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Phrase Detail
Wemba-min.
No (thank you) said in answer to an offer
Pronunciation:
Say
:
wem
-bah-
min
Notes:
Vowels
:
Standard
- '
a
' as in ‘path’, ‘
i
’ as in ‘pin’.
Variation
- '
e
' followed by ‘m’ in the same syllable and is not immediately followed by a vowel is
long
and slightly
nasalised
.
Literal Meaning:
no+emphasis (of meaning not sound)
Shows:
Verb ending - will happen - iny, Verb ending - I do - anda, Negative - head-word
Explanation:
Wemba-min is an answer to a question and gives emphasis to the 'no'.
Learning Focus:
Interacting, Communication
Learning Exercise:
Build
- 'Wemba-min' is fine on it's own but it can be added to e.g. 'Wemba-min. Wembanda tyaka pegguk.' (No thank you. I don't eat meat.) Clearly in this case the question that was answered was something like 'Would you like some meat?' Look up, write down and practice saying some extended answers.
Phrase Sentence:
Sentence
Words Associated:
wemba - no, not;
tyaka - to eat
tyalingin - tongue (yours), also language, speech
Topics:
Communication - answer
Age Guides:
Yr 10-12, Yr 7-9
Reference:
'Wembawemba Dictionary', Dr. Luise Hercus, 1992, p.74 (postposition -min)