Tenses 3: dza, today's past

The past tenses in Giriama do not correspond exactly to the past tenses in English.

Pronunciation 5: fricatives

In this post, we look at the buzzing, hissing sounds of Giryama - the fricatives.

Tenses 2: ku, the infinitive

In this post we will look at the infinitive form of the verb, which starts with ku-. This is the "to -" form in English.

It is used in phrases such as:
I like to go to the beach.
I am able to read.
I start to eat.

It can often be translated into English with a gerund, or -ing form:
I like going to the beach.
I enjoy reading.
I like eating.

Review 1

So far in this blog, we have covered:

• Pronunciation of vowels, nasals, stops and r
• Subject concords: how to say I go, she goes, we go...
• Object concords: how to say I like him, you like her, we like them...
• The na tense: how to say I am going, he is going...
• How to count from 1 to 10
• How to ask yes-no questions
• How to ask Where?
• What Bantu noun classes are
• Class 1 and 2 nouns: some people words

Pronunciation 4: stops

'Stops' are sounds where you completely stop air from coming out of your mouth. Giriama has 12.

Nouns: Class 1 and 2

We've introduced the concept of noun classes in a previous post. In this post, we will work through examples from classes 1 and 2.

Noun classes

In this post, we will attempt the most novel bit of Giriama grammar, as far as English speakers are concerned: the Bantu Noun Class System.

Pronunciation 3: r

In this post, we learn how to pronounce the [r] sound of Giriama.

Questions 2: where

In this post, we will start looking at question words. We start with hiko, meaning where.

Object concords 2

Today we will look at those object concords which are not the same as their subject counterparts: you, him, her and them.

Object concords 1

By now, you are hopefully familiar with the subject concords of Giriama: ni-, u-, a-, fu-, hu-, mu-, ma-.

You can form very simple sentences such as ninashoma, 'I am reading', or anenda, 'he is going'.

But how do you say something like 'I see him'?

Questions 1

Yes-no questions

As in many languages, you can ask yes-no questions in Giriama just by changing your tone. Simply make your statement - unenda, you are going - but rise in pitch on the last syllable - unendá?

If you want to be extra clear that it is a question, say "vidze" at the start of the phrase:

Vídzè, ùnèndá?	So, you're going?
Vídzè, ùnàryà màízú?	So, you're eating bananas?
Vídzè, ànàhèndzà màízú?	So, she likes bananas?