Bambara Manual 2

1
PEACE CORPS MALI

KALANDEN KA GAFE KALANDEN KA GAFE KALANDEN KA GAFE KALANDEN KA GAFE

STUDENTS BOOK STUDENTS BOOK STUDENTS BOOK STUDENTS BOOK

INTRODUCTORY BAMBARA INTRODUCTORY BAMBARA INTRODUCTORY BAMBARA INTRODUCTORY BAMBARA

LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAM

2
Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Acknowledgements
This Bambara book is designed in the behalf of the Peace Corps Trainees learning Bambara to
help them meet the needs of Peace Corps Mali in terms of their linguistic and cultural training as
Volunteers.
As this manual will be mostly used during the training that happens among the village
communities, its contents are based upon the CBT style.

We hope then, dear PCTs, that the use of this book could contribute efficiently not only
to your training in Bambara language, but also to culturally guiding you, future volunteers.
The success of this book in both fields will depend on its use relating on the realities of
your training sites.

This trainee book Kalanden ka Gafe is designed as follows:

I II I- -- - COMMUNICATIVES TASKS 17 17 17 17

Objectives
Pictures
Cultural Notes
Safety and Security Notes
Personal health Notes
Dialogs
Texts
Vocabulary
Grammar
Exercises
TDAs
Self Evaluation

2 22 2- -- - APPENDIX

Grammatical Notes
Proverbs
Translation
Stories

We render a huge tribute to the Peace Corps/Mali Country Director,
Doctor Michael J. Simsik, who constantly supported and fostered the Language Program in
the elaboration of these books.
Ours sincere acknowledgments also to the whole Training Team, particularly to
Mamadou Doudou NDoye (Assistant Language Coordinator and Project Manager), Bocar
Bocoum (Language and Technical Training Coordinator), Moussa Camara, Abdallah Ag
Mohamed Assaleh (Language and Cross Culture Facilitators) and all those who took part in
the elaboration of these books.

Thanks for your permanent endeavors and herein expecting your advises and
suggestions that will be, indeed, helpful for future language books.

Bocar BOCOUM
Language and Technical Coordinator
July, 2009
3

Preface Preface Preface Preface

Welcome to Mali and our language training program! Our language training program, already proven
highly effective in its ability to teach trainees language acquisition in a very short amount of time,
continues to seek ways to broaden the language skills needed by Volunteers. Discussions and
reflections among Peace Corps Staff and Volunteers about how we can improve the effectiveness of the
language program focused on the integration of language and technical skills acquisition for the
purpose of improving Volunteer performance in the field. The genesis of this reflection involves the
following question: What are the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) that Trainees need in order
to become highly effective Volunteers? This manual is, in part, an answer to this question as its
purpose is to provide you, as a Peace Corps Trainee, useful vocabulary and terminology based on real
situations that you should expect to encounter as a Volunteer in Mali. This manual also represents a
big step in the direction of implementing the new training design and evaluation process, whereby all
training activities are driven by clearly defined competencies, KSAs, learning objectives and teaching
methods.

As a Trainee, you have a very limited amount of time to acquire a new language. However, the
adequate acquisition of your new language will be vital for you if you are to become an effective
Volunteer. You can best use your precious language learning time by employing effective language
learning strategies to improve your language skills. One such strategy that has proven successful is to
use technical vocabulary and dialogs from real situations that you will encounter in your work.

Learning languages also requires a sense of adventure and a certain amount of experimentation on the
part of the learner. As the learner, you need to also be willing to make mistakes. You are highly
encouraged to do so, as your language trainers are a very sympathetic and friendly audience with
whom to make mistakes. They will guide you and correct you as needed, helping you to build your
skills along the way. We also ask that you practice often with the vocabulary and phrases in this
manual, and even use role plays with your language instructors to improve your mastery of the
content. It will only help to ease your comfort level and build your confidence, so that once you are a
Volunteer using these technical vocabulary and phrases in real situations with your counterparts,
colleagues, and fellow villagers, you will not be intimidated (or at least, a little less so!). Note that the
material in this manual is included because other Volunteers have found it useful to their work and
other aspects of their service in Mali. So give it a try and see how it can help you to improve your
acquisition of local language as well as your understanding of the technical aspects of the work you
anticipate doing as a Volunteer.

I would also like to give a big thank you to Mamadou NDoye (Doudou) and Abdallah Ag
Mohamed, who have labored hard to produce these manuals. Their diligent work and dedication are
acknowledged, and Peace Corps-Mali is grateful for their service and commitment to Trainees and
Volunteers alike. They strive to insure that Trainees and Volunteers attain a comfort level in the
language in which they will work. With such a comfort level, Volunteers will be able to work
productively, integrate culturally, live happily, and leave Mali with a successful legacy of service to
their communities.

Good luck and again, welcome to Mali!

Dr. Michael J. Simsik
Programming and Training Officer
U.S. Peace Corps Mali
July 1st, 2009
4
BAMBARA BAMBARA BAMBARA BAMBARA

COMMUNICATIVE
TASK

OBJECTIVES

VOCABULAR
Y

GRAMMAR

1
- Greeting
- Introducing
oneself
- Saying goodbye

Greet alone in appropriate ways
according to the different moments
of the day, in the community.
Tell with precision his/her first
name, his family name and where
he/she comes from.
Use, at least, three (3) types of
questions to know the name of
some objects in a real situation.

Expressions related
to the situation
Jobs
Titles
Parenthood
expressions
Expressions for
introducing
Expressions for
leave taking

To be (b)
(yeye) at the
present tense
Personal
pronouns
Interrogative
words: min?
jon? - jumn?
Transitive,
reflexive and
intransitive verbs at
the present tense
The
postposition la
2 22 2
- Asking the world
for something

Ask, at least, three (3) types of
questions to find out the name and
the use of five (5) different objects
in a real situation.
Identify, at least, five (5)
different objects in his/her sector.
Tell the use of, at least, five (5)
different objects in his/her
community.
Use three (3) expressions of
possession.

Usual expressions
for identifying
Classic objects
Numbers

The possessive
adjective ka
The
possessive
pronoun ta
The emphatic
personal pronoun
The emphatic
de
3 33 3
- Talking about
the family

Cite six (6) family relationships
in his/her host family.
Tell exactly the profession of
three (3) family members and
where they live.
Tell the social status and the
age of, at least, three (3) family
members in the target language.

Parenthood terms
Expressions such as
to be alive, dead,
married, old, single,
etc.

To have (f)
How
much/many joli?
4 44 4
- Shopping

Use efficiently the local money
in a Malian market.
Buy two (2) or three (3) items in
a market or a shop.

Currency
Items of the market,
in the shops
Bargaining
expressions

Transitive,
reflexive and
intransitive verbs at
the pass tense

List of Communicative
Tasks
5
5
- Asking/Giving
directions

Locate, at least, two (2) places.
Use, at least, three (3)
expressions to ask and give
directions.

Name of place
Terms of locating and
giving direction
Cardinal points
Ordinal numbers

The
Imperative
6 66 6
- Describe
a person, an object
and a place

Name, at least, ten (10) parts of
human body.
Describe a person by pointing
out, at least, five (5) physical and
five (5) moral traits.
Describe, in five (5) correct
sentences, his/her training site.
Describe an object by giving two
(2) or three (3) characteristics.

Body parts
Adjectives describing
morally and physically
Colors
Expressions for
describing

The ka
auxiliary
Qualifying
adjectives +
man suffix
The passive
voice with the
len/nen suffix
7 77 7
- Describe ones
mental and
physical state

Cite, at least, five (5) common
sicknesses in Mali.
Ask, at least, one accurate
question to get information about
someones physical state.
Formulate two (2) or three (3)
blessings to a sick person.

Diseases
Expressions for
feelings, emotions and
desires
Expressions for
blessings

The Future
tense
The
Imperfect tense
8 88 8
- Talking about
daily activities

Cite, at least, four (4) daily
activities of a man and four of a
woman according to the different
periods of the day.
Cite five (5) activities of his/her
own.
Cite, at least, five (5) daily or
seasonal activities according to
the gender, and the age.
Tell his/her daily timetable to
his/her host family.

The name of the
periods of the day
Verbs linked to daily
activities
Expressions linked to
activities

The
Hypothetical
future with
mana
The
Conditional
tense
6

9
- Talking about
traveling

Cite the three (3) most used
transportation means in Mali.
Ask three (3) appropriate
questions to get informed about
the means, the fare and the
schedule of transportation
regarding his/her trip, in a real
situation.
Use three (3) appropriate
expressions to wish welcome or
safe trip to a traveler.

Means of
transportation
Travel expressions
Blessings expressions

Verb
expressing
habit (ka deli
ka) at the
present tense,
the past tense
and the
Imperfect
tense
10 10 10 10
- Talking about
meals

Cite, at least, five (5) Malian
meals.
Explain, at least, one recipe to
someone.
Enumerate four (4) behaviors
when eating in Mali and compare
them to the American ones.

Name of dishes,
utensils, ingredients,
beverages
Meals expressions

The use of
k
11 11 11 11
- Talking about
feasts and leisure

Cite three (3) religious and
three (3) traditional feasts in Mali.
Name, at least, three (3) leisure
time activities in his/her
community and describe one of
them.

Name of religious and
traditional feasts
name of musical
instruments
Leisure time places

The
passive voice
12 12 12 12
- Accept or decline
an invitation

Use, at least, three (3)
expressions to invite someone in
a real situation.
Use appropriately three (3)
expressions to accept or decline
an invitation.

Expressions to invite
someone
Expressions to accept
an invitation
Expression to decline
an invitation

Verbs
expressing
desire and
obligation at
the present
tense, the past
tense and the
Imperfect
tense

7

13
- Asking for help

Use three (3) appropriate
expressions to ask for or decline
a proposal of help in a given
situation.

Expressions and
words for soliciting,
proposing, accepting or
politely declining help
Expressions for giving
instructions to an
employee

Review of
the tenses
14 14 14 14
- Talking about
weather

Cite three (3) characteristics of
the main seasons in Mali.
Cite, at least, two (2) activities
related to the seasons, according
to gender.

Name of seasons,
months
Characteristics of each
season
Activities during each
season

Review of
the tenses
15 15 15 15
- Talking about
ones skills

Explain in detail his/her work to
another person.
Explain in detail one specific
activity related to his/her
technical sector.

crafts
Professions
Terms of describing
skills

The action
nouns
The
agentive
nouns
16 16 16 16
- Getting informed
about ones area

Ask, appropriately, questions to
get informed about his/her site.
Interview resource persons in
order to list NGOs and
development partners working in
his/her commune.

The ethnic groups
Social ceremonies
Customs, taboos,
habits

The
comparatives
17 17 17 17
- Leading a
community meeting

Use expressions to ask for the
audiences patience during a real
meeting.
Introduce (open) or to end
(close) a meeting in his/her
community.
Ask questions to get peoples
opinions on the subjects in a real
situation.

Expressions for
opening or closing a
meeting
Terms related to
opinions

The
demonstrative
adjective nin
The
relative
pronoun min

8

1
- Grammatical
Notes

Use proper prefixes et
suffixes to form new words and
expressions.

Words and expressions
linked to grammatical
notes

The suffix
lan

The suffix
ntan

The suffix ta

The suffix
bali

The suffix ka

The prefix la

2
- Translations

Use the items alone.

Dialogs
Texts

Use of
proverbs in daily
communication

3
- Stories

Introductory beginners
course into culture by stories

Expressions found
through stories and
legends from bambara
country

Use of stories
and proverbs in
training activities

9

Communicative Task: FOLI - M G JIRA M G WR LA
FOLI BILA
GREETING INTRODUCING ONESELF SAYING GOODBYE

Objectives :

1. Each trainee will be able to greet alone in appropriate ways according to the
different moments of the day, in the community.
2. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to tell with precision his/her
first name, his family name and where he/she comes from.
3. Each trainee will be able to use at least three (3) expressions to say goodbye
in a real situation.
4. Each trainee will be able to use, at least, three (3) types of questions to know
the name of some objects in a real situation.

Guess what are they saying?

Amadu: _______________________

Sali: __________________________

10

Cultural Notes:

1. Greeting is very important in Mali. The one(s) who arrive(s) initiate(s) the
greeting.
2. Never greet people in the morning before washing the face.
3. The family name is very significant because it allows you to identify the joking
cousins, the ethnic group and the origin of the identified person.
4. Always announce where you are going and when you will probably be back.
5. The host should always accompany the visitor to the gate.

a)- THE IMPORTANCE OF GREETINGS THE IMPORTANCE OF GREETINGS THE IMPORTANCE OF GREETINGS THE IMPORTANCE OF GREETINGS
In Africa, greetings and salutations are extremely important to people. For the
American, who is used to saying nothing more than hi and then moving on, this may be
hard to get used to.The Bambara people and their language presente no exception to this
generalization. The exchanges presented to you in this and the following lessons represent
only a beginning upon which you can build up your inventory of salutations and eventually
perfect the art of greeting in the Bambara world. When two good friends meet, the greetings
may last as long as five minutes, and even longer if they havent seen each other for a long
time. Greetings are a way of showing the respect that people have for each other. Greetings
always involve at least one handshake and usually involve a series of handshakings of varying
durations. You will often see the men putting their hands to their chests after each handshake -
part of showing respect. The greetings should always be begun with a handshake, and
leavetaking will also require one handshake.
When you pass people that you know in the street, it is best to stop and go through at
least a short greeting exchange with them. Whatever your dealings may be with various
Malian people, it is important to start off your conversation or your business with the
greetings. You should never be in so much of a hurry that you dont have time to greet
someone - it doesnt pay.
In a typical greeting dialogue, one person usually starts out and remains the initiator for
several exchanges while the other person responds to the various greetings and questions.
When that series is completed, then the roles switch and the initiator becomes the answerer for
several exchanges.

11

b)- TIMES OF DAY TIMES OF DAY TIMES OF DAY TIMES OF DAY

For greetings and for referring to the times of the day, the Bambara language makes
four different divisions of the day:

1- the morning ( s g ma ),
2- the heat of the day - around noon ( tile ),
3- the afternoon ( wula ) and
4- the evening and night ( su ).

There is a greeting for each of these divisions of the day. The greeting i ni s g ma
would be literally translated as meaning you and the morning , but really corresponds with
the English Good morning and the French bonjour .

c)- GREETING PATTERNS GREETING PATTERNS GREETING PATTERNS GREETING PATTERNS
The following diagrams are designed to represent the various possibilities for use of the
basic greeting patterns presented in this lesson. Only one item is to be selected at a time from
boxes containing several listed items. Use these to check out the different possibilities and to
make up new ones. The order of the diagrams represents an acceptable ordering of the
greetings.

Greetings Responses
i ni
sgma
nba (male)
aw tile nse (female)
(name) wula
su
i ka kn (wa) ?
tr (si)
t n na
somgw
t u la
i c /muso t a la
i b di? n b hr la
hr
drn

The words nba and nse are used extensively in response to various greetings.
Trying to translate them is useless, since we dont have their equivalents in English. Essentially
they are signs of acknowledgement indicating acceptance of the greeting and recognition of
the other person. Nba is the male response and nse is the female response.

12
I II I- -- - DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG

Amadu: I ni sgma, n balimamuso!

Sali: Nse i ni sgma, n balimak! Hr sira?

Amadu: Hr drn! I ka kn?
Sali: Tr t! I tg?

Amadu: N tg Amadu Jara. E dun?

Sali: N tg Sali Tarawele. I Jara!

Amadu: Nba! Tarawele muso, i b b min?

Sali: N b b Segu. Jarak, i fana b b Segu?

Amadu: Eh, ayi! N b b yan.

Sali: O ka i! Ala ka tile hr caya!

Amadu: Amiina! Kan bu fo!

Sali: U na mn!

Safety and Security Notes:

1. Greeting facilitates the integration and guarantees respect, personal and
material security in the community.
2. The joking cousin plays the role of an icebreaker and a social stabilizer
between Malian communities.

13

II II II II- -- - VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY

i ka kn?

how are you? t r t

I'm fine
baasi t

I'm fine t r si t

no problem at all
tana t? are you fine? tana t

I'm fine
x ka kn

x is healthy (fine) t r t'a la he/she's fine
t r t'u la

they're fine i b di?

how are you?
x b di?

how are x? a b di? how is it?
a b ten

it's so so hr b? is there peace? (How are you?)
hr d r n

peace only (fine) hr sira?

how was your night?
hr tilenna? how was your day? jamu duman? what's your last name?
x dun?

and x? (what about x)? i + family name acknowledging your
family name (a form of greeting)

t g name jamu last name
bangebaaw parents fa father
ba mother k r older sibling
d g younger sibling c husband/man
muso wife/woman teri friend
teric male friend terimuso female friend
kalanden student karam g teacher
kuntigi chief m g leader
jamana country jamanatigi president
dugu city dugutigi chief of village
Ameriki America ( U S A ) Farafinna Africa
ka b to come from x sigilen don + place x is settled in... ( live )
x fil heres x min? where?
jumn? which?, what? jon? who?
jon don? who is it? x don its x
nin ye x ye this is x

lak li school butigi shop
kalanso classroom d k t r so hospital
dumuniky r restaurant, eating place. ka na to come
ka taa to go ka x fo to greet x
ka sun g to sleep ka wuli to get up
ka x mn to hear x ka x caya to increase x
ka x kun bn to meet x k'i da to lay down
k'i lafi to rest k'i miiri to think
k'i ko to wash oneself. k'i sigi to sit down
k'i yaala to take a walk k'i naj to have fun.

14

COMMON EXPRESSIONS COMMON EXPRESSIONS COMMON EXPRESSIONS COMMON EXPRESSIONS

To take leave of someone at different moments of the day: usually there is a leave taking
expression followed by the answer.

sun g b n na I am sleepy. n sgnnen don I am tired.
n taara I am leaving kelen! already
k'an b'u fo Say we greet them u n'a mn they will hear it
tell them hello
k'an b'a fo Say we greet him/her a n'a mn She/he will hear it.

DUGAW DUGAW DUGAW DUGAW Blessings

k'an s ni See you soon Ala ka tile hr caya May god increase the
peace of the day (Have a nice day)
ka su hr (caya) good night. ka dugu uman j good night.
k'an bn see you. k'an si (hr la) May we spend the night in
peace (Good night)
k'an kelen kelen wuli May we get up one ka taa ni ka segin n g ya Have a nice trip
by one (Good night)
ka segin n'i uman ye May you come back safe.amiina Amen.

SOME TIME EXPRESSIONS SOME TIME EXPRESSIONS SOME TIME EXPRESSIONS SOME TIME EXPRESSIONS

s g ma/s g mada f In the morning tile f/tilegan f In the afternoon (12: am
_

3 pm)
wula f In the afternoon suf In the evening
s ni Soon k f Later
sinin Tomorrow

SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY

hakto please hak ti la you are excused
basi t no problem i ko di? what did you say?
n ma faamu I did not understand it n ma mn I did not hear it
segin a kan repeat it a f tuguni say it again

15

III III III III- -- - GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR

THE PRESENT TENSE: THE PRESENT TENSE: THE PRESENT TENSE: THE PRESENT TENSE:

a)- Translations for to be
As will become apparent to you, there are a number of forms in Bambara that translate
the English verb to be. In this lesson we have been briefly exposed to two of these.

1- b in the sentence hr b: There is happiness.
t in the sentence t r t: There is no trouble.
This form is used to express existence, location, and state. The negative of this form is
indicated by the word t, as in the second example above. In example 2-, this form is used for
expressing existence. In the following two examples from this lesson, the same form is
essentially used for location.

2- ka in the question: i ka kn (wa)? How are you?
This form is used for what we will refer to as adjectives.
Literally translated, the question corresponds to are you healthy? or are you well?
in English, but it is used like the English How are you? or the French. Remember that ka
is the sign of this form and that kn meaning healthy is an adjective.
Adjectives will be more closely examined in Communicative Task: Describing a person,
an object, a place.

3- To describe somebody or something in order to translate the English to be, the ye ... ye
is used.

e.g: John ye kalanden ye. John is a student.

New-York ye ameriki dugu ye. N.Y. is an American city.

Mali ye jamana ye. Mali is a country.

N.B.: a- The descriptive adjective is placed between the two ye.

b- The negative form is constructed as follow:

t ... ye

e.g: John t karamg ye. John isnt a teacher.

Los Angeles t jamana ye. L.A. isnt a country.

16
b)- The transitive verbs:

e.g: I b mun kalan? What do you study?

N b Bamanankan kalan. I study Bambara.

NB: b/t is the auxiliary element for the present in Bambara.

In Bambara, the direct object occurs before the verb.

e.g.: ka __ kalan ka __ dun ka __ sbn ka __ tobi ka __ f ka __ wele ka __ fo

Affirmative form: Negative form:

Subj + b + Direct Object + V Subj + t + Direct Object + V

N b Bamanankan kalan. N t Bamanankan mn ksb.
I study Bambara I dont speak Bambara very well.

Interrogative form:

Subj + b + Direct Object + V (wa)? Subj + t + Direct Object + V (wa)?

I b Tubabukan mn wa? Aw t bamanankan f?
Do you (hear)/undertand/speak French? You dont speak Bambara?

c)- The reflexive verbs:

NB: Reflexive verbs or pronominal verbs always have an object pronoun that refers to the same person as the
subject. The object pronoun occurs before the verb.

e.g: N b n ko. I wash myself

But in Bambara, the third person object noun can be i in reflexive constructions.

e.g: A b a sigi = A bi sigi. He sits down.

Karam g ti sigi kalanso k n . The teacher doesnt sit down in the classroom.

e.g.: ki ko ki da ki sigi ki lafi ki yaala ki naj


Suj + b + Pron + V Suj + t + Pron + V

N b n ko sgma ni suf. N t n da joona suf.

Interrogative form:

Suj + b + Pron + V (wa)? Suj + t + Pron + V (wa)?

I b'i ko sgma ni wula f (wa)? Aw taw da joona suf?

NB: The reflexive pronoun always immediately precedes the reflexive verb in the infinitive:

N b taa n yaala. I am going to take a walk.

Aw b taa aw naj. You are going to amuse yourself.
17

d)- The intransitive verbs:

e.g: I b b min? Where are you from?

N b b Ameriki. I come from Amerika.

I b taa min? Where are you going?

N b taa sugu la. I am going to the market.

