Chapter II: Vocabularies Collected by M. Caillié

Compared with those of Mungo Park, Bowdich, Jackson, Denham, &c.

1.

ENGLISH AND MANDINGO VOCABULARY.

N. B. These words are in use from Timé to Jenné, as well as in the Western districts.

NUMERALS[144]

One, Kili (killin).[145]

Two, Fila (foula).

Threei Saba (sabba).

Four, Nani (nani).

Five, Loulou (loulo).

Six, Ouaro (ouoro).

Seven, Ouaro oula (oronglo; in
Bambara, ouoloula)[146].

Eight, Segui (sie; in Bambara,
seguey).

Nine, Kenando (konounta).

Ten, Tan (tang).

Eleven, Tan ni kili (tan-ning killin).

Twelve, Tan ni fila.

Thirteen, Tan ni saba.

Fourteen, Tan ni nani.

Fifteen, Tan ni loulou.

Sixteen, Tan ni ouaro.

Seventeen, Tan ni ouaro oula.

Eighteen, Tan ni segui.

Nineteen, Tan ni konando.

Twenty, Mouga.

Twenty-one, Mouga ni kili.

Twenty-two, Mouga ni fila.

Twenty-three, Mouga ni saba.

Twenty-four, Mouga ni nani.

Twenty-five, Mouga ni loulou.

Twenty-six, Mouga ni ouaro.

Twenty-seven, Mouga ni ouaro oula.

Twenty-eight, Mouga ni segui.

Twenty-nine, Mouga ni konando.

Thirty, Bi-saba.

Forty, Bi-nani _or_ débé.

Fifty, Bi-loulou _or_ débé ni tan.

Sixty, Bi-ouaro _or_ débé ni mouga.

Seventy, Bi ouaro oula _or_ débé mouga
ni tan.

Eighty[147], Bi segui _or_ kemmé.

Ninety, Kemmé ni tan.

A hundred, Kemmé ni mouga.

One hundred, Kemmé kili.

Two hundred, Kemmé fila.

Three hundred, Kemmé saba.

Four hundred, Kemmé nani.

Five hundred, Kemmé loulou.

A thousand, Ba kili.

Two thousand, Ba fila.

A hundred thousand, Ba kemmé.

A.

All, Abé (bee).

Amber, Doucan.

And, Ni (ning).

Ant, Magnan.

Ass, Soféri.

B.

Bad, Adiougou, amagne (jou).

Baked, Amo _or_ amoe.

Beginning, Folo, folou.

Belly, Kono, (kouno).

Black, Fin (fing).

Body, Moho _or_ Mojo.

Break (to), Teguet.

Breeches, Kourouci.

Bridge, Salan _or_ Ceou.

Broom, Sira.

Brother, Dahokai (badingkea).

Bruise, Sousou.

Butter, Toulou.

Butter (vegetable), Cé toulou.

Buy (to), Soro (saun).

C.

Carrier, Donita.

Cassava, Balancou.

Cat, Sou-horo _or_ soujou
(neancou).

Cataract, Souroudo.

Chief, Mansa _or_ tigui.

Child, Din-din (ding-ding).

Colats (fruit), Ourau.

Cold, Nene (nino).

Cold (a cold, having a cold), Soȷ̈o-soȷ̈o.

Come here, Ana yan.

Cotton, Koroni.

Cotton thread, Koroni-kina (ouorondi).

Country, Dougou (dou).

Country of the whites, Forto dougou.

Coussabe (part of the dress), Dourequi.

Cow, Nici mouso (nessie mousa)

Cow-grass (species of), Fogni _or_ faini.

Cowries, Kolo.

Crowd _or_ support, Adigui.

Cultivation, Senekai.

Cut (to), Teguet (tegi).

D.

Dance, Doukai.

Day, Tele (tie-lie),

Death, Faȷ̈a (asuta).

Dispute, Kailai (degama).

Dog, Ourou (ououla).

Door, Da (da).

Draw (to), Afouare.

Drink (to), Mi (aniean).

Duck, Toucono.

E.

Ear, Da.

Earth, Dougou (banko, koungo- koulo).

East, Tilibo (tie-lie-bo).

End, Atto.

Enough, Ateuté (keyento).

European, Forto, _or_ Christian-nassara.

Evening, Oula.

Eye, Ya (nea, guiè).

F.

