Leti Language - Examples

Examples

The following paragraph is the opening of the Sailfish story as told by Upa S. Manina of Talvunu // Resïara house in the Ilwiaru quarters in Tutukei and reproduced in van Engelenhoven (2004). The Sailfish story is of great importance to Leti society: it provides an origin story for the Leti 'boat owner clans' of Luang origin, describing the destruction of the mythical former Luang continent and the migrations that brought its inhabitants to Leti.

Leti

1. Ululude müani ida mpatròme püata idalo Lïòno.
2. Apo rasaamme.
3. Rasaappo raorïaambo ira aanne ria vòruo.
4. Kòkkòi müani vòrupo nïaulu nvava Retïelüai, üari nvava Sairmòraso.
5. Apo kòkkòi rmapo rapninmüaato.
6. Ne rakkusalkaitmaato.
7. Ne inne nmatio.

English

1. In olden times a man begot a woman on Luang.
2. So they married.
3. They married and begot two children.
4. It was two boys and the firstborn was named Retieluai, the youngest was named Sairmoras.
5. So the children did not know anything yet.
6. They were still very little.
7. And their mother died.