French
DeutschNawdm, {nàwdḿ} is a language spoken in parts of Ghana and Togo in the region of West Africa.
Nawdm is the language of the Nawdba (singular: Nawda). The Nawdba are settled in the north of Togo, in the Prefecture of Doufelgou. From there, large numbers migrated to central and southern Togo and also to Ghana (' and ). Nawdm is a voltaic language (or gur), classified by Manessy, Gabriel, with the Yom of Benin, in a separate group of the Oti-Volta subfamily.
Alphabet
[edit | edit source]There are thirty one (31) Nawdm letters of alphabet.
A a Bb Dd Ee Ɛɛ Ff Gg
Gw (gw) Gb (gb) Hh Ĥɦ Ii Jj
Kk Kw (kw) Kp (kp) Ll Mm Nn
Ny (ny) Ŋŋ Ŋm (ŋm) Oo Ɔɔ
Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Yy
Vowels
[edit | edit source]There are short and long vowels in Nawdm.
Short vowels
[edit | edit source]We have seven (7) vowels:
A, E, Ԑ, I, O, Ͻ, U (a, e, ε, i, o, ͻ, u)
Long vowels
[edit | edit source]We get the long vowels whenever we stretch a short vowel a little. Thus, we double the letter when writing it.
AA, EE, ԐԐ, II, OO, ϽϽ, UU (aa, ee, εε, ii, oo, ͻͻ, uu)
Consonants
[edit | edit source]There are 24 consonants in Nawdm language:
B, D, F, G, Gw, Gb, H, ɦ, J, K, Kw, Kp, L, M, N, Ny, Ŋ, Ŋm, R, S, T, V, W, Y.
Common diphthongs
Gw, Gb, Kp, Ny, Ŋm,
Phrase list
[edit | edit source]Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.
Basics
Greetings.......Seenŋb
Welcome. .........Bdanmii/ ndanmii
Ok (response to welcome) yoo
How is it? ........................L ked lan?
Response to hello ...............L keda hom
How are you?.......................L' ba laa?/ L' ba
Yes am fine..............................Mba hom
What is your name?.........................Ba ɦolb na wenii?/ ba ɦolb na bee?
My name is ________ Ba ɦolma naa ______ / Ma ɦidr nnii ___________
Please ..............Di kɛwr
Excuse me ! ............... Agoo
Thank you .............ɦera ŋmɛɛgb
You're welcome/It's a pleasure ............Ben ɦεra wεgb
Excuse me. (begging pardon)..........Ma jowb
I'm sorry.................. yen
Goodbye ( I am going).................Ma nyabn
We will meet again.............T’ ba t’ taη
I can't speak Nwadm...............Ma kpaa gwɛɛla Nawdm
I'm learning Nawdm.................Ma kpεlηa Nawdm
Do you speak English?..................Ma gwɛɛla ηglism
Does anyone here speak English?......................ɦii gwɛɛla ηglism Nnaɦ?
Help me!.........................tͻrg man!
Look out!........................Gwedg nnaɦ!
Good morning............B' rorbii, v robii
Good afternoon...................B'muunu, v Muunun
Good evening...................B'jabrii, v jabrii
Good night (to sleep)...............B’ doot hϽm
I am going to bed/sleep...................Ma keeda ma doot
I don't understand............................Ma kpakewa
Where is the toilet?............................Bin badgu ba te?..............................
White person................................saamaɦ.......................
Visitor..........................saanaɦ
Problems.......................gwɛɛt
I am sick............................L’weera ma
Sickness.........................bԐɦyi
Hurt/Injured........................Ha nyadg ayen
Numbers (Jugu, calb)
[edit | edit source]In the Nawdm language, the cardinal numerals for one to nine are: myen (one), mreɦ (two), mnaa (four), and mwɛɦ (nine).
