you?

 Nyig nma ! Won nny dasil nny Exercises 1) How do you greet? From From From From 6:00 am -11:00 am 11:00am -16:00 16:00 -18:00 18:00-

have a good night see you tomorrow see you some day

2) Give the name of the following days and their corresponding name: Wednesday Friday Sunday Tuesday Saturday 3) You take a walk around 4:30 pm; you meet the Director of the secondary school of your site. Greet him appropriately. 4) After the class you meet the Chief of the village at 12:30. Greet him and tell him goodbye. 5) At noon you see a woman near your house. Greet her and say good bye.

Grammar notes
The subject pronouns

Moba n a u (wu) t (ti) I (yi) b

English I you She/he we you they

Exercises 1) Complete the following dialogue and practice it with your classmate A: ------- w d k l man ii? B: ------A: ------ bit --? B: A: B: A:
--------lfi -------- a ---puo o ?

Laafi
Nfa.

2) Use the following expressions to ask questions:

lfi tuon Paul (be) lfi d

3) Rearrange the following sentences:

i / lfi ?/ be po/ juog / i yab / a / g /I ? tunt / a / lfi ?

4) Answer the following questions with the correct forms of the verb be= to be
A (be) lfi ? U (be) lfi ? I (be) lfi B (be) lfi ? ?

5) Answer the following questions

A tuon p A aapuo o ? ?

A ntni i ? Sabine be lfi ?

A w du k l mn i ? A gbnu n i ? Amerika yb i?

6) Build a dialogue with the following expressions

a puo / y juog- m limi- yb i? / y soml.

Situation Your host father came back from Paris, greet him and ask about his trip.

TDA: Approach a host family member. Greet her/him and respond to the greetings accordingly. Write down all new vocabulary you heard for next class.

Lesson 2 Introduce oneself and someone else

Objectives After studying the lesson on introductions, trainees will be able to: 1) Use the vocabulary related to introducing oneself and someone else 2) Ask questions concerning someones identity 3) Use specific verbs of introduction in the present tense 4) Discuss cultural notes related to introduction 5) Introduce oneself to a member of the host family and collect information about him/her

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Dialogue: Rubi, a Peace Corps volunteer introduces herself and her friend Pam to a counterpart. Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Tn-p
A tnt k l mn i ? Lfi. B yi a b ? B yin Kondjit, k fn i ? B yi Rubi. A nyi l ? N nyi Amerik A su b ? N su y Corps de la Paix. Yambot totl-tuosunTuon. N lua-n,b yi ug Pam. U nyi Colorado, Amerik ti-ni. U m tie Corps de la Paix, yambot totl tusun .

Kpondjit: Rubi:

L . Y soml-m. yog nny.

Dialogue in English: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Kondjit: Rubi: Good afternoon; Kondjit Good afternoon. How are you? Im fine.What is your name? My name is Kondjit. And you? My name is Rubi Where do you come from? I come from America. What are you doing? I am a Peace Corps Volunteer. This is my friend, Her name is Pam. She comes from Colorado in America. She is also a Peace Corps volunteer. Good, welcome! See you later.

Kondjit: Rubi:

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Cultural and safety and security notes In general presentation is not automatic; to know someones name you have to ask for it. The first name, when its not a christian name corresponds to the day of the week on which you are born (see table below) For most it is traditional name(either initiation name like Lar,Kombat or theophoric name like Yendoub,Yeendoukoi) A way to show respect is to avoid calling people directly by their name but you precede the name by words like: cba for old men cna for old women Bearing a local name as a stranger is a sign of integration

Days of the week and their corresponding names Days Tani Talafa Larba Lamusa aljuma Sbt Lad English translation Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Males name Tani Talat Larba Lamusa aljum Sbt Ladi Females name Tani Talat Larba Lamusa aljum Asibi Ladi

Words and useful expression Nationality/origin:

Amerikbig/Amerikyu Togobig/Togoyu Falentyu Jlentyu Beninbig/Beninyu Ghanabig/Ghanayu Togobit/Togoyab Amerikabit/Amerikayab Falentyab Jilentyab

American Togolese French English Beninese Ghanaian Togolese people Americans French people English people

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Verbs Expressions
B yin N sn B B yi a b ? Be Nyi S Tie Yi

to be (exist) to come from to work to be (profession/title) to call/to be called

B yi g b ?
N nyi Colorado L ? A nyi l ? N tie N tie Togoyu Yu Lpo i? A tie lp yu ? Yambot Ttl Tuon Ttl-tuon Ttltusun Yambot-ttl Yambt-ttl-tusun S A su Tu-b Bt Kpl() Kltubig Dkt Mj Cic Midl Dlb (a)

(people) call me/they call me my name is what (how) (how do they call you?) whats your name? (how do they call him?) whats his name? I come from Colorado where ? where do you come from? I am I am Togolese nationality/origin where (origin) ? where are you from? will/to have the choice to help work help work help worker free help/will help volunteer to work you are working (doing) what kind of work chief farmer schoolboy/girl doctor/medical personal Blacksmith teacher teacher driver 13

 Nsl tu-sun Kpta Nyn dkt

Ntebl

kpkpdl

civil servant carpenter dentist traditional doctor trader

Exercises: 1) Answer the following questions

B yi a b? B yi ug b? A nyi l? A tie l p yua ? A su b?

2) Make sentences with these words:

Kalatu yua n tie- n nyi -y

3) Use the same words to build a dialogue and practice it with a Moba speaker. 4) You meet someone at nine. Greet him and introduce yourself to him. 5) You are at the buvette and someone comes to you and greets you. Answer the greeting and ask questions to get to know him/her better.

Grammar notes:
1) The plural of words in Moba The plural form of nouns in Moba does not follow the same rule. According to the various classes of nouns, each class has its plural form. the class of liquid ending with m has no plural form: Singular
nyum Kpam Biim

a)

Plural
nyum Kpam biim

Translation water oil milk

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b)

the class of names ending with g Singular

tig

Plural
tidi

Translation Tree/trees

2)

Verbs There is no specific ending that characterizes verbs in Moba. Example: tie to be Im a Togolese you are a togolese she/he is a togolese we are Togolese people you are Togolese people they are Togolese people

N tie togoyu A tie togoyu U tie togoyu T tie togoyab

I tie togoyab
B tie togoyab

Exercises 1) Answer these questions using the correct form of the verb: -

a (tie) l p yua ?
b (nyi) l? b (tie) b

2) Make a sentence with each of the words below:

Falentyab nasara tuon sunu amerikayua dokta malja

3) Rearrange the words in the following sentences:

yu/ Ghn / u tie

n / b yi / Tm

ni / Falent / n nyi / ti

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yambot / ttl / tuon / Corps de la Paix / tie

4) Complete the dialogue and practice it with your classmate:

A- b yi a b ?

B- b yi n -----------? A- a nyi l B- -------------------------

5) Translate into Moba a) I am a Peace Corps Volunteer

b)

She is an American

c)

He is a Togolese

d)

You are from Blitta

e)

Her name is Alice

f)

You are a doctor

Situation 1 Your friend Jen pays you a visit. Introduce her to your host family.

Situation 2 The womens association of your post invites you to facilitate a meeting. Introduce yourself to the group

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TDA Go to Mr X/ Mrs X Introduce yourself to him/her and get information about his/her origin, nationality and profession. Come and share the new experiences.

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Lesson 3 Present ones family

Ojectives: After studying the lesson on introducing ones family trainees will be able to: 1) Use the vocabulary related to family relationships and the numbers from one to twenty to introduce their family 2) Use the possessive adjectives and the negative structure to introduce their family members 3) Discuss cultural notes related to the family 4) Talk about their own families to members of the community.

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Tibe presents her family

Konla

Kondjit

Manu

Lambon

Tandjom

Bibe

Tibe

Tamil

B yi n Tibe. N b Lambon y n n Manu tie Kpakuola. B be Dapaong. B yi n yaja Konla, n yaya Kondjit. N mg nja yent y niipuo yent: Bibe y Tibe N puol Tandjom be Amerika.

