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Garifuna Language
 
The Garifuna language is a derivation of several African, Indian and European languages and dialects. Those whose origin is known are: Arawak, Yoruba, Swahili, Bantu, Spanish, English, and French. One of the most significant difference in the Garifuna language compared to other language is that male words are different from females words. In a conversation between a male and female they use different words to refer to the same thing.
 
Dear friends,
The Garifuna language has been extensively studied by linguists, and is basically of the South American Arawak family, with numerous words taken from the Carib family, also from South America. It has also borrowed heavily from French, English, and Spanish. No more than five possible loan words from African languages have ever been found, and these are not confirmed… My work, starting in 1955, has been oriented toward the ethnography and ethno-history of the Garifuna… The language, as well as most of the technology, much of the religious ritual, and the agricultural and fishing complex derive not from Africa, but from South America…Don’t let yourselves lose sight of this unique heritage. There is no other group in the world with your culture because it is a product of your unique history! It has changed through time as the people have faced new challenges, but its core, largely due to the language, has remained firmly in place. Best wishes for the holiday season and beyond. Nancie Gonzalez”
 
 
     
WORDS USED IN
YURUMEIN IN 1666     WORDS USED IN
DIASPORA IN 1999
THE PARTS OF MAN’S BODY
Nokobou  The body  Núgubu 
Nora  My skin  Nura 
Nabo  My bones  Nabu 
Nillagra  My veins  Nílagüle 
Lillagra  His veins  Lilegüle 
Nitta  My blood  Nita 
Nilibouri  My hair  Nídiburi 
Nicheuke  My head  Nichügü 
Nakou-ora  My eye-lid  Lidáü nagu 
Nakou-iou  The hair of the eyelid  Liu nagu 
Nérébe  My forehead  Nerebe 
Nichibou  My face  Nigibu 
Nichiri  My nose  Nígiri 
Niouma  My mouth  Niuma 
Nioumarou  My lip  Niumáru 
Nari  My tooth  Nari 
Narikae  My ear  Narigei 
Nouboyoubou  My temples  Nubuyubu 
Nitigne  My cheeks  Nidíen 
Nouri  My breast  Nuri 
Neche  My shoulder  Nege 
Narreuna  My arm  Narüna 
Neugueumeueuke  My elbow  Núgünügü 
Noucabo  My hand  Núhabu 
Noubara  My nail  Núbara 
Nanichirokou  My stomach  Naniguogu* (gau) 
Niouanni (f)  My heart (Soul)  Nuáni Nanichi(m)
Noubana  My liver  Nubána 
Noulakae  My belly (entrails)  Nuragei* (ai) 
Nauba  My side  Nauba 
Nanagane  My lower back  Nanaganebu 
Narioma  My navel  Nari 
Nagagirik  My knee  Nagachürügü 
Nichaoa-chaoua  My ham  Nichawachawa 
Nourna  My leg  Núruna, Niáda 
Nourna-aboulougou  My shin  Núruna 
Namourgouti  My ankle  Namurugute 
Nougouti  My foot  Nugudi 
Nougouti-rokou  Sole of my feet  Nugudirugu 
KINDRED AND ALLIANCE
Baba  Baba (Speaking to him)  Baba 
Noukouchili  My father (Speaking of)  Nuguchi 
Yao  My uncle  Yau 
Niraheu  My son  Niraü 
Hibali  My grandchild (one)  Nibari 
Nibagnem  My grandchildren  Nibañan 
Niboukayem  My elder brother  Níbugañan Namouleem
Hibali moukou  My son-in-law  Nibarimu 
Liani  His wife  Liani 
Naguette  My grandmother  Nagütü 
Niraheu  My daughter  Nirou 
Nitou  My sister  Nitu 
Tamoulelouan  Her younger sister  Tamulelua 
Nibache  My niece  Nibase 
CONDITIONS AND QUALITIES
Ouekelli  Man  Wügüri 
Ouekeliem  Men  Wügüriñan 
Eyeri  Man  Eyeri 
Eyerium  Men  Eyeriñun 
Inarou  Woman  Hiñanru 
Innouyum  Women  Hiñanriñun 