NB: In Bambara, the indirect object (object + postposition) occurs after the verb.

e.g. : ka b ka taa ka segin ka kuma ka sun g ka wuli ka yaala


Suj + b + V + indirect Obj + postp Suj + t + V + indirect Obj +postp

Sali b taa sugu la. Sali t segin joona so.

Interrogative form:

Suj + b + V + indirect Obj + postp (wa)? Suj + t + V + indirect Obj +postp (wa)?

Amadu b kuma kalandenw f wa? I ba t taa sugu la don go don?

e)- The verb k

The verb k has many meanings: to do, cause, happen, occur.
Here, it was used as a transitive verb, meaning do.

e.g: ka kalan k (ka kalank) to do studying (to study)

ka baara k (ka baarak) to do work (to work)

NB: In the above two examples kalan is a noun meaning studying and baara is a noun meaning work.
Both are direct objects of the verb k.


Suj + b + Vk + Obj + postp Suj + t + Vk + Obj +postp

N b baarak kridelap la U t snk don go don.

Interrogative form:

Suj + b + Vk + Obj + postp (wa)? Suj + t + Vk + Obj +postp (wa)?

A b barok a somgw f su o su wa? I t sbnnik kalanso kn?

f)- The verb ko

e.g: I ko mun? What do you say?

N ko, n b taa so. I say, I am going home.

18

The verb ko that appaeared once in these sentences means to say. It is a defective
verb (one wich does not have all tenses) very frequently used in Bambara. It does not take any
auxiliary elements in Present tense.

g)- The postposition la

La is a preposition used for a place. It comes always after the place in the
sentence.
Therefore, it is called a postposition.

S + b + Verb + Place + la
e.g: N b taa lakli la.

A b kalank University la.

La become na in front of nasal sounds.

e.g: An b taa gn na.

La is not used in front of so (specific place)
e.g: N b taa so.

La is not used with geographical names (except for Mali).

e.g: An b b Ameriki.
U t taa Bamako.
A b b New-York.

But: U b na Mali la.

19

IV IV IV IV- -- - EXERCISES EXERCISES EXERCISES EXERCISES

1- Write the possible answers:

I ni sgma
________________

I ka kn?
___________
/
__________
/
___________

I b di?
__________
/
__________
/
____________

Hr b?
________________
/
_________________

Somgw b di?
________________
/
_________________

I fa n'i ba b di?
________________
/
_________________

Hr sira?
________________

2- Create a conversation between Amadu and Bakari.

Amadu: _________

Bakari: __________

Amadu: _________

Bakari: __________

Amadu: _________

Bakari: __________

Amadu: _________

Bakari: __________

20

3- Match the words in A with those in B.

A B

1- n b taa a- amen

2- lakli b- see you

3- k'an b'u fo c- they will hear it

4- amiina d- I leave

5- u n'a mn e- have a nice day

6- ka tile hr caya f- school

7- k'an sni g- see you soon

8- k'an bn h- tell them hello

TDA TDA TDA TDA 1- Greet at least two (2) to three (3) persons on your way:
Obseve the acts and gestures;
Get informed on their identity and where they are from;
Use at least three (3) expressions to take a leave in this real situation;
Note down the new expressions.

2- With a family members help:
Identify at least 5 objects of your choice in the court yard;
Identify at least 5 objects in your room;
Identify at least 5 objects in the kitchen.

SELF EVALUATION SELF EVALUATION SELF EVALUATION SELF EVALUATION I can:

Greet in an appropriate way according to the moment and situation: YES: ___ NOT YET ___
Introduce myself: YES___ NOT YET ___
Introduce someone: YES ___ NOT YET ___
Say goodbye in a real situation: YES ___ NOT YET___

21

Communicative Task: FNW T G ININKALI
ASKING THE WORD FOR SOMETHING

Objectives:

1. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to ask, at least, three (3) types
of questions to find out the name and the use of five (5) different objects in a
real situation.
2. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to identify, at least, five (5)
different objects in his/her sector.
3. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to tell the use of, at least, five
(5) different objects in his/her community.
4. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to use three (3) expressions of
possession.

Cultural Notes:

1. Always greet people before asking them.
2. It is not advised to name intimate body parts.

22

I II I- -- - VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY

kalanso classroom duloki shirt
kulisi shorts tabulo chalkboard
saki (b r ) bag segi basket
lakr chalk taji (pit r li) kerosene
so house ssi (sigilan) chair
palan (shiyo) bucket t r si flash light
biki pen dbn mat
furalan broom kaye copy book
dilan (dalan) bed birifini blanket
gafe (liburu/kitabu)book li bed
dara bed sheet kiriyon pencil
sange (sanke) mosquito net pili battery
ksu trunk safin soap
te (dute) tea sukaro sugar
butiki shop finfin (saribon) charcoal
alimti matches fini cloth
samara shoes salidaga kettle
fifalan fan lanpan kerosene lamp
ka furannik to sweep ka x furan to sweep x
ka x fifa to fan x ka x ko to wash
ka x don to wear x ka x mn/ka x tugu to light
ka x ta to take x ka x k y k n /la to put x(liquid) in y
ka x don y k n /la to put x(solid) in y ka x siri to tie x/to fasten x
ka x sbn to write x ki fifa to fan one self
ka x faga to put off (light) ka x tig to cut x
ka x (da) yl to open x ka x (da) tugu to close x / to shut x
ka x ininka to ask x ka x jaabi to answer x
ka x f to explain x ka x laj to look at x/to watch x
ki biri ni x ye to cover oneself with x

23

COMMON EXPRESSIONS COMMON EXPRESSIONS COMMON EXPRESSIONS COMMON EXPRESSIONS

a t g ? what is its name?
nin t g ? what is the name of this?
nin b f cogodi bamanankan na? how do you say this in bambara?
nin k r ? what is the meaning of this?
nin b wele cogodi? how do you call this?
n ma faamu I didnt undersdand it
a f tuguni say it again.
segin a kan repeat it ( again )
i ko di?/i ko mun?/i ye mun f ? what did you say?
n ma mn I didnt hear it
i ya mn wa? did you hear it?
i ya faamu? did you understand it?
x don it is x
x t it is not x
nin laj look at this/watch this
mun don? what is it?
j n don? who is it?
nin ye mun ye? what is that?
nin ye j n ye? who is this?
nin ye x ye this is x / that is x
nin t x ye this is not x
fn jumn? what (thing)?
a f d ni d ni say it slowly
a f ka prn say it loudly
ininkali b n f I have a question

SectorNotes:

Knowing the names of your sector tools and items makes your work easier.

24

II II II II- -- - GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR

The possessive case:

The possessive adjective: The only Bambara word ka translates the possessive
adjectives my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their in English.

e.g: i-
S + ka + obj. Subj s obj.

N ka saki my bag.

John ka so Johns house

U ka kalanso Their classroom

ii-
S + ka + obj. + don Its Subj.s obj.

N ka duloki don Its my shirt.

A ka sigilan don Its his chair.

iii-
Nin ye + S + ka + Obj. ye This is Subj.s Obj

Nin ye j n ka saki ye? Whose bag is this?

Nin ye n ka saki ye. This is my bag.

N.B.: Ka never varies. It is the possessed object which takes the plural form.

e.g: A ka sigilanw His chairs.
An ka sakiw Our bags.

N.B.: We dont use Ka with the family or intimate relations and the parts of the body.

e.g: N fa don Its my father.

Nin ye n ba ye. This / that is my mother.

A teric don. Its his/her friend.

I da Your mouth.
25

The possessive pronoun ta

The word ta replaces the object possessed. It translates the English words: mine,
yours, his, hers, its, ours, yours, theirs according to the subject.

i-
Subj. + ta + don It is Subj.s
Subj. + ta + t It is not Subj.s

e.g: N ka saki don. It is my bag.

N ta don It is mine.

Aw ta t. Its not yours.

ii-
Nin + ye + Subj.+ta + ye This is Subj.s
Nin + t + Subj.+ta + ye This is not Subj.s

e.g: Nin ye n ka samara ye. This is my shoe.
Nin ye n ta ye This is mine.
Nin t John ka samara ye. This is not Johns shoe.
Nin t John ta ye. This is not Johns.

N.B.: ta always replaces an object possessed which we mentioned before.
When objects possessed are many, ta becomes taw ( plural form. ).

e.g: John ka bikiw don.
A taw don.

The emphatic personal pronouns

Simple pronouns Emphatics
n ne I me
i e you
a ale he, him; she,her; it
an anw we us
aw aw you
u olu they them
26

The emphatic de

It is used when we want to insist on the situation. It always goes with the emphatic
pronouns.

e.g: J n ka biki don? Whose pen is it?
Ne de ka biki don. It is my pen.

Ne de ta don. It is mine.

N.B.: The emphatic pronouns can be subjects too whenever we put an emphasis on a factor or situation.

e.g: Ne de b b Ameriki. Its me who comes from USA.
Ale de b taa Bamako. Its him who goes to Bamako.

Using the structure:

Subj. + b + Obj. + V + ni + x + ye Subj. + V + with the Obj.

e.g: N b so furan ni furalan ye. I sweep the house with the broom.

A b ji ta ni shiyo ye. He/she takes water with the bucket.

N.B.: This structure can be used only with the objects we can take easily with our hands work with.

The above structure is used to answer to the question below

Subj. + b + mun + k + ni + x + ye? What does Subj. do with x?

e.g: I b mun k ni alimti ye? What do you do with the matches?

N b lanpan mn ni alimti ye. I light the kerosene lamp with the matches.

But when the object is not taken to work with the question is:

Subj. + b + mun + k + Obj. + la/na?

e.g: I b mun k taji la? What do you do with the kerosene?

N b taji k lanpan k n . I put the kerosene in the kerosene lamp.


When in trouble, knowing the names of things may be helpful.

27

III III III III- -- - EXERCISES EXERCISES EXERCISES EXERCISES

Translate the following sentences in Bambara:

1. No it is not his. _________________________________
2. It is ours. _________________________________
3. No they are mines. _________________________________
4. It is mine. _________________________________
5. Its me who comes from USA. _________________________________
6. Its him who goes to Bamako. _________________________________

Ask your brother or sister the name of things you want to know.

TDA TDA TDA TDA With a family members help:
Identify at least five (5) objects of your choice in the court yard;
Identify at least five (5) objects in your room;
Identify at least five (5) objects in the kitchen.


Formulate questions to find out the name and the use of different objects in a real
situation.: YES __ NOT YET __
Give the name of certain current objects: YES __ NOT YET __
28

Communicative Task: DENBAYA/SOM G W
TALKING ABOUT THE FAMILY

Objectives:

1. Without help, each trainee will be able to cite six (6) family relationships in
his/her host family.
2. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to tell exactly the profession
of three (3) family members and where they live.
3. Without help, each trainee will be able to tell the social status and the age of,
at least, three (3) family members in the target language.

Amadu ka denbaya fil.

A muso t g Assa

A denw t g Fanta, Madu, Awa ani Seku.
29

Cultural Notes:

1. In Mali, when we talk about family, we refer to the extended one.
2. Cousins are considered as siblings and there is a joking relationship
between them as well as between sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, or
grand parents and grand children.
3. Parents can beat their children, just to discipline them; also some
husbands beat their wives.

I II I- -- - VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY

FAMILY MEMBERS FAMILY MEMBERS FAMILY MEMBERS FAMILY MEMBERS

bangebaa/mansa parent fa father
ba mother c man/husband
muso woman/wife den child
denc/denk son denmuso daughter
balima sibling balimak brother
balimamuso sister k r elder
k r c/k r k older brother k r muso older sister
d g younger d g c/d g k younger brother
d g muso younger sister m k grandfather
m muso grandmother m den grandchild
bnk uncle tnmuso aunt

SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS

x sigilen don + place/x sigilen b + place x is settled + place
n t n bangebaaw bara I dont live at my parents
x balolen don x is alive
x balolen t x isnt alive
x sara/x bana x is dead
x furulen don x is married
x furulen t x isnt married
x furu salen don x is divorced
x ye cganan ye x is a bachelor/single
x ye musoganan ye x is single
x k r len don x is old
x san ye + number ye/x ye san + number x is number year old


1. The concept of privacy is restricted in Malian families.
2. Belongings are considered as common. (Beware: take care of your
stuff)

30

II II II II- -- - GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR

Possessive F

i- Possessive have in English is commonly expressed in Bambara by what we call
a locative construction. These constructions do not contain verbs. They consist of a noun (or
noun phrase) followed by the auxiliary b or t, f followed by a postpositional phrase (a
noun or noun phrase followed by a postposition). A postposition is much like a preposition
with the exception that it follows its object rather than preceding it.

Locative construction:
Noun + Aux. + Noun + Post.

ii- The most common postposition for expressing possession is F, which translates
very roughly into English as "with". But here it means have. e.g.:

a)- Affirmative form:

Object + b + Subject + f Subject have the Object
Biki b n f. I have a pen.

b)- Negative form:

Object + t +Subject + f Subject have not the Object
Den t n f. I have not a child.

c)- Interrogative form:

Object + b +Subject + f (wa) ?
Den b i f? Do you have a child?
31

Answer the following questions in full sentences.
1- Balima joli bi f? ____________________________________________________________
2- Den joli bi bangebaw f? _____________________________________________________
3- I balimaw b min? ___________________________________________________________
4- I balima jumn sigilen b'i bangebaw bara? ______________________________________
5- I bangebaw b mun baarak? _________________________________________________
6- Jn ye kalanden ye ekliba la aw ka so? ________________________________________
7- Jn b soknbaara k aw ka so? ______________________________________________
8- I balimaw ye san joli ye? ____________________________________________________
9- I ni mk ani i mmuso sigilen b dugu kelen kn wa? _________________________

Translate into Bambara.
1- My sister has a daughter. ____________________________________________________

2- They have too many children. _______________________________________________

3- My brother is not yet married. _______________________________________________

3- His father is a teacher. _____________________________________________________

5- My mother works at the hospital. ____________________________________________

6- Their sisters live in England. ________________________________________________

7- She has ten brothers and five sisters. _________________________________________

8- We have good trainers. _____________________________________________________

9- Youre my brother. _________________________________________________________

10- My aunt is divorced. _______________________________________________________

Get the family tree of your host family by asking a member. You may have to report
to the class.

TDA TDA TDA TDA 1- Get informed the identity and profession of some of your host family members.
2- Draw your host family tree.


Describe my family: YES___ NOT YET___
32

Communicative Task: SANNI
SHOPPING

Objectives:

1. Each trainee will be able to use efficiently the local money in a Malian market
without his/her notes.
2. Without his/her notes or any other help, each trainee will be able to buy two
(2) or three (3) items in a market or a shop.

Mun ni mun b s r nin sugu la?

Cultural Notes:

1. In Mali, prices are not fixed in the markets, so, bargaining is practiced.
2. People get informed about prices before going to the market.
3. Sellers are often aggressive in marketing their goods.

33

I II I- -- - DIALO DIALO DIALO DIALOG GG G

Samba: Kiliyan! Kiliyan! Na yan! Bagi umanw b yan!

Amadu: I ni sgma! N b bagi umanw f, nka da duman!

Samba: Ola, i sera a yr la. Ne ka bagiw b da ka ngn. U laj.

Amadu: Nin mtiri ye joli ye?

Samba: N bo da diya i la! O mtiri ye km saba ni bi duuru ye.
Kmi e don, barika ba la

Amadu: Ayiwa! A barika, caman b a la.

Samba: A ka i forokiya la. I ba san joli?

Amadu: A to km fila la. N b mtiri wr san.

Samba: A kari kari ye km saba ye. Nka, i b se ka km fila ni bi duuru sara.

Amadu: I ni ce! Mtiri wr ye wa fila ni drm km ye. Hn! warimisn segin.

Samba: Fini ni warimisn fil. I kn ka kr!

Amadu: Amiina! Ka sugu diya!

34


MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY SYSTEM: SYSTEM: SYSTEM: SYSTEM:

In malian monetary system the unity is d r m kelen. It equals five francs.

e.g: 5F = d r m kelen 10F = d r m fila
25F = (d r m) duuru 50F = (d r m) tan
100F = (d r m) mugan 250F = (d r m) biduuru
500F = (d r m) km 1000F = (d r m) km fila
2500F = (d r m) km duuru 5000F = (d r m) waa kelen
10.000F = (d r m) waa fila

butigi the shop butigitigi the shop keeper

sugu the market feerekla the seller

sannikla the buyer wari money

warimisn change/coins s ng /da price

sanni shopping feere selling

falen change trmli bargaining

BUTIGI K BUTIGI K BUTIGI K BUTIGI K N NN N F FF FNW NW NW NW (THINGS IN THE SHOP) (THINGS IN THE SHOP) (THINGS IN THE SHOP) (THINGS IN THE SHOP)

safin soap safin mugu soap powder
kafe coffee alimti matches
tulu oil sigrti cigarette
te tea buru bread
shokola chocolate pili battery
buru kala (kelen) loaf of bread ltiriforoko envelop
sukaro sugar pati tooth paste
kaye note book b r si tooth brosh
b nb n candy biki pen
n n milk n n mugu milk powder
n n jiman concentrated milk shfan eggs

SUGULAF SUGULAF SUGULAF SUGULAFNW NW NW NW ( THINGS IN THE MARKET) ( THINGS IN THE MARKET) ( THINGS IN THE MARKET) ( THINGS IN THE MARKET)

yiriden fruit lenburukumun lemon
lenburuba orange namasa banana
mangoro mango jabibi pine apple
manje papaya
35

NAF NAF NAF NAFNW NW NW NW (INGREDIENTS) (INGREDIENTS) (INGREDIENTS) (INGREDIENTS)

sogo meat jg fish
jaba onion lenburuba orange
tigadg peanut butter tamati tomato
namasa banana shu cabbage
foronto pepper ngan ocra
ng y egg plant layi garlic

OTHER THINGS OTHER THINGS OTHER THINGS OTHER THINGS

bagi material fini cloth
tafe pagne sanbara/samara shoes
duloki a shirt kulusi pants
m nturu a watch

HAK HAK HAK HAKW WW W (MEASURES) (MEASURES) (MEASURES) (MEASURES)

sara pile (tiga sara/a pile of peanut ) litiri a liter
litiri tilanc a half of litre pake a pack

SOME EXPRESSIONS FOR BARGAINING SOME EXPRESSIONS FOR BARGAINING SOME EXPRESSIONS FOR BARGAINING SOME EXPRESSIONS FOR BARGAINING

ayiwa o.k. h n take it
ka x san to buy x ka x feere to sell x
ka x falen to make change ka x trm to bargain
ka x segin to give back x x bana x is finished
x ye joli ye? how much is x x da/s ng ka gln x is expensive
x + b + place (la) x is at place d b a la reduce it
a barika reduce or increase it a san x (la) buy it at ...price
a di yan x (la) give it to me at ... price wariko don I have no money
i kari kari ye joli ye? what is your last price? o t'a s r you can't have it at this price
x da/s ng ka n g n /ka di/man gln x is cheap
x + b + Pers + bolo/x + b Pers + f to have
objet + b s r place (la) object is found at place
36


1. Take care of your handbags and pay attention to people who get too close
to you in the market.
2. Dont put all your eggs in one basket. Avoid exposing a lot money and
check your change after buying.
3. Dont accept any help except you know the person.

Personal health Notes:

Avoid buying unprotected market food and drink because of sanitation
conditions.


THE PAST DEFINITE THE PAST DEFINITE THE PAST DEFINITE THE PAST DEFINITE

The past in bambara is grouped into categories: Regular verbs and irregular Verbs.

All verbs requiring an object, all verbs ending by k and all reflexive verbs are regular.

In transitive constructions the past is indicated by the auxiliary ye.

In the negative, the past is formed in the same way for both transitive and intrasitive
constructions: the auxiliary is ma in regular auxiliary position.

Here are their structures:

1- Regular Verbs

Transitive Constructions:

Ex: Don go don s g ma, n b kafe min. (Present tense)

Ex: Bi s g ma, n ye m ni min. (Past definite)

Ex: Kunun, n taara sugu la.

i)

Subj + y + Obj + V Subj + ma + Obj + V

Bi sgma, n ye safin san butigi la. Bi sgma, n ma safin san butigi la.
This morning I bought soap in the shop. This morning I didn't buy soap in the shop

Interrogative form:

Subj + y + Obj + V (wa)? Subj + ma + Obj + V (wa)?

Bi sgma, i ba ye ji kalaya joona wa? Sur i ma dute min wa?
Did your mom heat water earlier this morning? Didnt you drink tea last night?
37

ii)

Subj + ye+ Vk + Obj + postp Subj + ma+ Vk + Obj +postp

A ye baarak kridelap la U ma snk foro la.

Interrogative form:

Subj + ye + Vk + Obj + postp (wa)? Subj + ma + Vk + Obj +postp (wa)?

I ye barok i somgw f sur wa? I ma sbnnik kalanso kn?

iii)

Subj + ye + Pron + V Subj + ma + Pron + V

N ye n ko bi sgma. N ma n da joona sur.
I washed myself this morning I did not lie down early last night.

Interrogative form:

Subj + ye + Pron + V (wa)? Subj + ma + Pron + V (wa)?

I y'i ko bi sgma (wa)? Aw maw da joona sur?

2- Irregular Verbs

Intransitive Constructions:

In intransitive constructions the auxiliary is the suffix ra or na or la attached to the verb.

a) Suffix Ra ra is the basic form


Subj + Vra + Compl + postp Subj + ma +V + Compl + postp

Kunun, n taara sugu la Aw ma taa sugu la kunun.
Yesterday I went to the market. Yesterday I didn't go to the market.

Interrogative form:

Subj + Vra + Compl + postp (wa)? Subj + ma +V + Compl + postp (wa)?

Aw sungra joona sur? Aw ma sung joona sur?
Did you sleep early last night? Didnt you sleep early last night?

b)- Suffix Na na: after nasal consonants


Subj + Vna + Compl + postp Subj + ma +V + Compl + postp

An kununna joona Aw ma kuma u f.
38

Interrogative form:

Subj + Vna + Compl + postp (wa)? Subj + ma +V + Compl + postp (wa)?

Aw kumana u f wa? Aw ma kuma u f?
Did you talk to them? Didnt you talk to them?

c)- Suffix La la: if the consonant immediately preceding is an l


Subj + Vla + Compl + postp Subj + ma +V + Compl + postp

Kunun wula f an bolila dugu sira krf. Aw ma boli bi sgma.
Yesterday afternoon we ran by the road. You did not run this morning.

