Waali phrasebook

Waali, Wali, Waale, Walee or Waalii is spoken by the Waala tribe in the Upper West Region of Ghana. It is widely spoken in Wa and its environs.

A a        B b         Ɔ ɔ        CH ch        D d         E e        Ɛ ɛ        F f    G g       GB

gb      H h        I i         ɩ ɩ        J j       K k       KP kp     L l      M m      N n      NY ny  

Ŋ ŋ        ŊM ŋm       O o     P p         R r       S s       T t          U u         V v    

Ʋ ʋ           W w      Y y     

Waali has 9 phonemic vowels. These are divided into two distinct sets based on ATR harmony (whether the root of the tongue is pushed forward or retracted). Long vowels are written by doubling the letter (e.g., aa, ee). Waali vowelsa, e, i, o, u, ʋ, ɛ, ɔ, ɩ

Short vowels

Long Vowels

b    d     k     g     t      p     s     j      v      f     h      y     w     l      n      m    ŋ       r

B b, as in ba             father / to plant

D d, as in da             buy

K k, as in ku             give

G g, as in godo         bed

T t, as in tɩ                we/our/us

P p, as in po              divide

S s, as in so               bath

J j, as in ju                 head

V v, as in vori            alive

F f, as in fa                to cheat

H h, as in ha              hate

Y y, as in yiri            home

W w, as in wa           come/Wa (upper West capital)

L l, as in la                laugh

N n, as in naa            king/chief

M n, as in ma           mother

Ŋ ŋ, as in ŋa             this

R r, as in sɛʋrɩ          dance/writings

• ch – represents the sound /tʃ/
• gb – represents the sound /ɡ͡b/
• kp – represents the sound /k͡p/
• ny – represents the sound /ɲ/
• ŋm – represents the sound /ŋ͡m/

Hello.

. ( )

Hello. (informal)

. ( )

How are you?

Ɩ bɩɛ sʋŋ ? ( ?)

Fine, thank you.

A bɩɛ sʋŋ, barɩka . ( )

What is your name?

Ɩ yuori la bo? ( ?)

My name is ______ .

Ɩŋ yuori la_____ . ( _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

. Ɩŋmaarɩ la nɩŋ maŋ nyɩɩ( )

Please.

. Gaafɩra ( )

Thank you.

Barika. ( )

You're welcome.

Barika che . ( )

Yes.

Ɛɛŋ. ( )

No.

Aayi.

Excuse me. (getting attention)

. (Hai)

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

. (Gaafɩra )

I'm sorry.

Ɩŋ saaŋ yeŋ. ( )

Goodbye

. (Ŋmɩn na ɩɩ chihi )

Goodbye (informal)

. ( )

I can't speak name of language [well].

Ɩŋ kuŋ tuoŋ yɛlɩ _____ tɩrɩ suŋ. ( [ ])

Do you speak English?

Ɩ maŋ yɛlɩyɛ nansaarɩɩ?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

Niɛɛ bie chɛ a na baŋ yɛlɩ Nansaarɩɩ ?

Help!

! (Suŋ!)

Look out!

Nyɛ

Good morning.

Ansuma. ( )

Good evening.

Annʋʋla( )

Good night.

. ( Ŋmɩn na kaa tɩ bio)

Good night (to sleep)

Ka ɩ jɛŋ suŋ. ( )

I don't understand.

Ŋ ba woŋ a muni . ( )

Where is the toilet?

Ka ye ka a seliŋa be? ( ?)

Leave me alone.

bahɪ ma. ( .)

Don't touch me!

ta fɪɪhɪ ma! ( !)

I'll call the police.

N na boɔyɛɛ a polisihi. ( .)

Police!

polisi! ( !)

Stop! Thief!

ahi! Naŋyiŋɛ! ()

I need your help.

N bʊɔrɛɛ sʊmbu. ( .)

It's an emergency.

yelɪ tula la. ()

I'm lost.

N borɪyɛŋ. ( .)

I lost my bag.

N borɛɛ ŋ baagɪ. ( .)

I lost my wallet.

ŋ borɛɛ ŋ baagɪ. ( .)

I'm sick.

ŋ beɪraŋ. ( .)

I've been injured.

ŋ beɪraŋ. ( .)

I need a doctor.

ŋ boɔrɛɛ dokita. ( .)

Can I use your phone?

ŋ na maŋ kaayɛɛ ɪ fon? ( ?)