Ouelle  Woman  Würi 
Ouekelli-raeu  Little boy  Wügüri irahü 
Ouelle-raeu  Little girl  Würi irahü 
Ouaiali  An old man  Wéyali* Waiali 
ACTIONS AND PASSIONS
Jacaba, Noubara  Stay for me.  Reideiba lidan nubara 
Emenichiraba  Hope in him.  Hemenigiba luagu 
Emenichira  Hope  Emenigi 
Nemenichiraeu  My hope  Nemenigira 
Lamanatina  I am hungry.  Lamadina 
Nacrabatina  I am thirsty.  Mágürabutina 
Natoni boman  Give me some drink.  Nata buma. 
Baika.  Eat.  Baiga* Beiga 
Aika  To eat  Aiga,* Eiga 
Kouraba  You drink.  Guraba 
Natiem  I drink.  Natuñan 
Nacharouatina  I have drunk.  Bacharuadina 
Hac-yete  Come here.  Áhü-ye 
Ariangaba  Speak.  Ariengaba, ariñegaba 
Maniba  Hold your peace.  Maniba 
Niorouba  Sit down.  Ñunruba 
Raoignaba  Lie down on the ground.  Rounba murougu
Raramaba  Stand up.  Raramaba 
Arikaba  Look.  Arihaba 
Akambabae  Hear.  Agambabai 
Aochabae  Taste it.  Houchabai 
Kouroubae  Touch it.  Gurubai 
Bayoubaka  Go  Baibuga 
Nayoubakayem  I go  Naibuga 
Hehemba  Run  Henunba 
Babenaka  Dance  Babinaha 
Nabinakayem  I dance  Nabinahañan 
Choubakouba  Leap  Chubaguaba 
Choubakou naibou  I am going to leap.  Chubaguana 
Béérraka  Laugh  Beheraha 
Naouërekoyem  I laugh  Nouweguñan 
Ayakouaka  Weep  Ayahuaha 
Baronka  Sleep  Barumuga 
Akakotouäba  Awake  Agaguduaba 
Nemervoni  Rest  Nemeragua 
Aouraba banichi  Refresh thy heart  Awaraguata banigi 
Phoubaë  Blow  Fubai 
Chouëba  Spit  Sueba 
Hymba  Cough  Hinba 
Homoura  To ease oneself  Ámura 
Chibaba  Wash thyself  Chibaguaba 
Akao bouka  Go to wash thyself.  Agawa bungua 
Napouloukayem  I swim  Nabuluhañan 
Niarakouäli  He was choked.  Ñanraguali 
Talaba  Open  Daraba 
Aloukaba  Seek  Alugaba 
Hamamba  Fly  Hamaba 
Batikeroyen  You fall  Bachugereguñan 
Kebeciketabaë  Sell it  Gebegigüdabai 
Akani  An enemy  Ágani 
Oubao- bonon  An islander  Ubouhuna
Balanaglé  A man who comes by sea  Baranagüle 
 (Christians or Europeans)  
Tamon  A servant or absolute slave  Idamuni 
Inouti  High  Inñuti 
Onabouti  Low  Ünabuti 
Ouliliti  Deep  Huliliti 
Taboubéreti  Broad  Dabubereti 
Mouchinagouti  Long  Miginaguti 
Chiririti  Round  Giririti 
Nioulouti  Soft  Ñunluti 
Téreti  Hard  Dereti 
Kouchakouali  Moist  Gucharati 
Alouti  White  Haruti 
Ouliti  Black  Würiti 
Ponati  Red  Funati 
Youalouti  Thief  Hiweruti 
Oulimateti  An adulterer  Ounliduati 
Oulibati  Evil  Würibati 
Nianouanti  Evil  Hañanwariti 
Iroponti  Good  Irufuguti 
Leuleuti ao  A fool  Lülütau 
Talouali ao  A fool (He who has no light)  Daruguati lau 
Imouemeti  Sad  Uwedemeti 
Chouchouti  Piquant or tart in taste  Chou chou ti 
Natiakayem  I fish.  Nadiahañan 
Abourricaali  He is coming into the port.  Abürügaali 
Naromankayem  I sing a song.  Narumanhañan 
Ichoatoati tao  He is in love with her.  Ichuahati tuma 
Chouba nioumolou-  Kiss me.  Chuba niuma 
Kinchinti loné  He loves him.  Hisienti lun 
Yerekati loné  He hates him.  Iyereguti lun 
Liuetimali  Drunkenness  Luedifun
Baikoaba  Strike, beat  Baiguabai 
Abaichaglé  Whip or wand  Abaichagülei 
Apparabaë  Beat him.  Afarabai 
Atouattienly  He is well.  Atuaditi 
Naneteiti  He is sick.  Ganütariti 
Hilaali  He is dead.  Hilaali 
Bonambaë  Bury him (it, plant)  Bunabai 
THINGS RELATED TO HOUSEKEEPING AND TRADE
Toubana  An ordinary house  Tuban 
Maina  Garden  Mainabu 
Nichari  My garden  Nichari 
Béna  A door  Béna 
Amac, Nekera  A bed  Nügüra 
Halaheu  A seat  Haláü 
Takae  A vessel  Tagai 
Tauba  A half vessel made of gourd  Tauba wira 
Ritta  A drinking cup  Rida 
