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Phrase Detail

Wemba tuki!
Don't move!, keep still!
Pronunciation:
Say: wemb-ar tuuk-ii
Notes:
Vowels: Standard - 'a' as in ‘path’, ‘u’ as in ‘put’, ‘i’ as in ‘hill’. Variation - 'e' followed by ‘m’ in the same syllable and is not immediately followed by a vowel is long and slightly nasalised.
Literal Meaning:
not move-you(sing.)
Shows:
Verb ending - ordering one person - i, Negative - head-word
Explanation:
Sentence starts with the negative 'wemba', then the verb 'tuka' (to move) with the ending 'i' (give an order to one person).
Learning Focus:
Communication
Learning Exercise:
Build - 1) How would you order one person to not 'jump', 'sleep', 'fall', 'cry', 'laugh'. 2) How would you order one person to not 'break the stick', 'scare the baby', 'hit the dog', 'burn the food'. (See 'Bound Forms' resource p.6)
Phrase Sentence:
Sentence
Words Associated:
tuka - to move
wemba - no, not;
Topics:
Communication - order or direction
Age Guides:
Yr 10-12, Yr 7-9, Yr 4-6
Reference:
Victorian Languages: A Late Survey: L.A. Hercus; p. 56, 2.3.2.2.1 Negatives