Day One Hundred & Seventeen - Language

Language is a very interesting thing. If only they were not so difficult to learn and remember. I have learned minimal Dinka, Nuer, and Arabic being here in South Sudan. Surprisingly I have learned more Swahili and Kikuyu.

*Disclaimer: spelling is definitely incorrect for some of the words*

Dinka
Apadape – Thank you
Anapol – How are you?

Nuer
Sho khan – I am married

Juba Arabic
Salam alaykum – Hello
Wa alaykum e-salam – Hello (response)
Ma’a salama – Goodbye
Sabah al kheir – Good morning
Masa al kheir – Good afternoon
Aywa – Yes
La – No
Min fadlik – Please
Shokran – Thank you
Afwan – You’re welcome
Meshi – Ok or Nothing
Mish kala – Problem
Mish mish kala – No Problem
Bi – with
Bidun – without
Kaf halak? – How are you?
Tamum – Everything is fine
Ismi taki monu – What is your name?
Ismi – My name is….
Yalah – Let’s go
Moya - Water

Swahili
Twende – Let’s go
Sawa sawa – Ok
Wapi – Where
Pale – There
Malu – What
Kitambo – A long time ago
Maji – Water
Nataka – I want…
Pole – Sorry
Pole pole - Slow
Gambo – Hi
Keribu – Your welcome
Asante (sana) – Thank you (very much)
Habari? – How are you?
Mambo? – How are you?
Habari yako? – What’s up?
Nini? – What is it?
Hakuna – Nothing
Hakuna Matata – No worries
Mzuri – Fine/good
Mzuri sana – Very well
Poa (slang) – Fine
Ndiyo – Yes
Hapana - No
Rafiki - Friend
Dakika – Wait one moment
Nataka pombe baridi – I want a cold beer
Kahawa - Coffee

Kikuyu
Niwanyita – to hold something “Do you understand me?”
Haiya – astonishment (expression)
Kikii? – What is it?