...
I made a website for this summer's project with Okrand Atlantean by the maker of Klingon and my Ancient Africa Conlang.
New Texts in Okrand Atlantean with an Ancient African Conlang: Medieval West Africa Texts
https://naviklingon.blogspot.com/2020/0 ... w=flipcard
Images for Previous Post
https://naviklingon.blogspot.com/2020/0 ... w=flipcard
I've been adding the texts there. I have finished hand-written draft translations into Okrand Atlantean but not into the Ancient Africa Conlang. I'm on the final text, Text G, for that one.
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I don't think I have posted Text A, Text B, or Text C here, so I'll copy them here so that they're easier to quote and study.
Some thoughts before we continue:
It occurs to me that "Ancient Africa Conlang" is very similar to Swahili for grammar. I have made alterations to it such that it is distinct from Swahili and more of a mix of Bantu languages for grammar, plus other things I thought would spice things up. I think it's still very similar to Swahili, though. Most of the words are very similar to Swahili so far as I have access to it. There may be some grammatical references to Non-Bantu Niger-Congo languages.
I didn't take a long time in examining my available resources to make the "Ancient Africa Conlang". Originally I think I was only going to translate Text A but had thought of translating them all. For me, the language is a tool to get me interested in Swahili and Bantu languages and it has succeeded.
I'm trying to study Bantu and Non-Bantu Niger-Congo languages a bit but I don't know if I will work that into these Ancient Africa Conlang texts. I still have a lot to do with the Atlantean for consistency. And I have really put a lot of time already into the Ancient Africa Conlang texts, looking up almost every word in Texts B to F in my Teach Yourself Swahili Dictionary. Every now and then, I tried to spice it up. It's been a good experience because I've been able to explore Swahili and it's a very different language from either English or Latin. I've actually studied hundreds of languages, though, so I have some idea of how different things can be. Swahili at the word level has been refreshing, though.
This Teach Yourself Swahili dictionary is one of the most interesting that I have in any language, especially for a modern language dictionary. ( I own mostly historic or ancient language dictionaries, in non-digital format. )
The word and clause order of the Ancient African Conlang follows the English aside from noun - adjective and verb - adverb. I don't think I'll change that and either refer readers to the grammar or let them imagine what a more realistic word and clause order would be. This is an expedient to making translations faster. As it is now, without glosses, it's also hard enough to follow as it is.
And I have no plans now to gloss every word. I'll upload my notes and interested parties can have simultaneous reference to them. They gloss a lot but not everything. Some things would have to be figured out using the common morphemes.
Again, the point of the Ancient Africa Conlang is that The Epic of Son-Jara that I have is not bilingual and so I wanted to make something which was an approximation for the original. Too late did I learn that West Africa is mostly Non-Bantu Niger Congo languages. But I own these very nice Swahili and Niger-Congo resources, so I have made some good and memorable use of them.
...
Also, sorry, no further grammar notes. Just me typing it up.
Well, here's a little:
= : Usually separates Noun Class Prefix from the Noun Root.
=Noun.Root Noun.Class.Prefix=Adjective
This is how adjectives agree with their nouns. I think in actual Swahili, both get the Noun Class Prefix and I read the grammar wrong or something.
=Verb.Root Verb.Affixes=Adverb.or.Modal.Verb.Root
I use the 6 or so actual Noun Classes of Swahili. Usually my conlangs have only one noun class and only one verb conjugation and no irregular verbs. So this has been interesting but also more time-consuming than usual.
== : This is used for three prefixes (sometimes suffixes) :
pa== at ( place, definiteness)
ku== to ( indefiniteness, movement )
mu== in
@ : This means there's nothing there. I think it's mostly used when the Noun Class and Number Prefix has been moved but there needs to be a prefix before it. Like mu==@=Noun.Root-suffixes.
Imitation Swahili words, invented by me, feature a doubled initial letter. The very long ones are usually Ghana names of plants from a certain book of West African plants that I have. I wanted to make use of that book and explore it some, and I did.
