Christophe wrote:
> En réponse à John Cowan :
>
>
> >I by no means understand this. In English we say these things with
> >"Here is (a)" and "There is (a)".
>
> Except that "there is" is by no means equivalent to "voici" or "voilà".
Its
> French equivalent is "il y a" and nothing else. "voici" and "voilà" are
> quite different and "here is" can only approximate their meanings.
>
John was being unnecessarily correct. I think we use them most often in
contracted form--
Here's your burger (presenting it)
There's your burger (pointing to a nearby table)
and of course, "Heeeere's Johnny!" for those who remember.
ObConlang: Colloq. Kash also has these:
ritá 'voici' < ritan 'here'
riyá 'voilà' < riyan 'there'