Interrogative form:

Subj + Vla + Compl + postp (wa)? Subj + ma +V + Compl + postp (wa)?

Aw wulila joona bi sgma? Aw ma boli bi sgma?
Did you wake up early this morning? Didnt you run this morning?

3- Time expressions

Here are some time expressions going with the past definite.

sur
_
> last night
kunun
_
>
yesterday
kunasinin
_
>
the day before yesterday
d g kun tmnen
_
>
last week kalo tmnen
_
>
last month salon
_
>
last year

39


Do the following matching game:

1- km a- 9355F
2- km saba b- 5500F
3- km w r ni biduuru c- 70F
4- wa kelen ni km segin ni biwolonfila ni kelen d- 110F
5- wa kelen ni km e- 45F
6- mugan ni fila f- 3250F
7- tan ni naani g- 500F
8- d r m k n nt n h- 1500F

Do the following matching game:

1- d b a la/a barika a-what do you have on you?
2- i b'a san joli? b- what's your last price?
3- o t'a s r . c- how much is the shirt?
4- i kari kari ye joli? d- have it.
5- h n. e- how much do you pay for it?
6- safin banna. f- reduce the price.
7- duloki ye joli ye? g- that cannot afford it.
8- wari di yan. h- give the money.
9- safin b s r butigi la. i- give the change back.
10- n n banna. j- can you change 500F?
11- buru t yan. k- you can find soap in the shop.
12- tiga d r m tan na di yan. l- there is no bread.
13- km falen b'i bolo wa? m- soap is finished.
14- warimisn segin. n- give me peanut for 50F.
15- mun b'i kun? o- milk is finished

Change the following sentences into the past definite

N b namasa san sugu la. _____________________________________
An b na kalanyr la sgma joona. ____________________________
A t sannik bi. ______________________________________________
N b wuli joona ka boli. _______________________________________
I t foyi k nak la. ___________________________________________
An b dumunik yan dimasi. __________________________________

40

Refering to this picture complete this dialogue between Amadu and Samba.

Amadu:
___________
Samba: Nba i ni sgma
Amadu:
___________
Samba: fini mtiri ye wa kelen ye
Amadu:
___________
Samba: I b'a san joli?
Amadu:
___________
Samba: O t'a sr
Amadu:
___________
Samba: Km segin
Amadu:
___________
Samba: Wari di
Amadu:
___________
Samba: K'an b'u fo
Amadu:
___________

41

TDA TDA TDA TDA 1- In the host village, identify at least five (5) products of your choice from the places
below:
At the market;
In a shop;
From a street seller.

NB: Use the board below:

Shop items Market items
Fruits/jiridenw Sauce ingredients/nafnw Others/fn wrw

2- Buy two (2) or three (3) items of your choice in a shop or in the market.
Observe the sellers attitudes before and during buying;
Bargain the prices of items (what were the proposed prices and the ones at which you
bought your articles?)


Use efficientlythe local money: YES: __ NOT YET: __
Ask about the availibility of something: YES: __ NOT YET: __
Buy in a market or a shop: YES: __ NOT YET: __

42

Communicative Task: Y R W TAMASERECOGO
ASKING/GIVING DIRECTIONS

Objectives:

1. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to locate, at least, two (2)
places.
2. Without any help, each trainee will be able to use, at least, three (3)
expressions to ask and give directions.

Cultural Notes:

1. Greet people before asking them for directions.
2. In small villages, people prefer leading you to the place rather than
giving you directions.
3. People refer to common well-known places to indicate directions instead
of referring to the cardinal points.


Umaru: A ni sgma!

Amadu: Nba, a ni sgma! D di!

Umaru: Baasi t! A b hak to! N b dugutigi ka so de inin.

Amadu: Dutigi ka so b an krf, An b se ka taa gn f.

Umaru: I ni ce! A sira f n ye, n yr kelen b se ka taa.

Amadu: Ayiwa! I tilen nin sira kelen in f. I b kare saba tmn,o k, fara i numan f.
Da naaninan don i kini f. Mangorosunba b soda la.

Umaru: I ni baraji! Kan bn!

Amadu: Kan b! Ka se ni i uman ye!

Umaru: Amiina!
43


There are some places people refer to locate a given point ( common or public places or
buildings,wellknown people... )

d g t r so hospital p n bridge
yirisunba the big tree dugutigi ka so the chief of the villages house
siraba the main road p npe pump
worodugu south k k dugu north
k r n east tilebin west.
fan side of x x fan f at x side
yan here yen there.

The following expressions are used to lead someone to a certain point.

i tilen ka taa.(fo...) Go straight.(until...) fara i numan f Turn left.
fara i kini f. Turn right. sira tig. Cross the road
tmn so la. Pass over the house se so ma. Reach the house.

These other expressions are very polite used by someone who wants a help to find
his/her way.

n ma! Please, help me! i b se ka n ma? Can you help me?
haketo! Excuse me! x b fan jumn f? Where is x ?
x y r ka jan wa? Is x far? a ma jan (wa)? Isnt it far?
a ka ja d ni Its fairly far x sira b min? Where is the way to x ?
i bi tilen nin sira f You go straight on this road. i ni baraji Thanks.

Here are some useful prepositions for giving or receiving directions.

x f in front of x x k f behind x
x k n in x x kan on x
duguma on the ground x K r under x
x krf next to x x ni y c between x and y.
x kuna above x x cmanc la at the center of x
x sanf above x

The are other common words you meet in the context of giving or receiving directions.

ka x inin to look for x ka x jira pers. la/na to show x to pers.
ka fili to make an error ka tunun to be lost
x tununnen don x is lost x ka jan y la/na x is far from y
ki munumunu x k f to go around x

44

The Ordinal numbers are built on the cardinal numbers by adding nan, except for fl
(first) and laban (last).Here are some examples:

Cardinal numbers Ordinal numbers

kelen f l first
fila filanan second
saba sabanan third
naani naaninan fourth
x laban laban last.


1. In big cities, people hesitate to indicate somebodys house. (Because of
security issues)
2. Always double-check when you are given a direction.
3. He who asks doesnt get lost.


The Imperative

a)- The Imperative in Bambara is used for making polite requests, suggestions or
commands.


(obj) + Verb kana + (obj) + Verb

e.g: - Ji min! (Drink water!) kana ji min!
- I ko! (Wash!) kani ko!
- Taa! (Go!) kana taa!

b)- This is formed by using the auxiliary ka in the affirmative and kana in the negative.


Suj + ka + (obj) + Verb Suj + kana +(obj) + Verb

e.g: An ka ji min! (Lets drink water!) Aw kana klnnaji min!
An kan ko! (Lets wash!) I kani ko kji la!
An ka taa! (Lets go!) An kana taa!
45

c)- The second person plural imperative (you all) is frequently formed by using the
pronoun a and the auxiliary ye.


Suj + ye + (obj) + Verb Suj + kana +(obj) + Verb

e.g: A(w) ye ji min! Aw kana klnnaji min!
A(w) yaw ko! Aw kanaw ko kji la!
A(w) ye taa! Aw kana taa!


Translate the following sentences into Bambara

1- Come here. _____________________________________
2- Turn left. ______________________________________
3- Go straight. _____________________________________
4- Cross the third road. _______________________________
5- Come and eat. ___________________________________
6- Dont speak English. _______________________________
7- Speak Bambara. __________________________________
8- Dont laugh. ____________________________________

Translate the following sentences into Bambara

1- We are in the classroom.__________________________
2- The blackboard is in front of us.______________________
3- My book is on the wall.____________________________
4- The mosque is in the center of village __________________
5- My house is near the shop.__________________________
6- The book is under the table._________________________
7- Segu is between Bamako and Mopti. _______________
8- Sometimes we study outside._________________________
9- The bag is on the floor._____________________________

46

Translate these sentences into bambara.

1- Excuse me. Can you show me the way to Bamako.
_______________________________________________

2- Good morning brother. I am lost. Do you know where the hospital is?
_______________________________________________

3- It is not far from here
_______________________________________________

4- Go straight. Cross the fifth road and turn right
_______________________________________________

5- Yes, I know him. Do you see the big house other there? It is behind that one.
_______________________________________________

6- Is Segou far from Bamako?
________________________________________________

7- Turn around over this red car then turn left and go straight.
The mosque is in front of you.
_____________________________________________

Use the command or the imperative form of these sentences below.
Please follow the modeles.

Modeles: I b taa sugu la. taa sugu la.
An b mangoro dun. An ka mangoro dun.
Aw t biyri min. A kana biyri min.

1- Aw b ltr ci aw teriw ma. ____________________
2- Aw t'aw ko baji la. ____________________
3- I b barok i somgw f. ____________________
4- Aw b kuma bamanankan na tuma b ____________________
5- I t kuma Angilkan na. ____________________
6- Aw taw sigi duguma ____________________
7- I b'i ko don o don ____________________
8- I t mgw neni dugu kn. ____________________
9- I b taa dute min i teriw bara ____________________
10- Aw b na kalanso la joona ____________________

47

TDA TDA TDA TDA 1- Make a map of your town and show:
Your family;
Every trainees family in this town;
Public places.

2- Ask directions to two (2) or three (3) persons to find out the house of the chief of the
village.
With the chief, get informed about the geographic location of the neighbouring
villages.

3- Or, ask for directions to find out the house of a village chiefs consellor.
Get informed from him about different public interest places and their location in
the village.

4- From the school master/a pupil, get informed about the geographic location of the
bordering countries with Mali.

5- With a younger sister/brothers help:
Identify at least 10 body parts.


Indicate a place to someone by using appropriate expressions: YES __. NOT YET __
Thank someone after he gives me indications: YES__. NOT YET __.

48

Communicative Task: M G NI FNW TAMASERE COGO
DESCRIBING A PERSON, AN OBJECT AND A PLACE

Objectives:

1. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to name, at least, ten (10)
parts of human body.
2. Without assistance, each trainee will be able to describe a person by pointing
out, at least, five (5) physical and five (5) moral traits.
3. Each trainee will be able to describe, in five (5) correct sentences, his/her
training site without notes.
4. Each trainee will be able to describe an object by giving two (2) or three (3)
characteristics without his/her notes.

I II I- -- - TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT

Nin muso in man jan, a man surun. A kisw ka kunba, a inw jlen don. A ckai. A
nison ka di tuma b. Mg sb don.

49

Cultural Notes:

1. In public, talking about/touching intimate body parts is culturally
inappropriate in Mali.
2. In general, we dont talk about a womans pregnancy in front of her.
3. Talking about someones physical and mental infirmities is embarrassing
for him/her.
4. Being fat is a sign of wealth and good health; but being skinny is a sign
of problems.


PARTS OF THE BODY: PARTS OF THE BODY: PARTS OF THE BODY: PARTS OF THE BODY: FARIKOLO: FARIKOLO: FARIKOLO: FARIKOLO:

nun nose k n stomach/belly da mouth
disi chest senkala leg kunbere knee
kan neck kamankun shoulder bolo(kala) arm
50

woro thigh eye bolok ni finger
tg hand senkuru ankle kunkolo head
sentg foot tulo ear n nk n elbow

QUALIFI QUALIFI QUALIFI QUALIFIERS ( PHYSICAL ) ERS ( PHYSICAL ) ERS ( PHYSICAL ) ERS ( PHYSICAL )

The following adjectives are used to describe physical traits.

x ka jan x is tall x ka surun x is short. x ka bon x is big/fat
x ka d g n x is small x ka kunba x is strong x ka misen x is thin.
x ka k r x is old x ka fin x is black x ka j x is light (complexion)
x ka girin x is heavy x cka i x is beautiful (handsome)
x ckajugu x is ugly

QUALIFIERS ( MORAL) QUALIFIERS ( MORAL) QUALIFIERS ( MORAL) QUALIFIERS ( MORAL)

These adjectives are used to portray moral state.

x ka jugu x is bad/mean x ka i x is good. x ka farin x is
courageous
x ka kis x is devoted/hard working x ka kegun x is clever
x nison ka di x is happy/glad x nison man di x is sad
x hakili ka di x is intelligent x hakili ka go/( man di) x is stupid (not intelligent)

QUALIFIERS QUALIFIERS QUALIFIERS QUALIFIERS ( TASTE ) ( TASTE ) ( TASTE ) ( TASTE ). .. .

x ka di x is good __ e.g.: Namasa ka di/Namasa duman don
x ka kunan x is bitter __ e.g.: Woro ka kunan/Woro kunanman don
x ka kumun x is sour __ e.g.: Lenmuru ka kumun/Jiriden kumun don
x ka timi x is sweet __ e.g.: Jabibi ka timi/Jiriden timiman don
x ka farin x is hot __ e.g.:Foronto ka farin/Foronto farinman don
x ka go x is bad __ e.g: Nin jiriden ka go/Jiriden goman don

SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS: :: :

x b cogodi? How is x? ( What is x like? )
x b cogodi ? What color is x?
x frlen don. x is spacious/roomy/comfortable
x korilen don. x is round.
x ka magan. x is smooth.
x ka glen. x is hard/tough
x ka gonin x is hot
x ka kalan x is hot
x ka di n ye x is good to me ( x likes )

51

COLORS COLORS COLORS COLORS

Please note the different forms of expressing colors in Bambara.

Jman --- nin ye jman ye ---- nin jlen don ----- a ka j
white

Finman --- nin ye finman ye ---- nin finnen don --- a ka fin
black

Bilenman --- nin ye bilenman ye ----- nin bilennen don

Binknman/ ugujiman -- nin ye ugujiman ye -- ugujima don

Nrmuguman ---- nin ye nrmuguman ye ---- nrmuguman don

Lankiriman ----- nin t bilenman ye ------ lankiriman don

Worojima

Sik l ma

baga

NB: In Mali for most people, mainly with old, rural or illiterate people there are only two concepts of colors:
WHITE ( for bright ) and BLACK ( for dark ).


Touching or naming intimates parts in front of opposite sex can expose
to harassment.

Bulaman ------ nin ye bulaman ye -------- x bulaman don

52


1. ka auxiliary

The ka auxiliary is used to express the english is/are in the affirmative.

The man is the negative form of ka and it expresses is/are not.


Subject + ka + adj Subject + man + adj

e.g: Mike Tyson ka surun. Magic Johnson man surun.
Mike Tyson is short. Magic Johnson is not short.

Chart of exception

Chart of exception
As the title indicates, these are exception to the formation of adjectives in Bambara

S V Adj S V N Adj. (man) S Adj. (man) V
Bob Ka bon Bob ye den belebele(ba) ye
mg
belebele don
a Ka dgn a ye c fitini ye c fitini don
i Ka jan i ye --- jamanjan ye --- jamanjan don
a Ka i a ye --- uman ye --- uman don
n Ka kunba n ye --- kunbaba ye --- kunbaba don
a Ka di a ye --- duman ye --- duman don
--- Ka --- --- ye --- -------- ye --- -------- don

When you used a substantive ( noun ) to express is, the following is used:


Subject + ye + noun + adj(man) + ye Subject + t + noun + adj(man) + ye

e.g: Mike Tyson ye c suruman ye. Mike Tyson t mg jman ye.
Mike Tyson is a short man. Mike Tyson is not a white person.

NB: The ye... ye is negated in t... ye.

2. The don is used to express is/are ( or it is, they are ) as in the following
examples:

e.g: Mobili bilenman don ________ It is a red car.

Amerikn finman don ______ He/She is a black american.

NB: The negative of don is t

e.g: Mobili jman t ____________ It is not a white car.

Muso juguman t ___________ She is not a mean woman.

53

3. Passive voice len/nen

In this Communicative Task you have been briefly introduced to the Bambara
Passive voice. In the following sentence occurred: Karam g j len don kalanso kn.J is the
root of the verb stand. j len is a Passive voice.

Passive voice are not used to describe actions, but to describe the state achieved
upon completion of the action. The Passive voice is formed for all verbs without exception
with the verb root plus the suffix len (which becomes nen in nasal environments.)

e.g: ka j ___ jlen ka sgn ___ sgnnen


Subject + Verb + len/nen + don Subject + Verb + len/nen + t

Karamg jlen don kalanso kn. Kalandenw sgnnen t.

Interrogative Form:

Subject + Verb + len/nen + don (wa)? Subject + Verb + len/nen + t (wa)?

Kalandenw jlen don kalanso kn wa? Kalandenw sgnnen t?

54


Identify each part of the body according to the following indications:.

1__ bolokala 4__ nnkn 2__ senkala 3__ bolokan
5__ tulo 6__ nun 7__ kunbere 8__ kamankun
9__ senkniw 10__ woro 11__ da 12__
15__ kn 13__ senkuru 14__ bolonkni 16_ k
17__ sentgw 19__ ten 18__ tgk 20__ kan

55

Do as in these examples ( using the modified adjectives).

EX.: Nin dute ka gonin. ___ Dute gonin(man) don

1-Nin muso ka i ________________________________

2-Nin c ka surun ________________________________

3-Nin jiri ka jan. ________________________________

4-Nin ji ka suman ________________________________

5-Nin namasa ka di _______________________________

6-Nin jiriden ka kumun ____________________________

7-Nin sgn ka ca _________________________________

8-Nin so ka bon _________________________________

9-Nin mobili ka dogon _______________________________

10-Nin c ka kunba ________________________________

Do as in these examples ( using the passive voice).

EX: A fa ka k r ___________A fa k r len don.

Bob kunsigi man fin _____A kunsigi finnen t.

1.I ka mobili ye bilenman ye wa? ______________________________

2.A c man kr. _________________________________________

3.Madu fari ka fin.___________________________________________

4.Umaru kunsigi man j. _____________________________________

5.Nin lenmuru ka kumun wa? ________________________________

6.Nin so man fr. ___________________________________________

7.N nison ka di bi.__________________________________________


1-She's a tall, dark woman. _____________

2-She and her husband are really good people. ______________

3- They have a blue car. ______________________________

4-They are always happy. _____________________________

56

Describe your charming prince/the lady you dream of.

Describe a person of your choice. Then, draw him/her respecting your
description.

Make the portrait of the following persons:
- The chief of the village or the iman, or the womens or youths leader;
- One or more trainers of the pre-service training.

Describe the tastes of two foods and two drinks. One of each that you like and
one of each that you don't like. Present your description.

Visit 2 or3 different places in Bamako. For each place, record whether it's a big
or small one, whether there are lots of people there or not. In short, describe each
one of the places visited. Present the results to the class and ask questions on the
subject.

TDA TDA TDA TDA With the help of a family member:

Identify at least two (2) or three (3) child frequent sicknesses in this season.


Name some parts of the body: YES___ NOT YET ___
Describe a person, using both physical and moral aspect: YES__ NOT YET _
Name the main characteristics of an object or a thing: YES__ NOT YET __
Describe a place: YES___ NOT YET ___

57

Communicative Task: FARIKOLO LAHALAW
DESCRIBING ONES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STATE

Objectives:

1. Each trainee will be able to cite, at least, five (5) common sicknesses in Mali
without his/her notes.
2. Each trainee will be able to ask, at least, one accurate question to get
information about someones physical state without help.
3. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to formulate two (2) or three
(3) blessings to a sick person.

__Ablo ni Musa b min?
__Ablo ye j n ye?
__Mun b Musa la?

Cultural Notes:

1. We care about sick people and say them blessings. Its very important to
pay visit to a sick person like a friend, a relative, a colleague or a
neighbour.
2. Usually we dont talk openly about sexual diseases and we talk about
pregnancy only with women we joke with.
3. Gaining weight is a sign of wealth and health while loosing weight is a
sign of problems.
4. We generally use natural/traditional medicine before going to the health
centre.

58

1-
Fanta: I ni sgma, Bakari. I nisn man di, mun b'i la?

Bakari: N fari man di n na.

Fanta: I yr jumn b'i dimi?

Bakari: N in de b n dimi kojugu bi.

Fanta: I ye fura ta wa?

Bakari: Ayi, n bna taa dgtrso la.

Fanta: Ala ka ngyak, k'a ban pewu!

Bakari: Amiina. Ala ka dugaw min.

Fanta: Amiina.

2-
Fanta: I ni sgma, Bakari. Munna an mi ye sur?

Bakari: N tun man kn.

Fanta: Ee! Mun tun bi la?

Bakari: N kungolo ye n dimi kojugu kunun wulada.
Suf, n ma se ka sung, n fari b tun ka kalan.

Fanta: O b sr sumaya ye d?

Bakari: N hakili la, a b sr o ye. N bna taa dgtrso la.

Fanta: I ka kan ki yr tanga sosow ma.

Bakari: Ti! N bna sange sulen damad inin n ka denbaya ye.

Ola, sumaya ni bana misnw tna an tr.

Fanta: Ala ka ngyak, ka tr dgya!


Fanta: Amiina.

59

bana Sickness/disease banabagat (banabaat ) a sick person
knya (Good)health bolodimi sore-arm k dimi backache
k n dimi stomachache kandimi stiffneck dimi sore-eye
indimi toothache sendimi sorefoot
kungolodimi b x la/na x has a headache

NB: In these expressions it says: sickness is at the person

dimi translates - ache

kungolo b a dimi x head is aching him/her
N in b n dimi my tooth is aching me

NB: This means person's part of body is hurting : him/her

MOST COMMON DISEASES: MOST COMMON DISEASES: MOST COMMON DISEASES: MOST COMMON DISEASES:

k n boli diarrhea t k t k ni dysentery sumaya malaria
murafarigan flu

S g s g b Paul la Mura b Tom la Kungolodimi b John la
Paul has a cough Tom has a cold John has a headache

K n dimi b Lucie la Farigan b Sarah la
Lucie has stomachache Sarah has a fever
60

n man kn I am sick
i y r jumn b'i dimi? Which part of your body is hurting you?
i fan jumn b'i dimi? Which part of your body is hurting you?
mun bi la ? What is the matter with you?
k ng b x la/na x is hungry
salaya lazy
n sgnnen don I am tired
n t r len don I am pained
n degunnen don I am suffering
n dusukasilen don I am sad
n nis n ka di I am happy
n nis n diyalen t I am not happy
fosi/Foyi t x la x has nothing

SOME EXPRESSIONS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES: SOME EXPRESSIONS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES: SOME EXPRESSIONS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES: SOME EXPRESSIONS OF PHYSIOLOGICAL STATES:

k ng hungry min g thirsty

funteni hot nn cold

DUGAW DUGAW DUGAW DUGAW BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS

Ala ka n g yak May God grant relief.
Ala k'a t r d g ya ... May the pain lessen.
Ala ka sini fisaya ni bi ye May tomorow be better than today
Ala k'i segin i yr ma May you come back to yourself
Ala k'a k jurumu kafari ye May it be a sin expiator.
Ala ka dugaw jabi May God answer the blessings
61

SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY: SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY: SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY: SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY:

banakis microbe
banaba leprosy
banakunbn prevention
knyaji oral rehydration water
knyaba(ga)t a healthy person
dusukundimi palpitation
kumabin migraine
sumu dental decay
sumuni boil
joli a wound
n pus
kank n dimi/mimi sorethroat
kaba ringworm
fa madness
jawuli scatteredbrain
hakiliwuli mental fatigue
x k salen (don) x is energyless
x walakalen (don) x open, extravert
mun ye x s r ? what happened to x
mun binna/cunna x kan? what struck x?
mun grgr ye x s r ? what unexpected thing (mishap) happened to x
k'i mun to apply an ointment
k'i digidigi to get a massage
k'i wusu to transpire through smoke or vapour
k'i furak to cure oneself
ka sogolik to get an injection
ka bi turu to give an injection
(muso) jiginninso maternity
d k t r doctor
d k t r so hospital
ka fura ta to take pills
ka furakis kunun to take a pill
ka furaji min to drink (a drinkable)
k'i boloci to get vaccinated
ka pikirik to get an injection

62


Here are some ways to say that someone is (not) sick.


Part of body + dimi + b + Pers. +la/na Part of body + dimi + t + Pers. + la/na

Kungolo dimi b John la. Kdimi t Sarah la.

Interrogative Form:

Part of body + dimi + b + Pers. +la (wa)? Part of body + dimi + t + Pers. +la (wa)?

Kungolo dimi bi la wa? Mura t Tom la?

THE IMPERFECT TENSE: Tun b

NB: tun b/tun t is the auxiliary element for the Imperfect tense in Bambara.


Suj + tun b + obj + Verb Suj + tun t + obj + Verb

Soso tun b Bakari cin su o su. Bakari tun t sange sulen siri.

Kalandenw tun b kalank don go don. U tun t baarak sanu ka na Mali la.

Interrogative Form:

Suj + tun b + obj + Verb (wa)? Suj + tun t + obj + Verb (wa)?

Soso tun b Bakari cin su o su? Bakari tun t sange sulen siri wa?

Kalandenw tun b yaala Ameriki ksb wa? U tun t sung joona suf?

NB: tun ka/tun man is the auxiliary element for the Imperfect tense with adjectives in Bambara.


Suj + tun ka + Adj Suj + tun man + Adj

A tun ka di It was good/pleasant. A tun man di.

63

Here are some ways to say that someone was sick.


Part of body + dimi + tun b + Pers. +la/na Part of body + dimi + tun t + Pers. +la/na

Kungolo dimi tun b John la. Kdimi tun t Sarah la.

Interrogative Form:

Part of body + dimi + tun b + Pers. +la (wa)? Part of body + dimi + tun t + Pers. +la?

Kungolo dimi tun bi la wa? Mura tun t Tom la?

THE FUTURE TENSE: bna (b)

NB: bna (b)/tna(t) is the auxiliary element for the Future tense in Bambara.


Suj + bna + obj + Verb Suj + tna + obj + Verb

Soso bna Bakari cin su o su. Bakari tna sange sulen siri.

Suj + bna + Verb + Obj Suj + tna + Verb + Obj

Kalandenw bna kalank don go don. U tna yaala drn Mali la.

Interrogative Form:

Suj + bna + obj + Verb (wa)? Suj + tna + obj + Verb (wa)?

Soso bna Bakari cin su o su? Bakari tna sange sulen siri?
Sumaya bna Bakari min? Bakari tna knya sr (wa)?

Suj + bna + Verb (wa)? Suj + tna + Verb (wa)?

Kalandenw bna barok dugumgw f wa? U tna taa Ameriki sisan?

Here are some ways to say that someone will be sick.


Sickness/disease + bna + Pers. +min Sickness/disease + tna + Pers. +min

Farigan bna Tom min barisa mura ba la. Sumaya tna Sarah min barisa a b fura
ta.
Sumaya bna Bakari min.

Interrogative Form:

Sickness/disease + bna + Pers. + min (wa)? Sickness/disease + tna + Pers. + min?

Farigan bna Tom min wa? Sumaya tna Sarah min?
64



A: Are you sick? ________________?

B: Yes, I am sick. _________________.

A: What do you have? __________________?

B: I have a cold. ______________.

A: Do you need pills? ________________?

B: No, thank you. ___________. I am tired. ____________. I am sleepy. ____________.

A: May the pain lessen. ___________________.

B: Amen. ____________________________.

Refering to the picture make a dialog between Fanta and Ablo

Ablo: I ni sgma, Fanta. I nisn man di, mun b den na?

Fanta: A fari man da la.

Ablo:

Fanta:

Ablo:

Fanta:

65

Fill in the blanks by using the appropriate auxiliary.

Tuma min, n _______ camanc lakli la, n _______ kegun dni.
N _______ marabatiga cimin kalanso kn.
N _______ (neg) taa farikolo anaj k yr la tuma b.
Ne ni n teriw _______ taa kalanso kf ka sigarti min.
N _______ basikti ton na, nka n _______ npogotigininw laj drn.
N _______ (neg) kalank ksb nka n _______ ko di karamg ye.
N _______ karamgw dm ka kalansow labn. O ksn, u hakili la n _______
kalanden uman ye.


Sur n ____ dakabana sogo k. N ____ mobili kura d boli la.
N ____ ckrnin d ye sira kan n f. A _______ ka sira tig fali kan.
Ckrnin ___n ye nka a tmn__ a ka sira f.
N ___a inin ka mobili laj nka a frnw ____ (neg) sn.
N ____ __a f ka kule nka n da ____ (neg) se ka yl.
Mobili ____ __ ka girin. N ____ ___ ckrnin faga wa?
Yrnin kelen, mobili jnsn__.
N ___ n yr sr, n sigilen dugumakolo kan; mobili walan ___ n bolo kn.
Ckrnin ___ n laj i na f foyi ___ (neg) k.
A ___ n ininka, E ___ taa min tan?
66

Say how the person in each of these picture is feeling.

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________

7. _______________________________________________________________

8. _______________________________________________________________

9. _______________________________________________________________

10. _______________________________________________________________
67

Refering to the picture do the following matching:

Treated mosquito net Sange sulen

1
Sange su ji la, a ylma si caman fa ka ji min miniti 5 k n .

2
I tgw ni tasaba ko ku j ni safin ye.

3
Sange fnsn sumaman y r la, ka laja.

4
Sani ka damin, ganw don.

5
Ji t ni ganw k ding k n , walima u fili gn k n .

6
I ka sange sulen siri, i ka sun g i lakananen.

7
Ji litiri 1 k tasaba k n .

8
Bul ku kis k ji la, a ka yelen.

9 Ji ni bul ku agami.

68

TDA TDA TDA TDA With the help of a family member:

Identify at least four (4) activities of a man and five (5) activities of a woman
during day time.


Name some diseases: YES___ NOT YET ___
Describe the state of my health. YES __ NOT YET__
Talk about my mental state. YES __ NOT YET__
Give blessings to a sick person. YES __ NOT YET__

69

Communicative Task: DELINAKOW
TALKING ABOUT DAILY ACTIVITIES

Objectives:

1. Each trainee will be able to cite, at least, four (4) daily activities of a man and
four of a woman according to the different periods of the day without his/her
notes.
2. Each trainee will be able to cite five (5) activities of his/her own by
him/herself.
3. Each trainee will able to cite, at least, five (5) daily or seasonal activities
according to the gender, and the age without assistance.
4. Each trainee will be able to tell his/her daily timetable to his/her host family
without help.

Nin musow b ka mun k?
Aw ka dugu musow b ji b k l n na don go don wa?
Dugu k n cw b mun k don go don?

Cultural Notes:

1. In Mali, people refer to periods of time rather than precise hours.
2. Habitual activities are related to places and seasons according to gender
and age.

70

I II I- -- - TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT Musow ka baara dugumisnw k n .

Dugumisnw kn, musow ka baara ka ca. U b wuli kabini fajiri. U b fl ka ji b kln
na. U b tasuma mn ka koliji kalaya. U b yrw furan ka sro ka daraka tobi. Daraka mana
dun, u b minan ngw ko. U b susulik, u b fini ngw ko, u b denw ladon.
Mali dugumisn musow sgnnen!


fajiri dawn (sunrise) selifana around 2 PM.
tilegan the heat of the day la(g)ansara around 4 PM.
fitiri dusk (sunset) saafo around 8 PM.
grn club kI lafi to rest
ki yalayala to have a walk ka taa foro la to go to the field
ka snk to farm ka so j to build a house
ka te wuli to make tea ka marasi b to play cards.
ka bal n tan to play football. ka m nnik to fish.
ka n nnik to swim. k'i n n to swim.
k'i naj to have fun ka soli ka to do something early in
the morning.
ka f l ka to begin by/with ka laban ka to finish by/then
o k after it/that ka inin ka to try to
ka s r ka then ka tila ka to finish by
kabini since fo till.
sani (yani) before, since f l /f l f l first/at first/long
ago/formerly
ntnn Monday tarata Tuesday
araba Wednesday alamisa Thursday
juma Friday sibiri Saturday
kari/dimasi Sunday don o don/don go don every day
s g ma o s g ma every morning joona early, quickly

71


THE HYPOTHETICAL FUTURE: with mana

NB: mana is the auxiliary that marks what is called the hypothetical future in Bambara. It is often
used like a conditional sentence with if, when or whenever in English.
Mana is always found in a subordinate clause in Bambara.

e.g: N b taa n ka dugu la, n b baara damin.
N mana taa n ka dugu la, n b baara damin.

Affirmative form:

Subj + mana + (obj) +Verb + Subj + b(na) + (obj) + Verb

Fanta mana daraka dun, a b(na) minan ngw ko.
If Fanta eats breakfast, she will wash the dishes.

Subj + mana +Verb + Subj + b(na) + (obj) + Verb

Fanta mana wuli, a b(na) ji b kln na.
If Fanta gets up, she will draw water from the well.

Negative form:

NB: mana is not used in the negative form. The negative form is used with ni.

THECONDITIONAL TENSE: with ni

NB: When the past occurs with ni in the firts clause, it is not referring to past action but rather to
something that will have happened in the future.

Affirmative form:

Ni + Subj + (obj) +Verb (Past tense)+ Subj + b(na) + (obj) + Verb

Ni Fanta ye daraka dun, a b(na) minan ngw ko..
If Fanta eats breakfast, she will wash the dishes.

Negative form:

Ni + Subj + ma (obj) +Verb (Past tense)+ Subj + t(na) + (obj) + Verb

Ni Fanta ma minan ngw ko, a t(na) i lafi .
If Fanta does not wash the dishes, she will not take a rest.

72

CONTREFACTUAL CONDITIONAL:

NB: In contrefactual conditional sentences that involve tun plus the completive in the first clause.
The second clause can be compled with the future auxiliary bna or tna preceded by tun.

Ni + Subj + tun + (obj) +Verb (Past tense)+ Subj + tun bna/tna + (obj) + Verb

Ni n tun ye wari sr, n tun bna mobili san
If I had gotten money, I would have bought a car.

Ni n tun taara, an tun tna gn ye.
If I had gone, we wouldnt have seen each other.


Arrange the scrambled words in the boxes to form complete sentences:
1
n n fajiri ka
b kabini wuli ko
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2
Don o don Fanta Daraka
f l tobi b
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3
fa la soli Ka
b n baaray r taa
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4
n taa la Sani dun ka
ek li b Daraka f l ka n
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do as indicated in this example:

e.g.: N b taa n ka dugu la, n b baara damin.
N mana taa n ka dugu la, n b(na) baara damin.

1- sibiri b se, an ban lafi.________________________________________________

2- a b nak sn, a b nakfn caman dun.___________________________________

3- u b surafana dun, u b dute wuli._________________________________________

4- an b tila kalan na, an b barok an somgw f. ____________________________

5- dugu b j, n terik b soli ka na denkundi la. ______________________________
73

Transform the following sentences into the negative form.

e.g.: N b mobili sr, n b taa Bamako.
Ni n ma mobili s r , n t taa bamako.

1- Baara b jigin, an b marasi b______________________________________________

2- N b soli ka wuli, n b fini ngw ko.________________________________________

3- Fitiri b se, u b taa misiri la._______________________________________________

4- Stage b ban, an b nisndiya._____________________________________________

5- An b surafana dun, an b te wuli.___________________________________________

Do as indicated in this example:

e.g.: n b taa Bamako, n b tilen yen
ni n taara Bamako, n b (na) tilen ye.

1 sanji b na, an t taa yr la. ________________________________________________

2 fitiri b se, u b taa misiri la.________________________________________________

3 n b surafana dun, n b tele laj.____________________________________________

4 a b mankank, n t se ka sung. __________________________________________

5 n b mobili sr ka ta Bamako, o b diya n ye. ________________________________

Complete the following sentences according to the structure of conditional:

1- Fanta mana ji b kln na, a (ka minan n g wko)._____________________________

2- Fanta mana minan ngw ko, a (k'i lafi d ni).______________________________

3- Fanta man'i lafi dni, a (ka taa l g ini).__________________________________

4- Fanta ka baara mana ban, a (k'i da ka sun g ).________________________________

3- Ni "stage" banna, a (ka taa an ka duguw la ).__________________________________

4- Ni Fanta denw ye tilelafana dun, u (ka taa l g ini ).__________________________

Turn the following sentences into the negative form:

1- Ni Fanta ye tasuma mn, a b ji kalaya._______________________________________

2- A mana wuli joona, a denw b daraka dun joona.______________________________

3- N'a banna baara la, a b'i lafi dni._________________________________________

4- A mana ltiri sr, a bna nisndiya kosb.____________________________________

74

Combine according to the following sentences:

e.g.: N b surafana dun, n b taa d nky r la.

1- N mana surafana dun, n b taa d nky r la.
2- Ni n ye surafana dun, n b taa d nky r la.

1- N b safin san, n b fini ko.________________________________________________

2- I b taa so; i b'i ko.________________________________________________________

3- Sanji b na; an b'an laf gwa kr._________________________________________

4- Midi b se, an b kalan dabila.______________________________________________

5- Dugu b j, n b soli ka taa Bamako._________________________________________

Turn the following sentences into the negative form:

e.g.: Ni n wulila joona, n bna soli ka taa Bamako

Ni n ma wuli joona, n tna soli ka taa Bamako.

1-Ni ye wari sr, n bna mobili kura san._____________________________________

2-Ni "Stage" banna, an bna baara damin.____________________________________

3-Ni n somgw nana b n ye, n b nisndiya ksb.____________________________

4-N'aw ye baarak, aw b wari sr.___________________________________________

5-Ni n ye bamanankan mn ksb, an bna baarok gnf._____________________


Fl fl, dugumisnw kn, musow ka baara ___ __ ca. U ___ __ soli ka wuli kabini
fajiri. U ___ __ fl ka ji b kln na. O k, u ___ __ tasuma mn ka koliji kalaya. U ___ __
yrw furan ka sro ka daraka tobi. Daraka kf, u ___ __ tila ka minan ngw ko. U ___ __
laban ka susulik, ka fini ngw ko. U ___ __ denw ladon nin b k.
Mali dugumisn musow ___ sgnnen!

Write a paragraph in which you talk about your activities here:

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

75

Describe one of your favourite activities :

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

TDA TDA TDA TDA
Talk with your landlord or landlady or any other member of your family
about there habitual activities.

Get informed about the means of transport and their fees in between your
training site and Bamako.


Speak about my daily activities: YES___ NOT YET__
Speak about the activities of men and women in Mali: YES___ NOT YET___

76

Communicative Task: TAAMAW
TALKING ABOUT TRAVELING

Objectives:

1. Each trainee, alone, will be able to cite the three (3) most used transportation
means in Mali.
2. Each trainee will be able to ask three (3) appropriate questions to get
informed about the means, the fare and the schedule of transportation
regarding his/her trip, in a real situation.
3. Without any assistance, each trainee will be able to use three (3) appropriate
expressions to wish welcome or safe trip to a traveler.

77

Cultural Notes:

1. For a long distance and or period trip, people give blessings to each
other and give left hands to say goodbye. (Its the only time you shake
the left hand)
2. Generally when we come back from a travel, we bring gifts to family and
neighbours.

I II I- -- - TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT :

1 Taamaw

Mali mgw b taama ksb duniya kn. U b taa yr caman na. I bu sr Farafinna
jamanaw b la. Mali denmisnw b taama farajla jamanaw fana kn.
Mali kn, mgw ka taama ka suma, barisa siraw man in. Bolimafnw man ca, ani u t
se ka taa yr b. Togodamgw b b dugu ni dugu u sen na, ngsow la, wotorow la, wala
bagaw kan i na f: faliw, sow, misiw, gmw.
Mgw b bato ta Kulikoro ni Gao c, sisikuru b b Bamako fo kayes.

2 Sirakoro taama

Ne sera Sirakoro ntnn don, uti kalo tile mugan ni segin san ba fila ni wr
Mobili donna dugu kn ka bn ni fitiri ye, o ya sr san nana. An taara dugutigi ka so. A yan
bisimila kouman.
An sira, dugu jlen an srla ka taa dugu maabaw caman fo (Perefe dankan, Mri,
Dgtr kuntigi, Muso kuntigi, Alimami, Pasitri, cmisn kuntigi, ani n ka karamg).
Wula f, dugutigi ni a ka knseyew yan bisimila a ka so. An yan nali kun f u ye. A diyara u
ye kosb, u ko an kan bisimila.
O kf ne ni n ka karamg ye kalan damin. Aa! Sisan kni, ne ye bamanankan caman faamu.
Alamisa don, uti kalo tile bisaba ni kelen, sgma dizri waati, dugu musow b ni
jenbe nana ka donk n jatigiya la, ka ne fo. An ye donk kosb.
Jn ko allah, Sirakoro ka di!!!
Fox Emily


1. Use well-known transport companies.
2. Watch out for crooks (coaxers).
3. Try to note the number plate of the vehicle when using the public
transport before going aboard.

78

II II II II- -- - DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG d g kun kelen taama

A: N nana n sara i la, n bna taa dgkun kelen taama na sini.

B: Eh! Sini ? Ayiwa, ka taa ka segin ngya.

A: A miina, ka gn ye ngya, ka hr f n k.

B: kan bu fo! Ka segin ni uman ye. I kan sama. I delila ka se yen wa?

A: Ayi, n ma se yen fl. Ni alah snna, n bna aw sama.


During a trip, avoid eating uncovered and unhealthy foods.

III III III III- -- - VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY

BOLIMAF BOLIMAF BOLIMAF BOLIMAFNW NW NW NW MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION: MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION:

taama travelling/journey/trip
dugutaa travelling/journey/trip
bolifnw means of transportation
taamaden traveller
mobili vehicle
bato boat
so horse
kurun dugout canoe
fali donkey
moto motorbike
ngso bicycle/bike
sisikurun train
g m camel
awiy n airplane
ka taama to travel
ka taa dugula to travel.
ka jigin to get down.
ka taa x kunbn to go meet x.
ka biye ta to take a ticket
ka pase sara to pay the trip fees
ka fa to be crowded
ka x sama to give a trip gift.
ka taa x bila sira to accompany x
ka taa b x ye/la to pay visit to x.
x fara/x falen don x is full
79

x ti na x broke down.
x ti nen don x is broken down.

BISIMILA BISIMILA BISIMILA BISIMILA WELCOMIMG WELCOMIMG WELCOMIMG WELCOMIMG

idanse/ i ni s welcome
i (aw) bisimila welcome.
saha thanks.
kodi/kori i uman nana ? did you have a nice trip ?
ka na aw uman s r I had a nice trip
i ni fama It was a long time.
a kra fama ye It was a long time
n nana n sara i la I came to inform you about my trip.

SAMAW: SAMAW: SAMAW: SAMAW: GIFTS GIFTS GIFTS GIFTS

n sama b min? where is my gift?
i sama fil here is your gift.
i sama b k I will bring it later.

DUWAWUW/DUGAW: DUWAWUW/DUGAW: DUWAWUW/DUGAW: DUWAWUW/DUGAW: BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS

ka taa ka segin n g ya May going and returning be easy
ka ng n ye n g ya May seeing each other be easy
uman taa uman segin good trip, good return
ka hr ki May peace be front of you }have a good trip.
ka sira diya May the trip/road be good }
ka segin ni uman ye May you return well
ka se ni uman ye May arrive well
ka hr f n k May peace come after me.
80

IV IV IV IV- -- - GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR GRAMMAR

THE HABIT OF DOING SOMETHING: ka deli ka

NB: This structure is used in the present to induicate that the subject has the habit of doing
something or is used to do something. ka deli ka is follwed by the infinitive.

THE PRESENT TENSE THE PRESENT TENSE THE PRESENT TENSE THE PRESENT TENSE


S + b + deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif) S + t + deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif)

A b deli ka na n ka so. A t deli ka taa a sen na baarak yr la.
He is used to come to my house. He is not used to going to the office on foot.

Interrogative form:

S + b/t deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif) ?

THE PAST TENSE THE PAST TENSE THE PAST TENSE THE PAST TENSE

NB: ka deli ka is used in the past tense to indicate that the subject has experience of doing
something. It denotes that the subject has done something already or at least once.


S + delila ka + V (transitif/intransitif) S + ma + deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif)

N delila ka taa Gao bato la. A ma deli ka don awiyn kn.
Ive been to Gao by boat He has never been in a plane.

Interrogative form:

S + delila ka + V (transitif/intransitif)?

THE IMPERFECT TENSE: THE IMPERFECT TENSE: THE IMPERFECT TENSE: THE IMPERFECT TENSE:


S + tun b + deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif) S + tun t + deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif)

A tun b deli ka taa sinema na weekend o weekend N tun t deli ka dumuni san sirada la.

Interrogative form:

S + b/t deli ka + V (transitif/intransitif) ?

