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Phrase Detail

Nyanyararr kiya?
What are you saying?
Pronunciation:
Say: nyahny-yar-arr kii-yah

Notes:
Vowels: Standard - 'a' as in ‘path’, ‘i’ as in ‘hit’.
Consonant combination - 'ny' (palato-nasal) combine 'n' and 'y' while top of tongue touches hard palate plus nasal vibration. (Avoid the English 'nee' as in 'many'), - 'rr' roll or trill tongue.
Literal Meaning:
lit. nyanya (what) rar (you) kiya (to speak, say)
Shows:
Verb, Pronoun - interrogative, Pronoun - transferring, Pronoun - head-word
Explanation:
Transferring pronoun 'nyanya' (what) plus a person subject marker 'rar' (you) and the verb 'kiya' (to say or speak) to ask a question to one person (What are you saying?). The subject marker, or ending, would normally be part of the verb but has been transferred to the pronoun.
Learning Focus:
Interacting, Communication
Learning Exercise:
Mime Game in Wamba Wamba:
Resource: public learning list 'Actions to Mime - moving & making'. (open List View)
1) "Nyanyarar mungang Sofie?" (What are you doing Sofie?)
2) Sofie mimes an action eg jumping and class members say in Wamba Wamba the action plus the 'you' ending eg 'pirrityanarr?' or 'pirrityanangarr?'
3) If correct Sofie says 'Nongwe. Pirrityananganda.' (Yes. I am jumping.)
Phrase Sentence:
Sentence
Words Associated:
nyanya - what? how?
Topics:
Communication - Describing
Age Guides:
Yr 7-9, Yr 4-6
Reference:
'WembaWemba Dictionary': L.A. Hercus, P25 'kiya', VLaLS: L.A. Hercus, p.183.