Translation: My name is Tibe. My father Lambon and my mother Manu are farmers.They live in Dapaong. My grand-father is Konla and my grand mother is Kondjit. I have two sisters: Bibe and Tibe. My aunt Tandjom lives in Ameriaa.

Cultural and safety and security notes Polygamy is a reality in the Togolese community Cousins and nieces are considered just like sisters and brothers. Family links and community solidarity are strong Thus, acceptance in your family or in your community are very important

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Words and useful expressions: Family members

B N Yj Yy Pul Bwl Bkpel Yul Niipuokel Ybil/Ybun Spuo Dim Sl puo Bijbig /Bjg Bipubig/Bpug yi Bipu Bij Njwg Niipuowg Big

father mother grandfather grandmother aunt uncle (younger, paternal) uncle (older, paternal) elder brother elder sister grand child daughter in law father in law husband wife boy girl nephew daughter son younger brother younger sister child

Verb mg Expressions
B yi ug N b B yi nb B yi a b A b B yi a b b? N n N n tie

to have

his name is my father my fathers name is your fathers name is your father what is your fathers name? my mother my mother is

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 N n tie kpakuol A n A n tie b

A na su tu b N mg N mg niipukpel A mg Ba A mg bit ba

N yj Ci t N yj ci

my mother is a farmer your mother whats your mothers profession? whats yr mothers profession I have I have an elder sister you have how many? how many children do you have my grand father old my grandfather is old

Numbers: ( 0- to 20) 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 yent bnle bnta bnna bnmu bnluob bnlele bnni bnwo piig piig y yent piig y bnle piig y bnta piig y bnna piig y bnmu piig y bnluob piig y bnlele piig y bnni piig y bnwo piinle

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Exercises 1) Give the male counterpart of the following female family members:
a) p b) Pl c) N d) Niipukpel e) Yy f) Yi

g) Bipubig h) Bipu

2) Say correctly the following numbers in Moba 11 15 6 1 3 4 2 7 9 10 18

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3) Identity card Name Profession Origin Name: Family Father: Place of residence: Profession:

Name: Mother: Place of residence: Profession

Name: Siblings Place of residence: Profession:

Grammar notes
1) Possessive adjectives They are attached to nouns and are similar to subject pronouns. Only the context can help make the difference between both. Example
B yi n b Lambon N ybun tie kltbig N yj be g A yulkpel tie cc T pul tie Bombuak yua

my fathers name is Lambon my grandchild is a student my grandfather is at home your elder brother is a teacher our aunt is from Bombuaka

2) Plural of nouns of the family members i. Some of the nouns have mba ending the stem in plural.

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Example
B N Yy Pul Bwl Bkpel Yul Dim bmb nmb yymb pulmb bwlmb bkpelmb yulmb dimmb

fathers mothers grandmothers aunts younger uncles elder uncles elder siblings parents in-law

ii.

b ending the stem in plural Example

Pu Niipu Yi Sl pu pub niipub yib slb pub

women sisters uncles husbands wives

iii.

Plural ending in m Example

Nj Yj njm yjm

brothers grandfathers

iv.

Words with i before the final consonant lose the final consonant: Example
Bipubig Bijbig bipubi bijbi

girls boys

v.

The final consonant becomes t

Big bit

children

vi.

a is added to form the plural Example

Niipukpl Njkpl Bijkpl Bipubkpl Ybun niipukpla njkpl bijkpl bipubkpl yabuna

elder sisters elder brothers first sons first daughters grandchildren

3) The negative form of mg (to have)

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Create the negative form you put gthe mark of negation between the verb and the subject. Example Affirmative
N mg big A m g big U m g big T mg big I mg big B mg big

Negative I have a child you have a child He/she has a child we have a child you have a child they have a child
n g mg big a g mg big u g mg big T g mg big I g mg big b g mg big

I don t have a child you dont have a child S/he doent have a child we dont have a child you dont have a child they dont have a child

Exercises 1) Give the possessive form of the following nouns a) Yy (3rd pers pl) b) Spu (1st pers.pl) c) Sl (2nd pers sing) d) Yibig (2nd pers pl) e) Bwl (3rd pers sing) f) N (1st sing)

2) Complete the following conjugation N mg nj wli A mg nj wli Ben mg nj wli

3) Answer these questions

a) a mg njm y niipu wli i ?

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N g mg -----------------------------------------------------------------b) Mark mg ybun b? N mg

---------------------------------------------------------

N g mg -----------------------------------------------------------------

4) Make sentences with the following words and expressions

Yymb

--------------------------------------------------------------------be yi ug

----------------------------------------------------------------------niipukpl

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

b mg ------------------------------------------------------------------------

5) Ask as many questions as possible with the following statement. Example: n n tie Ghnyu
a n tie l p yua y a n tie Ghanayua y

Suggestions
a) N n tie kpkul

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b) N pul be New York

c) A niipukpl mg ju ? d) A yibig tie kltubig i

6) Translate into Moba a) Im not married _____________________________________________________ b) My grandfather has a grandchild ______________________________________________________ c) Her mother lives in Accra. ______________________________________________________ d) Our elder brother is married ______________________________________________________

7) Read this text and answer the questions

B yi n b Kombt. B yi n n bpug y bjg. Kondjit. B be Kplmi. . B be Dapaong. N mg bit bnle

B tie kpkula i n yj y yy

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Questions:
a) B yi u b b ?

________________________________________________
b) u mg bit b ?

______________________________________________________
c) u jj be l?

_________________________________________________

8) With a picture, introduce your family to a trainer or friend.

Situation You meet your counterpart for the first time. Introduce yourself and ask him questions about his family and their profession.

TDA Have a discussion with your host brother, ask questions about his family and present your family to him.

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Lesson 4 Buying essential items

Objectives: After studying the lesson on buying essential items trainees will be able to: 1) 2) 3) 4) Count CFA in Moba Name some essential items found at the market Use expressions and verbs related to shopping Discuss the importance of the market and the necessity of bargaining before purchasing things 5) Discuss cultural notes related to the market 6) Develop strategies for their personal security in the market 7) Buy an essential item at market price

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Dialogue Rita goes to the market to buy cloth. Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita:
Du gum. L mn i ? Lfi. Ccen Kobinl-l. L dug p. Blg be. Ad y? Kobg y piinmu y- ?

blg b
N d Kobg y piinni. N lig-li kul nny T lig-li .G ccen Blg bocin

Dialogue in English Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Ladi: Rita: Good morning How are you? Fine, how much is the clothes ? One thousand each. Its too expensive. Reduce the price. How much will you pay ? Seven hundred fifty Increase it. Eight hundred. This is all my money Give me the money. Take your cloth. Thanks a lot.

Cultural and safety and security notes

The market day is not just for trading but is also a great opportunity to meet friends Its necessary to bargain in the market and sometimes in shops. Exchanging things is not automatic, you need to discuss the case with the seller before hand Dont use your left hand in the market Dont bargain early in the market with too much money on you or just after banking Its important to be careful about people who ask for help in the market. When buying food you can ask the seller to add you some as a gift.