I tun b deli ka mun k weekend o weekend sani i ka na Mali la?

81

V VV V- -- - EXERCISES EXERCISES EXERCISES EXERCISES

Answer to the following questions:

1. I taara min site-visit la?

2. I taara don jumn? I seginna don jumn?

3. I taara cogodi? I taara bolifn jumn na? A tun falen don wa?

4. I ni jn taara gn f?

5. I ye tile joli k yen?

6. Ka b Bamako ka taa i ka dugu la, i ye joli sara?

7. I ye mun k tile fl?

8. I ka dugu b Mali fan jumn f?

9. I ka dugu b cogodi?

10. A taama kra cogodi? I ka taama f an ye.

11. I delila ka nin taama gn k wa?

Readjust the following situations:

1- You are coming from a trip.

A: I danse B:_______________________
A: taayr mgw ka kn? B:_______________________
A: kori uman nana? B:_______________________
A: Sira diyara wa? B:_______________________
A: N sama b min? B:_______________________

2- I am going to travel, make some blessings for me.

A: N nana sara i la, n bna taa dugu la B:_______________________
A: _________________ B:_______________________
A: _________________ B:_______________________
A: ka hr f n k B:_______________________

Make as in the following example.

e.g.: N b to ka wuli joona N b deli ka wuli joona.

A b to ka n dm n ka baara la. ________________________
An b to ka gn sr yen. ________________________
A t to ka n fo. ________________________
82


e.g.: A binna moto la. A delila ka bin moto la.

An taamana gn f _______________________________
An ma taa jamana wr la _______________________________
A ye nin mobili gn dilan. _______________________________
N ma dl min fl. _______________________________

TDA TDA TDA TDA

Identify five (5) cooking tools with your mom/sister.
Identify five (5) meals cooked by your mom/sister at home.


Cite the most used transportation means in Mali. YES___ NOT YET__
Ask appropriate questions to get informed about the means, the fare and the schedule of
transportation regarding my trip, in a real situation. YES___ NOT YET__
Use appropriate expressions to wish welcome or safe trip to a traveller. YES___ NOT YET__

83

Communicative Task: DUMUNIW
TALKING ABOUT MEALS

Objectives:

1. Each trainee will be able to cite, at least, five (5) Malian meals without his/her
notes.
2. Each trainee will be able to explain, at least, one recipe to someone using
his/her notes.
3. Without any help, each trainee will be able to enumerate four (4) behaviors
when eating in Mali and compare them to the American ones.

Nin muso in bka mun tobi?
Mun ni mun b gabugu k n ?

Cultural Notes:

1.Its important to invite people to eat (feel free to say yes or no).
2.Avoid smelling food.
3.Always use your right hand to eat.
4.Generally people eat together in the same bowl but men and women eat separately.
5.Cooking is a womens role.

84

I II I- -- - TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT Dumuniw ani dumuniky r ladaw.

Mali ka bon, a siyaw fana ka ca. O na ta o ta, siyaw ka dumuniw nu ka dumuniyr
ladaw man jan gn na kosb. Mali siyaw caman b to, basi, dg, mni, seri, sam ani
malokini dun. U b b dumuni k si saba tile kn: daraka, tilelafana ani surafana. Musow
ni cw t dumunik gn f yr caman na Mali la. Cw wali musow b dumunik gn f
minn kelen kn. Danfara dw b siyaw ni gn c. Bamananw b seri sukarontan walima
tosira k daraka ye. Bamananw fana ka surafana nu ka tilelafana caman ye to ye. Malokini b
tobi nisndiya donw drn. Krbrw b furufuru k daraka ye. U caman ka tilelafana ni
surafana ye malokini ye. Basi ka di marakaw ye ksb. Siyaw dw b barika da dumuni kf
nka dw ta da.
Dumuniyr ye kalansoba ye Mali la.

Nin muso in bka mun tobi?
O dumuni in tobicogo f .

85


Always remember your PCMOs recommendations before buying or
eating any food.

Tamatina dilancogo

Dilannifw

tamati m nenba tigatulu jabakn k g ji

Dilanniminw

barama/fugantasa furun finfin kutu muru

Dilancogo

1. Finfin k furun kn, tasuma k finfin na. A fifa.

2. Ni tasuma kamina, barama wala kasilri sigi tasuma kan. Ji d ka kn.

3. I tg ko ka j. Tamati ni jaba ko ku j.

4. Tamati k ji kalaman na. U kelen kelen ta, u fara bu la.

5. U bila tasa jlen d kn. U nni.

6. Barama sigi tasuma kan tuguni. Tulu hak min b bn i ka tamati ma, o k barama kn.

7. Tulu mana kalaya, tamati dni dni k tulu la. To ka kutu k ka lamaga.

8. Jaba tig-tig. A k tamati na kan.

9. kg k tamati na la, dni dni. To ka nn.

Duncogo na lamaracogo

Nin tamatina in b se ka k sogo jeninen, jg jirannen, woso, wala kmitri balabalalen kan, ku
dun. Waa, a ka di ksb.

A lamaracogo man gln. I ba k buteli d kn ka tulu dni ka kan ka lasago yr sumannen na.

Tamatina kfnw ye jumnw ye?
Kfnw wrw b se ka don a dilanni na wa?
I b se ka lamara cogo wr jumn na?

86


dumuni food
balo food.
daraka breakfast
tilelafana lunch.
surafana dinner
nafn condiment.
na sauce
kfnw ingredients
barama pot
galama ladle.
filen calabash
muru knife.
shilan food mill/reel
furun stove
finfin charcoal
fugan tasa aluminum bowl
kini/malokini cooked rice
basi cous-cous.
dg ceam made of cereale
m ni porridge.
to to (malian food)
seri porridge.
zam cokked rice with condiments mixed
furufuru fritter/doughnut
tosira left over to
basisira left over cous-cous
minan utensil
kolon mortar
kolon-kala pestle
kurun stool.
kuyri/kutu spoon
tasa bowl.
tobili cooking
millet
malo rice
fini fonio.
kaba maize
yiriden m len ripe fruit
jaba onion
tamati tomato.
namasa banana
lemuruba orange.
lemurukumu lemon
87

tiga peanut.
foronto pepper
layi garlay
tulu oil
x mugu the powder of x.
tigadg peanut butter
dabilenni hibiscus.
k k /k g salt
sogo/soko meat.
siya ethnic group
lada costum.
x sukarotan x without sugar
ka barika da/ ta to thank.
o na ta o ta despite
ka x susu to pound x.
ka x ko ka j to wash properly
ka x w r to peel
ka x kis/kolo b to take out seed
ka x tig tig slice
ka x suma to measure
ka x daji to soak
ka x shi to grind/crush
ka x tobi to cook
ka x k min k n to put x in
ka x mara to keep
ka x lasagon to keep
ka x j to clean
ka x n ni to mix
ka x tig to cut x.
ka x k y la/na to put x in y
ka x wele y la to call x for y
ka x datugu to cover x
ka x dayl to open x.

88

HERE ARE OTHER WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS WHICH CAN HELP YOU HERE ARE OTHER WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS WHICH CAN HELP YOU HERE ARE OTHER WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS WHICH CAN HELP YOU HERE ARE OTHER WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS WHICH CAN HELP YOU
TO TALK MORE EASILY ABOUT MEALS. TO TALK MORE EASILY ABOUT MEALS. TO TALK MORE EASILY ABOUT MEALS. TO TALK MORE EASILY ABOUT MEALS.

a barika thank you(after a meal)
a barika Ala ye you are welcome.
i ni gwa thank you
i ni daba thank you.
ka suma i la you are welcome
ka suma i k n you are welcome.
na dumuni na come and eat
nan ka dumunik come and eat.
dumuni m nna the meal is ready
dumuni sigira the meal is ready.
n faara Im full
n falen don Im full.
n faara teu-teu Im completely full
n ye dumunik sisan I have just eaten.
ki ni hr bn good appetite
nabaa/nabaga newcomer
mun bi bolo? what do you have?
mun ni mun b yan? what do you have here?
a k k cayara d ni there is too much salt
k k ta la there is no salt in it.
kana caya kosb dont give too much
d ni fara kan add a little bit.

III III III III- -- - DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG

Umaru: I ni sgma!

Amadu: Nba. C! a kra di? An mi ye grn na sur d!

Umaru: Foyi ma k! N tun b furusiridn yr la. A kra najba ye.

Amadu: A diyara wa?

Umaru: Kojugu! Dumuni ma k foyi ye! An yan kn fa ani ka dnk fo ka dugu j.

Amadu: Ala ka k furu ye!

Umaru: Amiina!

89


THE USE OF k

NB: K has many meanings but in these strucures it means: to be done; to be made; to occur or
happen.
Below are the structures and some examples.

THE PRESENT TENSE:


Suj + b k + Compl + ye Suj + t k + Compl + ye

Mni b k daraka ye sgma o sgma. To t k tilelafana ye an ka so.
Mni is made for breakfast every morning To is not made for lunch at our place

THE PAST TENSE:


Suj + kra + Compl + ye Suj + ma k + Compl + ye

A kra baara ye! A ma k foyi ye! Foyi ma k!
A kra dgtr ye. Aw ma k wlntriw ye fl.

Interrogative Form:

Mun kra? A kra di?

THE FUTURE TENSE:


Suj + bna k + Compl + ye Suj + tna k + Compl + ye

Aw bna k wlntriw ye sni. A tna k foyi ye.
90


Translate the following sentences into bambara.

1- Sauce is made of peanut butter. _____________________________________________
2- The trainee becomes volunteer after nine weeks. ______________________________
3- One should not chat in class. _______________________________________________
4- One should not dance in the mosque. _______________________________________
5- John will be a good volunteer. ______________________________________________
6- What happened to you yesterday? __________________________________________
7- What will happen if you dont go? ___________________________________________

Explain the recipe of a meal you like to cook.

Exchange an American recipe you know for a Malian one with a friend.

TDA TDA TDA TDA
With your host mother/sister/neighbour, get informed about:
The type of meals she cooks
The recipe of this meals
The typical meals of her ethnic group.


Talk about meals in Mali and the states yes____not yet____
Explain a recipe to someone yes____not yet____
Compare the do and dont while eating yes____not yet____

91

Communicative Task: ANAJW
TALKING ABOUT FEASTS AND LEISURE

Objectives:

1. Each trainee will be able, without his/her notes, to cite three (3) religious and
three (3) traditional feasts in Mali.
2. Each trainee will be able, without notes, to name, at least, three (3) leisure
time activities in his/her community and describe one of them.

Answer to these questions.

Nin ye mun naj ye ?

Dugum g w yaw bisimila ka aw na don wa ?

Aw nis ndiyara k sb wa ?

Cultural Notes:

Generally Malians are tolerant about religious feasts (mainly with
Christian and Muslim feasts) but you may still come across some
traditional ceremonies/feasts in rural area.

92


1.

Umaru: An ni sgma!


Umaru: Ti don. N tun b furusiridn yr la. A kra anajba ye.

Amadu: A diyara wa?

Umaru: Kojugu. Jamaba de tun b yen. An ye dumunik ani ka dnk fo ka dugu j.

Amadu: Flifn jumn tun b yen?

Umaru: An ye balani dn fo kan sen kari.

2.

Jelik: An ni su!

Den-fa: Nba , aw ni su!

Jelik: Hr tilenna wa?

Den-fa: Hr drn.

Jelik: Mg nakun ka fisa i yr ye.
Ni ye n wulilen ye ka se yan, juguman t.
A kun ye furu sira ye.
Keyitalakaw ye woro tan ni fura siri, ku bra aw denmuso Fanta f.
U dun ta aniya ni foyi ye nu denk Bakari furumuso t.
Woro tan fil na b bn aw ma, o b diyan ye ksb.

Den-fa: An b woro min fl. Den b yan, den baw b yan.
Nan yolu ininka, olu mana jaabi min di, an no f aw ye.
Nin diyaran ye, a bnnan ma. Hakto bo kan.

Jelik: Aw Keyita! Ala ka n ka dan ma. N b sira inin.

Den-fa: Kuyate! Sira diri ma. Kan bu fo!

Jelik: U na mn! Ka su hr dan ma!


Avoid going to traditional ceremonies without invitation, however
initiation is sometimes required.

93


F FF F LIF LIF LIF LIFNW D NW D NW D NW D W WW W SOME INSTRUMENTS SOME INSTRUMENTS SOME INSTRUMENTS SOME INSTRUMENTS

jenbe drum
balani xylophone
ntamani hand-held drum
gitari guitare
ni an indigenous guitare
kora kora
file a flute

NAJ NAJ NAJ NAJ D DD D W WW W SOME FEASTS SOME FEASTS SOME FEASTS SOME FEASTS

denkundi baptism
furusiri/k marriage
furasi circoncision party
seliba Tabaski
selideni/seli inin Ramadan
san ylma seli new years day
yrma h r nya seli Independence day
d n dance
marasib to play cards
farikolo naj sports

ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY ADDITIONAL VOCABULARY

grn club
jama crowd
jeli griot
woro kola nut
bolomafara contribution
ka.x s n to give a present
ka tgrf to applaud
morik marabout
94


THE PASSIVE VOICE: THE PASSIVE VOICE: THE PASSIVE VOICE: THE PASSIVE VOICE:

NB: The passive voice is formed by adding ra (na, la) to the infinitve form without ka (or b of
course). You can then notice that we get past form of the verb.

Affirmative form:

Suj (passif)+ Vra/na/la + Compl (suj act) +(f/bolo)

Woro dira denfa ma jelik f. Woro minna denfa f.

Dumuni sigira Fanta f The meal has been set by Fanta

Te wulila Tea has been boiled

Mobili kora Musa f The car has been washed by Moussa

Negative form:

Suj (passif)+ ma +Verb + Compl (suj act) +(f/bolo)

Ayi furu ma siri fl. Ayi wri ma ci ne bolo.

Mobili ma ko Musa f The car has not been washed by Musa.

95



e.g.: Bakari ye wari di Musa ma --------------> Wari dira Musa ma Bakari f.

1. Fanta ye ji kalaya. ________________________________________
2. Knmuso ye fini kuraw don. ______________________________
3. Jelik ye gitari f furusiri yr la. ____________________________
4. An ye dn dabila su f _____________________________________
5. U ye balani f ksb ______________________________________
6. Jelik ye wari caman sr __________________________________


e.g.: Dumuni sigira ka ban --------------> Dumuni ma sigi fl.

1. Furusiri kra misiri la. ______________________
2. An kunbna ka u f. ______________________
3. Mobili tina a bolo. _______________________
4. Kini dunna ka ban. _________________________

TDA TDA TDA TDA
Identify at least three (3) or four (4) traditional or religious feasts at the
host village.

Get informations about the games/leisures activities practiced in the
village by the different social groups below:
The youth /boys/girls;
Kids;
Adults.

Explain a popular game of a group (youth/kids/adults)

Explain to someone (brother/sister) the following holydays

Halloween;
Thanksgiving.


Describe how I spend my free time yes_____not yet________
Explain a game to somebody yes_____not yet________

96

Communicative Task: M G WELELI
ACCEPT OR DECLINE AN INVITATION

Objectives:

1. Without assistance, each trainee will be able to use, at least, three (3)
expressions to invite someone in a real situation.
2. Without his/her notes, each trainee will be able to use appropriately three (3)
expressions to accept or decline an invitation.

Cultural Notes:

1. Formal invitations are not common. People are welcome at any social
activities (events) except initiation or ritual ceremonies.
2. When you invite a Malian in a restaurant, you are supposed to pay the
bill.


1.

Mamu: Fanta! i ni fama sa!
Fanta: An b ni fama.
Mamu: I tununna d!
Fanta: O kra! N tun taara dugu la.
Mamu: I nani diyara n ye. Ti don, n dgmuso ka furusiri b k sibiri don.
Ni ba masr, n ba f i ka na o la. An b anajba k wula f.
Fanta: Basi t, ni Ala snna i bna n ye.

2.

Umaru: I ni wula, Susan!

Susan: Nse! Umaru, hr tilenna?

Umaru: N b Ala tanu! A b diyan ye ni b se ka nan ka furusiridn yr la bi su in na.

Susan: Bi su in na! Haa! N tn'a masr.
N bolo degunnen don barisa gnye krnkrnnen d b n bolo.
A kra baara ye. Kana jigin n na. Ala ka si wr jir'an na.

Umaru: N tna jigin i la. Ala ka dugawu min!

Susan: Amiina!

97


1. Do not accept invitations from anyone you dont know unless you talk to
your counterpart about it.
2. Do not stay late after an invitation and do not go back alone, especially,
at night.
3. Always share foods or drinks with people.


EXPRESSIONS TO INVITE SOMEONE EXPRESSIONS TO INVITE SOMEONE EXPRESSIONS TO INVITE SOMEONE EXPRESSIONS TO INVITE SOMEONE

n ba ini f I would like you to
n jigi bi kan I count on you.
o b diya n ye It will please me
n bi deli Please (I am begging you).

EXPRESSIONS TO ACCEPT AN INVITATIO EXPRESSIONS TO ACCEPT AN INVITATIO EXPRESSIONS TO ACCEPT AN INVITATIO EXPRESSIONS TO ACCEPT AN INVITATION NN N

o diyara n ye Its my pleasure(pleased me).
i b n sigi Organize a meal for me (set something for me).
Ala kan to g n ye May we count on each other.
ni Ala s nna, i b n ye If god pleases, you will see me.

EXPRESSIONS TO D EXPRESSIONS TO D EXPRESSIONS TO D EXPRESSIONS TO DECLINE AN INVITATION ECLINE AN INVITATION ECLINE AN INVITATION ECLINE AN INVITATION

n ta mas r I wont have time
n bolo degunnen don I am busy.
a kra baara ye What a pity
kana jigi n na Dont hold it against me.
98


1. 1. 1. 1. THE EMPHATIC THE EMPHATIC THE EMPHATIC THE EMPHATIC SA SA SA SA: :: :

NB: Sa is used in two situations:

i- As an emphatic: It means very.

I ni fama sa!
It has been a very long time!

Nin c ka jugun sa!
This man is so mean!

ii- It can mean, please.

I sigi sa!
Please sit down!

Dumunik sa!
Eat, please!

2. 2. 2. 2. THE EXPRESSIONS OF DESIRE AND OBLIGATION THE EXPRESSIONS OF DESIRE AND OBLIGATION THE EXPRESSIONS OF DESIRE AND OBLIGATION THE EXPRESSIONS OF DESIRE AND OBLIGATION

NB: The expressions of desire and obligation require the use of the infinitive.

ka f ka to want

N ba f aw ka tilen n ka so.
I want you to spend the day at my house.

Ka ini x f to ask someone to.

N y a ini Mamadu na muso f u ka na dumuni k.
I asked Mamadou and his wife to come and eat.

A ka di x ye to please to.

A ka di n ye i ka n dm tobili la.
I want you to help me to cook.

Wajibi don Its obligatory.

Wajibi don n ka taa nin dekundi yr la.
I have to go to this baptism.
99


Complete this dialog. Accept the invitation.

A: I ni sgma. B: __________________________
A: I ni fama. B: __________________________
A: I b taa min? B: __________________________
A: Sini suf, n b te wuli n ka so.
I b se ka na wa? B: __________________________
A: O diyara n ye. B: __________________________

Complete this dialog. Decline the invitation.

A: N terimuso, i tununna d. B: __________________________
A: N ba f i ka taa b n ye sini su f,
an b te min ka barok. B: __________________________
A: N b'i deli sa ! B: __________________________
A: I ba masr don jumn. B: __________________________
A: Ayiwa, kan bu fo. B: __________________________

Case study: The trainee Susan is invited by her brother to a wedding party.
Her brother's cousin Invites her to dance repeatedly.A bit later she decides to go back home.
The following day, she learns her brother and his cousin had a fight. since then, she feels
uncomfortable at home.

You have a very nice malian friend. He invites you at his house. Tell him you are
busy. Find out 2 or 3 excuses to decline the invitation.

Invite a village friend or a host family member to a technical activity of your
sector in the village and tell him about the goals of that activity.


Use some expressions to invite someone in a real situation Yes___ not yet___
Use appropriately some expressions to accept or decline an invitation. Yes__ not yet_

100

Communicative Task: DM ININ
ASKING FOR HELP

Objectives:

Each trainee will be able to use three (3) appropriate expressions to ask for or
decline a proposal of help without his/her notes in a given situation.

Nin c in b mun na knma?
A ka baara ye mun ye?

101

Cultural Notes:

1. Offering and/or receiving help is not a sign of weakness or incompetence;
its just a form of socialization.
2. Both not offering or not accepting assistance can be embarrassing.


Sarah: Ee! Mun kra? N ka ngso bila!
I b taalen ni n ka ngso ye min?
A ye son bn! A' ye n dm!

Musa: Jn kulekan b yan? Mun yi sr?
Jn donna i kan?

Sarah: A ye na! A ye b!
Son taara ni n ka ngso ye.
N b'aw deli. Aya kunbn! Aye n ma!

Musa: I hakili sigi. A t se ka taa yr jan.

Passant: Kule dabila n balimamuso. U ye i ka son min.
A ni ngso bu bolo ka na.

Sarah: O ye Ala tanu ye. Aw ni ce! Aw ni baraji!
Hakto! Musa, n hakili la, n ka kan ka soklsila d inin
min bna n ka duknna klsi, ka janto da la.

Musa: O ka ngn. An bna mg sb inin i ye.
Hali ni mg wr fra i k, ale na sr yan.


1. Never hesitate to ask for help if necessary.
2. Never use words or expressions for help if there is no danger.

102


EXPRESSIONS USED TO ASK FOR HELP: EXPRESSIONS USED TO ASK FOR HELP: EXPRESSIONS USED TO ASK FOR HELP: EXPRESSIONS USED TO ASK FOR HELP:

wooyi! wooyi! wooyi n ba den! interjection used to ask for help
aye na! come over here
aye b ! come out
n ma! Please/help me
n dm! help me
a/u bna bin n kan ! she/he (they are) is agressing me.
a/u b n k ! she/he (they are) is purchasing me.
i b se ka n dm wa?/aye n dm! can you help me?