| 1 | myen | 21 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n myen | 41 | kwɛɦnaa n myen | 61 | kwɛɦroond n myen | 81 | kwɛɦniind n myen |
| 2 | mreɦ | 22 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mreɦ | 42 | kwɛɦnaa n mreɦ | 62 | kwɛɦroond n mreɦ | 82 | kwɛɦniind n mreɦ |
| 3 | mtaɦ | 23 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mtaɦ | 43 | kwɛɦnaa n mtaɦ | 63 | kwɛɦroond n mtaɦ | 83 | kwɛɦniind n mtaɦ |
| 4 | mnaa | 24 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnaa | 44 | kwɛɦnaa n mnaa | 64 | kwɛɦroond n mnaa | 84 | kwɛɦniind n mnaa |
| 5 | mnu | 25 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnu | 45 | kwɛɦnaa n mnu | 65 | kwɛɦroond n mnu | 85 | kwɛɦniind n mnu |
| 6 | mroond | 26 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mroond | 46 | kwɛɦnaa n mroond | 66 | kwɛɦroond n mroond | 86 | kwɛɦniind n mroond |
| 7 | Mlbleɦ | 27 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mlbleɦ | 47 | kwɛɦnaa n mlbleɦ | 67 | kwɛɦroond n mlbleɦ | 87 | kwɛɦniind n mlbleɦ’ |
| 8 | mniind | 28 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mniind | 48 | kwɛɦnaa n mniind | 68 | kwɛɦroond n mniind | 88 | kwɛɦniind n mniind |
| 9 | mwɛɦ | 29 | kwɛɛrɛɦ n mwεɦ | 49 | kwɛɦnaa n mwεɦ | 69 | kwɛɦroond n mwεɦ | 89 | kwɛɦniind n mwεɦ |
| 10 | kwiɦr | 30 | kwɛɛtaɦ | 50 | kwɛɦnu | 70 | kwɛɛlbleɦ | 90 | kwɛɛwɛɦ |
| 11 | kwiɦr n myen | 31 | kwɛɛtaɦ n myen | 51 | kwɛɦnu n myen | 71 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n myen | 91 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n myen |
| 12 | kwiɦr n mreɦ | 32 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mreɦ | 52 | kwɛɦnu n mreɦ | 72 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mreɦ | 92 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mreɦ |
| 13 | kwiɦr n mtaɦ | 33 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mtaɦ | 53 | kwɛɦnu n mtaɦ | 73 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mtaɦ | 93 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mtaɦ |
| 14 | kwiɦr n mnaa | 34 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mnaa | 54 | kwɛɦnu n mnaa | 74 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnaa | 94 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnaa |
| 15 | kwiɦr n mnuu | 35 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mnu | 55 | kwɛɦnu n mnu | 75 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnu | 95 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnu |
| 16 | kwiɦr n mroond | 36 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mroond | 56 | kwɛɦnu n mroond | 76 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mroond | 96 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mroond |
| 17 | kwiɦr n mlbleɦ | 37 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mlbleɦ | 57 | kwɛɦnu n mlbleɦ | 77 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mlbleɦ | 97 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mlbleɦ’ |
| 18 | kwiɦr n mniind | 38 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mniind | 58 | kwɛɦnu n mniind | 78 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mniind | 98 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mniind |
| 19 | kwiɦr n mwɛɦ | 39 | kwɛɛtaɦ n mwεɦ | 59 | kwɛɦnu n mwεɦ | 79 | kwɛɛlbleɦ n mwεɦ | 99 | kwɛɛwɛɦ n mwεɦ |
| 20 | kwɛɛrɛɦ | 40 | kwɛɦnaa | 60 | kwɛɦroond | 80 | kwɛɦniind | 100 | lɛmu |
Time
[edit | edit source]In Nawdm, "time" or "clock time" is expressed as "Waasu gama
Today..............jana
Tomorrow...............Su
After tomorrow............subɛtr, suvɛtr
Yesterday......................dindiin
Before yesterday.................Togdaa
Clock time.......................Waasu gama
Game......................Gbuut, saɦla
Football..........................Bool gbuut
I play football...................Mà gbul yarmga.