Far, Adiau (jangfata).

Fat, Abo (aouarata).

Father, Fa (fa).

Fear, Kissi.

Female, Mouso (mousa).

Festival, Douno.

Fight (to), Bouga (agossi).

Fought,

Finish, Lodé _or_ tadé.

Fire, Ta (tassema, diemba).

Flint, Caba.

Fly, Simo-ho, _or_ simoȷ̈o

Following, Sicin, diaun.

Foot, Cé, (lee sing).

Forest, Cong _or_ oula.

Full, Fada.

G.

Girl, Mousa (ding-mousa).

Give, So.

Give me, Adiamau.

Glass-ware, beads, &c. Kouo.

Go away, Yaoua.

Go below, Tahata _or_ taȷ̈ata.

God, Alla, (alla)

Going (I am), Bedaoua.

Gold, Sanou (sanou).

Gourd, Fia.

Grain, Din.

Grass, Binoung (jambo).

Gun, Metfa, _cannon in Arabic_.

Gunpowder, Metfa moucou.

H.

Hair, Cé.

Hand, Bron _or_ Brou (boutou).

Have (I have some), Abéfé.

Have not (I have none), Atéfé.

Head, Cou (koung, koun).

Heat (of the atmosphere), Atara.

Heat (from fire), Akala.

Heavy, Kadiougou.

Hen, Cice (sousie mousa)

Hole, Dâ[148] (dinka)

Honey, Ly (lee).

Horse, So (sou).

Hot, Kala (candiata).

House, Bon, bon (boung).

How much, Diougue.

Hungry (I am), Kong abefé (konkola).

K.

Kidney-beans, Soso.

Knife, Mourou (Mouro).

Know (I) Akai _or_ abelo.

Know (I do not) Amantoyolo _or_ amanlo.

L.

Leap, Broue.

Leaf of baobab, Sila broue.

Leather _or_ skin, Boulo.

Leather bag, Sourgo _or_ sassa.

Liar, Kadoȷ̈o.

Little boy, Dindin.

Little girl, Din mouso.

Load, Doni.

Lost, Fry.

M.

Male, Kai (kea).

Man, Kai (mo, fato).

Market, Lo-ho _or_ loȷ̈o (loe).

Master, Yatgui.

Mat, Débé (basso).

Me, Né.

Meal, Moucou, _dust_.

Meat (fresh), Sobo kienday (_meat_, soubou).

Medicines, Baci _or_ fila.

Merchandise, Naufoulo.

Mercy, Barka.

Milk, Nono (nounno).

Millet (_holcus sorghum_), Nion _or_ niou.

Mine, Neta (_my_, talem).

Minor, Douari.

Month, ——— (korro).

Moon, Caro (kalo, korro).

More, Ablaro.

Morning, Sojoman (somo).

Mother, Na _or_ ba (ba, mba).

Mountain, Kong (_hill_ konko).[149]

Mouth, Da (ba, da).

Much, Siéman (sitimata).

Mutton, Saha _or_ saya.

N.

Needle, Méséri.

Night, Soudo (soutou).

No, Té or até (inta).

North, —— (saheel).

Nose, Nou (nou, noung).

O.

Oil, Toulou (toulou)

Opening, Dâ[150].

Overflow (of a river) Abo.

Ox, Nici.

P.

Padlock, Boro.

Pannier, Seigui.

Paper, Caïda (coïtou).

Part, (let us), Yaoua.

Path, Sila.

Pirogue, (a boat), Ba counou,

Pistachio nuts, Tiga.

Pot Da-ha _or_ Daja.

Powder, dust, Moucou.

Q.

Quarrel, Lailai (quiata)

Rain, Sangui (sangie _water from
above_).

R.

Razor, Lila.

Read (to), Garan (toulima).

Rice, Maro.

Rice (baked) Baya,

Rich, rich person, Nanfoula tigui.

River, Bâ (ba).

River overflowed, Ba abo.

Rivulet, Coua.

Road, Sila.

Route, Sila (seelo).

S.

Salt, Noyo (coo, ko).

Sand, Fri (kini-kini).

Sandals, Sabata (samata).

Sangleh(food in use in Tau.
Senegal).

Sauce, Na.

Says (he) Ko.

Scarlet, Morofi.

Scissors, Mécécou _or_ ticera.

Scrape (to), Siim.

See (to) Ye (eagie).