EXPRESSIONS USED TO REFUSE HELP: EXPRESSIONS USED TO REFUSE HELP: EXPRESSIONS USED TO REFUSE HELP: EXPRESSIONS USED TO REFUSE HELP:

i lafi (sa)! get a rest
n ma jigin i la. I excuse you
a ka i ten. its good enough

EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF AGRESSION: EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF AGRESSION: EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF AGRESSION: EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF AGRESSION:

n bila!/ n bolo bila! leave me alone
a ye son bn! thief ! thief !
sabali be tolerant (easy)
hin n na ! have pity on me
n b'i deli ! please
n to ala ye (kama/k s n) for gods sake, leave me.

EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF INDESIRED ATTENTION: EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF INDESIRED ATTENTION: EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF INDESIRED ATTENTION: EXPRESSIONS USED IN A CASE OF INDESIRED ATTENTION:

b n kun na! leave me alone
n to yen! leave me alone
i da b n na! leave me alone
fara n na! leave me alone
i b n na! why do you stare at me?
i b n laj munna? why do you stare at me?
i b n foto f wa? Do you want my picture?
i ma n g n ye wa? havent you seen anyone like me?
mun kra?/a kra di ?/mun don? whats the matter?

EXPRESSION EXPRESSION EXPRESSION EXPRESSIONS USED TO ADDRESS A GUARDIAN/A HOUSEWORKER: S USED TO ADDRESS A GUARDIAN/A HOUSEWORKER: S USED TO ADDRESS A GUARDIAN/A HOUSEWORKER: S USED TO ADDRESS A GUARDIAN/A HOUSEWORKER:

ki janto x la/na to pay attention to x.
ka x k l si to take care of/to look after x.
ka x bila ka don to let x get in
ka x gn to chase x.
ka x mak n to wait for x.
ka f x k to miss.
ka x kalifa to give/to look after
ka grn x la to get close to x.
103


Translate the following sentences and phrases into Bambara.

1- Come early tomorrow. Clean up the courtyard.
________________________________________________________

2- Dont leave the door open. Lock it.
________________________________________________________

3- Watch out the wall behind.
________________________________________________________

4- Dont let anyone enter the house.
________________________________________________________

5- Chase animals and water the trees.
________________________________________________________

6- If my friend comes while I am not here, tell him/her to wait for me.
________________________________________________________

TDA TDA TDA TDA
Explain to someone (PTC/LCF/brother/sister) an incident a trainee or anyone
you know has been victim of.
Give the circonstences of that incident;
The victims reaction;
The help she/he got from the others.

With your parents, identify at least two (2) activities according to the seasons and
the genre


1- Cw
b
1- Fonn

____________________

____________________
2- Tilema

____________________

____________________
3- Taratile

____________________

____________________
4- Samiya

____________________

____________________

2- Musow
b

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________

____________________


Use the appropriate expressions to ask for or decline a proposal of help in a given
situation: yes_____not yet_____

104

Communicative Task: WAATIW LAHALAW
TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER

Objectives:

1. Each trainee, without his/her notes, will be able to cite three (3)
characteristics of the main seasons in Mali.
2. Without assistance, each trainee will be able to cite, at least, two (2)
activities related to the seasons, according to gender.

Cultural Notes:

1. Group works are generally organized during the rainy season in public or
individual fields in some rural areas.
2. In some places, people perform sacrifices in the beginning of the rainy
season for a better harvest.


Respect the hygienic rules to avoid getting malaria, diarrhea

105


John: Amadu, i ni sgma.

Amadu: Nba, hr sira John?

John: Hr drn. N b taa b n terik ka foro la ka na.

Amadu: Ee! I t'i j dni. E t sanfinnenba la?

John: E ko nin san b na sisan?

Amadu: Funteni b'a kr cogo min na, ne miiri la a b na.

John: Funteni ye sanji tamasere ye aw f yan wa?

Amadu: w, nka o drn t d! San tamasere d wrw ye kabang, tile b cogo
ani fi ci cogo ye. Hali kn dw b san kibaruya f an snklaw ye.

John: Kabako! Ni n b taa, n bna n ka sanji minfini ta. I ni ce.
Amadu, n mana segin, an b se ka barok Mali waatiw ni Ameriki taw kan wa?

Amadu: O b diya n ye kosb. Ola n yr bna faamuya d sr Ameriki kan.
K'an bn sni.

John: K'an bn! Ka hr f n k.

Amadu: Amina! K'i uman segin!


1. Avoid standing under a tree or next to a mud wall when it rains to avoid
thunder or the wall falling on you.
2. Always lock your room when sleeping out during hot season.

106


tilema dry season
taratile hot and dry season
samiya rainy season
fonn cold season
funteni waati hot season
nn tuman cold season
g ng n the dust
kabakolo sky
sanji rain
san prn thunder balt
san kulu thunder
san mgru lightning
san blni the hail
c c heavy rain
sanfin the storm
fi the wind
funteni the heat
kawula hot and humid season
b g mud
kaban g cloud
tubabu kalo gregorian calendar
farafin kalo lunar month
zanwuye (kalo) January
Feburuye February
marisi March
Awirili April
m May
Zuwn June
Zuluye July
uti August
Sbutanburu September
kut buru October
Nowanburu November
desanburu December
dibi donnen don it is dark
sanba nana It rained a lot
nn b k/b s ni it will be cold soon
funteni b/k b s ni it will be hot soon
107


Translate the following sentences:

1. It rained a lot last night.

2. A bad wind blew before the rain.

3. Kids hid themselves behind the big tree.

4. The big Moussa fell into the mud

5. His clothes are very dirty now

Talk with your parents in the village in order to get information on their different
activities during the different seasons.

TDA TDA TDA TDA

Interview some resource persons in your training site to identify:
The activities according to the seasons and the genre.


Sank n kalow waati
Baaraw/hajuw
(Write the number corresponding to the activities/events)
Zanwuye(kalo) fonn waati 1
m/w

Feburuye(kalo)
Marisi(kalo)
Awirili(kalo)
M(kalo)
Zuwn(kalo)
Zuluye(kalo)
Uti(kalo)
Sbutanburu(kalo)
kut buru(kalo)

Nowanburu(kalo)
Desanburu(kalo)

nak baara 1 jiriden t m 8
jago misn 2 suma tig 9
tungalataa/dugubak n taali 3 segink tuma 10
forobabana 4 furusiriw tuma/k w 11
so dila/jo 5 suma ds 12
biriki dila 6 wari s r tuma 13
foro baaraw 7 seliw 14

man (m)
woman (w)


Talk about the different seasons in Mali: Yes _____ Not Yet _____
Talk about the different activities of people according to the season :Yes __ Not Yet __
108

Communicative Task: SEKO NI D NKOW
TALKING ABOUT ONES SKILLS

Objectives:

1. Each trainee, without help, will be able to explain in detail his/her work to
another person.
2. Without notes, each trainee will be able to explain in detail one specific
activity related to his/her technical sector.

Cultural Notes:

1. Some people (Malians) do not want to share their talents with others for
the reason of always being a reference.
2. In Mali, a lot of people acquire their knowledge or skills without going to
school. Some inherit them.

109

I II I- -- - TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT Sekow ni bololabaaraw

Bololabaaraklaw jyr ka bon ksb jamana in kn. Kabini lawale la, an ka minnw
fanba b b dilan bololabaaraklaw de f. Dugu si t taa u k. Ulu de ban mago caman . I
b garankw, gesedalaw, numuw, sanu ni warij fagalaw, dagadilannaw, klnsennaw,
sojlaw, jiridslaw, kundigilaw, mekanisiw, menizenw sr an ka dugu caman kn.
Nin seko ni dnko mgw fana t taa snklaw, nakbaaralaw, bagangnnaw,
mniklaw, dosow ni jeliw k.


In Mali, many handworkers dont use safety tools to protect themselves.

II II II II- -- - DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG

Amadu: N terik John, e yr b mun baarak an ka dugu in kn?

John: inikali uman! Ne ye yiriforow ni kungoyiri nafamaw lakanabaa wlntri ye.
N b baarak snklaw ni naktigiw f. N b ladilikan di mgw ma yirituru ni yiriw
ladoncogo uman kan. N b dugu mgw dm yirishnw sr cogo nu turu cogo la
ani ng ni ngdingw dilanni fana la. N b taa nakw ni forow kn tuma ni tuma ka
kuma nin fnw kan.

Amadu: Ayiwa! Ne hakili la, n yi ka baara faamu sisan. Ala ki dm.

110

III III III III- -- - VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY VOCABULARY

PROFESSIONS/WORKERS PROFESSIONS/WORKERS PROFESSIONS/WORKERS PROFESSIONS/WORKERS

bololabaarakla hand worker/artisan
garank cobbler/shoemaker
numu blacksmith
gesedala weaver
baganmarala cattle breeder
mas n builder/mason
minize joiner/carpenter
m nnikla fisherman
snkla/cikla farmer
yiriturubaara plantation/tree planting
mekanisi mechanic
baarakden servant/domestic
baara ini laborer
nak baarala gardener
nak baara gardening
knya ni saniya baara health educator
ji ni saniya baara water sanitary work
k l nsenna well digger
jagokla merchant
jagomisn layiriwali baarakla "SED" agent

SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS SOME EXPRESSIONS

seko ni d nko aptitude
x dilala reparman
x t fosi d n x knows nothing
x t se foyi la x cant do anything
x ye fugari ye x is good for nothing
x baara n ka i x does a good job
x b se baara uman na x does a good job
ka x k ka to do x well
ka ds x la not to be able to x
ki kamana gan to cause trouble/to puzzle
ki k n na fili to cause trouble/to puzzle
ka se ka can/ to be able to
ka se x la to be able to do x
ka x f to explain

111

Te wulicogo

Wulifnw

te sukaro nanaye ji

Teminnw

barada furun finfin wriw pilato

Wulicogo

N'i b te wuli, i b fl ka:
1. tasuma aga, o k i b te k barada kn.
2. I b ji wri naani ni tila k'a la.
3. O k i b barada sigi tasuma kan. I b'a wuli miniti bisaba kn.
4. Tuma kelen kelen, i b'a jigin ka teji k barada wr kn.
5. O k, i b sukaro k'a la. I b sr k'a suuru wriw kn walasa ka sukaro yelen teji la.
6. O k, i b'a nn ni sukaro y'a b. I b teji ylma barada kn tuguni.
7. I b'a kalaya dni.
8. Mg caman b teji d to wri kelen kn walasa ka musi dila n'o ye wri tw kn.
9. I b tila ka wriw k sananko.
10. Te mana kalaya dni, i b'a tila wriw ni gn c k'a di mgw ma.
11. Segin b k ni kan fo si saba.
12. Si fila tw la i b se ka nanaye k'a la.
13. Temugu ni ji hak b ylma mgw hak ksn.

SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY SUPPLEMENTARY VOCABULARY
barada tea pot
ka x k y la/k n to put x into y
wri glass
ka x suuru to pour x
pilato plate
ka x fifa to ventilate x
furun stove
ka x kalaya to heat up
finfin/sharibon charcoal
ka x sumaya to cool
sukaro sugar
ka x nn to taste
te tea
ka x wuli to boil
nanaye mint
ka x aga to make x alive
hak the quantity
ka x ylma to put x in an other recipient
musi/kangaji the froth
112

ka x sananko to clean x
tuma kelen kelen from time to time
x + nombre the number of the content of x
ka x jigin to take out of
ka x yelen to dissolve x
ka x tila to share x


The action noun

NB: Action Nouns are formed from verbs by adding the suffix li

e.g.: Bajw ni kbafiniw dilali ta knna fili.

Ka ___ dila (to repare ) ----------- dilali (reparing )

Verb + li noun

da weave dali weaving
dila repare dilali reparing
taa go taali going
fo greet foli greeting

There are a number of exceptions to this rule wich must be memorized. A few of the most
common are:
kalan study kalan studying
baara work baara work
min drink min drinking
baro converse baro conversing
sn grow, farm sn farming

The agentive noun:

NB: Agentive nouns, that is, nouns that refer to the doers of actions, are formed in Bambara by
compounding the object and the verb and adding the suffix la and it litteraly translates by the "action
doer"

Noun + Verbe + la Noun
Vk + la Noun

e.g: geseda weave thread gesedala weaver
baarak do work baarakla worker
snk do farming snkla farmer
mnnik do fishing mnnikla fisherman

113


Translate into Bambara.

1- We cannot make tea.
__________________________________________________

2- Gardening is beneficial.
__________________________________________________

3- I am going to work with my village womens association.
__________________________________________________

4- We must work well with our villagers.
__________________________________________________

5- I am going to help merchants to improve their business.
__________________________________________________

6- I will start with knowing my village labor, then I will start working.
__________________________________________________

7- Some volunteers do good jobs.
__________________________________________________

8- We are going to help with environment protection.
__________________________________________________

9- Our job is not to give money to people, but we are going to help them with the
country development works.
___________________________________________________

Complete the following chart according to the PCVs profile.

PROGRAM PROFESSION JOB DESCRIPTION

Environment (AG/NRM)
-A b yirishn foro labn
-A b yiri turu
-A b yiriw lakana
-
Small Enterprises Development
(SED)

Education

Ekli karamg

Health Education

Water Resources
Management (WRM)

114

Complete the following sentences according to the image

1. Samba ye ____________ ye. A b wolo baara ka ________ ni ______ dila. A b _____
tig, ka kala, ka nr.

2. ____________ Kante b ng baara ka ______ ni __________ ni jelekis dila. A bu
kalaw dila ni _____ ye. I ka ngmafn o fn mana ti, a b se ko labn.

3. Bozo Mama ye ____________ ye. Mnnikla dw ye smnw ye. U b ____ mn ni
___ ye. A mana jgw ______, a muso b taa u feere sugu la. Tuma ni tuma, a b tilen
a ka ______ kn baji kan.

4. Alu b gese ___ ni _____ ye. A b se fini ciw dali la. Bajw ni kbafiniw ____ ta
knna fili.

5. Musajan b _____________ labn i na f: mobiliw, _______ ani ______. Olu ______ ta
kamana gan. A hakili sigilen don. A ka _______ ka i. A t ds ________ la.

Describe the work you will do as a volunteer by starting it in a three
month Action Plan.

Give the advantages and disadvantages of your work.

115

TDA TDA TDA TDA
Demonstrate one of your aptitudes to someone in your host family.

Interview some resource persons in your training site to identify:
The name of the different chiefs who followed another village.

Interview some resource persons in your training site to identify development
partners that heled with:
The fundamental school/the community school;
The health center;
The community well or pump;
The community garden;
The millet grinder, etc.


Explain in detail my work to another person: yes___ not yet_____
Explain in detail one specific activity related to my technical sector: yes___ not yet_____

116

Communicative Task: SIGIY R KUNNAFONNIW
GETTING INFORMED ABOUT ONES AREA

Objectives:

1. Without help, each trainee will be able to ask appropriately, at least, three (3)
questions to get informed about his/her site.
2. Each trainee will be able to interview, at least, two (2) resource persons in
order to list NGOs and development partners working in his/her commune.

Cultural Notes:

1. People scrupulously respect customs and taboos in Mali.
2. People dont appreciate much curiosity.
3. People dont always give clear answers to questions related to taboos.
4. To get informed about the area, it is better to ask older people.

117


Musa: Eh! John, i ni faama!
John: Musa, i ni waati. I b di?
Musa: Alhamudulilayi! I b dugu jumn na sisan?
John: N sigilen don Jitumu mara la, Keleya krf.
Musa: Keleya lamini duguw ye dugu krw ye.
John: Ti don! Dugutigi ko: ale ka dugu in tutig tuma mnna ksb.
Dugu in sigira ka kn Tubabu fanga .
Musa: Ha! O ye dugu kr ye. Siya jumnw b yen?
John: Siya caman. Bamananw ka ca ni siya tw ye Jitumu mara kn. Fulaw ni
Maninkaw fana sigilen b yen
yen. Siginfw b sr yen, i na f Korokow, Marakaw, Krbrw, Dongnw ani
siya wrw.
Musa: O ye siya caman ye. I ye yen mgya kcogo b faamu ka ban?
John: Dni dni. Nka yirikurun mn o mn ji la, a t k bama ye. N b ka ladaw ni
korw inin.
Musa: Ayiwa! O de ka i. Ala k'i dm.
John: Amiina! K'an bn!


Before undertaking any activity, ask about the myths and traditions of the
area.

118


LADAW LADAW LADAW LADAW NI KOK NI KOK NI KOK NI KOK R RR R W WW W

ladaw customs
kok r w traditions
furu marriage
tana taboo
silam furusiri religious wedding
dasiri totem
furu nafolo dowry
s nni sacrifice
k n wedding
s nniky r place for sacrifice
k n so nuptial chamber/honey moon
seli feast
denkundi baptism
seliba Tabaski
bolokoli circonscision/excision
selincini Ramadan feast
saya/banni death
sunkalo fasting month
din religion
silam din Islam
kerecn din Christianity

SIYAW SIYAW SIYAW SIYAW ETHNIC GROUPS ETHNIC GROUPS ETHNIC GROUPS ETHNIC GROUPS

bamanan maninka maraka fula senufo
b b miniyanka bozo kad kas nka
k r b r burudam suraka.
119

NB: You can meet all the ethnic groups every where in Mali. But there is a concentration of some ethnic
groups in certain regions such as:

REGIONS ETHNIC GROUPS LAST NAME OCCUPATIONS
OBSERVATION

KAYES

Sarakoll/Maraka
Khassonk/Kasonkha
Malink/Maninka
Peulh/Foulani
Maure/Suraka

Soumar/Diawara/Doucour/Silla/Kont
Sakho/Gassama/Sissoko/Kant/Diakit
Diallo/Sakiliba/Keita/Camara/Konat
Konar/Sissoko/Diallo/Diakit/Sidib
Sangar/Bah/Ould

Trade/Agriculture
Animal rising/Fishing
Craft

Sedentary
Immigration
Semi-nomad

KOULIKORO

Bambara/Bamanan
Malink/Maninka
Somono/Bozo
Maure/Souraka

Coulibaly/Diarra/Traor/Kon/Mariko
Keita/Camara/Konat/Konar/Doumbia
Diabenta/Dienta/Djir/Karabenta
Ould/

Trade/Agriculture
Craft

Sedentary
Immigration
Semi-nomad

SIKASSO

Senoufo
Minianka

Peulh/foulani

Bamba/Coulibaly/Sanogo/Bagayogo
WonogoCoulibaly/Cissouma/Bengaly
Dembl/Wattara
Diallo/Diakit/Sidib/Sangar/Bah

Trade/Agriculture
Animal rising
Craft

Sedentary

SEGOU

Bambara/Bamanan
Peulh/Foulani
Bozo/Somono
Bobo/Bowa

Coulibaly/Diarra/Traor/Kon/Mariko
Diabenta/Dienta/Djir/Karabenta
Kamata/Sinanta/Dembl/Kwn/Dakouo
Dakono/Kamat

Trade/Agriculture
Craft

Sedentary
Nomad
Semi-nomad

MOPTI

Peulh/foulani
Bozo
Dogon

Diabenta/Dienta/Djir/Karabenta/Kamata
Guindo/Tapily/DoloOuologuem/Angoiba
Tembely/Timbin

Trade/Agriculture
Craft

Sedentary
Nomad
Semi-nomad

TOMBUKTU

Sonra/K r b r
Touareg/Arabe
Maure

Maga/Tour/Ciss/Askofar.
Ag /Ben /Ould

Trade/Agriculture
Craft

Sedentary
Nomad
Semi-nomad

GAO

Sonra/K r b r
Touareg/Arabe
Maure

Ag /Ben /Ould

Trade/Agriculture
Craft

Sedentary
Nomad
Semi-nomad

KIDAL

Sonra/K r b r
Touareg/Arabe
Maure

Ag /Ben /Ould

Trade/Gardening
Craft

Sedentary
Nomad
Semi-nomad

Joking cousin:
Sarakoll and Sonra Malink and Sarakoll Bozo and Dogon Peulh and Dogon Coulibaly, Diarra and Traor
etc.
Coulibaly and Traor/Dembl

120


Comparative construction

NB: Comparative constructions can be formed in Bambara with the postpositional phrases according to the
following patterns.

1. Equality

X ni Y ye kelen ye

Mali ladaw ni Ameriki ladaw ye kelen ye wa ?
Are Malian and American customs the same?

X ni Y t kelen ye

Mali ladaw ni Ameriki ladaw t kelen ye.
Malian customs and American customs are not the same.

X ni Y ka kan

Bamanankan ni julakan ka kan dni.
Bamanan and Jula are a bit similar (the same).

X ni Y man kan

Bamanan ladaw ni fula ladaw man kan.
Bambara customs and fulani ones are not the same.

2. Superiority

X ka + Adj + ni Y ye

Maninkakan ka kr ni bamanankan ye.
The Malinke language is older than the Bambara language.

3. Inferiority

X man + Adj + ni Y ye

Fulakan man ngn ni Bamanankan ye.
The Fulfulde language is not easier than Bambara language.

4. Look alike/the same

X ni Y b len don/b/t

Amadu ni a denw blen don
Amadou and his children look alike.

X b len don/t Y f

Farafina kokr dw b len don Ameriki ta dw f.
Some African customs look like some American ones.

121


Answer the following questions:

1. Furusiri b k cogodi Mali la?

2. Furu ladaw ye mun ye?

3. Mun b k furusiri don Ameriki?

4. Munna musow t furu jna Ameriki?

5. Munna muso caman furu dagalen t Ameriki?

6. Mun ye furusa caya Ameriki?

TDA TDA TDA TDA

Go to the chief of the village to find out information about:
The village creation;
Its population
Peoples activities.


ask appropriately, questions to get informed about my site: yes___ not yet_____

122

Communicative Task: JAMA HAKILI JAKAB
LEADING A COMMUNITY MEETING

Objectives:

1. Each trainee will be able to use, at least, three (3) expressions to ask for the
audiences patience during a real meeting.
2. Without help, each trainee will be able to, at least, three (3) appropriate
expressions to introduce (open) or to end (close) a meeting in his/her
community.
3. Each trainee will be able to ask two (2) questions to get peoples opinions on
the subjects in a real situation.

Cultural Notes:

1. Generally people dont come on time to meetings.
2. Generally men and women sit apart and men talk more than women.
3. In a traditional meeting, the speech goes from elders to youngsters.
4. In some cases, there is a griot who says loudly what has been said.
5. Meetings usually happen in the evening or at early night.

123


John: A ni wula yankaw, an tilenna hr la, Ala kan si hr la.