Keoue  A hook  Güwein*, Güwi 
Akoucha  A needle  Agusa 
Alopholer  A pin (Harpoon)  Arufun 
Catoli  A basket  Gadouri 
Aribelet  Roast meat  Alibele 
Eberitina  Merchandise  Ebegidinou 
Couliala  A small vessel  Guriara 
Ibitarrou  A cord  Ifitaru 
Ankouroute  An anchor  Ounguru 
Couchique  A knife  Gusiñu 
Chirachi  Scissors  Isiresi 
Anhan  Yes  An an 
Oua  Nay, No  Uá 
Alouka  Tomorrow  Haruga
Mabouë  Good morning  Mabuiga 
Huican  Farewell  Awisaha 
ORNAMENTS AND ARMS
Narikaela  Pendants for the ear  Narigaila* Narigeila 
Chibouchi  A looking glass  Isibusei 
Echoubara  A sword  Isubara 
Rakabouchou  Musket  Aragabusu 
Kaloon  Great guns  Galún 
Laboulougou  The point of it  Labulugu 
Lirana  The middle  Liranagua 
Tiona  The end  Tiuna 
Chimala  A bow  Gimara+ 
Ibitarrou  The string of the bow  Ifitaru 
Narikaela  Pendants for the ear  Narigaila* Narigeila 
Chibouchi  A looking glass  Isibusei 
Echoubara  A sword  Isubara 
Rakabouchou  Musket  Aragabusu 
Kaloon  Great guns  Galún 
Laboulougou  The point of it  Labulugu 
Lirana  The middle  Liranagua 
Tiona  The end  Tiuna 
Chimala  A bow  Gimara+ 
Ibitarrou  The string of the bow  Ifitaru 
LIVING CREATURES
Anly  A dog  Aunli 
Oulle anly  A female dog  Würi aunli 
Bouirokou  A swine  Buiruhu 
Alouata  An ape or monkey  Arawada 
Ouayamaka  The great lizard  Wayamaga 
Karattoni  A mouse  Garadún 
Mechou  A cat  Mesu 
Makeré  The soldier, a kind of snail  Magüre 
Héhué  A serpent  Hewe 
Akourou  A scorpion  Aguru 
Hueré-hueré  A fly  Were-were 
Cogouyou  A glittering fly  Uhuyu, Wadigidigi 
Tonolou  A bird  Dunuru 
Ouekelli-pikaka  A turkey-cock  Wügüri figaga 
Kayou  An ordinary hen  Gayu 
Kanarou  A duck  Ganaru
Koulehuee  A parrot  Gurewegi 
Ouakoukoua  A pigeon  Wagugua 
Toubanna  A feather, a leaf  Tubana 
Tarreuna  Wing or arm  Tarüna 
Tiouma  A beak or mouth  Tiuma 
Tougouti  A foot or claw  Tugudi 
TREES AND PLANTS
Huehue  Tree  Wewe 
Ninanteli  A plant  Ninadiri 
Illehué  A flower  Ílewei 
Toubanna  A leaf  Tubana 
Arabou  A forest  Árabu 
Youli  Tobacco  Iyúri 
Battia  Melon  Badia 
Maboulou  A cane or reed  Mabúru 
Kaniche  Sugar-cane  Gániesi 
Kanichira  Juice of the cane  Líra gániesi 
Choure  Sugar  Sugara 
THINGS ELEMENTARY AND INANIMATE
Oualoukouma  A star  Waruguma 
Huyeyou  The Sun  Weyu 
Kati  The moon  Hati 
Lalloukone  Light  Larungounga 
Ariabou  Night  Áriebu 
Bourreli  Darkness  Luburiga 
Haloukaali  It is day.  Harugougali 
Boureokaali  It is night.  Buruwougaali 
Naouaragle  Air  Nawaragun 
Bebeité  The wind  Bebeidi 
Ouattou  Fire  Watu
Balliffi  Ashes  Baligi 
Konobou  Rain  Gunubu 
Liromouli  Summer  Irumurugu 
Lamoyeli  Cold  Hamuyeli 
Loubacha  Heat  Lubacha 
Yehumeti  It is foul weather  Yegumeti dan 
Oualou ouyoulou  Thunder  Wayuhuyuru 
Ourogan  A tempest  Huragan 
Alamoulou  A rainbow  Heremuru 
Ouebo  A mountain  Wübü 
Tona  Water, River  Duna 
Chiekati  A well  Chigati 
Balanna  The sea  Barana 
Itika  Excrement  Idigaü 
Saccao  Sand  Sagoun 
Ema  A way  Üma 
Tebou  A stone  Dübü 
Oubao  An island  Ubouhu 
Huehue  Wood or tree  We we 
Crabou  Iron  Gürabu 
Teach Yourself How To Speak Garifuna In One Click 
In this section you will get aquanted with the Garifuna language. Our goal is to teach you the Garifuna language in the two stardards methods of learning, namely, in a visual and auditive form. By the time you leave this page you will have learned how to read, write and speak some (Well, enough to greet a Garifuna individual in his own language) Garifuna.
 