Seen (I have), Akabéyé.

Seen (I have not) Aman Yéba.

Sell (to), San.

Sensible, Kadojo.

Sew (to) Kara.

Sewing thread, Kari (bori).

Shadow, Douran.

Short, Doc ho (sutto).

Sick, Ademi (meun kinde).

Silver, Ouari (cody).

Sister, Coro (ba ding mousa).

Sit down, Sigui (sie).

Skin, Boulo (goulo).

Slave, Yug _or_ youg (joung).

Slave (female,) Youg mouso.

Slave (male), Youg kai.

Sleep (to), Sino-ho _or_ sinoȷ̈o (sinou).

Small, Ado-ho _or_ dine (miessa).

Softly, Doi-doi.

Song, Soucou.

Source, Folo (_origin_).

South, —— (boulla ba).

Speak (to), Coma _or_ couma (akoummo).

Spoon, Kausora (dosa).

Stones, Courou (bino).

Stuff, Fany.

Sun, Télé (tlé _or_ tie lie).

Sweep, (come and) Anabou sira.

T.

Take (to), Ta.

Thief, Suinlikai (soun).

Thine, Heta.

Thou _or_ you, Ilai.

Thou art called, Bedacrila.

Throw, Fry.

Throw (to), Fry (fi).

To-day, Bi (bie).

To-morrow, Sini (sinni).

To-morrow (the day after), Sim kindé.

Tooth, Gui.

Travelling (he is), Abesilafé.

U.

Understand (I do not), Amamé _or_ Atemé.

V.

Village, So.

W.

Walk, to walk, Ta-ha _or_ taȷ̈a (tama).

War (dispute), Kailai (killi).

Wash (to), Kaw (kou).

Water, Gui _or_ ghi, dhy, gie[151].

Water, (fresh,) Gui sema.

Wax, Cagnan.

Weaver, Dari.

Weight, Ka diougou (akouliata)

Well, Ba.

West, —— (tie lie gie).

Where are you going? Taja menez?

Where is it? Menez?

White, Goé (koui).

White, (complexion), Goé.

White man, Forto (_or_ nosaro _Arabic_).

Wind, Foignan (feunnio).

Woman, Mouso (mousa).

Wood, Lo-ho _or_ loȷ̈o[152].

Wooden dish or bowl, Goïng, (the _i_ pronounced
hard and through the nose.)

Writing, Siberi.

Y.

Yams, Cou.

Year, San.

Yes, Naime, (aoua, _Arabic_).

Yesterday, Counou (kouna).

Yesterday (day before). Counaucini.

You _or_ thou, Ilai, (eeta, ee)[153].

SHORT PHRASES IN MANDINGO.

Is the country of the Mandingua dougou a kadiau?
Mandingoes far off?

It is not far off. Amadiau.

Give me fire, Ata diamau.

Give me sandals, Assabata diamau.

What does he say? Kodit?

To kill an ox, Nici faya or faja.

I will come to-morrow, Adina cini.

My heart aches, Cou ademino.

Have you nothing to give me Até fin diamaubi.
to-day.

I am going to wash some linen, Ataȷ̈a fany kau.

I am hungry, Koug abéfé.

I am satisfied, Afada.

Come with me, Ana néfé.

Stay here, Asigui yan.

Go and sit down in the house, Ataȷ̈a sigui so kono[154].

Will you come with me into the Abégue taȷ̈a néfé Mandinga
Mandingo country? dougou?

The road is bad, it is very Sila adiougou dé, courou, gui;
stony, and there is much water, abefef.

Come and eat some rice, Ana maro doume.

I can eat nothing now, I am not Até fin fin doume, cuin afada.
hungry,

All the slaves are gone to till Youg abé taȷ̈a sénéké.
the ground,

Warm the water; _ word for Ablagui tafé.
word_, put the water upon the
fire,

When it is warm you may give it Akakala kadiaman.
to me,

I will wash my body, Abégue moȷ̈o kau.

The value of a piastre. Lankons.

I am fatigued, Aségué.

Let us rest ourselves, Asigui doudine.

The dinner is upon the fire, Tau abétafé.

There is nothing here, Fin fen até yan.

Something, Fin fen (fouké).

Give me some water, A gui diaman.

Bring me some warm water, Ana gui kala.

Do you speak Mandingo? Ka Mandinga kou?