Jeliba: Nba! A ni wula, aw bisimila! A ye d di.

John: Saha! An ma na baasi la, an ye Saniya baaraklaw ye.
An nana walasa an b se ka hakilina falen falen dugu saniya cogo kan.

Jeliba: Dugutigi, ayiwa kuma t! U ko, ku nana kan dm ka dugu saniya.

Dugutigi: Jeliba, a f dunanw ye: ku nali diyaran ye. Ku bisimila!

John: Glya jumn b yan saniyako la?

Amadu: Ne b kuma inin.

Jeliba: Kuma bi bolo, Amadu.

Amadu: Ne hakili la, aman ani jingko glya de ban kan bi.

John: Kuma na! Aw hakili la fr jumnw b se ka sr olu la?

(makan caman.)

Jeliba: A ye hakto, an ka gn lamn!

Bakari: Baasi t, ne hakili la, ni b b se ka taa aman bn dugu kf yr kelen na,
o b fisaya. Ani fana, an kan hakili to ji saniyali la.

John: Yankaw, anw hakili la, b ye famuya sr tnsigi in kn.
Aw ni ce, aw ni baraji! Ala kan bn a gn wr ma. Sisan an ba f ka sira
inin.

124


To welcome:

aw bisimila!
d di/d f
kuma bi bolo
aw nali diyara anw ye.

To ask for the speech:

ne b kuma inin jama f
kuma ka gln
ni donna min gasi la, o ka yafa n ma
anw ma na baasi la
juguma t
Ala sago, aw sago

To approve/to agree with someone:

hat!
naamu! ti !
a ma kuma mn!
a ma k r f mn!

To remind people to be quiet:

aw ye hakto!
aw ye sabali!
aw ye g n lamn!
Ala kan son sabali la!
n b yafa inin jama f.

To take a leave:

n ba f ka sira inin.

To think the audience:

aw ni ce! aw ni baraji!
Ala kaw sara!
Ala kan to g n ye!
Ala kan kafolen to!
Ala kan ka danw ma!
Ala kan bn a g n wr ma.

125


The demonstrative adjective nin

NB: The demonstrative nin can occur both before and after the noun it modifies:

e.g: nin c this man
c nin this man

When following the noun, nin can always have the reduced form:

e.g: nin c in this man
c in this man

The relative pronoun min

NB: Bambara has only one relative pronoun min which corresponds to who, which, that,
whose in English.

1. In subject position (Relative clause)

e.g: Jon ye fini san? Who bought the cloth?
C min taara. The man who left.

C min taara, o ye fini san. The man who left, (he) bought the cloth.

C min nana surafana dun, o ye n terik ye.
The man who came to dinner, that one is my friend.
The man who came to dinner is my friend.

NB: In the main sentence, the demonstrative pronoun o is used to refer back to the noun followed by the
relative clause marker min.

2. In object position (Relative clause)

e.g: N b c min fo The man whom I greet

3. In adverbial phrases

NB: Adverbial phrases such as those of place, time, and manner can contain relative clauses, equivalent to
sentences such as the following:

e.g: I tun b yr min, ne tun b yen. I was at the place that you were/I was where you
were.
I tun b yen tuma min, ne tun b yen o tuma. I was there when you were there.
I ya k cogo min, n ya k ten. I did it in the way that you did it.

126


Look for the meaning of this proverb: I dege mnni na, o ka fisa ni don
go don jg deli ye.
And try to convince your LCF that a true development is not synonymous of
gift.


ask questions to get peoples opinions on the subjects in a real situation: yes__ not yet__
Express my point of view to someone: yes___ not yet___

127

128

Grammatical Notes: K BILAW
SUFFIX

NSANA
PROVERB

Bolo nnin kelen t se ka bl ta!
Look for the meaning of this proverb and try to use it appropriately

The suffix lan

NB: lan is a suffix that can be placed on a verb to derive the instrument that performs the
action described by the verb. If the verb ends with a nasalized consonant or vowel, this siffix
becomes nan.

e.g: sigi to seat/sit (down) sigilan a chair
tig to cut tiglan cutter
min to drink jiminnan water drinker

The suffix ntan (without the property of) ma (having the property
of)

NB: ntan is a suffix equivalent to less or without in English.
ma acts much like the suffix y in English.

e.g: warintan moneyless kkma salty
denntan childless sukaroma sugary
kunntan headless nnma milky

The suffix ta

NB: ta is a suffix added to verbs which is equivalent to able in English; that is the thing in
question is subject to or able to undergo the action of the verb.

e.g: san to buy santa buyable (to sale)
dun to eat dunta edible
min to drink minta drinkable

The suffix bali

NB: bali is a suffix added to verbs which is equivalent to unable in English; that is the
thing in question is not subject to or able to undergo the action of the verb.

e.g: jaabi to answer jaabibali unanswered
malo to be ashmed malobali unashamed
dun to eat dunbali inedible

129

The suffix ka

NB: ka/kaw is a suffix which can be added to all nouns of place to express the meaning
person of/from, people of.

e.g: Bamakokaw people of Bamako
yanka person from here

The suffix ya

NB: The adjective plus ya is in most cases the same form that is used for the noun
counterparts of the adjectival verb. This is the form that is used to characterize, for example,
abstract qualities like:

e.g: bilenya redness goniya heat
nalomaya stupidity sumaya slowness

When functioning as active verbs, some adjectives do not require ya
The following chart lits the adjectival verbs and the active verbal and niminal
counterparts:

Adjective Verb Noun
ca
di
bon
jan
jugu
j
fin
girin
gln
kn
k r
kumu
i
d g n
misn
timi
etc
ka (__) caya
ka (__) diya
ka (__) bonya
ka (__) janya
ka (__) juguya
ka (__) jya/j
ka (__) finya/fin
ka (__) girinya
ka (__) glya
ka (__) knya
ka (__) k r
ka (__) kumu
ka (__)
ka (__) d g ya
ka (__) misya
ka (__) timiya

caya
diya
bonya
janya
juguya
jya
finya
girinya
glya
knya
k r ya
kumuya
umanya
d g ya
misya
timiya

NB: ya is a suffix which functions to create abstract nouns. It is equivalent to ness or hood
in English.

e.g: cya manliness denya childhood

ya can also be added to noun-adjective combinations:

e.g: tuloglnya stubbornness ckolonya cowardice

130

Grammatical Notes: BILAW
PREFIX

NSANA
PROVERB

ininkalikla t fili!

The prefix la

NB: In Bambara any verb can take the prefix la, giving the verb a causative or indirect
agency meaning:

e.g: A ye kalanden lataa He/she caused the trainee to go./He/she had the trainee go.

Many verbs, however, have developed specialized meanings in the causative which
cannot be predicted as the sum of their parts.

e.g: ka _ mn to hear ka _ lamn to listen
ka _ dege to teach ka _ ladege to imitate
ka _ min to take ka _ lamin to answer
ka _ bn to meet ka _ labn to prepare

In these cases, the verb forms with la have to be learned as if they were not at all related
to other verb forms.

131

Communicative Task: FOLI - M G JIRA M G WR LA
FOLI BILA
GREETING INTRODUCING ONESELF SAYING GOOBYE

NSANA
PROVERB

D nin-d nin k n nin ba aga da!

DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG DIALOG

Amadu: I ni sgma, n balimamuso!
Good morning sister!

Sali: Nse, i ni sgma, n balimak! Hr sira?
Good morning, brother! Did you spend the night in peace?

Amadu: Hr drn! I ka kn?
Only in peace! How are you?

Sali: Tr t! I tg?
Im fine! Whats your name?

Amadu: N tg Amadu Jara. E dun?
My name is Amadu Jara. And you?

Sali: N tg Sali Tarawele. I Jara!
My name is Sali Tarawele. Jara!

Amadu: Nba! Tarawele muso, i b b min?
Nba! Tarawele. Where are you from?

Sali: N b b Segu. Jarak, i fana b b Segu?
Im from Segou. Jara, are you from Segou too?

Amadu: Eh, ayi! N b b yan.
Euh, No! Im from here.

Sali: O ka i! Ala ka tile hr caya!
Thats good! May you have a peaceful day!

Amadu: Amiina! Kan bu fo!
Amen! Say hi to them!

Sali: U na mn!
They will hear it !
132

Communicative Task: SANNI
SHOPPING

NSANA
PROVERB

Ni sugufiy girinna, b bolo bi kunna minan na!


Samba: Kiliyan! Kiliyan! Na yan! Bagi umanw b yan!
Customer! Customer! Come here! There are good fabrics here!

Amadu: I ni sgma! N b bagi umanw f, nka da duman!
Good morning! I want good fabrics but cheap!

Samba: Ola, i sera a yr la. Ne ka bagiw b da ka ngn. U laj.
Then, you are at the right place. All my fabrics are cheap. Look at them.

Amadu: Nin mtiri joli ye?
How much is the meter?

Samba: N bo da diya i la! O mtiri ye km saba ni bi duuru ye.
I give you a good price! The meter is one thousand and seven hundred and fifty.
Kmi e don, barika ba la
I can reduce it for you.

Amadu: Ayiwa! A barika, caman b a la.
Ok! Reduce it, reduce a lot.

Samba: A ka i forokiya la. I ba san joli?
Its good for a bubu. How much do you buy it?

Amadu: A to km fila la. N b mtiri wr san.
Give it at two thousand. I buy six meters.

Samba: A kari kari ye km saba. Nka, i b se ka km fila ni bi duuru sara.
The last price is one thousand and five hundred. But you can pay one thousand
and two hundred and fifty.

Amadu: I ni ce! Mtiri wr ye wa fila ni drm km ye. Hon! warimisn segin.
Thank you! The six meters are ten thousand and five hundred. Take it! Give back the change.

Samba: Fini ni warimisn fil. I kn ka kr!
Here are the fabrics and the change. May you feel good when it gets older.

Amadu: Amiina! Ka sugu diya!
Amen! May you sell out!

133

Communicative Task: Y R W TAMASERECOGO
ASKING/GIVING DIRECTIONS

NSANA
PROVERB

Sen kelen t sira b !


Umaru: A ni sgma!
Good morning!

Amadu: Nba, a ni sgma! D di!
Good morning! Say something!

Umaru: Baasi t! A b hak to! N b dugutigi ka so de inin.
Nothing bad! Excuse me! Im looking for the chiefs house.

Amadu: Dutigi ka so b an krf, n b se ka taa gn f.
Chiefs house is next to us, we can go together.

Umaru: I ni ce! A sira f n ye, n yr kelen b se ka taa.
Thanks! Tell me where the road is, I can go by my own.

Amadu: Ayiwa! I tilen nin sira kelen in f. I b kare saba tmn,o k, fara i numan f.
Ok! Go straight on this same road. Pass three streets, then turn left.
Da naaninan don i kini f. Mangorosunba b soda la.
It is the fourth door on your right. There is a big mango tree at the door.

Umaru: I ni baraji! Kan bn!
Thank you! See you!

Amadu: Kan b! Ka se ni i uman ye!
See you! May you get there in peace!

Umaru: Amiina!
Amen!

134

Communicative Task: M G NI FNW TAMASERE COGO
DESCRIBING A PERSON, AN OBJECT AND A PLACE

NSANA
PROVERB

Don go don tulo b taa kalanso!

TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT

Nin muso in man jan, a man surun. A kisw ka kunba, a inw jlen don.
A ckai. A nison ka di tuma b. Mg sb don.

This woman is not tall, she is not short. Her eyes are big, her teeth are white.
She is beautiful. She is always happy. She is a good person.

135

Communicative Task: FARIKOLO LAHALAW
DESCRIBING ONES MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STATE

NSANA
PROVERB

Bana kunbn ka fisa ni bana furakli ye!

1-
Fanta: I ni sgma, Bakari. I nisn man di, mun b'i la?
Good morning, Bakari. You are not happy. Whats wrong?

Bakari: N fari man di n na.
I am not feeling well.

Fanta: I yr jumn b'i dimi?
Which part of your body hurts you?

Bakari: N in de b n dimi kojugu bi.
My tooth hurts me so badly.

Fanta: I ye fura ta wa?
Did you take medecine?

Bakari: Ayi, n bna taa dgtrso la.
No, I am going to the hospital.

Fanta: Ala ka ngyak, k'a ban pewu!
May you feel bether and you entirely recovered.

Amen. May God accept the blessings.

Fanta: Amiina.
Amen!

136

2-
Fanta: I ni sgma, Bakari. Munna an mi ye sur?
Good morning , bakari. Why didnt we see you last night?

Bakari: N tun man kn.
I was sick.

Fanta: Ee! Mun tun bi la?
He! What was wrong with you?

Bakari: N kungolo ye n dimi kojugu kunun wulada.
I had a bad headach yesterday afternoon.

Suf, n ma se ka sung, n fari b tun ka kalan.
At night, I couldnt sleep, my body was hirting me.

Fanta: O b sr sumaya ye d?
That might be malaria.

Bakari: N hakili la, a b sr o ye. N bna taa dgtrso la.
I think thats it. I shall go to the hospital.

Fanta: I ka kan ki yr tanga susuw ma.
You should prevent yourself against mousquitos.

Bakari: Ti! N bna sange sulen damad inin n ka denbaya ye.
Thats true! Ill look for some treated mosquito nets for my family.

Ola, sumaya ni bana misnw tna an tr.
Then we wont have any problem with sicknesses.

Fanta: Ala ka ngyak, ka tr dgya!
May you feel better!

Amen. May God accept the blessings.

Fanta: Amiina.
Amen.

137

Communicative Task: DELINAKOW
TALKING ABOUT DAILY ACTIVITIES

NSANA
PROVERB

Dugu bila ka fisa lada wuli ye!

TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT
Musow ka baara dugumisnw kn.

Dugumisnw kn, musow ka baara ka ca. U b wuli kabini fajiri. U b fl ka ji b kln
na. U b tasuma mn ka koliji kalaya. U b yrw furan ka sro ka daraka tobi. Daraka mana
dun, u b minan ngw ko. U b susulik, u b fini ngw ko, u b denw ladon.
Mali dugumisn musow sgnnen!

Womens job/work in small villages.

In small villages, womens have lot of works. They wake up (early) since dawn. First of all they take
water from the well. They make fire to heat washing water. They sweep places and then cook the breakfast. After
the breakfast, they wash dishes. They pound, wash laundries, they take care of kids.
In small villages women are tired!

138

Communicative Task: TAAMAW
TALKING ABOUT TRAVELING

NSANA
PROVERB

Ck r ba san tan bulon k n ,
Denmisnnin san tan jamana k n ,
Olu de b se ka barok!

I II I- -- - TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT:

1. Taamaw

Mali mgw b taama ksb duniya kn. U b taa yr caman na. I bu sr Farafinna
jamanaw b la. Mali denmisnw b taama farajla jamanaw fana kn.
Mali kn, mgw ka taama ka suma, barisa siraw man in. Bolimafnw man ca, ani u t
se ka taa yr b. Togodamgw b b dugu ni dugu u sen na, ngsow la, wotorow la, wala
bagaw kan i na f: faliw, sow, misiw, gmw.
Mgw b bato ta Kulikoro ni Gao c, sisikuru b b Bamako fo kayes.

Trips/travels

Malians travel a lot in the world. They go to many places. You find them in all the countries in Africa. The
young Malian people also travel in to European countries.
In Mali, people travel rarely, because roads are bad. There are not enough means of transportation, and
they cant go everywhere. Villagers go from village to village on foot, by bikes, by donkey cars, or by animals like:
donkeys, horses, cows, and camels.
People take boat in between Koulikoro and Gao, train leaves Bamako for Kayes.

139

2. Sirakoro taama

Ne sera Sirakoro ntnn don, uti kalo tile mugan ni segin san ba fila ni wr
Mobili donna dugu kn ka bn ni fitiri ye, o ya sr san nana. An taara dugutigi ka so. A yan
bisimila kouman.
An sira, dugu jlen an srla ka taa dugu maabaw caman fo (Perefe dankan, Mri,
Dgtr kuntigi, Muso kuntigi, Alimami, Pasitri, cmisn kuntigi, ani n ka karamg).
Wula f, dugutigi ni a ka knseyew yan bisimila a ka so. An yan nali kun f u ye. A diyara u
ye kosb, u ko an kan bisimila.
O kf ne ni n ka karamg ye kalan damin. Aa! Sisan kni, ne ye bamanankan caman faamu.
Alamisa don, uti kalo tile bisaba ni kelen, sgma dizri waati, dugu musow b ni
jenbe nana ka donk n jatigiyala, ka ne fo. An ye donk kosb.
Jn ko allah, Sirakoro ka di!!!
Fox Emily

The trip to Sirakoro

I got to Sirakoro on Monday, on august 28
th
2006. When the car got into the village it was sun set, it
rained. We went to the chiefs house. He welcomed us well.
We spent the night, and in the next morning we went to greet the village many important people (Sous-
prefet, mayor, the health center leader, woman leader, the imam, the pastor, youth president, and our teacher.)
In the afternoon, the village chief and his counselors welcomed us in his house. We told them the reason of our
visit. They liked it and gave us sit.
After that my tutor and I started learning. Ha! Now I understand lot of Bambara.
On Thursday, august 31
st
, all the women came in to my host family with drums and danced in the
morning around 10 am just to greet me. We dance a lot.
Truly, Sirakoro is good!!!
Fox Emily


dgkun kelen taama
A week trip

A: N nana n sara i la, n bna taa dgkun kelen taama na sini.
I inform you, Im going to a week trip tomorrow.

B: Eh! Sini ? Ayiwa, ka taa ka segin ngya.
He! Tomorrow? Ok! May you go and come back in peace.

A: A miina, ka gn ye ngya, ka hr f n k.
Amen, may we see each other, may you have peace after me.

B: kan bu fo! Ka segin ni uman ye. I kan sama. I delila ka se yen wa?
Say hi to them! May you come back in peace. Bring me something. Have you been there before?

A: Ayi, n ma se yen fl. Ni alah snna, n bna aw sama.
No, I havent yet. Ill bring you something, god willing.

140

Communicative Task: DUMUNIW
TALKING ABOUT MEALS

NSANA
PROVERB

B r lakolon t j !


Dumuniw ani dumunikyr ladaw.

Mali ka bon, a siyaw fana ka ca. O na ta o ta, siyaw ka dumuniw nu ka dumuniyr
ladaw man jan gn na kosb. Mali siyaw caman b to, basi, dg, mni, seri, sam ani
malokini dun. U b b dumuni k si saba tile kn: daraka, tilelafana ani surafana. Musow
ni cw t dumunik gn f yr caman na Mali la. Cw wali musow b dumunik gn f
minn kelen kn. Danfara dw b siyaw ni gn c. Bamananw b seri sukarotan walima
tosira k daraka ye. Bamannanw fana ka surafana nu ka tilelafana caman ye to ye. Malokini b
tobi nisndiya donw drn. Krbrw b furufuru k daraka ye. U caman ka tilelafana ni
surafana ye malokini ye. Basi ka di marakaw ye ksb. Siyaw dw b barika da dumuni kf
nka dw ta da.
Dumuniyr ye kalansoba ye Mali la.

Food and eating places customs

Mali is big; there are lot of ethnic groups. Despite that, ethnic groups eating places customs are not so
different. Most of the ethnic groups eat t, couscous, dg, porridge (rice millet), and rice. They all eat three
times a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. In most of places in Mali, men and women dont eat together. Men or
women eat together in the same common bowl. There are some differences between the ethnic groups. Bambara
have rice porridge or the last night left over for breakfast. They also have t for lunch and dinner. Rice is cooked
only during feasts. Sonrha people eat cakes for breakfast. Most of them have rice for lunch and dinner. Soninke
people like couscous. Some ethnic groups thank after meals but some dont.
Eating-places are great schools in Mali.

141

Tamatina dilancogo
How to make tomato sauce

Dilannifw/Ingredients

tamati mnenba tigatulu jabakn kg ji
riped tomatoes peanut oil onion salt water

Dilanniminw/tools

barama/fugantasa furun finfin kutu muru
cooking pot/bowl stove charcoal spoon knife

Dilancogo/how to make

1- Finfin k furun kn, tasuma k finfin na. A fifa.
Make fire with the charcoal in the stove.

2- Ni tasuma kamina, barama wala kasilri sigi tasuma kan. Ji d ka kn.
Put some water in the pot and put it on the fire.

3- I tg ko ka j. Tamati ni jaba ko ku j.
Wash your hands, the tomatoes and the onions.

4- Tamati k ji kalaman na. U kelen kelen ta, u fara bu la.
Put the tomatoes in the boiling water and shell them one by one.

5- U bila tasa jlen d kn. U nni.
Make paste with the tomatoes in a clean bowl.

6- Barama sigi tasuma kan tuguni. Tulu hak min b bn i ka tamati ma, o k barama kn.
Put your cooking pot on fire and put the quantity of oil you need according to the quantity of
your tomato paste.

7- Tulu mana kalaya, tamati dni dni k tulu la. To ka kutu k ka lamaga.
When the oil in boiling add the tomato paste little by little and with a spoon stir it regularly.

8- Jaba tig-tig. A k tamati na kan.
Cut the onions in small pieces and add them to the tomato paste.

9- kg k tamati na la, dni dni. To ka nn.
Then add some salt and taste it.

Duncogo na lamaracogo
How to eat and keep it

Nin tamatina in b se ka k sogo jeninen, jg jirannen, woso, wala kmitri balabalalen kan, ku
dun. Waa, a ka di ksb.
This tomato sauce can be eaten with fried meat and fish or with sweet potato and french fries.

A lamaracogo man gln. I ba k buteli d kn ka tulu dni ka kan ka lasago yr sumannen na.
It is easy to keep. Put in a clean bottle, add some oil and leave it in a cool place.

142


Umaru: I ni sgma!
Good morning!

Nba! What happened? We havent seen you last night at the grin.

Umaru: Foyi ma k! N tun b furusiridn yr la. A kra najba ye.
Nothing happened. I was at a wedding party. It was such a big party.

Amadu: A diyara wa?
Was it good?

Umaru: Kojugu! Dumuni ma k foyi ye! An yan kn fa ani ka dnk fo ka dugu j.
A lot! There was a much food! We ate and danced a lot till the next morning.

Amadu: Ala ka k furu ye!
May it be a successful marriage.

Umaru: Amiina!
Amen!