 
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NOTE:
Some of the pronounciation may vary from place to place. I have tried my best to make the spellings and pronounciation as acceptable as possible.
If you have any questions, concerns, ideas, or suggestions, please contact us via email at: jcacho01@yahoo.com or fill in the form in the message center
We're now taking your request. Always keep in mind that this a community work, and we would like you to feel part as part of this project. Please submit your words or phrases (In Spanish or English) by fill in the form in the message center section, and we'll do our best to translate it in Garifuna and post it hear.
Having said that, let's get started!!!
 
 
Garifuna English Español Pronounce Provided by
Waruguma Star Estrella   Camille Martinez
Ugundani Happiness Felicidad   Camille Martinez
Igemeri Light Luz   Camille Martinez
Nisani My child Mi hijo/hija   Camille Martinez
Our child Wasani Nuestro hijo/hija   Camille Martinez
efeduhani celebrate celebrar   Dr. Jorge Bernardez
echuni tradition tradicion   Dr. Jorge Bernardez
usa values valores   Dr. Jorge Bernardez,
translated in spanish by
Xiomara Moreira
inebesei respect respeto   Dr. Jorge Bernardez
pantaü pride orgullo   Dr. Jorge Bernardez
Lalihouniwa Ubou Reading the World leyendo el mundo   Dr. Jorge Bernardez
Walamiseru Our Pain nuestro dolor   Dorina Castillo
Wayunagu Our ancestors nuestros ancestros   Dorina Castillo
ahari spirit spiritu   Dorina Castillo
buyei spiritual healers *tradusca*   Dorina Castillo
seremein thank you gracias   Dorina Castillo
fadiri priest padre de iglesia   Dorina Castillo
ugundani joy felicidad   Dorina Castillo
Bungiu God Dios   Dorina Castillo
Buiti fedu Merry christmas Feliz navidad   Jorge Garifuna
Buiti achüluruni Welcome Bienvenido   Jorge Garifuna
Buiti binafi Good morning Buenos dias   Jorge Garifuna
Buiti rabanweyu Good afternoon Buenas tardes   Jorge Garifuna
Buiti guñoun Good night Buenas noches   Jorge Garifuna
 
CHAT ROOM ABOUT GARIFUNA LANGUAGE http://www.chatzy.com/?753526165542
 

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ainu lesson ,4

I want to..

English Sound Ainu
What do you want to eat? Hemanta ee rusuy ya?
I want to eat candy. Topenpe ke rusuy
What do you want to drink? Hemanta eku rusuy ya?
I want to drink tea. Oca kuku rusuy
I want to go home soon. x Tane kuhosipi rusuy
I want to rest because I am tired. Kusinki kusu kusini rusuy

If..