0

Jikpalɩ ( )

1

Yentɩ ( )

2

Ayi ( )

3

Ata( )

4

Anaahi( )

5

Anʋ( )

6

(Ayʋɔbɩ )

7

(Ayʋpoɩ )

8

(Anɩɩ )

9

(Awaɩ )

10

(Pie )

11

(pie nɩŋ yeni)

12

( 'pie anɩŋ ayɪ )

13

(pie anɩŋ ata )

14

( pie anɩŋ anaahɩ)

15

( pie anɩŋ anu)

16

( pie anɩŋ Ayʋɔbɩ)

17

( pie anɩŋ Ayɔpoɩ)

18

( pie anɩŋ Anii)

19

( pie aniŋ Awaɩ)

20

( Lɩjɛrɩ)

21

(Lɩjɛrɩ nɩŋ yeni )

22

(Lɩjɛrɩ nɩŋ ayi )

23

( Lɩjɛrɩ nɩŋ ata)

30

( pihita)

40

(Lɩjɛrɩ-ayi/ Lɩjɛɛ-ayi )

50

(Pihinu )

60

( Lɩjɛrɩ-ata/ Lɩjɛɛ-ata)

70

(Lɩjɛrɩ-ata-nɩŋ-pie/ Lɩjɛɛ-ata-nɩŋ-pie)

80

(Lɩjɛrɩ-anaahɩ )

90

( pihiwaɩ/ Lɩjɛrɩ-anaahɩ-nɩŋ-pie )

100

(Kɔɔ)

200

(Kɔɔhɩ-ayi)

300

(Kɔɔhɩ-ata)

1,000

(Tuhi)

2,000

(Tuhi-ayi )

1,000,000

(Tuhi-kɔɔ )

1,000,000,000

(Tuhituhi)

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

( )

half

(Chɛlɩɩ/taraŋ )

less

(Bɩɛɛla )

more

(Yɛga )

now

( pampana)

later

(A puoriŋ)

before

( sɛre)

morning

(Beeguu )

afternoon

(Ŋmɩnaa)

evening

(Jimaaree)

night

(Jisuɔɔree/Yieŋuu)

one o'clock AM

(Gbeliŋ-yeni teŋkori)

two o'clock AM

(Gbeliŋe -ayi teŋkori)

noon

(Ŋmɩnaa)

one o'clock PM

(Gbeliŋ-yeni ŋmɩnaa)

two o'clock PM

(Gbeliŋe-ayi ŋmɩnaa)

midnight

(Teŋkori)

Mintipunii (mintipurimo) _ Second(s)

_____ minute(s)

Minti()

_____ hour(s)

gbeliŋ-yɛni ()

_____ day(s)

Bio (Beri)

_____ week(s)

Daagbuli( daahe)

_____ month(s)

Chiugbuli( chiuri)

_____ year(s)

yuonigbuli(Yuomo): Century :  : Karni (Qarni)

Beri

today

jine ()

yesterday

jaamɩɩ ()

tomorrow

bio ()

this week

daa ŋa ()

last week

dapuori ()

next week

daa aŋ waana ()

Sunday

Alahadi (alahádi)

Monday

Atɛnɛɛ (atɛnɛ:)

Tuesday

Atalaata (atala:ta)

Wednesday

Alaarɩba (ala:rɩba)

Thursday

Alaamʋsa (ala:mʋsa)

Friday

Arɩjuma (arɩjuma)

Saturday

Asɩbɩtɩ (asɩbɩtɩ)

January

Jɩmbɛŋtɩ ( )

February

Sʋfʋraa ( )

March

Dʋmba ( )

April

Dʋmba-Kokʋroko ( )

May

Dʋmba-Fɩlanaa ( )

June

Kpiinichiu ( )

July

Kpiinichiu-Makʋna ( )

August

Aŋjɛlɩŋje ( )

September

Sɩŋkarɩ ( )

October

Chiusʋŋ ( )

November

Doŋʋ-Makʋna ( )

December

Doŋʋ ( )

black

sagɩlaa ( )

white

pɩɛlaa ( )

gray

( )

red

jɩɛ ( )

blue

suguni ( )

yellow

dʋɔ (dʊ̌ ɔ)

green

begɩnʋʋ (begɩ́nʊ́:)

orange

lumburi( )

purple

jimbiriŋaa( )

brown

kabala( )

How much is a ticket to _____?

awala la a tigiti( )

One ticket to _____, please.

tigiti bunyeni ______, suhibula( )

Where does this train/bus go?

ye ka a ketechɩ gara( )

Where is the train/bus to _____?

ka a ketechɩ be( )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

( )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

( )

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

( )

How do I get to _____ ?

wala maŋ na ɩ nyɛ be( )

...the train station?

a ketechɩ ahi jie( )

...the bus station?

( )

...the airport?

( )

...downtown?

( )

...the youth hostel?

( )

...the _____ hotel?

( )

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

( )

Where are there a lot of...

( )

...hotels?

( )

...restaurants?

( )

...bars?

( )

...sites to see?

( )

Can you show me on the map?

( )

street

sʊrɪ ( )

Turn left.

ŋmaa gɔɔ( )

Turn right.