143

Communicative Task: ANAJW
TALKING ABOUT FEASTS AND LEISURE

NSANA
PROVERB

Dunun diya tuma ya fara tuma ye!

1.

Umaru: An ni sgma!
Good morning!

Nba! What happened? We havent seen you last night at the grin.

Umaru: Ti don. N tun b furusiridn yr la. A kra anajba ye.
Thats true. I was at a wedding party. It was such a big party.

Amadu: A diyara wa?
Was it good?

Umaru: Kojugu. Jamaba de tun b yen. An ye dumunik ani ka dnk fo ka dugu j.
A lot! There were a lot of people. We ate and danced till the next morning.

Amadu: Flifn jumn tun b yen?
Which instruments were there?

Umaru: An ye balani dn fo kan sen kari.
We danced xalophone till our legs got broken.

144

2.

Jelik: An ni su!
Good afternoon (night)

Den-fa: Nba , aw ni su!
Nba, good afternoon (night)

Jelik: Hr tilenna wa?
Did you spend a peaceful day?

Den-fa: Hr drn.
Only in peace.

Jelik: Mg nakun ka fisa i yr ye.
The reason of onces present is more important than yourself.

Ni ye n wulilen ye ka se yan, juguman t.
If you sea me here, its nothing bad.

A kun ye furu sira ye.
Its for a wedding process.

Keyitalakaw ye woro tan ni fura siri, ku bra aw denmuso Fanta f.
The Ketas brought ten cola nuts to ask for our daughter Fanta hand.

U dun ta aniya ni foyi ye nu denk Bakari furumuso t.
They want her to be their son Bakaris wife.

Woro tan fil na b bn aw ma, o b diyan ye ksb.
Here are the ten cola nuts, if you accept we would appreciate.

Den-fa: An b woro min fl. Den b yan, den baw b yan.
We first take the cola nuts. The daughter and the moms are here.

Nan yolu ininka, olu mana jaabi min di, an no f aw ye.
Well ask them and let you know the answer.

Nin diyaran ye, a bnnan ma. Hakto bo kan.
We do appreciat that, and it honour us.

Jelik: Aw Keyita! Ala ka n ka dan ma. N b sira inin.
Keta! May God help us. We ask the permission to leave.

Den-fa: Kuyate! Sira diri ma. Kan bu fo!
Kouyat! You can go. Say hi to them!

Jelik: U na mn! Ka su hr dan ma!
They will hear it! May we have a peaceful night!

145

Communicative Task: M G WELELI
ACCEPT OR DECLINE AN INVITATION

NSANA
PROVERB

Denmisnnin min b yaalabak, o ta ba su ye!


1.

Mamu: Fanta! i ni fama sa!
Fanta! Its been a long time!

Fanta: An b ni fama.
Its been a long time for we all.

Mamu: I tununna d!
You got lost!

Fanta: O kra! N tun taara dugu la.
Thats true! I was in a trip.

Mamu: I nani diyara n ye. Ti don, n dgmuso ka furusiri b k sibiri don.
Its a pleasure that you come back. Its true, my little sisters wedding is on Saturday.

Ni ba masr, n ba f i ka na o la. An b anajba k wula f.
If you have time, I want you to come. Well have a big party in the afternoon.

Fanta: Basi t, ni Ala snna i bna n ye.
No problem, youll see me god willing.

146

2.

Umaru: I ni wula, Susan!
Good afternoon, Susan!

Susan: Nse! Umaru, hr tilenna?
Nse! Umaru, did you have a peaceful day?

Umaru: N b Ala tanu! A b diyan ye ni b se ka nan ka furusiridn yr la bi su in na.
I thank God! I would appreciate if you can come to our wedding party to night.

Susan: Bi su in na! Haa! N tn'a masr.
Tonight! Ha! I wont hive time.

N bolo degunnen don barisa gnye krnkrnnen d b bolo.
I am busy because I have a special meeting.

A kra baara ye. Kana jigin n na. Ala ka si wr jir'an na.
Thats tricky. Dont be mad at me. Next time.

Umaru: N tna jigin i la. Ala ka dugawu min!
I wont be mad at you. May God accept our blessings

Susan: Amiina!
Amen!

147

Communicative Task: DM ININ
ASKING FOR HELP

NSANA
PROVERB

Funtin b y r min, bnkan t yen!

DI DI DI DIALOG ALOG ALOG ALOG

Sarah: Ee! Mun kra? N ka ngso bila!
He! Whats going on? Leave my bike!

I b taalen ni n ka ngso ye min? A ye son bn! A' ye n dm!
Where are you taking my bike? Thief! Thief! Help me!

Musa: Jn kulekan b yan? Mun yi sr? Jn donna i kan?
Who is yelling here? What happens to you? Who got in your house?

Sarah: A ye na! A ye b! Son taara ni n ka ngso ye.
Come over! Come out! The thief took my bike away!

N b'aw deli. Aya kunbn! Aye n ma!
I beg you. Catch him! Help me!

Musa: I hakili sigi. A t se ka taa yr jan.
Calm down. He cannot go far.

Passant: Kule dabila n balimamuso. U ye i ka son min.
Stop yelling my sister. They got your thief.

A ni ngso bu bolo ka na.
They are come with him and your bike.

Sarah: O ye Ala tanu ye. Aw ni ce! Aw ni baraji!
Thanks to God. Thank you! Thank you very much!

Hakto! Musa, n hakili la, n ka kan ka soklsila d inin
Please! Musa, I think, I should look for a guardian

min bna n ka duknna klsi, ka janto da la.
who will look after my house,, to take care of my door.

Musa: O ka ngn. An bna mg sb inin i ye.
Thats easy. Well look for a good person.

Hali ni mg wr fra i k, ale na sr yan.
Even if someone else comes after you, he will be here.

148

Communicative Task: WAATIW LAHALAW
TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER

NSANA
PROVERB

I ma min f i siriy r la, kano f i foniy r la!


John: Amadu, i ni sgma.
Good morning Amadu.

Amadu: Nba, hr sira John?
Nba, did you spend a good night?

John: Hr drn. N b taa b n terik ka foro la ka na.
Peace only. Im visting my friends field.

Amadu: Ee! I t'i j dni. E t sanfinnenba la?
He! Wait a little bit. It is going rain.

John: E ko nin san b na sisan?
Is it going rain?

Amadu: Funteni b'a kr cogo min na, ne miiri la a b na.
It is hot, in my opinion it will rain.

John: Funteni ye sanji tamasere ye aw f yan wa?
Is the heat a sign of rain here?

Amadu: w, nka o drn t d! San tamasere dwrw ye kabang, tile b cogo
Yeah! But thats not all! Another sign is the cloud, the way the sun appears

ani fi ci cogo ye. Hali kn dw b san kibaruya f an snklaw ye.
and the way the wind blows. We farmers are even told by some birds.

John: Kabako! Ni n b taa, n bna n ka sanji minfini ta. I ni ce.
Amazing! When going, Ill take my umbrella with me. Thank you.

Amadu, n mana segin, an b se ka barok Mali waatiw ni Ameriki taw kan wa?
Amadu, if I come, could we talk about the seasons in Mali and the ones in America?

Amadu: O b diya n ye kosb. Ola n yr bna faamuya d sr Ameriki kan.
Ill like it a lot. Ill know more about America.

K'an bn sni.
See you soon.

John: K'an bn! Ka hr f n k.
See you! May you have peace after me.

Amadu: Amina! K'i uman segin!
Amen! May you come back safely!
149

Communicative Task: SEKO NI D NKOW
TALKING ABOUT ONES SKILLS

NSANA
PROVERB

Jirikuru mn o mn ji la, a t k bama ye!


Sekow ni bololabaaraw

Bololabaaraklaw jyr ka bon ksb jamana in kn. Kabini lawale la, an ka minnw
fanba b b dilan bololabaaraklaw de f. Dugu si t taa u k. Ulu de ban mago caman . I
b garankw, gesedalaw, numuw, sanu ni warij fagalaw, dagadilannaw, klnsennaw,
sojlaw, jiridslaw, kundigilaw, mekanisiw, menizenw sr an ka dugu caman kn.
Nin seko ni dnko mgw fana t taa snklaw, nakbaaralaw, bagangnnaw,
mniklaw, dosow ni jeliw ko.

Aptitudes and crafts
Artisans play an important role in the country. Since the past, craftsmen make lot of our tools.
No village can work without them. They meet most of our needs
Shoe makers, blacksmiths, jewelers, potters, well diggers, masons,
Sculptors, hairdressers, mechanics, carpenters are in most of our villages.
Farmers, gardeners, animal risers, fishermen, hunters and griots are important.


Amadu: N terik John, e yr b mun baarak an ka dugu in kn?
John my friend, what do you do as job in our village?

John: inikali uman! Ne ye yiriforow ni kungoyiri nafamaw lakanabaa wlntri ye.
Good question! I am a natural resource management volunteer.

N b baarak snklaw ni naktigiw f. N b ladilikan di mgw ma yirituru ni
I work with farmers and gardeners. I advice people on good ways of planting and

yiriw ladoncogo uman kan. N b dugu mgw dm yirishnw sr cogo nu turu
. taking care of the trees. I help people in finding tree seeds, planting seeds

cogo la ani ng ni ngdingw dilanni fana la. N b taa nakw ni forow kn tuma
and compost and making compost piles. I go to the fields and gardens from time

ni tuma ka kuma nin fnw kan.
to time to talk on these.

Amadu: Ayiwa! Ne hakili la, n yi ka baara faamu sisan. Ala ki dm.
Okay! I think, I understand your job now. May god help you.

150

Te wulicogo
How to make tea

Wulifnw/Ingredients

te sukaro nanaye ji
tea leaves sugar mint water

Teminnw/Tools

barada furun finfin wriw pilato
tea pot stove charcoal glasses plate

Wulicogo/The processes

N'i b te wuli, i b fl ka: To make tea, first:
1- Tasuma aga, o k i b te k barada kn.
Light the fire, then put tea in the tea pot.

2- I b ji wri naani ni tila k'a la.
Put four glass of water and half in it.

3- O k i b barada sigi tasuma kan. I b'a wuli miniti bisaba kn.
Then put the tea pot on the fire and boil it for half an hour.

4- Tuma kelen kelen, i b'a jigin ka teji k barada wr kn.
From time to time pour it in the other tea pot.

5- O k, i b sukaro k'a la. I b sr k'a suuru wriw kn walasa ka sukaro yelen teji la.
After that put sugar in it in the second tea pot and pour it in the glasses to it mixt up.

6- O k, i b'a nn ni sukaro y'a b. I b teji ylma barada kn tuguni.
Then you taste it if there is enough sugar.

7- I b'a kalaya dni.
Heat the mixture a little bit.

8- Mg caman b teji d to wri kelen kn walasa ka musi dila n'o ye wri tw kn.
Lot of people make foams with the glasses

9- I b tila ka wriw k sananko.
Clean the external side of the glasses.

10- Te mana kalaya dni, i b'a tila wriw ni gn c k'a di mgw ma.
When it gets warm then serve it.

11- Segin b k ni kan fo si saba.
We do the same processes for all the three rounds.

12- Si fila tw la i b se ka nanaye k'a la.
You can also add mint in it.

13- Temugu ni ji hak b ylma mgw hak ksn.
The quantity of water an tea leaves depends on the number of peple drinking tea.

151

Communicative Task: SIGIY R KUNNAFONNIW
GETTING INFORMED ABOUT ONES AREA

NSANA
PROVERB

Dugu bila ka fisa lada wuli ye!


Musa: Eh! John, i ni faama! Hey! John, Its been a long time!

John: Musa, i ni waati. I b di? Musa, its while. How are you?

Musa: Alhamudulilayi! I b dugu jumn na sisan?
Thanks to God! In which village are you now?

John: N sigilen don Jitumu mara la, Keleya krf.
I am in Jitumu area, next to Keleya.

Musa: Keleya lamini duguw ye dugu krw ye.
The villages around Keleya are old villages.

John: Ti don! Dugutigi ko: ale ka dugu in tutig tuma mnna ksb.
Thats true! The chief said: Its been a very long time they settled here.

Dugu in sigira ka kn Tubabu fanga .
The village was settled before the white mens arrival.

Musa: Ha! O ye dugu kr ye. Siya jumnw b yen?
Ha! Thats an old village. What are the ethnic groups there?

John: Siya caman. Bamananw ka ca ni siya tw ye Jitumu mara kn.
Lot of ethnic groups. Bambaras are more than the others in jitumu.

Fulaw ni Maninkaw fana sigilen b yen. Siginfw b sr yen, i na f Korokow,
Fulfuldes and malinkes are there too. Some immigrated like Korokos,

Marakaw, Krbrw, Dongnw ani siya wrw.
Sarakoles, Sonras, Dogons and others.

Musa: O ye siya caman ye. I ye yen mgya kcogo b faamu ka ban?
Thats a lot of ethnic groups. Did you understand all the ways people behave?

John: Dni dni. Nka yirikurun mn o mn ji la, a t k bama ye.
Little by little. But as long as a piece of wood stays in water, it will never become a crocodile.

N b ka ladaw ni korw inin. I am still learning some customs.

Musa: Ayiwa! O de ka i. Ala k'i dm. Okay! Thats good. May God help you.

John: Amiina! K'an bn! Amen! See you!

152

Communicative Task: JAMA HAKILI JAKAB
LEADING A COMMUNITY MEETING

NSANA
PROVERB

Jkaf ye damu ye!


John: A ni wula yankaw, an tilenna hr la, Ala kan si hr la.
Good afternoon people from here, we spend the day in peace, may we spend the night in peace.

Jeliba: Nba! A ni wula, aw bisimila! A ye d di.
Nba! Good afternoon, welcome! Say something.

John: Saha! An ma na baasi la, an ye Saniya baaraklaw ye.
Thanks! We arent here for wors, we are sanitation workers.

An nana walasa an b se ka hakilina falen falen dugu saniya cogo kan.
We are here to exchange ideas about the village sanitation.

Jeliba: Dugutigi, ayiwa kuma t! U ko, ku nana kan dm ka dugu saniya.
Dugutigi, so here is the topic! They said, theyre here to help us with the village sanitation.

Dugutigi: Jeliba, a f dunanw ye: ku nali diyaran ye. Ku bisimila!
Jeliba (Griotman), tell them we appreciate them being here. Welcome!

John: Glya jumn b yan saniyako la? What are the sanitation problems here?

Amadu: Ne b kuma inin. I ask to talk.

Jeliba: Kuma bi bolo, Amadu. You have the floor (the speech) Amadou.

Amadu: Ne hakili la, aman ani jingko glya de ban kan bi.
I think we have problems with dirty water and trash here.

John: Kuma na! Aw hakili la fr jumnw b se ka sr olu la?
Good! According to you what are the solutions for those?

(makan caman.) (noise)

Jeliba: A ye hakto, an ka gn lamn! Please, lets listen one each other!

Bakari: Baasi t, ne hakili la, ni b b se ka taa aman bn dugu kf yr kelen na,
Ok, for me, if every one can go put the trash behind the village in the same place

o b fisaya. Ani fana, an kan hakili to ji saniyali la.
That would be better. And also lets keep in mind water sanitation.

John: Yankaw, anw hakili la, b ye famuya sr tnsigi in kn.
We think, everyone has understood something about the meeting.

Aw ni ce, aw ni baraji! Ala kan bn a gn wr ma. Sisan an ba f ka sira inin.
Thank you! May we meet again. Now we want to leave.

153

NSIIRIN: SUNGURUNNIN YE J N TA YE?

NSIIRIN
NAAMU !!!

N ya da kamalennin saba la!

Sungurunnin ye j n ta ye?

Kamalennin saba tun b to ka k gn f.
U nana sungurunnin kelen sr.
D ko, An b taa yaala. Nan ye wari sr, an bna fini san ka don sungurunnin kan na.
U taara yaalayaala.
Dugalen tun b d f.
Sabara tun b d f.
Fura tun b d f.
Tile dama tmnnen k, dugalentigi ya f ko: Ne b fillik n ka dugalen na.
A ye fillik ka ye ko sugurunnin sara. A ko: Sugurunnin sara!
Sabaratigi ko:A ye na sisan. An b j kan senw don sabara la.
An bna se yen sisan, janko an bna sungurunnin su sr ka don.
Furatigi ko: Nan sera yen sisan, a bna kunu.
U jra ku senw don sabara la.
U sera sungurunnin ka dugu la.
Furatigi taara sungurunnin lakunu.
A namayara kokura ka k mg ye.
Dugalentigi ko kale ta don.
Sabaratigi ko kale ta don.
Furatigi ko kale ta don.
O kamalennin saba la, sungurunnin ye j n ta ye?

N ya ta y r min, n ya bila yen!
Mamadou Kant

154

NSIIRIN: DOSOK R , BAK R NIN NI SAGAJIGIBA KA DUGUTAA.

NSIIRIN
NAAMU !!!

N ya da dosok r , bak r nin ni sagajigiba la!

Fl-fl, dosokr, bakrnin ni sagajigiba tun ka di ksb.
Su tu fara, tlen tu fara.
Don d, barosen f, bakrnin ya f t fila ye nu b se ka taa dunuya yaala walasa ka nafolo
sr.
O yrnin kelen na, u ye taamadon da.
O don selen, u jra ka dugu taamobili kelen ta.
U selen dugu fl min na, dosokr ko kale b jigin ye.
A jiginna, ka wari di mobili bolila ma.
Mobilitigi krt kojugu wulila ni mobili ye ka sr a ma warimisn segin dosokr ma.
Dosokr bolila mobili k, ka kule ka ds. Mobilitigi ma j.
A tgn fila dimina fo ka dama tmn.
Dugu filanan na, bakrnin ko kale b jigin yen.
Mobili j, bakrnin ye fi minn. A taara, a ma wari sara.
Sagajigiba kelen tora mobili kn unuunu na.
A yi miiri bakrnin ka kwale la.
A ko kale b fr inin waasa a kana k somg sama ye nu sera dugu sabanan kn.
Sow ni kungo c, sagajigiba ko kale sera.
A jiginna, ka ka wari sara.
A kale na don dugu kn hrnya la barisa mg ka juru tale la.
Kabini o don fo bi:
E dosok r t mobilitigi tmn t ye na ma kule o la!
Bak r nin kegunya kojugu t j bolimafn !
Fa a ye sagajigiba bila siraba kan taama na, a t sira bolifn , barisa maa ka juru ta la!

Mamadou Doudou NDOYE

155

NSIIRIN: KUNGOSOGOW KA DENKUNDI.

NSIIRIN
NAAMU !!!

N ya da suruguba ni sonsannin la!

Waraba muso jiginna.
A ye kungosogow b fara gn kan denkundi la.
U ko sogo b ka dnsen kelen kelen k.
Ni min ta na, misi b di o tigi ma.
Misi koflen, surukuba fora ka wuli kale fl b dnk.
Suruku yi dn ki dn fo ka wsi.
Waraba den ma yl, a ba ma yl.
Suruku ka dn ma diya mg si ye.
Knsogonin fana wulila. O fana yi dn.
O ka dn diyara b ye.
Waraba muso ylla ka yl. U b nison diyara.
U ye misi di knsogonin ma.
Misi dilen knsogonin ma tuma min na, surukuba girinna ka wuli, ko ale denk fl ye
knsogonin ye. B ko: Ee! Suruku den b se dn na! A b se dn na!
O klen tuma min na, knsogonin yi sigi.
Waraba den kasira ko knsogonin ka wuli ka dnk tuguni.
Knsogonin wulila, nka a dnkt sen cunna waraba den kan kan, ka faga.
Waraba muso kulela ko ka knsogonin min.
O flen, knsogonin ye kn min. U ma sr.
Sonsannin ko: A ma ti! Ni knsogonin ma sr, a ya fa min.
O flen, suruku kale den t! Barisa kn ni wara t kelen ye.
Kama ba la, kama tale la. Knsogonin sen ye fila, sen naani bale suruku f.
Mun yale ni knsogonin k kelen?
Nu ka misi kama don, u b se ko min.
Surukuba ya dn ka t cogo si la nale ma min.
Suruku yu to mankan na ka fi min.
A ye gngn wuli, ka bobilen kalanman seri waraba muso da la.
U ye surukuba fana inin ka ds.
Sonsannin tmt ye kr suruku bilen ye tu la.
Sonsannin ko: Ee, n kr, e ni knsogonin t siya kelen, munna e bolila?
Surukuba ya jaabi kale taalen, jn minna ale k.


156

NSIIRIN: BAMA NI FALI.

NSIIRIN
NAAMU !!!

N ya da bama ni fali la!

Don d bama bra ji la ka b taa i senna yaala.
A taara fo yr jan. A segin tuma, a filila sira ma, a munumununa ka munumunu.
A sgnnen taara i da jalasunba d kr.
Fali nana se bama ma jalasunba kr.
Fali kabakoyara, a ko bama ma: ! N dg mun yi se yan bi? Yan ni baji ka jan d!
Bama ko fali ma: N kr ne yr t se ka foyi f nin ko in na bilen.
N taara n senna yaala, n tununna, n ta dn n b segin so cogo o cogo.
Fali ko a b taa so tuma min, bama ya f a ye n kr, kana nin k ne na,
i b taa cogodi ka ne to yan? I ba laj ka n lase bada la.
Fali ko t baasi ye; a grla bama la, bama ylnna fali k la.
U selen dankan na fali ko bama ka jigin
nga bama ya f fali ye ka ki jija ka se na ye ji cmanc la.
U selen ji cmanc la bama jiginna, a yi da fa fali ksen na o yr b.
Fali ko a ma: Aah e jo don, ne de jalaki don.
Bama ya jaabi: I kra jalakitigi ye o, i kra jotigi ye o, nin si t ne ka sira ye, ne b e dun bi.
Ku to kuma na nsonzanin nana; a ko: n kr fali! Fo ji cmanc la tan! Mun kra?
Fali ya jaabi ko: Ne uman kt de klen b kara ye ne da la.
Bama tununna, ne ya dm ka na ji la.
A selen ji la, a ye ne min ka b ne dun.
Nsonzanin yi min ki kanto fali ma yr jan f: N kr fali, i t se ki puruti wa?
Fali ko: N b se k!
Fali yi pan ka bama tan a da la fo ka bama ylma a k kan.
Fali bolila ka taa so.

Ni ye maa min ka sumun furak, o bi ka tigasi imi.


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