English Sound Ainu
I hope it would be fine tomorrow. Nisatta sirpirka yak pirkap!
One part of a poetry below
I would be wind.., I would be bird.. Rera ta kune,... cikap ta kune,...
If I could be, ki wa ne yakun
I could meet my lover in this day. Kuyupo tananto or ta kunukar oka!

dic.
Ainu English
e- you
e eat (foods)
ki do (something)
ku- I
ku drink (beverage)
kusu in order to, because
ke < ku-e
sini take rest
sirpirka fine
sinki tired
- ta - oka (It means hope which is unlikely to realize)
tananto or ta today (It is used in verse. In usual sentense,"tanto")
tane already,no longer
cikap bird
topenpe candy
nisatta tomorrow
nukar meet (person)
ne be,become
hemanta what
hosipi go home
ya (It means question)
yak (It means condition)
yakun in case,if
yupo lover (It is used in verse to man. To woman,"tures". In usual sentense,it means older brother)
rusuy want to
rera wind
wa and
pirka good
-p (It nominalizes verb which is completed by vowel. By consonaunt, "-pe")

ainu language lesson 6

My name is..

English Sound Ainu
What is your name? Erehe mak aye?
My name is ______ Kurehe anakne ______ ne
How old are you? Epaha hempakpe an?
I am Twenty eight years old Kupaha anakne tupesan pa ikasma hotne pa ne

note Let's practice with your name and years

You see "Number"


I come from..

English Sound Ainu
Where do you come from? Hunak wa eek?
I come from Sapporo Sapporo wa kek
Do you come alone? Sinen ne eek?
I come with mother Hapo turano kek
Where do you go to tomorrow? Nisatta hunak un earpa?
I go to Biratori Biratori un karpa
Please go with me! Entura wa enkore!
Let's go! Uturano payean ro!
(To leave men)
Good bye!
Apunno paye yan!

note Let's practice with your places


dic. Number
Ainu English
a- somebody
-an we
anakne (It present subject)
apunno peaceful
arpa go(It is singular form. cf.;paye)
e- you
ek come
en- me
hempakpe how many
hunak where
karpa < ku-arpa
kek < ku-ek
kore give (them goods)
ku- I
mak how
ne be,become
ne (It means situation. cf.;sinen ne)
nisatta tomorrow
pa year
paha (one's) year
paye go(It is plural form. cf;arpa)
re name
rehe (one's) name
ro (It means temptation)
sinen one parson
sinen ne alone
tura bring (them) with
turano together with
un to (place)
uturano together
wa from (place)
wa and
ye tell

Water please!

English Sound Ainu
Water please! Wakka enkore
Chopsticks please! Pasuy enkore
Bowl please! Itanki enkore
Two bowls please! Tu itanki enkore
Here you are. x O


Please help me!

English Sound Ainu
Please put me up! x Enrewsire wa enkore
Please help me! Enkasuy wa enkore
Please take me with you! Entura wa enkore
Please wait for me! Entere wa enkore
Please show me! Ennukare wa enkore
Please tell me! Ennure wa enkore
Please say it again! Na arsuyne ennure wa enkore
Ok Pirka wa


dic.
Ainu English
arsuyne once
en- me
itanki bowl
kasuy help (them)
kore give (them goods)
na more
nukare show (them goods)
nure make (them) listen
o Here you are
pasuy chopsticks
pirka good
rewsire put (him) up (It is singular form)
tere wait (them)
tu two
tura bring (them) with
wa (the word soften them voice)
wakka water

Let's go!

English Sound Ainu
Let's go! Uturano payean ro!
Let's eat! Uturano ipean ro!
Let's talk about! Ukoisoitakan ro!
See you again! Suy unukaran ro!


Why don't you..?

English Sound Ainu
Why don't you drink water? Wakka eku hike makanak ne wa?
Why don't you wait a moment? Na atere hike makanak ne wa?

dic.
Ainu English
a- we (It is used with transitive verb. cf;-an)
-an we (It is used with intransitive verb. cf;a-)
e- you
ku drink (beverage)
hike which (person do)
makanak how
na more
ne be,become
paye go(It is plural form)
ro (It means proposal)
suy times
tere wait (them)
ukoisoitak talk with
unukar meet
uturano together
wa (the word soften them voice)
wakka water