Goal #79: Learn 20 questions in Wolof
After my first time in Senegal, as my NY roomie Georgina can attest to, I was obsessed with the word in Wolof for "yes." "WOW."
Below is a sample (read made-up) conversation with me and Wolof speakers.
Me: "Hi, I'm Megan."
Senegalese person: "Wow"
Me: "Yes. It is amazing my name is Megan. Do you know La Megane is a French car, made by Renault?"
Senegalese person: "Wow"
Me: "Wow indeed"
 |
| Three men NOT in a Megane in Richard Toll, Senegal |
Now that I'm back in Senegal, I have since learned that WOW is actually spelled "WAU" and decided to start learning "tuuti Wolof" (a little Wolof).
Wolof is spoken in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania and is the most widely spoken language in Senegal. (read it is important for me to learn some while I'm here!)
Below are the 20 questions (with responses) I have been learning and feel plus/mois comfortable that I can use them in conversation.
1.
Do you speak Wolof? I’m learning Wolof little
by little.
Ndakh def nga Wolof? Mangi degna Wolof ndank
ndank.
2.
How are you? I’m fine.
Na nga def? Maa ngi fi rekk.
3.
What’s your name? My name is Megan.
Noo tu tudd? Maa ngi tudd Megan.
4.
What’s your last name? My last name is Megan.
No sant? Mangi sant Rapp.
5.
Where were you born? I was born in the United
States.
Fann nga judo? Mangi judo les Etats-Unis.
6.
Did you sleep well
last night? Yes I did. Praise God.
Mba jamm nga fanan? Wau. Alhamdulilah.
7.
How is your family? They are fine.
Nka sa wa keur? Nou ngi ferek.
8.
How is your health? It’s okay.
Nka yaram be? Mangi ferek (Mangi tanne = I’m feeling better)
9.
How old are you? I’m 27 years old.
Niata atta nga am? Mangi am vingt-sept.
10.
Do you have a husband? Yes. I am married.
Praise God.
Am nga jekeur? Wah. Alhamdulilah.
11.
How many wives do you
have?
Niata jabare nga am?
12.
Will you marry me? No.
Kai me takala? De-det.
13.
Do you have kids? No.
Am nga jabot? De det.
14.
How’s work going? It’s going.
Nka affair ye? Ca va.
15.
Where are you going? I’m going to Dakar.
Fanga jem? Mangi dem Dakar.
16.
Did you come back from work? Yes. I came back
from work.
Wanchinga? Wau. Wanchinga.
17.
How much does that cost?
Li niata?
18.
What do you want to eat? I want the yassa
chicken please.
Lo bugu lek? Men buguna lek yassa gena su la
neexee.
19.
Do you have any avocadoes?
Am nga avocat?
20.
Do
you have a 5 million franc Orange Card for my cell phone? Yes. I have one.
Am nga Carte Orange recharge pour 5 mille
francs? Wau. Am nga.
