Sunday, February 7, 2010

Language Exchange

I know I promised a Ke'kchi lesson, but first I want to share my new English/Kriol vocabulary. These are words I hear everyday and soon will find myself saying them, too, without realizing.
dropped as in I almost dropped (fell).
off as in Do you want me to off (turn off) it?
find as in I will find (meet) you there.
vexed as in Don't be vexed (mad).
reach as in When we reach (get there).
next as in We'll build a next (another) house.
mind as in mind (watch our for) the truck or mind (look after) my bag
back way as in My shoes are on back way (the wrong way/backwards)
mek as in Mek I (let me) see. -- This one is Kriol for sure.
They also say I like to see or I can see in your face instead of simply I like your dress or you look sick. Some phrases I have passed to the Mas family include sweet dreams, sad day, and my goodness. Ione says my goodness a lot and I love to hear her say it. I also just randomly blew Hillaria a kiss when I was going to visit another family for the evening. She thought it was the funniest thing but loves to blow kisses now and of course catch them. Ha ha!
Now on to some K'ekchi... To be a good hostess Okan se kabl. (Come in the house.) --they also use se kabl when playing volleyball and the ball lands inside, this made me laugh. Hilan (rest) Cuaiy' li ab' (here is the hammock). Most frequently asked questions Ma sa aachol? (How are you?) Bar xic acue? (Where are you going?) Bar na ka chal? (Where did you come from?) Bar wankat? (Where do you stay?) Jarub hab'at? (How old are you?) Ani ak'abba? (What is your name?) Ani xk'abba li na'? (What is the name of your mother?)
As far as vocab goes I mostly know animals, food items, can count to 40, and have been studying some verbs. Maybe you should ask me a word you want to know and I'll get back to you. Xic we! (I am going.) Tawil Awib (Take care of yourself.) Loves and hugs!
*x is pronounced sh and w is sometimes pronounced cu

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