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Words and useful expressions CFA in Moba 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 100 105 110 150 155 200 250 300 350 450 500 1 000 4 500 4 995
kug kumunle kumunta kumunna kumunmu kumunluob kumunlele kumunni kumunwo / nyi kumupiig piig y kug piig y kumunle piig y kumunta piig y kumunna piig y kumunmu piig y kumunlele piig y kumunni piig y kumunnwo/nyi piinle piinle y kug piinle y kumunle piinta piinta y kug piinna piinmu piimluob piinlele piinwo/nyi kobg kobinle kobinwo kobinwo y piinwo y kumunwo

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5 000 10 000 50 000 450 000 500 000 Essential items

Cib Juju Nunyu Cdg Fidtbkl Tn Ppug Cicil Nbiim Cesuobu Mcit Kl Jug miug Lm kpnu Lidl Kpm

tutl tutanle tutapiig tutapiinwo tutakobg

soap chewing stick mirror comb flash light batteries towel sugar milk sponge match bag knife rope razor blade bread shirt oil/cream

Verbs Kud D Ku dg Expressions

y a kud y i N d L tie

to sell to buy go to market

how much how much do you sell? I buy Its

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Lig-li Cti Wm Kuod Blg be T lig-li G G lig- li Sugl be

money change a little reduce reduce/ increase give the money take take the money please

Exercises 1) Complete and practice the following dialogue: A: A kud b ? B: N kud-----------------------------A: A kud yi

B: N kud-----------------------------250F A: G----------------------------------

2) Translate into Moba a) I have 100F

b) They have 175F

c) We have 360F d) She has 780F

e) They sell the knife f) I buy the comb g) He buys the brush.

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3) Translate the following sentences into Moba a) My mother sells towels b) She sells shirts c) We buy the knife d) I sell the comb e) He buys the mirror

Grammar notes
1) The plural of words i. Nouns with no plural: liquid or masses Example
Cicil Nbiim Cieb Mcit Kpnu Kpm

sugar milk soap match bread cream/ oil

ii.

Other form of the plural Sing

Kl Jug miug Lm Lidl Juju Nunyu Cdg Fidtbkl Tn Ppug Csuobu

plural
kl jugi mi lmmb lid

bag- s knife-s rope-s razor blade-s shirt-s chewing stick-s

mirror

jujui
nunyani cdi fidtabka tn ppt csuobi

comb-s flash light batterie-s towel-s sponge-s

2) The present tense of the verbs kuad and d (to sell/to buy)
i. Kud

N kud nbiim

I sell milk

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A kud nbiim U kud nbiim T kud nbiim I kud nbiim B kud nbiim ii. D N d lidl A d lidl U d lidl T d I d B d

you sell milk he/she sells milk we sell milk you sell milk they sell milk

I buy a shirt you buy a shirt he/she buy a shirt we buy a shirt you buy a shirt they buy a shirt

Exercises: 1) Complete these sentences using the correct form of the verb:
a) d cieb N n --------------------- cieb b) Kud nbiim N pul-------------------nbiim c) D tn T----------------tana

2) Complete this dialogue and practice it with your classmates A: B: A: B:

Tun----------------------

--------------------------A tie-----------

N d---------------

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3) Write a dialogue with these expressions and practice it:

-mg -lig-li -tun-po -blk

4) Ask questions as many as possible from these statements: Example:

a d ccen a d b ? a d ccen yi

you buy the cloth what do you buy?

how much did you buy the cloth?

Suggestions: - Ppug
- cesuobi - lm - n d cdg

5) Translate into Mob a) Give me the change b) We are buying towels c) She sells sponges d) My mother buys the shirt for 200F

e) Please reduce it a little

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Situation: You want to buy an item, the seller seems to be inflexible regarding the price. Try to talk down the price. TDA Go to the market and observe how sellers and buyers are bargaining. Buy an item. Come report new words and expressions to the class.

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Lesson 5 Talking about food habits in the host country

Objectives: After studying this lesson trainees will be able to: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Name some foods in Moba areas Use expressions and verbs related to food preparation in order to talk about meals Discuss cultural points related to food habits Talk about what to eat in order to stay healthy Give a recipe

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Dialogue: Pam would like to know what Tandjom is eating: Pam: Tandjom: Pam: Tandjom: Pam: Tandjom:
Tun-p Lfi. A tuon pI ? Lfi. A d b ? N di sbi y mni kpd. Bl t di ! Blg. Yendu nt tod nf

Dialogue in English: Pam: Tandjom: Pam: Tandjom: Pam: Tandjom: Good afternoon. How are you ? Fine. What about your work? Very good. What are you eating ? I am eating dough with okra sauce. Join me. Thanks! May god help! Amen

Cultural and safety security notes When you eat you invite people near you to share your meal using the expression bal t di but this doesnt mean that they will necessarely eat. The answer to this invitation is balg enjoy your meal or go ahead. When you get that invitation and you feel like eating you do it. The left hand is seen as dirty and is not acceptable at the table when you are eating with other people. You dont smell food in order to appreciate it and you should not step over the meal. Kitchen utensils should not be used for other purpose such as taking shower or hitting someone. Food taboos are specific to families, communities or ethnic groups. The traditional restaurants, street food restaurants or fufu bars serve cheap but good food and the service is quick. However be careful, they are not always clean and healthy. Consequently PCTs and PCVs are not advised to eat salads in those restaurants

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Words and useful expressions Food ingredients Foods (meals)

Jied Sb Pt - Pt Tu y mug-li(wtch) Mug-li Tum Nug-cc Skro / nug-sb Cic

Ylm Kmi Kpmo/kt kpm

Kpm Tiin Nri Gbom Gunt Tukala Kt Mkuoni Gbug Tuonu Tuot/tmt Nnt Nnnt wnnt Kukolgnnt J Knmi Nuga Yom Kpdb yom Di yom Tua Bance

salt hot pepper palm oil oil peanut sesame spinach sorrel leaves of baobab palm nuts dried okra onion local mustard tomatoes meat beef meet goat meet chicken meat fish fried fish yam flour flour of maize flour of millet beans cassava

food paste ragout (stew yam) rice and beans rice boiled beans fried yam pounded yam/ cassava bean doughnut

40

 Sauces

Klm Dm Nyum Nsr / btuul dm Dpie Ckplo/ckp Dbo Koko / kbil

bean tamale local beer water beer, distilled spirits palm wine local beer local alcohol porridge

Kpd Tiin-kpd Kt- kpd Mkuoni- kpd Mni -kpd Gbom y mni- kpd Gunt y nri kpd Gbom y nri kpd Kolg- kpd Tukl kpd

sauce peanut sauce palm nut sauce dried okra sauce sauce okra sauce spinach and okra sauce sesame + sorrel sauce sesame spinach sauce sauce + chicken meat sauce baobab leaves

Cooking utensils
Tdg Kptdig Kutditu / kutditi Bobl / bob Slb Kppug-lu Kp Sllu

plate plate for sauce spoon / spoons pot/ pots silver ladle cup spatula

Verbs associated with food and cooking kpd

K sb mug-li Tuol nug / bnce Jil nnt D jied

to prepare sauce
to prepare dough (of maize)

to cook rice to pound yam / cassava to cut meat to eat food

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Ny nyum Nn kmi Ti koko Pug S / bl

to drink water to grind hot pepper to prepare porridge to add to put

To eat is specified in Moba according to what you are eating.

Di sb m nnt m mug-li m nug m bnce m tua m pr mu sn

to eat dough to eat meat to eat rice to eat yam cassava beans
traditional potatoes

to eat a mango eat sauce/ soup eat porridge

(mua is for fruit only)

Wubl kpd Wubl koko

Expressions for asking and giving recipe B ------ kpd nle? B /k----nle? L si Adverbs expressing the succession Ccin L puol-po Jujuog-po Example: b nnt nle?
Ccin: jil nnt, l puol-po nn kmi, ti ylm y nyum. Jujuog-po a.

how do we prepare---sauce? how do we prepare----? its necessary to---------

first next finally

How to cook meat? First cut the meat, next grind spices and add some water and salt. Finally cook the meat. Exercises 1) Expanding text

42

Add at the end what is necessary each time, to make the text longer and longer. Example: N d
N d sb N d sb y mni- kpd N d sb y nani- kpd y nnnt

Suggestions
Skro Nug-cic Klm Pt -Pt

2) Answer the following questions

a) A bu di b dn ? dn b)

-------------------------------------------------

A bu d mug-li dn ?

----------------------------b---------------------? c) Paul d b tuon nii ? Paul-------------------------------------------------d) Benedict d b ysiig-ni i ?

