Lesson 28
Your Turn 4

This story has elements of a travelogue—but without the benefit of the Place case (the very next lesson) with which it would have been richer. It needed a bunch of vocabulary—and, regretably, the story got a little long. Enjoy as best you can!

Vocabulary

You may be wondering what “eba” (spouse) might mean when used as a verb. It probably won’t surprise you to find that it means “to marry.” Unlike in English, however, in which one person marries another (grammatically, a Subject marries an Object), in Láadan the verb “eba” requires two Subjects; two persons marry (or “spouse”) together.

Within “elathóodi” (to make welcome), we can infer the form “elathóo” (be welcome).

From the word “habelidá” (resident/dweller), we can infer the underlying form “habelid” (to reside; to dwell).

“Hadihad” (always) and “rahadihad” (never) occur at the end of the clause they modify.

In the definition for “hathóoletham” (year), we see “hathóol” (month) [hath (time) + óol (moon)].

The word “méwith” (crowd) is derived from “with” (person) plus a new prefix, “mé–” (COLLV) that forms collective noun forms. From “babí” (bird), the form “mébabí” means “flock of birds.” Likewise, from “dithemid” (cow), the form “médithemid” means “herd of cattle.”

“Nahin” (become) is typical of a rule that will be presented in a future lesson. For now, all we need to remember is that its Subject is its “before” self (the thing that becomes something else), and its “after” self (what it becomes) is presented in the Identifier Case.

The word “nil” (inside) is the first we’ve seen of a set of words that further define a case ending. We use the case ending to give a general idea, and this type of word lends more specificity to that idea. In this story, it modifies a Goal Case phrase; the Goal case states that the action is “to” or “toward” something; under the influence of “nil” (inside), that case phrase now states that the action is “into” that something. These words are called “postpositions;” they’re similar to English “prepositions” except they occur after the case element they modify.

The words “ohena” and “thena” are two of a set of words we’ll meet in a future lesson. They are the most general of two sets of words meaning “respect” and “joy;” specifically, they mean “respect for good reason” and “joy for good reason.”

English Text

My Lost Father

²My father was a singer and songwriter; almost everyone knew him.His native country was far away; he came thence to sing. He met a young woman, and they wed. Later she gave me birth and then died. Because his wife and child were citizens, he became a resident—but not a citizen. I don’t remember my mother; I had only my father, but he was a good parent. His songs named the evil of our country. His work was important, but the government did not respect him; he was a nuisance.

³The men wore uniforms and had weapons; they came and took my father from our house. I was twelve years old and I was alone. As far as I could see, had to rescue my father. I met a few of my father’s friends; they collected what I would need.

⁴I traveled to the forests of the east of the country. The eastern towns were small but many. Many people of the forest knew my father, but they didn’t know what had happened to him. Many people welcomed me into their homes. I heard, often, “Prithee tell your story.” Many crowds gathered, and I told what had happened to me. I gained many new friends.

⁵I and a some few new friends traveled to the deserts of the south of the country. There were only a few towns; families hosted me. Life was hard; few people of the desert knew my father—although many people paid attention to my story. I gained a few more friends.

⁶I and many friends traveled to the valleys of the west of the country. The valleys had many towns, but small. Many people knew my father, and the crowds were large; churches and hotels opened their doors and invited me in. I “storied,” and I gained a few friends and many followers.

⁷We traveled to the extemely cold north of the country. The weather was bad; there were only a few large cities. Life was hard; and almost no-one knew my father, although the crowds gathered. I spoke, and gained many followers and a few friends. Some few friends became heart-siblings, and I felt extreme joy; I’d never had a family before.

⁸We many traveled back to the plains of the center of the country. There were many large cities. Almost everyone knew my father; some many greeted me; they knew me although I didn’t know them. Many large crowds gathered—although the government news had nothing either about me or about my father. I “storied,” and many followed me.

⁹I haven’t perceived his face again—although I always keep searching for him. Although I cannot sing, I can “story”—and people pay attention. And now my father’s important work is my work. I must name the evil of the government of this country! Would that many things change!

My Láadan Translation with Morphemic Analysis and Retranslation into English

My Lost Father

Wowem Wothulid Letha

My Lost Father

²My father was a singer and songwriter; almost everyone knew him.His native country was far away; he came thence to sing. He met a young woman, and they wed. Later she gave me birth and then died. Because his wife and child were citizens, he became a resident—but not a citizen. I don’t remember my mother; I had only my father, but he was a good parent. His songs named the evil of our country. His work was important, but the government did not respect him; he was a nuisance.

²Bíide thulid letha lalomám i lomám wa; mehan with woho rano beth. Thedehul shishidebeth betha; sháad lalom be núude. Bithim be worabalin wowithizh, i meheba bezh. Wóoban be leth aril id shebasheb. Beróo eba betho i shem betha shishidebethám, nahin be habelidám—izh ra shishidebethám. Dom ra le thulizh lethath; thi le thulid lethath neda, izh bahid wothal wothulem. Mezha lom batho rathal shishidebethethu lenethoth. Oth hal batho, izh loláad ra yon ohenath badim; ba uhudem.

