Version 2
Last update: 2006-02-28
Illustrating the perils of literally translating idiomatic English expressions into Elomi:
| axukya ixena afenyekofa: uwe ate epo epa ameto uso elo alelunyafale |
Ms. Shen (a visitor): Can you tell me how to find the train station? |
| iluka afenyalu: awa |
Luka (a local): Yep. |
| axukya ixena: i... oxe a, o epa |
Ms. Shen: Well...tell me, please. |
| iluka: o esi amape a, ameto alo |
Luka: Look at a map. That's how. |
One hopes that in future, Ms. Shen will simply say:
| alelunyafale uma alu anke a, oxe | Where is the train station, please? |
Illustrating the perils of doing business with a smart-alec:
| axukya ixena: oxe a, ami emolu akanyapute onxemwa enyewexuma oyoke |
Ms. Shen: I would like an inexpensive perfume that smells nice. |
| iluka: enfe a, amixa emi awatwi akanyapute enyewexuma oyonxo |
Luka: Sorry, we only have perfumes that smell bad. |
| axukya ixena: i... ate omusi ayo |
Ms. Shen: Oh! You are very funny! |
| iluka: awa e epa anyotu |
Luka: Yes. And truthful too. |