Ysiig-ni---------------------------------------------

Grammar notes:
1) The present tense of some verbs Most of the verbs in Moba do not change their spelling in the present tense i.
kpd N kpd A kpd Sarah kpd T kpd I kpd B kpd

to prepare sauce I prepare sauce you prepare Sarah prepares we prepare you prepare they prepare to prepare dough

ii.

k saab

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N k saab U k saab T k saab I k saab B k saab

I prepare dough you prepare he/she prepares dough we prepare they prepare

iii.

The imperative form Verb

- tuol skro - jil nant

imperative (to pound yam/cassava) (to cut meat) (to grind pepper) (to put salt) (to add oil) (to cook meat )
tuol skro jiel nant nan kami ti yalim pug kpam a nant

- nan kami - ti yalim - pug kpam

- a nant

pound cut meat grind pepper put salt add oil cook meat

iv.

The negative form of the imperative is formed by putting da before the verb. Example: Affirmative Negative
di saab d di saab

eat dough dont eat dough

Exercises: 1) Find the suitable expressions to say the following ideas:

a) Jil b) T a c) N di ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

d) N m ________________________________________________________ e) U k -------------------------------------------------

2) Questions about statement Ask as many as possible questions on the following:

N a tiina kpd B a tiina kpd nle A a b ? A a tiina kpd

I prepare peanut sauce. how do we prepare peanut sauce? what do you prepare? Do you prepare peanut sauce?

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Suggestions - B g di saab - U t skro

- I a mug- li

- A g wub koko

3) Make sentences with the following words and expressions:

-m -nuga -skro -nan

-jani

4) Answer these questions

a) Dalpo a da di b ?

b) A d b ysig nii

c) (Da) juog-po a bu ti b ?

5) Translate into Moba a) My mother cooks rice and beef meat b) We dont drink porridge.

c) Cut the meat.

d) They cut cassava.

e) I pound cassava.

f) You prepare baobab leaves________________________________

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Situation Give the recipe of your favorite food TDA Ask your host mother or sister how they prepare a local food. Come and report new vocabulary to the class.

46

Lesson 6 Invite someone, accept or decline an invitation

Objectives After studying this lesson trainees will be able to: 1) Use specific vocabulary and verbs to invite someone 2) Accept or decline an invitation in a polite way to maintain a good relationships with people, which will support their personal safety and security.

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Dialogue: Duut phones his friend Richard, a Peace Corps Volunteer, and invites him to a traditional dance. Duut: Richard: Duut: Richard: Duut:
Allo Richard Allo, f m ? M Duut. A bu ft bl t sa jogi ? N bo bua paa, ama l bu paat n . N sa Peace Corps bilu ni mla mla-n Lan dasil nny.

Dialogue in English Duut: Richard: Duut: Richard: Duut: Hello Richard Hello,may I know who is speaking ? Its Duut. Would you like to go to the jog dance with me ? I am very interested, but Im sorry I have to go to the Peace Corps office now. I hope we will go next time.

Cultural and safety and security notes

In general, friends or members of the same family visit each other without any previous invitation You are always welcome to share a meal or a drink or to spend time together...even if it was not planned before. You are responsible for your guests food or drink. The guest is not expected to bring anything according to the culture. Its necessary to express your limits during an invitation where people will be offering you food and drink again and again.

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Words and useful expressions: Verbs B Ft to want to be able to

Occasions on which and places where one can invite or can be invited Expressions to invite N bo bu t sa N bo bua m yina dl Expressions to accept an invitation
L N tu N tu k bu sa L n po L n po bocin Kukun

funeral Kukun-ni in the funeral Bml wedding ceremony Bmlni in the wedding Spulbogta/Matna-dn naming ceremony Mlkt initiation ceremony for young men Bkt initiation ceremony for young girls Jog traditional dance Nwl Christmas Nwl dl on Christmas day Bpaan new year Pk easter Jm feast Molajaam/mlotljaam tabasky (muslim feast) Jedibuol restaurant Duubuol bar, buvette

I would like us go to I would like to invite you on

Its fine ok, I accept I accept to go Im interested/it pleases me It pleases me very well

Expressions to decline an invitation N g mg yaag N bua, ama N b k fit gad Im busy/not available I would like to, but I couldnt go 49

 Aai! balg L npo paa, m Exercises:

no, thanks Im very interested, but

1) You want to invite your friends on these occasions. What will you say ?

a) Malkonyn b) Spulu

c) Kukun d) Jog

2) Build a dialogue with the expressions below and practice it with a classmate. - N g mg yaam - spulu
-a su b - n b bua

- a mg yaam ii?

3) Invite your school director to the bar

Grammar notes
The conditional tense is used to express politeness, a wish or to soften a demand or an order in Moba.
i. ii. N bo bua m sa boamil N bo bua m y f n sa boamil

I would like to go to a wedding ceremony I would like to go to a wedding ceremony with you

Subject + bo+ bua + pronoun + verb + object The other forms are:
iii. iv. v. A mg yaam g A bu fit g A bogi +verb

have you time to could you could you

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Exercises 1) Invite your counterpart to spend new years day with you. How do you invite: your friend to a Christmas day celebration ? the student you are working with to the jog dance ?

2) Complete this dialogue and practice it with your classmate A: du guam B: Laafi A: A mg yaag t gad danyunuu ? B:-----------------------3) Translate into moba a) We are not free this afternoon b) Im not busy c) I am interested d) I would like to invite you to the naming ceremony

e) I could not go

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Situation Invite your counterpart for lunch at the restaurant snube TDA Go to a member of your host family and ask him how he/she expresses his/her refusal when he/she is invited. Come and share the information and any new expressions with the class.

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Lesson 7 Talk about daily activities

Objectives After studying this lesson, trainees will be able to: 1) Name different daily activities 2) Use the appropriate vocabulary and the present habitual to talk about daily activities in their community 3) Discuss cultural notes and safety and security issues related to the competence 4) Talk about their daily activities in the community for their good integration.

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Text: Kombats typical day

Kombat tie cc

EFRATO Kalatu buol. U tuu fiil

siaug-ni. U t yibl, g wl

g li tid. L puol-po u tuu sa kalatu. U g kpent aag ysiig-ni dajuog-po. U fuot, g di, g bob won kalatu po g gben, u tuu duani .

Text in English Kombat is a teacher at the school EFRATO. He wakes up early in the morning. He washes his face, takes his bath and gets dressed. After this, he leaves for school. He doesnt return home in the afternoon. He comes back late in the evening. After resting, eating and preparing the next class, he goes to bed.

Cultural and safety and security notes

In the morning people generally wash their face before they greet or start their activities Activities are shared according to gender and age In general women take care of household chores Its better to wear appropriate shoes to go to farm.

Words and useful expressions Places where someone can go for an activity
Bilu Dg Cl Kalat Diog Kpaab B

the office the market the well the school the room the farm the river

Verbs
Wl Tg Cd Wn Luu Du gu

to bath to sweep to wash (dishes) to wash (clothes) to fetch (water) to go to bed

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Sa

to go

Expressions
N wl N l nym N s tuon U kp ni Kombat sa tuon Lar tg ccan Duut tg diog Tndjom cd tid Paul tie jied Rubi wuni tid A kuad bona N ybi T so mu g tie jied N g d saug- jied

I take my bath I fetch water I go to work he is grazing cows Kombat is going to work Lar is sweeping the compound Duut is sweeping the room Tandjom is doing the dishes Paul is cooking the meal Rubi is washing clothes (laundry) you are selling things I wash my face we light fire to cook I dont take breakfast

Expressions of time:
Yog y yog Mlan Tani dal kul

Sometimes now every Monday

early

Yi / Tom
Dl-kl

Siaug kl
Dajuog kul Nyig kul Yog kul

L wei

every day every morning every evening every night always a long time ago

Other expressions
A t su b siaug-ni i ? A t su b ysiig-ni i ? A t su b dajuog-po i ?

what do you do in the morning ? what do you do in the afternoon ? what do you do in the evening ?

