Pulkaya-min kinya wulman.
This old man is very weak.
Pronunciation:
Say: puul-kaiy-yah-min kiny-ah wuul-mahn.
Notes:
Vowels: Standard - 'u' as in 'put', 'a' as in 'path' or 'car', 'i' as in 'sit'. Variation - 'a'  followed by 'y' and another vowel (especially 'a') is pronounced 'ai' or 'i' as in 'ice'.
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')
Literal Meaning:
lit. weak-very this old man.
Shows:
Noun, Pronoun, Verb ending - truly - min, Verb ending - way of being - aya, Verb head-word
Explanation:
Sentence begins with the verb 'pulkaya' (to be weak). (Notice is has an 'aya' ending which indicates a state of being - in this case 'weakness'.) 'Pulkaya' has the intensive ending '-min'. This shows 'not just weak' but 'very weak'. 'Kinya' shows 'which one' ie 'this one close by'. Who is very weak - 'wulman' (the old man).
Learning Focus:
Describing, Interacting, Language Building
Learning Exercise:
Build: How would you say in Wamba Wamba - 'This old man is very tired.' 'That old woman over there is feeling sick.' (Clue begin sentence with an action word or verb.)
Phrase Sentence:
Sentence
Words Associated:
pulkaya - to feel weak or feeble
kinya - this one close by
wulman - old man
Topics:
Communication - Describing, People and Family - Health
Age Guides:
Yr 10-12, Yr 7-9, Yr 4-6
Reference: