Re: Conlangea Multilingual Phrasebook, 2nd edition

On Sat, 17 Jun 2000, Mia wrote:

>A TRAVELER'S PHRASEBOOK
Iteporanam Pratapuucar.
[travel+AGENT+gen.pl. speech-book+acc.s.]
Travellers' Speechbook

Intended for travellers _into_ Talaria, not for travelling
Talarians.

>Section 1:  Pleasantries
>
>Hello!
When approaching people tending their flocks or houses, it is
right to announce your presence. Whilst some distance from the
house, call out "Ahiee!" quite loudly, and approach slowly. If
they want you to approach, they'll say hello: "Harapalete!",
which literally means door open. If you're not welcome at the
moment, they might say "Ito cohes-te!", meaning 'go away!'

>Goodbye!
When leaving, say "Itao", which means 'I go'; answers vary
somewhat, but are usually "Ito maasoo", 'Fare well', or
"Ito-na cetehoo", 'travel not far'.

>Yes
>
>No
There are no words for yes and no. Questions are usually
answered with the positive or negated verb. It is considered
somewhat rude to answer "itus" and "itus-na" (it is thus and
it is not so).

>Please
When asking someone to do something or give you something,
say "Teke-he hertecat-ma [+ imper. of verb]", which means
'If it pleases you, do this'. Using the imperative without
saying please is considered rude.

After saying please, your host will answer either that he
doesn't mind, "meke-pa hertecat" or that he does, "meke-na
hertecat".

>Thank You
There are two kinds of thank-you, and no 'you're welcome'.
After your host has given you what you asked for, say:
"Fflatiomt teke", which means 'may the Gods bless you'.
Your host will answer, "Fflatao teke", which means 'I
bless you'.

Both of these answer to our "thank you". A Talarian, after
performing a service of some kind for anyone, will always
thank him for the opportunity of doing something just or
good.

>Do you speak (English/Spanish/French/Dutch/<whatever>)?
If you want to know if someone speaks a certain language,
after saying please, say: "Hassti-mat teke-hat tenxwar-cam
X-usha?", which means 'Is there with thee the Xian language?",
where X is the language.

Some languages a Talarian might speak: Tenxwar Ruumusha (Latin),
T. Uutumusha (Oswalumannic, "English"), T. Cuumerusha (Cumbrian),
T. Ilemusha (Yllurian), T. Tanusha (Dainh), T. Xatlusha (Hecklan),
T. Xuustusha (Hoosickite), and of course, T. Arxusha (Talarian).

>I don't speak (conlang) very well.
A Talarian will say "Cam-he meke-hat hassti", or 'That is
with me', which means he speaks the language; or "Cam-na
meke-hat hassti-na", or 'That is not with me', which means
he doesn't speak the language.

>My name is...
>
>What is your name?
When approaching your host, always offer your name first.
If you don't, he will pause a while and then say "Hos-mat
assis tu?", which means 'Who are you?' It is always impolite
to ask this; but the stranger should not have put his host
in the position of having to be impolite in the first place!

When meeting someone, say "-name- asmi; -place of origin, or
occupation-." He will then respond with his name, and the
names of the others around.

[A Talarian pleasantry, after names are exchanged, is the
Ritual of Water.]

Your host should offer you water, both to drink with him, and
so you can refresh yourself from the dust of the road. This
might be as simple as a barrel of water kept outside for washing,
or a well appointed bathroom in the house. Drinking water is
always boiled, so you needn't fear contracting an illness.

Your host will pour water in a cup for you and for himself.
He'll dip the fingers of his left hand in and sprinkle some
to the East and West, saying "Palanusha Uruwanas-cas palamamto
Saweltam-tam carxxaratos-te tlasolimtas-hal merhahanat." You
should then do likewise.

>How are you?
>I am well.
>I am not well.
While drinking, and before your host begins plying you
with curious questions, it is considered polite to chat
a little, by asking after the health of the host and his
folk. It is wisest to ask after his herds first by saying:
"Maasusha xuwar-mat?", which means 'The herds are well?'
He may then speak of which animals are well and ill, how
many calves or colts were born, prospects at the fair, etc.
Then you might ask about his family. Say: "Maasusha
matahasuro?", which means 'The womenfolk are well?' This
really includes the whole clan, but the women are of greater
importance. Finally, you may ask your host: "Maasusha tu?"

He will then ask about your herds, your travells, your family
and any other question he may have. It won't do to lie, for
it is said "The steeds of those who lie refuse to bear their
riders!", but a satisfactory answer will more than suffice.

****
This is rather strange!
>I am the walrus, coo coo ca choo.
The Talarians have no knowledge of the sea, let alone what a
walrus is.

"Xhaalefishar-cam asmi eka; cuucuucashu-ite."
The whalefish am I; coo coo ca choo + indeterminate ptc.

A xhaalefishar is any kind of non-specific maritime threat
or monster in general. It's the sort of thing you tell your
children will come and get them in the night if they're naughty.

Padraic.

>Mia Soderquist