Is that to be sold? Adi san.

How do you do? Enekiendaï?

Very well, I thank you, Baraba.

Take care, Akaitou.

Get out of the way, Agoé sila.

Come and eat some meat, Aua sobo doume.

Put it upon the fire, Abla tafé boudou.

I am going into the village, A taja so fé.

What do you call that? Tiez toȷ̈o di.

I do not know, Aman toȷ̈o lo[155].

That is called —— Atoȷ̈o ——

It is true, Okai.

It is not true, Até kai.

Seek it, Fouré.

It is short, Kadoȷ̈o.

Blow your nose, Enoukai.

It is done, Abinda.

That will heal it, Adiba.

It is healed, Abinda.

It is not dressed, Amamoéba.

Are you well? Akiendai?

Do not cry, Amaukou.

It is ready, Bedacé.

It is not ready, Amancéba.

II.

ENGLISH AND KISSOUR VOCABULARY.

Spoken at Timbuctoo, and upon the Banks of the Dhioliba, as far as Djenné.

* * * * *

NUMERALS.

One, Afau, (affoo, D.)[156]

Two, Ainka, (nakinka, D.)

Three, Aindhia, (nahinza, D.)

Four, Ataki (attakee, D.)

Five, Tgou, norgou (aggoo D.)

Six, Tgou (iddoo, D.)

Seven, Yé (ea, D.)

Eight, Ya-a (yaha, D.)

Nine, Yaga (yagga, D.)

Ten, Oué, noroué (auwy, D.)

Eleven, Oué kindi fau (auwy kind ofoo,
D.)

Twelve, Oué kindi inka (—— linka, D.)

Thirteen, Oué kindi indice (—— linza, D.)

Fourteen. Oué kindi taki (—— takee, D.)

Fifteen, Oué kindi igou (—— aggoo, D.)

Sixteen, Oué kindi idou, (—— iddoo, D.)

Seventeen, Oué kindi yé (—— ea D.)

Eighteen, Oué kindi ya-a (—— yaha, D.)

Nineteen, Oué kidda yaga, (—— yagga, D.)

Twenty, Ouaranca-fossi _or_ tobee
(warunka, D.)

Thirty, Ouarandia (warunza, D.)

Forty, Oué taki (woytakkee, D.)

Fifty, Oué gou (way oggoo, D.)

Sixty, Oué dou.

Seventy, Oué yé.

Eighty, Oué ya-a.

Ninety, Oué yaga.

A hundred, Yangoufou.

A thousand, Yangoué.

A.

Amber, Saca.

And, Kindi (kind, D.)

Ass, Forka (furka, D., chaïd).

B.

Bad, Fante (affootoo, D.; ferri).

Beard, Kabi (kabi, D; heti).

Breeches, Sibi, (seeby, D.)

Bring (to), Kati (kata, D.)

Butter, Gui.

Buy (to), Daye.

C.

Camel, Vio (Yeo, D.; _so_, B.[157]);
elgimmo.

City, Koyera (agherri)

Come, Ka (kaa, D.; ka).

Coussabe, Darbi.

Cowries,[158] Kolo.

D.

Dates, Garbi.

Drink (to), Nine (ushti)

E.

Earth, Ganda (gunda, D.)

Eat (to), Lem-lem[159] (ngha, D.)

Evening, Kiki (keegee, D., _night_).

Eye, Nemodé (_eye_: aiti, D. _the
eyes_: Moh-inka, D., aiti)

F.

Fire, Nonnez (jarrec, D.; ofi).

Fish, Harihau.

Foot, Nakidi (kay, D.; odthi).

Full, Acongo.

G.

Give, Néau.

Glass-ware, beads, &c., Hiri.

Go (to), Koyé (koey, D.)

God, Yalloye (Allah).

Gold, Hora (oora, D.; agreef; dodi).

Good, Agouman (aboree, D.)

Gourd, Tio.

Grass, Sobo.

H.

Hand, Lamba (kambah, D.; akood[160]).

Handsome, Koro, tienta(belle).

Head, Homo (bongo, D.; agodi).

Heaven, Bini (engi).

Hen, Grougo.

Honey, Yiho.

Horse, Bari (barree, D; aïs).

House, Ho (hoo, D, dah, B; bactoo.

How much, Morgue.

K.

King, Tigini.

Knife, Simi (hoorie, D).

