Re: Useful phrases for tourists

In message <199902221539.JAA08160@...>, Sylvia
Sotomayor <sylvia1@...> writes
>I've been planning a trip to visit family in Nicaragua, and in doing so,
>I've been exposed to a number of tourist phrases. The four most useful
>follow. I've translated them into Kelen:
>[...]
>So, how does one say these useful phrases in other languages:
In Elet Anta:

>A beer, please.
Lavi brelde.
(please beer)

>Where is the bathroom?
(Assuming you mean the place for performing excretory functions...)
Milmalfan lyulof?
(The convenience place is where?)

>Don't shoot, I'm a tourist.
Vardel clofa, in fanevarnyen
(earnest-request-not shoot, I'm a tourist)

Surely better would be:
Don't shoot, I suffer from a rare disease which, if I am injured, will
cause everyone nearby to void their bowels and die in extreme pain.
Moreover Monica Lewinsky is my sister and thousands of American
helicopters will drop dead dogs in your wells.
Vardel clofa, in istwaro tenarandye chactesuma, cwasu, cu in pe cortac,
ow onus ya, elday len la ebrekien tali cawl kalav yontie shorcwa.  Sofwa
Monica Lewinsky ro avi eti inye livcwa, tali oka atman Aflonye
helicopter ale cos olge kalavye gorofa etye pornonvew.

>I don't speak Kelen.
In mendel falon antawa
(I can't speak Anta-ly)

I was always told that the most important phrase is:

Iny' arvas ale azel.  En vas crayv.
My friend will pay.   S/he is very rich.

--
John Fisher   john@drummond.demon.co.uk   johnf@epcc.ed.ac.uk
Elet Anta website: http://www.drummond.demon.co.uk/anta/
Drummond ro cleshfan merec; fanye litoc, inye litoc