55

Exercises 1) Give the activities related to these periods of time Siaug ni (In the morning)
Dajuog-po Nyiog

(In the evening)

(at night)

2) Write a dialogue with these expressions and practice it with your classmate
-Yog y yog - a tie b -tuon-ni -n saa

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Grammar notes
The present tense and the expression of habit are very important
i. n tig cicam siaug-ni dal kul

subject + verb (present) + object + expression of time

N
(I

tig
sweep

cican the floor

siaug-ni dal kul every morning )

ii.

N tuu fl

siaug-kul yi

Subject + expression of habit + verb + expression of time + adv. N (I tuu wake up

iii.

fl early

siaug-kul every morning)

yi.

siaug-kul n tuu fl

(Every morning I wake up early) The expression of time can be placed before the subject.

Exercises 1) Make sentences with theses expressions Example: ti jied

-dal kul N -----------------N tie jied dal kul a) Cd tid -dal kul

Ben ----------------------------b) Lu nyum yog-y yog

Jab--------------------------------------------c) Kpa ni
- yog-kul

Bit---------------------------------------------d) Tig diog - nyig kul

Puob--------------------------------------------

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e) a dm

- dag dal

Pam----------------------------------------------------2) Answer these questions a)

A tuu su b ? Siaug-niI ? Dajuog- poI ? Jaam dalI ? Sibit dal i ?

what are you used to doing ?

3) Rearrange the following words. a) Tuu / aag nib / yibl / caal - po i

b)

Yi

/ f / tuosuna / siaug ni kul

c)

Wuul / kul / dal / Kalatubit / nyum

d)

B/ tani-dal / saa / kul / tuon

Situation 1) Your counterpart would like to know what you do when you wake up. 2) Tell your host brother or sister your typical day in USA

58

TDA Ask these members of your Togolese family what they do in the course of a day and report back to the class: Father, mother, sisters, brothers, servants

59

Lesson 8 Ask for and give directions and time

Objectives After studying this lesson, trainees will be able to: 1) 2) 3) 4) Use appropriate vocabulary to ask and give directions Use the imperative form and prepositions to ask for and give directions Discuss cultural notes and safety and security issues related to orientation Give and follow directions in the communit

60

Dialogue: Martin would like to go to the post office. Lar shows her the way. Martin: Lar: Martin:
Lar:

Cb, tun-po
Laafi. A sa l ? N sa poot g y g b l buol: N balm a , a bu fit g wan n snu u ? Tg snu-n gi s suson. A gi som wam a bu l fieli Ble a ga-po. L tol y poot i. Balg bcin

Martin: Lar:

Si yog nny.

Dialogue in English Martin: Lar: Martin: Lar: Martin: Lar: Good afternoon! Good afternoon, where are you going? I am going to the post office, but I dont know where it is. Will you please can you show me the way? Go straight ahead. After a little walk, you will see a store ble on your left; the post office is in front of the store. Thanks a lot! See you later.

Cultural and safety and security notes

In general, indications about the distance are not precise Sometimes with illiterate people, time is related to the activities of the day (like children going to school, Muslim Morning Prayer)to the position of the sun in the sky Some people will come late to meetings People would prefer to lead you to a place themselves or they will have a child accompany you. Keep asking for directions until you arrive at your destination.

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Words and useful expressions Name of some places Daag Ba Fieli

Dkta Kalatu Station/lolagark Balpubul Jedibuol Danyubuol Sn Kudlk Pbon Ketigsetbuol Ketigpan Stn Bil Tiebl paag

the market
the bank

the shop the hospital the school bus/taxi station soccer/football stadium restaurant bar the way, the path bridge paved road railway station railway intersection office on the table

Verbs
Wn Sa Jub Som Pt Got Lebt Set Ggt

to show to go to take to walk to cross to look to return to stop to turn (right or left)

Expressions related to directions

Bt B buol

Kalatudpuol Daag-n S ssn (nu) ga-po

at the chiefs near the bank behind the school in the market to go straight on the left

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(nu) Jtu-po Ggt L fag L g fag Puolpo N y N y daag-nii

ga-po

Tab y /Kb y

on the right turn left near/ next to it s far its not far
after

from here to from here to the market

Expressions related to time

Kut /Karfu Yog

Yog Kut mua n pua ?

Kut mun npua
Siaug kut munluob y miit piinta npua Dajuog kut munmu pua pent miit nmu

hour hours/ time time/ period

What time is it ? (what time do you have)

L k miit piig y nlele y kut yem npua

its/time is its 6:30 am Its 17 past 5 pm its 12 to 1 oclock Its 7 oclock Im late my watch is fast at which time are we ending ? at which time are we going to meet ? to waste time to be late to be on time

Kut munlele npua

Yog gal n/yog pent n/n bil pl

N wace som yi T bu gben b yog i ? T bu ct lieb b yog i ? Bi

Yog pent/gal Put l yog

Exercises 1) Make sentences with these words -Daag-ni - lolagark Example: Martin be daag-ni. Suggested verbs: sa, be
-kudolk -jedibuol

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2) Read the time on these pictures

Kut munya n pua ? a) kut munwo n pua.

Whats the time ? Its 9 oclock

3) Build a dialogue with the following expressions. -Danyubuol

-b yog I ? -n sa -10:30 -da bit puol

Grammar notes
i. Prepositions related to directions The preposition is placed after the noun and attached to the noun and the pronoun. Example: Martin y kb Jant-diog Martin is closed to the church
Pam kpi y Jant-diog Pam is next to the church

Other Prepositions Preposition

ni

Meaning in next to near

Example Pam be diog-ni: Pam kua kpi u homologue:

Martin aag kob y:

Pam is in the room Pam lives next to the homolgue Martins house is near the bridge

kpi
kb

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paag Sisiig-ni ti-po Paa-po tol Puol-po Nu -po (n)ga-po

on Between/in the middle under above In front of behind In front of On the left

Wace be tabl paag:

(nu) Jtu-po Suson hal

On the right straight Up to

The clock is on the table Mango be Dapaong y Kant sisiig-ni: (Mango is between Dapaong and Kant) Kolg sie tabl ti-po: The chicken is under the table Kolg yug tabl paa-po: The chicken flies above the table Pam aa tol fieli: Pams house is in front of the store Sarah be n puol-po: Sarah is behind me Sarah kal Kossi nu po: Sarah is sitting in front of Kossi Kossi aag be ga po Adidogome snu po: (kossis house is on the left side of the road to Adidogome) AGIP be Jtu-po Agoe snu-po: AGIP is on the right side on the road to Agoe Dapaon pan tie pan suson: The road to Dapaong is straight Kossi nyi Limi g sa hal Dapaon: Kossi comes from Lome and he is going up to Dapaong

ii.

Imperative (review) Example: sa a ga-po

Pt pan

go to the left cross the road

Exercises 1) Use the following propositions to answer these questions a) Bt aag be l ?

Bt

b) Bilu be l ?
Bilu

c) I s l ? T sa d) Martin di jied l ?
Martin

e) Bit s l ? B

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2) Give directions using the verbs in imperative: Example: -Wan n Pam aag show me the house of Pam Pt pan , gt a ga po, Pam aag kpi y kudolk Suggestions Places:
Kalatu diog buol Sarah aag-po Bt aag Daag-ni

Verbs: - lebt - Pt - Sa

3) What time is it ? a) 8:00 b) 11:00 c) 4:30 p.m d) 6:20 a.m e) 1:13 a.m

4) Give directions based on the map below: from one place to another: From:
lolkuabuol to poot dktaaag to ba danyubuol to balpuabuol udaag-ni to jedibuol

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5) Translate into Moba a) Where is the road to Lome ?

b) My watch is fast

c) I am not far from there

67

d) Her father lives near the market

Situation Your counterpart would like to pay you a visit. Give him directions to get to your house. TDA Go to any member of your host family. Ask him/her to give you directions from your house to any place of your choice. Learn some new expressions.