ŋmaa dʊrɪ( )

left

gɔɔ ( )

right

dʊri ( )

straight ahead

tʊrɪ ( )

towards the _____

( )

past the _____

( )

before the _____

(Sere chɛ ka a___)

Watch for the _____.

(Leehi nyɛ____ )

intersection

( )

north

( )

south

( )

east

( Ŋmintonpuheŋee)

west

(Ŋmintonlieŋee )

uphill

(Taŋbileju)

downhill

(Taŋbilɩmuni )

Taxi!

( )

Take me to _____, please.

( )

How much does it cost to get to _____?

( )

Take me there, please.

( )

Do you have any rooms available?

Yɛ tarɛɛ dɛ kpala? ( )

How much is a room for one person/two people?

A wala la dio ko niŋ yɛni/ nuba bae? ( )

Does the room come with...

(A dio tarɩyɛ )

...bedsheets?

(Bɛɛsiiti )

...a bathroom?

(Sunsuɔɔ )

...a telephone?

fon ( )

...a TV?

( )

May I see the room first?

Ɩŋ na baŋ nyɩyɛ a dio sɛrɩ? ( )

Do you have anything quieter?

( )

...bigger?

karaa ( )

...cleaner?

(Forifori )

...cheaper?

(danɔɔ )

OK, I'll take it.

Ŋtɩʋ, ɩŋ na dɩɛɛyɛ ʋna. ( )

I will stay for _____ night(s).

Ɩŋ na kpɛyɛ jisɔɔrɩɩ(jisɔɛɛ)____.

Can you suggest another hotel?

Ɩ na baŋ wulimaŋ hotɛɛlɩ jaala ( )

Do you have a safe?

( )

...lockers?

( )

Is breakfast/supper included?

( )

What time is breakfast/supper?

Beeguu/Jisɔɔrɩɩ sɩɩmaa diibu waqtɩ la bo?( )

Please clean my room.

Gaafɩra naŋ maalɩ ɩŋ dio ( )

Can you wake me at _____?

Ɩna baŋ siŋ maŋ____? ( )

I want to check out.

( )

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

( )

Do you accept British pounds?

( )

Do you accept Euros?

( )

Do you accept credit cards?

( )

Can you change money for me?

( )

Where can I get money changed?

( )

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

( )

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

( )

What is the exchange rate?

( )

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

( )

A table for one person/two people, please.

( )

Can I look at the menu, please?

( )

Can I look in the kitchen?

( )

Is there a house specialty?

( )

Is there a local specialty?

( )

I'm a vegetarian.

( )

I don't eat pork.

( )

I don't eat beef.

( )

I only eat kosher food.

( )

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

( )

fixed-price meal

( )

a la carte

( )

breakfast

( )

lunch

( )

tea (meal)

( )

supper

( )

I want _____.

( )

I want a dish containing _____.

( )

chicken

( )

beef

( )

fish

( )

ham

( )

sausage

( )

cheese

( )

eggs

( )

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

( )

(fresh) fruit

( )

bread

( )

toast

( )

noodles

( )

rice

( )

beans

( )

May I have a glass of _____?

( )

May I have a cup of _____?

( )

May I have a bottle of _____?

( )

coffee

( )

tea (drink)

( )

juice

( )

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

( )

beer

( )

red/white wine

( )

May I have some _____?

( )

salt

( )

black pepper

( )

butter

( )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

( )

I'm finished.

( )

It was delicious.

( )

Please clear the plates.

( )

The check, please.

( )

Do you serve alcohol?

( )

Is there table service?

( )

A beer/two beers, please.

( )

A glass of red/white wine, please.

( )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

( )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

( )

whiskey

( )

vodka

( )

rum

( )

water

( )

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

( )

Coke (soda)

( )

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

( )

Another round, please.

( )

When is closing time?

( )

Cheers!

( )

Do you have this in my size?

( )

How much is this?

( )

That's too expensive.

( )

Would you take _____?

( )

expensive

( )

cheap

( )

I can't afford it.

( )

I don't want it.

( )

You're cheating me.

( )

I'm not interested.

(..)

OK, I'll take it.

( )

Can I have a bag?

( )

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

( )

...toothpaste.

( )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

( )

...shampoo.

( )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

( )

...stomach medicine.

... ( )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

( )

...sunblock lotion.

( )

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

( )

...a pen.

( )

...English-language books.

( )

...English-language magazines.

( )

...an English-language newspaper.

( )

...an English-English dictionary.

( )

I want to rent a car.

( )

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

( )

one way

( )

yield

( )

no parking

( )

speed limit

( )

gas (petrol) station

( )

petrol

( )

diesel

( )

I haven't done anything wrong.

( )

It was a misunderstanding.

( )

Where are you taking me?

( )

Am I under arrest?

( )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

( )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

( )