Yirrikanda yuma puny-wil.
I am a very fast runner
Pronunciation:
Say: Yirr-i-kahn-dah yuum-ah puny-wiil.
Notes:
Vowels: Standard - ‘i’ as in ‘hit’, 'a' as in ‘path’, 'u' as in 'put'.
Consonant combination - 'ny' (palato-nasal) combine 'n' and 'y' while top of tongue touches hard palate plus nasal vibration. (Avoid the English 'nee' as in 'many'), - 'rr' roll or trill tongue.
Literal Meaning:
Lit. very-I am fast runner
Shows:
Adverb - transferring, Verb ending - I do - anda
Explanation:
Sentence shows a transferring adverb 'yirri' as head word with the 'anda' (I) ending transferred from 'yuma' (to be) and ending with 'puny-wil' fast runner. (Hercus states that 'yuma' is not normally a head word and does not normally have a person of subject ending. It is transferred to an adverb instead.)
Learning Focus:
Communication, Composing, Describing, Grammar, Language Building
Learning Exercise:
Extend: How would you say in Wamba Wamba 'I am a very stupid person.' 'You are a very stupid person.' 'I am a very strong young woman.'
Build: pick one example of this type of sentence with the head transferring adverb and write a traditional dance song that includes the phrases 'I am ...' and 'We are all ...'
Phrase Sentence:
Sentence
Words Associated:
puny-wil - quick, smart person, fast runner
yirri - very
yuma - to be; to exist
Topics:
Activities - Cooking, Activities - Moving, Activities - Singing
Age Guides:
Advanced, Yr 10-12, Yr 7-9
Reference: