Wikijunior:Languages/Dagbani
Dagbani (Dagomba)
editDagbani is member of the Gur branch of Niger-Congo languages. It is spoken mainly in northern Ghana by 800,000 Dagomba people. It is closely related to, and mutually intelligible with, Mossi, which is spoken mainly in Burkina-Faso. Dagbani is also known as Dagbamba, Dagbane and Dagomba.
Dagbani is taught in primary and secondary schools, and there are radio programmes in the language.
Dagbani Words
editHere are some words for family members I found. Hope it is useful
Grandfather - Yɛb’doo
Grandmother - Yɛb’paɣa
Father - M’ba
Mom - M’ma
Brother - Tizodoo
Sister - Tizopaɣa
Father’s elder brother(uncle) - Bakpema
Father’s junior brother(uncle) - Bapira
Father’s sister (aunt) - Piriba
Mother’s elder sister(aunt) - Mapkema
Mother’s junior sister(aunt) - Mapira
Mother’s brother(uncle) - ŋahiba
Son - Dapala
Daughter - Bipuhinga
Cousins - Dachiya
Grandchild - Yaanga
Great grandchild - Yaantib’che
Inlaws - Deenima
Nephew /Niece-ŋahiŋga
Ancestor - Siɣli lana
Bachelor - Dakↄli
Children - Bihi
Descendant - Zuliya
Ex husband - Yidan kuro
Ex wife - Pa kuro
Family - Daŋa
Fiancée - Mam
Heir - Zuu
Heiress - Pakpang
Husband - Yidana
Infancy - Bilimni
Inheritance - Fali
Marriage - Paɣ’ kpuɤbo
Orphan - Kpibga
Parent - Laamba
Stepfather - Mba
Stepmother - Mma yintah
Spinster - Paɤ’ zinli
Twin - Jabila
Dagbani alphabet and pronunciation
editSample text
editSal' la sala. Bɛhig' be sokam sanimi, din pa la amii. Suhizɔbo be sokam sani; ka nambɔxu beni. Suhubɔhibo mi bi lan kɔŋ yigunaadam kam sani. Dinzuxu dimbɔŋɔ zaa wuhiya ka dama di tu kamaata ka ti zaa yu tab' hali ni ti puuni.
Translation
editAll human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Past Perfect: Pun, Daa, Daa Pun:
N daa bi tum tumaa maa > I had not done the work.
A daa na bi tum tumaa maa > you had not yet done the work.
O daa na bi tum tumaa maa > he had not yet done the work.
Ti daa na bi tum tumaa maa > we had not yet done the work.
Yi daa na bi tum tumaa maa . You have not yet done the work.
Be daa na bi tum tumaa maa > they had not yet done the work.
Poems (Yetogatalmalsi):
Jilma (Respect):
bia timi a ba naa ama jilma, > child, respect your father and mother.
naawuni ni bori sheli m-bala, > that is what God wants.
yumi a ba naa ama. > love your father and mother.
dama be nyela a laamba. > Because they are your parents.
Fara (Poverty):
fara deei zaa. > Poverty is now rampant.
bihi kuhirila fara. > Children are crying out of poverty.
ninkura kuhirila fara. > Elders are crying out of poverty.
ban tumdi kuhirila fara. > Those working are crying.
ban bi tumdi kuhirila fara. > Those who don’t work are even waste off.
ligiri mi zo n-nye fara. > Riches is the friend of poverty.
ligiri yi bi chag fara ku chag. > If money doesn’t go, poverty will surely not go.
din zugu, bagmi ligiri dibu. > Therefore let’s spend money wisely.
Assignment:
Dimi di zaa
Dimi sagam maa zaa
Yi daa na bi tum tumaa maa
Be daa na bi tum tumaa maa
N daa bi tum tumaa maa
A daa na bi tum tumaa maa
O daa na bi tum tumaa maa
Lam; wuhi Farouk.
Di lar maa.
Lam’ ka sokam wum
ANSWERS PROVIDERED BY ISABELLA: Part 3:
Dimi di zaa- Eat it all.
Dimi sagam maa zaa – Eat all the TZ (?)
Yi daa na bi tum tumaa maa – You have not yet done the work.
Be daa na bi tum tumaa maa – They have not yet done the work.
N daa bi tum tumaa maa -I have not yet done the work.
A daa na bi tum tumaa maa -You have not yet done the work.
O daa na bi tum tumaa maa -He/she has not yet done the work.
Lam; wuhi Farouk – Laugh; for Farouk to see.
Di lar maa. – Don’t laugh at me
Lam’ ka sokam wum -Laugh so loud that everyone can hear!