The Konya Language

Copyright © 2005 Larry Sulky

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Dialogues

Dialogue 1:

Illustrating the perils of literally translating idiomatic English expressions into Konya:

Xenya misanmo yo kesata:
fu yo tu posyu tokyu we mota lewi tufyu we xena xuxa		 Ms. Shen (a visitor):
Can you tell me how to find the train station?
Lukya yo punkesata:
si		 Luka (a local):
Yep.
Xenya misanmo:
wola... tokyu ne yo xixa		 Ms. Shen:
Well...tell me, please.
Lukya:
sinyu ne we mepa wola mota tisa		 Luka:
Look at a map. That's how.

One hopes that in future, Ms. Shen will simply say:

xena xuxa luyu lunki yo xixa Where is the train station, please?

Additional vocabulary:

  • misanmo = ma'am, miss, missus
  • kesata = guest, visitor, tourist
  • punkesata = local, non-visitor
  • posyu = can, to be able
  • tufyu = to find
  • luyu = to be at, to be situated at
  • xena = station, base, node, centre (of control)
  • xuxa = train, locomotive
  • mepa = map
  • mota = method, mode, way
    •

    Dialogue 2:

    Illustrating the perils of doing business with a smart-alec:

    Xenya misanmo:
    xixa yo mi fulyu we xaukanfela munanti yo tenyu we sumala me    		 Ms. Shen:
    I would like an inexpensive perfume that smells nice.
    Lukya:
    sosa yo mi tenyu sila we xaukanfela yo tenyu sumala punme    		 Luka:
    Sorry, we only have perfumes that smell bad.
    Xenya misanmo:
    wola... tu seyu funa muxa    		 Ms. Shen:
    Oh! You are very funny!
    Lukya:
    si yo ye felala tusa    		 Luka:
    Yes. And truthful too.

    Additional vocabulary:

  • xauka = water
  • fela = flower
  • xaukanfela = perfume
  • muna = money
  • munanti = cheap, inexpensive
  • sumala = smell, odour, scent, aroma
  • tenyu = to have, to possess
  • sila = only, merely
  • muxa = very, intensely, extremely
  • funa = amusing, diverting, funny, humour
  • felala = true
  • tusa = equally, also, too
    •

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