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Lesson 9 Talk about transportation

After studying this lesson trainees will be able to: 1) Use the present progressive, interrogative words and the future tense 2) Ask questions about the cost, travel time and destination in order to travel independently 3) Discuss travel conditions and strategies to travel safely

69

Dialogue: Michael would like to travel to Kara. He goes to the taxi station to find a taxibrousse and discuss the conditions of traveling. Michael: Lankom: Michael: Lankom: Michael: Lankom: Michael: Du guam L manii Laafi. Lokuati tie ya n y Kara a ?
Kobinle y piini. Pug piinluob a kul po.

I bu fiil b yog I ? Mla- mla-n. L pt niyent.

Balg bocin.

Dialogue in English: Michael: Good morning. Driver: Good morning. How are you ? Michael: Fine. What is the transportation fare from here to Atakpame ? Driver: 1200F. Add 200F for the bag Michael: When are we leaving ? Driver: Right now. There is one place left. Michael: Thank you very much !

Cultural and safety and security notes Travelers need to be patient enough because drivers will try to have as many passengers as possible before they depart, and they are often overload. In some remote villages, you can be waiting the whole day, or vehicles are available only on market days. Its impotant to have your valuables on you, not packed in your bags. You should check your luggage whenever a passenger is getting off along the trip.

Means of transportation
Ciecie

Pepebl Lol Takti Jemija Kedig

bicycle/bike motorbike vehicle taxi taxi-moto train

70

 Verbs

atu

Taam Tapalol/biyutug
Dolb

canoe horse plane driver

Kua Pa S Jag

Som magd Suol/dad bilg Gben Juab Yil

to enter (a vehicle) to pay to stop (a vehicle) to sit (on the bicycle, horse) to walk to drive to break down to finish to take to wear (helmet)

Useful expressions
Jag ciecie Jag pepebl Kua lol Som tati Takti gark Lokuati Biyugtug babuol Ketigsetbuol atugsetbuol Dad bilk St gben Sa snu Ji jiga A tie nle sa a dog-po i ?

to go by bicycle to go by motorbike to enter/take the vehicle to go on foot taxi-station transportation fare airport railway station port to break down to run out of gas to travel to take the luggage what mode of transportation Do you take if you go to what mode of transportation Do you take if you go to L.A I take I take the train how do you get to ? to wear the helmet

A tie nle sa Los Angeles i ? N kua.. N kua kedig

A i saa tie nle ? Yil feg-lig

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Exercises 1) Answer the following questions: A tie nle g sa a) Washington

b) Limi c) Daag-ni

Which mean of transportation do you take if you go to?

d) Bad- aag e) Bassar 2) Draw a word Start drawing a mode of transportation and let others guess what it is Grammar notes
i. Interrogative pronouns The interrogative pronouns are expressed in Moba as following

Singular -Lan
-La

-Lan
Examples: Sing
* Lo-lan n sa Dapao I ? * Bi-la n kal lol niI ? * Dlb-lan n magd lol-n ?

Plural -Lana -Lani -Lam

Which vehicle is going to Dapaong ? which child is sitting in the vehicle ? which driver is driving this vehicle ?

Plural
* Lo lana nsa Dapao I ? * Bi-lani nkal lol ni I ?

which vehicles are going to Dapaong ? which children are sitting in the vehicle ?
which drivers are driving these vehicles ?

* Dlb-lam nmagd lola-n ? ii. Lam is also used for liquid

72

Example: * Nyu-lamI ? * daa-lami ? * nabi-lam i ? * kpa-lam i ? which water ? which drink ? which milk ? which oil ?

Exercises Translate into Moba a) My elder sister travels b) The transportation fare c) We go to Accra by plane d) The teacher takes the taxi to the airport

Situation You would like to go to Dapaong. Go to the station. Inquire about the conditions of traveling.

TDA Go to a driver in your village. Ask him questions about the conditions of traveling from your post to the place of your choice. Learn some new expressions.

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Lesson 10 Talk about ones state of health

Objectives After studying this lesson trainees will be able to: 1) 2) 3) 4) Name different parts of the human body Talk about their state of health or or ask for someone elses state of health Use the direct complement personal pronouns Discuss Togolese ideas and behavior regarding sickness

74

Dialogue Last night Tandjom did not sleep well because of a stomach ache. She decided to go to the hospital Katie: Dkta: Tandjom: Dkta: Tandjom: Dkta:
Tandjom:

Du guam
Tandjom,a w dua k l manii,

Hal won l g tie n lepo. N nuag, n bi cut m.

A wo di b ? Tua y nug-cica.

Da jie. Yilu bu gben mla. Mi diida n bu te a.

Nfa.

Dialogue in English Tandjom: Doctor: Tandjom: Doctor: Tandjom: Doctor: Tandjom: Good morning Doctor Good morning. What is wrong with you ? Since yesterday, Im not feeling well. I have stomach ache. I also have diarrhea What did you eat ? I ate beans and fried yams Do not worry; the pain is going to end now. I will examine you and give you some medicine. Fine.

Cultural andsafety and security notes

People are not direct in saying whats wrong. They will first say everything is ok before they mention any sickness or sad new. Sickness is seen like a punishment from God or ancestors or caused by sorcery. People will not necessarily go to the hospital or to a health center when they are sick, but they may try different treatement by themselves with medicine or traditional practices. People believe a lot in traditional healers.

75

Words and useful expressions The body

Yul Yut Nubina Mil Nyin/nyina Tubl/tuba Kpkpau Nu Nuani Tal/ta Nubil/nubila Tapau/Tapt Tabil Tulu Palbiil

Nubin

Mb

head hair eye eyes nose mouth tooth/teeth ear/ears arm hand intestines leg/legs finger/fingers foot/feet toe neck chest

The diseases Yilu/yili Kuoni

Mcil

Verbs

Gbanto
Ncuutig Yugbaug

Bin
Bkukula Nuag

disease (s) cough cold fever diarrhea headache small pox dysentery stomach ache

Yil Teb Nyu/nag Ti

to hurt to heal to take (swallow) medicine to do

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Expressions
N yul yil N nuag yil N nubina yil L n yil a ni B n mg a ni Macil ndi n/wat mg n Kooni mg N cuut L suagdI ? L suagdapoI ? A paagI ? Paag Yendu bu p laafi

Aba-ba/sugl
Daa yilu n mt T Nag nygu

I have a headache I have a stomach ache my eyes hurt what hurts ? what hurts/whats wrong with you ? Im cold Im coughing I have diarrhea is it getting better ? are you getting better ? are you healed ? to be healed May God bring a good health sorry let the sickness not get worse
ok/I agree

Sa dkta

to go to hospital to take medicine

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Exercises 1) Point out body parts you studied and give their name to the class 2) Write a dialogue using tese expressions:
- b n mg a ni ? - t - da a yilu n m t - n gbanuni g dagd - L manii ?

Grammar notes
The use of the indirect object Example:
N nuag yil

I have stomach ache

N +body part +yil N tal yil my leg hurts

Exercises Translate into Moba a) She is sick b) They go to the hospital c) Your elder brother has a headache d) What is wrong with your arm? e) Are you getting better? f) They have a cold g) We are cold h) You are not feeling well.

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Situation Your neighbours wife is sick, greet her and ask questions to know what is wrong with her. TDA Your host mother has diarrhea, use appropriate expressions to sympathize with her.

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Lesson 11 How to express emotions

Objectives After studying this lesson trainees will be able to: 1) Talk about the culturally accepted behavior during a happy or sad event 2) Use correct words and expressions to converse during those events

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Dialogue Jocelyns younger host sister has given birth. She pays her visit and expresses her feelings Jocelyn: Sister: Jocelyn: Sister : Jocelyn: Sister: Jocelyn:
Sister: L tie nle ? Manu kua . N gbat k a w la a kua won. Balg y yuman ! Yendu y i cab A bal y b?