L.

Little, Kini-kini.

Look (to), Emagouno.

M.

Man, Harre (harree, D; _jungo_,
abinda, B).

Meat, Ham (hum, D; taasoo).

Merchandise, Almane.

Milk, Oi (wah, D; alebsi).

Millet, Haine.

Moon, Idou (hitte).

Morning, Soubah (_Arabic_),

Mortar, Popo tondi.

Mouth, Mi (mey, D; fetti).

Much, Abeau.

Mutton, Firgui (fagee, D; taili).

N.

Nose, Nini (hoshti[161]).

Not, Aci.

O.

Ox, Haou (hou, D).

P.

Pagne (a piece of cotton Thiugo.
cloth worn over the dress).

Pestle, Tendi.

Pirogue, Heï.

Pot, Cousso.

R.

Rain, Bana.

Rice, Mau.

Rich, Almankoye.

Rise, Teune.

River, Hissa (issa, D; bori).

S.

Sabre, Takeba.

Salt, Kiri.

Sangleh, (see the Mandingo Tasso.
vocabulary),

Sell (to), Nira.

See (to), Emagouno.

Shadow, Sa sa.

Shoe, Tamo[162] (tarno, D).

Silver, —— (n’surfa, D).

Sit down, Gro.

Slave, Banïa.

Slave (female), Coumou (kongo, D).

Slave (male), —— (Bunneea, D).

Sleep (to), Kani (anti).

Small, Kini-kini (katch).

Snuff box, Bata.

Stone, Toudi.

Sun, Ouena (offitti, D).

T.

Tobacco, Sira.

To-day, Hau.

W.

Water, Hari, (bary, D; _boca_) ami B.

Well, Bangou (bungo, D).

Wind, Héou.

Woman, Honi (weey, D, _jumpsa_,
afintoo, B.)

Wood, Toucouri (togoolee, D; esheri).

SHORT PHRASES IN THE KISSOUR LANGUAGE.

How do you do? Ouandagare?

I am well, Delanfia.

What is your name? Makin néure?

What is this? Makin-makin?

What do you wish? Neouri makin?

I wish nothing, Eno ouri méné yaya.

Go away, run, Koyé.

Open the door, Fère.

Who is there? Main nono?

Kindle some fire, Dem nounez.

Bring some water, Kati hari.

There is none there. Acibara.

There is some there, Abara.

I am not satisfied, Aci congo.

Go fetch _or_ bring some fire, Koyé hati nounez.

Go to bed, Gro.

Go to bed, and to sleep, Grokani.

How do you do this morning? Ene soubah? (_Arabic_.)

I am well, A lanfia sidi.

I will, Abegué.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE MANDINGO AND THE KISSOUR.

* * * * *

Note.1.—_Upon the Mandingo._

It appears that the syllable _fé_ is the sign of the preposition _upon_, _in_, or _with_, and that this preposition follows the substantive; examples _tafé_, on the fire; _nefé_, with me; _sofé_, in the village; _silafé_, on the road, &c.

Negation is expressed by _até_ or _té_; yet there are many words of a negative sense, preceded only by _a_ or _am_.

The syllable _ka_ seems to be used for the purpose of expressing _to be_, whether positively or interrogatively.

The word _will_ or _to will_ is not in the vocabulary; but the phrases present an example of the use of the word _abegue_ in this sense. Besides, the vocabulary of Timbuctoo gives _abegue_ for I will.

The relatives _who_, _which_, _what_, are neither indicated in the vocabulary nor in the phrases; but _tiez_ stands for _what_, in the phrase, _what do you call that?_

I have added the word _name_, which was not in the vocabulary, from the three phrases, _tiez tokhodi_, _aman tokholo_, _atokho_. . . .

Note 2.—_On the Kissour._

It appears, by several short phrases in Kissour, that the word _makin_ corresponds with the relative _who_, or _what_; _neare_ with the word _name_; _ouri_ or _neouri_, with to _desire_. I have inserted in the vocabulary some other words furnished by the phrases.

The vocabulary of Major Denham is composed of sixty-seven words, without the numbers; M. Caillié’s of ninety. Forty words only are common to both; but the two correspond almost throughout; it is the same with the numerals: this fact is remarkable. On the contrary, as I have said, the words of Adams, Bowdich and Lyon, differ entirely from those of M. Caillié.