He plays guitar.......................Ĥa gbul janjalu
Days
[edit | edit source]In the Nawdm language, the days of the week are arranged according to the table below These names are given according to the market days.
| Day | Nawdm |
| Monday | Dabyaku, baraaku, kakaaku |
| Tuesday | Dlaaku, tɛɛnab |
| Wednesday | Tantaab, baragŋa(siou), tɛgnab |
| Thursday | Tiyaku, Koka yaku(BG), kpalbayaku (Siou) |
| Friday | Booku, nyamtyaku |
| Saturday | Laarbuga, gwedkpaaku |
| Sunday | Laad, sooku, kudyaku(BG), binaka (Siou, Bana) |
Months
[edit | edit source]Like any other languages, there are twelve (12) months in Nawdm. Those name are given according to the popular activities done the Nawdba people during each month.
| Month | Nawdm |
| 1) January | Kwɛɛr kidga |
| 2) February | Suunb kidga |
| 3) March | Kidg targa |
| 4) April | Toŋubuub, toŋbiilgu kidga |
| 5) May | Kpaab kidga, nadkpasaaga |
| 6) June | Figmoog̈b kidga |
| 7) July | Talb kidga |
| 8) August | Yobgwɛdgu kidga |
| 9) September | Duhool kidga |
| 10) October | Didimr kidga |
| 11) November | Kwɛnooga kidga |
| 12) December | Josɔɦb kidga |
Colours
[edit | edit source]| white | Feelgu, feelm |
| Blue | Feerb |
| yellow | Moont |
| Brown | Butant gbanu, jii gbanu |
| Grey | Jankpalaɦm |
| Bronze | Niini gbanu |
| Black | Hoolgu |
| Red | Molgu |
| Green | Gwɛɦɛɛgu |
| Orange | Leemɦu gbanu |
| Pink | Sɔklb fiigu |
| Violet | Bool fiigu |
Transportation
[edit | edit source]| Transport | toɦdm |
| Aéroport | ɦam n lͻͻr baŋu |
| Air | ɦam |
| Ambulance, | ɦambilansŋu |
| Ascenseur | faaga kotgu |
| Autocar | yaglɔɔr |
| Automobile | kaaŋa |
| Aviation, | saŋgbanlɔɔr baŋu |
| Avion | saŋgbanlɔɔr |
| Barque | kpiirgu |
| Bateau | baatooŋu |
| Bicyclette | bibirga |
| Brouette, | burwɛtŋu |
| Bus | lɔɔgu |
| Calèche | deer lɔɔr |
| Camion | lɔɔr |
| Camionnette | lɔɔga |
| Carburant | kpaam |
| Chauffeur | ◦ lɔɔr jowda |
| Chemin de fer | gaku huru |
| Chemin, | huru |
| Circulation, | Huru kewm |
| Électricité | boglam |
| Embouteillage | kewm |
| Entreprise | Ŋmɛɛg̈b |
| Garage | daar |
| Hélicoptère | saŋgbanlɔɔrŋa |
| Pétrole | Karasiim |
| Poste, | wadii toollaŋa |
| Route | fɛɛhuru |
| Station de voiture | lɔɔra baŋu |
| Taxi | taksiiŋa |
| Taxi – moto | jɛɛd |
| Train | Girgu |
| Vélo | kekeŋa, kekɛnga, |
| Voyage | saama hurbermu |
| Voyageur | hurtia |
Directions
[edit | edit source]| English | Nawdm |
| A direction | kpaɦaab |
| A way | ɦuuru |
| A street | fɛɛhuru |
| A road | saama huru |
| A boulevard | saama hurmɔmu |
| An avenue | gilmb ɦuuru |
| A main road | saama hurbermu |
| A place | kaalaŋa, tagr |
| A crossroad | hurragr, hursansara |
| A railway | gaku ɦuuru |
| A subway | Tant kwɛɛn ɦuuru |
| The underground | kwɛɛn ɦuuru |
| Tout droit | biraa |
| Demi-tour | ɦooru kɔkɔgu |
| traffic circle | bogmͻlm |
| Church | soosi |
| Train station | gaku baŋu |
| A map | kɔrgu kartŋu |
| Where? | tee? |
| On | Jugun |
| In | nin |
| Near | L’ man |
| Far | vɔkun, bɔkun, bɔkon |
| Here | nnaɦ |
| There | laɦaa |
| Anywhere | baatee |
| Nowhere | riikan |
| Towards | wee |
| Alongside | Jugun |
| In front of | nɔngan |
| Behind | kaa, kawa |
| Right | najuudu ɦɛn |
| Left | galu ɦɛn |
Lodging
[edit | edit source]How to name up some places where you would like pass the night even your own house?