Bjag. U san ntie Bman. L tie npo paman bcin. Ga n g da cieb (2500F)
Ydu bu ta g toda ! Nfa, balg bcin !

Dialogue in English Jocelyn: Sister: Jocelyn: Sister: Jocelyn: Sister: Jocelyn: Sister: How are you ? Very well I heard that you gave birth yesterday. Congratulations ! Thank you. Is it a boy or a girl ? A male, his name is Godwin. Take this for the soap (2500) Im very happy. Take this for the soap (2500) May God help you ! Thanks a lot !

Cultural and safety and security notes Its very important to express ones sympathy to a friend, a collegue or your neighbor during a sad event (sickness, accident, death) by visiting or making a symbolic gift of money, food or anything else depending on your relationship You do the same for happy events and you congratulate. Failing to give moral support (especially to pay a simple visit) would make people think you have no regard toward people or that you are not interested in the community in which you are living.

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Words and useful expressions Happy events Boamil

Matug Yuman

Yendu nyuwulu

marriage birth successs baptism

Sad events Verbs

Mal Wul yendu nyum Kuan puo Kp jua Kpe J Sa/gad liig Kuum Nayug Mu Fabni Bag

death robbery fire dismissal accident

to give birth to baptize to marry a woman to marry a man to die to steal to succeed

Expressions for happy events Balg y yuman

Balg y yuman-man Balg y yuman Bal y / mal L tie npo paman

congratulations (youre lucky) congratulations (you plural) congratulatuons to him/her to give birth I am (very) happy

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Expressions for sad events L tie n po pabon Sugl

nbaug Y fala yendu n bu gal / bil Kakaanu-ni suolakua

Im (very) sorry
sorry

sorry for you condolences may he rest in peace have courage

Exercises 1) Express your feelings on the following events

Your brother got married Your host father has just lost his mother Your friend passed his exams Your aunt had her first baby.

2) Translate into Moba a) I lost my father b) Congratulations c) She got married d) My condolences e) You have succeeded f) You have been promoted Situation The head masters wife at the school where youre working has just given birth. She meets you and announces the event to you. Express your feelings to her. TDA Go see your counterpart, ask him questions about what he does when events occur in the country. Share the expressions with the class.

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Lesson 12 Ask for help in an emergency

Objectives After studying this lesson trainees wil be able to 1) Use appropriate words and expressions to ask for help in emergency case. 2) Use object pronouns 3) Discuss the safty and secutity support system in their community.

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Dialogue There is a snake in Johns room.He screams and asks for helpThe neighbors rescue him. John: Neighbors: John: Neighbors: John:
Waaug-yeeee, waaug yeeee ! U be l, u be l, u be l? U be n diog-ni, u tab dekpin Da gba, t bu kpi ug. L g pa. Balg-m y told.

Dialogue in English John: Neighbors: John: Neighbors: John: Snake, snake, help me ! Where is it ? Its in my room, against the wall. Dont worry; we are going to kill it. Thanks for your help.

Cultural and safety and security notes Solidarity between people in the community is very strong, so you just call out if you need others help In big cities, people are more individualistic and less likely to help in an emergency.

Words and useful expressions Emergency cases Nayug Waaug-junu Bog-junu

Nyu-dinu Buot Baag Puo bibu/puo jinu

theft snake bite dog bite

drowning physical assault accident rape

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Verbs Tod Fad Gaal Expressions to alert Waaug yeee

Waaug jun B buo n yeee/b pua n Mu yeee Nyum di nil yeee Nayig yeee Bog jut n yeee

to help to save to save

snake the snake has bitten me people are beating me fire somebody is drowning thief the dog is biting me

Yeee (interjection)

To ask for help Tod Fad/gaal To help B n tiena ni ? N bu fit g toda nii ? Aai What is wrong with you? Can I help you? yes no, it is ok to help to save

Exercises 1) Make sentences using these words: Waaug, junu, nyum, nayig bog. 2) Which words or expressions would you use in these situations a) someone touched your butto

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b) you see a snake in your compound

c) you are very ill, and you want the help of your neighbor

d) The house of your counterpart is burning

e) Someone is demanding to marry you

f) A crazy man is harassing you _____________________________ _______________________________________________________ 3) Translate into Moba a) Can you help me b) Help them c) They help me d) Its ok e) Her father helps me f) What can I do

Situation When coming back from the market at 6:30 p.m, you see a group of people.They attempt to attack you and they steal what you bought. What would you do ?. TDA Go to your host brother/sister. Ask him/her questions to know what she would do in case of a dog attack. Come and report to the class.

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Lesson 13 Talk about work

Objectives: After studying this lesson trainees will be able to 1) Use appropriate vocabulary and the conditional tense to talk about his/her job in the community 2) Discuss the importance of foreign help (especially American help) in moba communities 88

Dialogue Acha a CHAP volunteer in Dapaong met theDirector of the hospital and explained to him the reason why she is there. Major: Acha:
Major: Y soml. Nfaa! A w dua k l manii ? Laafi. B yia b ? B yin Acha. N nyi Colorado AmeriKa dogni. A su b Dapao-n ?. B yi n tuon tuon CHAP lanika:sant communautaire et prevention du SIDA. N bu su tuon y doktamba, y binamba L . Yamboat todl tuosuna kul tie lan ? Aai! Cag-la be. L tie n po paman g t bu ta g su tuon. Balg bcin.

Acha: Major: Acha: Major: Acha:

Major:

Acha:

Dialogue in English Major: Acha: Major: Acha: Major: Acha: Major: Acha: Major: Acha: Welcome. Thank you! Good morning (how are you ?) Im very fine.Whats your name, please? My name is Acha. I am from Colorado in America. What kind of work are you going to do here in Dapaong ? Im a CHAP volunteer. (Community health and AID prevention) I will work with health workers and mothers. Good. Are all Peace Corps volunteers doing the same thing ? No, there are other programs. Im happy that I am going to collaborate with you. Thanks a lot.

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Cultural and safety and security notes

Americans are well regarded in the community and everybody would like to befriend or to collaborate with them Some people think Americans are rich and powerful and have solutions to any situation.

Words and useful expressions GEE:

Spaam fantu y b liig gadu cagl

Kalatu Kalatubig Mildl

Tuo-bal Dam Klit Tuon-buol Cna/Cba Ttanu Tunt Ta Ttanu-buol Cegl N bu su tuon y sipaam fantu y b liig gadu cagl M y kalatubit bu su tuon N bu ta spaam g maat ponyanu mam

school student teacher apprentice parents college workshop/office patron(also father/mother)

meeting

to teach to gather place of meeting to advise Ill work in the GEE program I work with students Ill gather girls to talk about abortion.

CHAP: gbanmt y SIDA paagu bobn cagl

Dktaaag
Dkta Nygu Te cegli Bit bignu Got bit ni

Sgd Du juudiog-ni

hospital doctor/nurse medicine to advise baby weighing hygiene to take care of children
to sleep under the mosquito net

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SIDA yilu Yil buolu kul Te labal

AIDS

Cg pienu NRM: kpaab y tini mu cagl

Kpakuola Tiig Dulm Bul Wu Dapa Kpaab Dulpag-nu

all kind of diseases to give information to inject

Taag Sig Fal Ti-bina Muat Daad Tod Kolg/koli Piog Naab SED: kpenkpta y yab luot tuon bit-bit cagl Fieli Lig-li
Ttanu/Mtaug Puob- ttanu

farmers tree fertilizer,compost,pit to show (maize, beans) to plant cooking stove farm fertilizer use rain rainy season dry season seed (for all kinds of trees) grass wood to help chicken/chickens sheep cow

Bil lig-li Ba
Kad D

Pa

shop money groupement groupement de femmes to save money bank to sell to buy to pay

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Exercise List in Moba two to three activities in each program.