²[Narrative/my perception] My father is singer and songwriter; almost every person is acquainted with him. His nation is extemely far; he came to sing from there. He meets a young woman and they marry. She gives birth to me later and dies. Because his spouse and child are citizens, he becomes a resident but not a citizen. I do not remember my mother; I have only my father, but he is a good parent. His songs name the bad of our nation. His work is important, but the government does not feel respect toward him; he is a nuisance.

³The men wore uniforms and had weapons; they came and took my father from our house. I was twelve years old and I was alone. As far as I could see, had to rescue my father. I met a few of my father’s friends; they collected what I would need.

³Bíide mehune withid zhebudeth i methi lheben dalelolhobewan wa; mesháad lheben i mebel thulid lethath belid lezhethode. Ham láad le hathóolethameth shinethab, i sholan le. Dush bóodan le thul lethath wa. Bithim le lan thulidetho lethath beyezh; mebuth bezh úthú aril them le.

³[Narrative; my perception] The men wear uniforms and have weapons; they-many come/go and take my father from our house. I am 12 years old, and I am alone. I must rescue my parent, as I perceive it. I meet some-few of my father’s friends; they gather what I shall need.

⁴I traveled to the forests of the east of the country. The eastern towns were small but many. Many people of the forest knew my father, but they didn’t know what had happened to him. Many people welcomed me into their homes. I heard, often, “Prithee tell your story.” Many crowds gathered, and I told what had happened to me. I gained many new friends.

⁴Bíide ril im le olin henethu shishidebethethudim wa. Mehíya mewohene womiwith izh menedebe. Mehan with olinethu menedebe thulid lethath, izh melothel ra úthú eril shóo bethu. Ril mehelathóodi with menedebe leth beth benethodim nil. Láad le hath menedebe, “Bóo di ne dedide nethoth.” Melolin méwith menedebe, i di le úthú shóo lethu. Thel le mewobun wolaneth menedebe.

⁴[Narrative; my perception] I journey to the forest of the east of the nation. The eastern towns are small but many. The people of the forest are acquainted with my father, but they do not know what happened about him. Many people welcome me into their home. I often perceive, “Prithee tell your story.” Many crowds gather, and I tell them what happened to me. I get many new friends.

⁵I and a some few new friends traveled to the deserts of the south of the country. There were only a few towns; families hosted me. Life was hard; few people of the desert knew my father—although many people paid attention to my story. I gained a few more friends.

⁵Bíide mehim le i mewobun wolan beyezh shée hanethu shishidebethethudim wa. Meham miwith nedebe neda; methóobethel onida leth. Radozh wí; mehan with shéethu nedebe thulid lethath—íizha mehilehal with menedebe dedide lethoth. Thel le laneth nidi nedebe.

⁵[Narrative; my perception] I and some few new friends travel to the desert of the south of the nation. There are only a few cities; families host me. Life is difficult; few people of the desert know my father, although many people pay unusual attention to my story. I gain several more friends.

⁶I and many friends traveled to the valleys of the west of the country. The valleys had many towns, but small. Many people knew my father, and the crowds were large; churches and hotels opened their doors and invited me in. I “storied,” and I gained a few friends and many followers.

⁶Bíide mehim le i lan menedebe yed honethu shishidebethethudim wa. Methi yed miwith menedebe, izh mehíya. Mehan with menedebe thulid lethath, i merahíyahul méwith; medóhu áatham i both i buzhehoth áatheth ledim; le woshineshid wodihám. Dedide le, i thel le laneth nidi nedebe i dotháth menedebe.

⁶[Narrative; my perception] I and many friends travel to the valleys of the west of the nation. The valleys many towns, but small. Many people know my father, and the crowds are unusually large; churches and hotels and convention centers open their doors; I’m the invited speaker. I “story” and I get several more friends and many followers.

⁷We traveled to the extemely cold north of the country. The weather was bad; there were only a few large cities. Life was hard; and almost no-one knew my father, although the crowds gathered. I spoke, and gained many followers and a few friends. Some few friends became heart-siblings, and I felt extreme joy; I’d never had a family before.

⁷Bíide mehim len worahowahul wohun shishidebethethudim. Rathal ro; meham meworahíya womiwith nedebe neda. Radozh wí, i mehan rawith rano thulid lethath, íizha melolin méwith. Di le, i thel dotháth menedebe i laneth nedebe. Menahin lan beyezh héenam, i loláad le thenahuleth; thi ra le onidath rahadihad eril.

⁷[Narrative; my perception] We-many travel to the extremely cold north of the country. The weather is bad; there are only a few large cities. Life is difficult, and almost no-one knows my father, although the crowds gather. I speak, and I get many followers and a few friends. Some-few friends become heart-siblings; I feel unusual joy-for-good-reason; I’ve never before had a family.

⁸We many traveled back to the plains of the center of the country. There were many large cities. Almost everyone knew my father; some many greeted me; they knew me although I didn’t know them. Many large crowds gathered—although the government news had nothing either about me or about my father. I “storied,” and many followed me.