| A bathrobe | huurb n hegkaɦgu |
| A bathroom | huurtgu |
| A bathtub | Huurb |
| Restaurant | delaŋa |
| A bed | ɦabatŋa |
| A bunk bed | ɦabatii tajun |
| A coat hanger | baɦga, baɦb |
| A cupboard / a closet | kadakŋu |
| A dresser | ɦadakŋu |
| A hairdryer | jiikparŋtgu |
| A key | Saabr, safid, saafi |
| Polish | nanawda kpaam |
| A kitchenette | Dugdgua |
| Pomade | jii kpaam |
| A lamp | kand |
| A mini-bar | dabaŋu |
| A pillow | judɛɦdgu, lafeer |
| A sheet | draaŋu |
| A towel | fafaagu |
| Conditioner | Nigiitgu |
| Comb | sagdrtga |
| Linen | haaga dimgu |
| Shampoo | Sampuŋu |
| Soap | fɔfɔɔ |
| Toilet | binbadgu |
Money
[edit | edit source]Money.....................lig̈biir
How much?......................daɦt, alaaɦ?
Eating................... jub
Food......................... diit
Cooking ....................digm, diit digm
Breakfast......................ɦateekwɛɛn diit, ɦateekwaan diit
[edit | edit source]Lunch.............................muunun diit, muungbowr diit
Dinner..............................jabr diit, jabhoolm diit
Water...........................Nyaalm
[edit | edit source]Milk...................................beɦeem
Tea............................Tii
Plantain......................ɦamadaaŋu
Banana.................... ɦayabr
Bread.........................kpoonu
Pineapple...................saama laŋkpadga
Mango.......................tamb
Coconut ........................baŋkpurb
Papaya..........................ɦadibgu, ɦadimbgu
Tomato.....................jimadgu
Maize......................jimadgu
Meat.........................Naanamgu
Rice..............................miiri
Fish............................. ɦɔlga
Chicken........................kɔdahiir, kadahiir
Egg..............................kɔɔleer
Beans........................Tiira
Stew............................salambii Jit
Soup............................Jit
Bread.................................kpoonu
Onion...............................gaabu, jaabu
Bars.............................baɦr
Shopping/ Market ..............yaaku
I want (a) _______ ...................Mabagl ______
I have (a) _______..................Ma ba n
Sell ...........................yaarm
Buy..................................daɦ
To buy................................daɦb
To sell................................gweedmb
Book......................wadga
Driving................loor joɦb
Road..........................saama hurbermu
Car .....................................loor
Authority
[edit | edit source]Government ............................ɔrgu
Gouverneur...........................kɔrgu huura
Animals and Insects
Bird............................ŋmɛnga
Lizard....................................baŋa
Mouse..................................ɦɔŋr
Goat......................................burgu
Cow...................................naag̈b
Cat..............................muusŋa
Dog...............................gwɛɛgu
Monkey..........................waama
Elephant..........................ŋmɛŋmɛɛr
Crocodile.........................kaseegu
Bee.................................heb, hib
Mosquito..........................dumga
Housefly..........................joŋa
Butterfly.............................kpaŋkpaanga
Tse Tse Fly.........................koljond, koljuŋu
Ant..........................gwɛɛm
Termite........................jamru, ligr
sheep......................fɛɛgu
Learning more
[edit | edit source]To phone........................tangarfu
medicine..........................ragr
soap.............................fɔfɔɔ
Hospital.......................dɔgdŋu
Christmas.......................binkpeemr
Merry Christmas to you..................B’ binkpeemrii, V’ binkpeemr
Happy new year to you.........................B’binkwɛɛlii