Grammar notes
The future tense

Subject+ bu + verb + object N bu wu tiig Exercises Translate into moba a) Ill work with farmers b) You will teach in the college c) The parents have a meeting d) The Peace Corps volunteer will work well e) Im happy that I will collaborate with you f) She is living in Babade Ill plant a tree

Situation You meet women at your post for the first time. Explain to them the main activities you are going to do together. TDA Go to the chief of your village introduce yourself and explain your program

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Useful expressions

1) Conversation managers Sugl be / kafala

A gbat ii? Suosuo/ suoo Mad suo am mad L niim nii? N g gbi l niim nii? L md g pel Mad suosuo g mi fit g gbat A ye g b L g tie mam L g biil sil A gbi

please/excuse me
slowly say it slowly say it agan

niim nin N g gbi

what does it mean? what doesmean? I dont understand it I cant hear you Its too fast
say it slowly again so that I can understand it

T n gbad Mnii?
Mni N g b

you said what? what? its not a problem its doesnt matter? do you understand? Yes,I do No. I dont did you hear that? ok, yes I heard it. Is it true? its true. I dont know.

2) To express needs
Nnyunyuglu mgn N bua/bu nyu kom mgn N bu/bua di N cg N bua fuot N bua fuot wam N bua du N bua sa nyalm/wul Wlu mgn

Im thirsty I will/want to drink I will/ I want to eat Im tired I want to relax I want to relax a little Im going to bed I want to use the latrine/bathroom I m hot

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 Wat mgn N bua ba wam 3) At home

Kafal kluol Y soml Kkanu be Kkanu be m Yi soml labaal i? N sa daag g gu N gad tuon g gu Gu tom A tunt manu u T kal m Bal-m t kal Won nny

Im cold I would like to study a little

ok,come in welcome please have a seat

please have a seat(to more than one person)

what are you here for?

Im going to the market and I will be back. Im going to the office and Ill be back

come back early have a good day lets eat come lets eat see you tomorrow

4) On travel
N gad snu g gu Som manu u I som manu u A gu tom A gu y boana L po yab i?

Ill travel and I will come back

safe journey safe journey to more than one preson

come back early bring good things back

what about people from where you come from?

Yendu nnyana snuu /a snu n pen 5) Compliments

Lidl L y na A ti npo N bua l L cabl npo

bye bye

your dress is very nice you look nice I like your dress I like it. I like the cloth

6) At work
T A tuon poi? T gba Tuon pa paa

ok what about the work? we are on it the work is very difficult 94

 L tuon pal/L g tie tuo-big

Its not an easy job

7) The weather
Wlu be Wlu be paa Wat be paa w/faalu w da/faalu pua Tag ba Nyum

L nyili
Taag bu ba L bon

its hot its very hot its very cold wind its windy its raining the weather is clear its shining
it will rain its dark

8) At a feast L jaam w Ja-mam Jaam mana po Other expressions

L niimni tie g L g L si n g L tie g

the feast was very good good feast good feast to you

its means that its good that its necessary for me that Its important to

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English to Moba Glossary

A accept accident ache advice after afternoon again age agree aid airplane
all allow alone already also always

tuo bag yilu

ceg-li lepuolpo ytun bi bin tuo tod biyugtug kul cab kua ta bi yog-kul dam y bkobug lua ji sil bsi l/yalkul

ancestor and animal another

answer

any anything apologize appear

arm

mil sugl
dgd kpkpaug yil-ni punt y bual

around arrive as ask B bad bag ball banana

g /b kl

bal
kdu

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bank barber basket bathroom battery beat beautiful become because bed bedroom beer begin believe belt between big bird bite black blood blue boat book bottle boy bridge bring bureau but buy C call canoe
car (auto)

ba yukuog kpcubg nyuwuldiog tablat-tana pua t kalma gado detuatug bil cl gaal gban sisig-ni yab nua ju b sm blu atu kadaug kpalbil bjag kudolg bal yen biru ama da

y i jabulbgetl tulcaak kapta tug suol smt

carpenter carry catch cement

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chair change chat chief choose church cigarette city classroom clean close cloth clothes coconut come comic complain console continue corn cost cry cut
D

kog suson lebt pag ppaug bad gan jat-diog cigaal dog kalatudo sg lu ccen tid kpaakpa bal L mg laat fab s pal/nyi pal tie g I sa kpabda daug yg cua

dance dark daughter day dead deep difficult disease dish distribute do doctor dog door dry dream

sig bbon bpuo dal kuu nyua pa yilu tiog biit ti dokta bg gan ku daigd

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drug duty E each ear early earth east effort egg empty encourage end enemy evening everybody everything everywhere except extra eye
F

nygu tuon

sua kul/yua kul/yal kul tubl tom ti puolpo yablu jen ya pa juog ja y ja dajuog nil kuol bon kul nabuol kul l nya ma/pug nubbin

face
fall

nu ba yigl fag kpaab kpakuol jam wam mu ccn pug jied pa sa

famous far farm farmer fast(rapid) festival few fire first flower food force foreigner

99

forest forget forward fry full

fual sun Liigpo sn gbie

game gas station garden gate gather gift girl give god government green
ground groundnut grow guest guide H

jelug st kuat-buol gg-lug gjal ta paab bpuog te yendu gobna

b y tifaad ti tiina ko sa sakpal

habit hair half hand handsome happen happiness hard health healthy hear heart heavy height high

tiog
yut bgt nu

L tie/ L baat paman pa laafi

be gbad pal kpig fagd fag

100

highway history hole honest hunter

I

pjacio makpelm buotuog waal

idea if immediately important insect interesting invite iron

J

mlim li tie

totoni-totoni
/bmn boyuyug /m yi dina kd

job joke journey joy jump

K

tuon sgd sn pmn yug

key kill king kichen knee knife know

L

pien kp bd jeti-buol dun jug bn

labor land language last

tuon ti
mlm juog

101

late laugh law lead leader learn leave leg length lie life listen little long look lose luck(good)
M

bil puol
l yiko kpa sliig ba yt tl fgd f-faug mil c wm fg god bu yuman

malaria male manioc manner many maybe meaning mechanic medicine meeting merchant miracle mirror month moon mosquito mountain mouth

yugbug bjag bance btitiog bocin bi niimni fit nyg ttan bit jilma/plg nunyua mb mlig juu jul mlig

102

near nearly necessary neck need neighbor never new night noise none noon north nose nothing now
O

kob/tb ma l si tul bu kkukpig /kkuyuag b/da b pa/bpn nyig fuug fd pu ysiig y mil yn mln

ocean offer office often old once open opinion or other

P

nycio te/p bil yog-kul ci bkpel yem lut malim-ni lanik lu

pack pain pants papaya paper parent past pay

dgl kpan kpaltafuog gntil kadaug da kpeli p

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peace period permit people perhabs person piece pillow piss place plant plate pleasure policeman poor post office pot power praise prefer pregnant prepare president pretty prevent priest profit progrees promise prove punishment purpose
Q

laafi yg cab/te son niib b nl diog yukpktl nyn buol/yil w tdig kpkpamug pilg tlg puot bbl pl dt lgd pm/tpml ti jied/bb dogda lgd fd nyut lg sn pu s y mun tbdat po

queen question quicly quiet

puobd buli yi m

104

rain raise reach ready receive red respect rest return rope rubber run
S

tg gu pnt bobtit gl bmn cld fud lebt to/ miug wlb s

sack salary say seat see separate share short show sick side since sit slow small south speak swim
T

kl pug md kl l paad/yt bgd/biit j w yil kpi /po hl kl suo bbig ymbu maad dug nym

table talk tall test than

tibl md fg big cie/g tie

105

thank there third throw tooth travel tree U until university V vaccinate
vaccination

ti balg ie-buol bnta-p l nyn sa-snu tiig

hal /y kalatu sakal

cg cgl yamboat todl tuosun

volunteer W wait wake up walk warn wash water welcome well wide wind window with work write

gl fl som ( tati ) f wn nym y soml boan pi /yal wo tklbon y tuon

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yam yellow yesterday yet Z zone zero

nug m y dt wn mb w gl d

yym yn

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