⁸Bíide menéhim len rabo hathamethu shishidebethethudim. Meham meworahíya womiwith menedebe. Mehan with woho rano thulid letha; medibithim meworahan wowith menedebe ledim; mehan beyen leth íizha an ra le beneth. Mesháad meláad meworahíya woméwith menedebe—íizha thi dishóodalel yonethe radaleth e leth bethu e thulid lethath bethu. Dedide le, i medoth with menedebe leth.

⁸[Narrative; my perception] We-many return to the plains of the center of the nation. There are many large cities. Almost everyone knows my father; many unknown people greet me; some-many know me although I do not know them. Many large crowds come to perceive—although the government’s (unknown reason) news outlets have nothing about me or about my father. I “story” and many people follow me.

⁹I haven’t perceived his face again—although I always keep searching for him. Although I cannot sing, I can “story”—and people pay attention. And now my father’s important work is my work. I must name the evil of the government of this country! Would that many things change!

⁹Bíide neláad ra le ona bathath—íizha náduredeb le bath hadihad wa. Íizha thad lalom ra le, thad dedide le—i mehil with leth. I ril wohoth wohal thulidetho letha hal lethom. Dush zha le rathal yonethu shishidebethethuth hi! Wil mesheb dal menedebe!

⁹[Narrative; my perception] I do not perceive again his-beloved face—although I continue to search always. Although I cannot sing, I can “story”—and people pay attention to me. And now my father’s important work is my work. I must name the evil of the government of this nation! Would that many things change!

My Láadan Text

Wowem Wothulid Letha

²Bíide thulid letha lalomám i lomám wa; mehan with woho rano beth. Thedehul shishidebeth betha; sháad lalom be núude. Bithim be worabalin wowithizh, i meheba bezh. Wóoban be leth aril id shebasheb. Beróo eba betho i shem betha shishidebethám, nahin be habelidám—izh ra shishidebethám. Dom ra le thulizh lethath; thi le thulid lethath neda, izh bahid wothal wothulem.

³Bíide mezha lom batho rathal shishidebethethu lenethoth. Oth hal batho, izh loláad ra yon ohenath badim; ba uhudem. Mehune withid zhebudeth i methi lheben dalelolhobewan wa; mesháad lheben i mebel thulid lethath belid lezhethode. Ham láad le hathóolethameth shinethab, i sholan le. Dush bóodan le thul lethath wa. Bithim le lan thulidetho lethath beyezh; mebuth bezh úthú aril them le.

⁴Bíide ril im le olin henethu shishidebethethudim wa. Mehíya mewohene womiwith izh menedebe. Mehan with olinethu menedebe thulid lethath, izh melothel ra úthú eril shóo bethu. Ril mehelathóodi with menedebe leth beth benethodim nil. Láad le hath menedebe, “Bóo di ne dedide nethoth.” Melolin méwith menedebe, i di le úthú shóo lethu. Thel le mewobun wolaneth menedebe.

⁵Bíide mehim le i mewobun wolan beyezh shée hanethu shishidebethethudim wa. Meham miwith nedebe neda; methóobethel onida leth. Radozh wí; mehan with shéethu nedebe thulid lethath—íizha mehilehal with menedebe dedide lethoth. Thel le laneth nidi nedebe.

⁶Bíide mehim le i lan menedebe yed honethu shishidebethethudim wa. Methi yed miwith menedebe, izh mehíya. Mehan with menedebe thulid lethath, i merahíyahul méwith; medóhu áatham i both i buzhehoth áatheth; le woshineshid wodihám. Dedide le, i thel le laneth nidi nedebe i dotháth menedebe.

⁷Bíide mehim len worahowahul wohun shishidebethethudim. Rathal ro; meham meworahíya womiwith nedebe neda. Radozh wí, i mehan rawith rano thulid lethath, íizha melolin méwith. Di le, i thel dotháth menedebe i laneth nedebe. Menahin lan beyezh héenam, i loláad le thenahuleth; thi ra le onidath rahadihad eril.

⁸Bíide menéhim len rabo hathamethu shishidebethethudim. Meham meworahíya womiwith menedebe. Mehan with woho rano thulid lethath; medibithim meworahan wowith menedebe ledim; mehan beyen leth íizha an ra le beneth. Mesháad meláad meworahíya woméwith menedebe—íizha thi dishóodalel yonethe radaleth e leth bethu e thulid lethath bethu. Dedide le, i medoth with menedebe leth.

⁹Bíide neláad ra le ona bathath—íizha náduredeb le bath hadihad wa. Íizha thad lalom ra le, thad dedide le—i mehil with leth. I ril wohoth wohal thulidetho letha hal lethom. Dush zha le rathal yonethu shishidebethethuth hi! Wil mesheb dal menedebe!

Comments

I’ve coined an idiom “ham láad S T #” where “S” is the Subject, “T” is a time period and “#” is a number or quantifier. It means, in English, that “S is # Ts old.”

Another idiom used here is “hath menedebe” (often) [hath (time) + menedebe (many)]. There is also a similar idiom: “hath nedebe” (seldom) [hath (time) + nedebe (few/several)].