Here's the basic morphological chains of everything, using examples:
house-my
( ny=umba-ni )
I-Past-give-it-to.him
( ni-li-pa-a-a )
( These can't be used as independent pronouns and only occur as affixes. )
i NI
you U
he she it A
we TU
you guys M
they WA
You will also encounter:
of -AA
and NA
with NAA
without BILA
this HUYU
that -LE
or AU, AMA
thing J=AMBO (used to form independent pronouns)
person M=TU (used to form independent pronouns)
self NAFSI (used to form independent pronouns)
for MUDA.WA
out NJE
by (in Passive sentences) NJE "out"
from -TOKA.KWA, KUTOKA.KWA
on JUU.YA
to KWA
because KWA.SABABU
little -DOGO
big -KUBWA
Passive -liw-, -lew-
Causative -ish-
Negation -hawa-
Imperative n-
Habitual -hu-
Past -li-
Future -ta-
Relative, in Verb -o-
Relative, Pronoun amba-
Conditional -nge-
Inceptive -p-
Subjunctive -e
Infinitive, "to" ku-
-ing (uninflected verb form) cchigi-
un- -to-
Adjective, "doer" -aji
...
...
Text A, Page A.
Originally copied by hand Tues 5 5 2020.
Page 76.
Ah! My little brother, God has made you like the beehive. The eye of the enemy is on you. The hand of the enemy cannot touch you. Ah, my little brother, God has given you the bards and the smiths. Son-Jara, the Manden belongs to you!
Notes by me: Son-Jara: Hero of the Epic, Founder of the Old Mali Empire, c 1600s.
Manden: Old Mali Empire.
Okrand Atlantean:
Te! As-top tipim-mil kagin, mah neb mohit dol-shimot eshelen-tem. Okwep washod-ag mohit meg es-etot. Shayod washod-ag mohit tag bog-etot. Te! As-top tipim-mil kagin, mah neb mohib nuh-imot lilum-tem gim nelut. Aktirak-wer-top, Ad-top, Adlantis-tem tenos-letot!
Aktirak-wer :
Hammerhead Shark Man, like the Ancient Egyptian god Ra.
Ad :
"The Heart of Atlantis", sentient sun-like Atlantean being.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Guta!
=Dugu-ni n=dogo, Mungu a-li-ish-fanana.na-u m=zinga.
Jichoma aduima-aa a-mazao-u.
M=kono aduima-aa a-hawa-hodari-u ki-banzi.
Guta, =dugu-ni n=dogo, Mungu a-li-toa-u mi=shairi na mi=hunzi.
Sson-Jara, Mmanden a-pita kwa-u!
Text A, Page B.
He went then and gave the pouch of gold to the Tunkara Patriarch, Prince Tunkara of Mema, saying they should cast the sigi. When Son-Jara returned from the bush ...
Okrand Atlantean:
Ab toy-imot gim
Nartak-wer Metad-tem Nartak-lant-ag deg
Peyes-tem Nartak-wer-ag
gom
sedig-tem hakek-ag nuh-imot.
Yer-en-tem serih-setoh bet reg-e.
Dos Aktirak-wer dulal-tem ga digad-imot
...
Ancient Africa Conlang:
A-li-enda ndipo na a-li-toa-a vyombo dhahabu-aa
kwa Cchumvi Ttunkara-aa,
Mwana-wa-mfalme Tunkara Mema-aa,
da-sema wa-wi-adhiri vi=kuku.
Son-Jara a-po-achana a-toka.kwa ny=ika
...
Notes:
"Mèma: The land where Son-Jara lives in exile from the Manden. In several particulars, Mèma resembles Medina, where the prophet Mohammed lived in exile while he prepard to overtake Mecca."
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jgr6/203/unit10 ... cters.html
Tunkara: This kingdom is apparently ruled by the Tunkara family.
cast the sigi: This is a trial by fire to determine if warriors are not related and so able to face eachother upon the battle field. Both grab metal bracelets out of a pot of burning potash and put them on.
Text A, Page C.
Since Son-Jara entered Mema, the eldest Tunkara daughter had loved him. Don't you know that person's name? Her name was Mema Sira.
Okrand Atlantean:
Sagah Aktirak-wer Nartak-lant-tem nageb-imot,
dateya madem-bey Nartak-wer-ag hipes-imot.
Anik-tem lud-ag deb kwam panneb-enen du?
Anik tuhin Nayap Nartak-lant-ag es-imot.
Notes:
Nayap: a long-nosed shark.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Tangu Sson-Jara a-ingia ku==Mema,
binti ote-mzee Tunkara-aa a-li-penda-a.
U-hawa-jua-a jina m=tu-le zzaidi?
Jina-a-ake a-li-wa Mmema Ssira.
Text A, Page D.
Note 2045.
The familiar African (Caribbean, South Asian) game of shifting tokens from one of the twelve or more holes to the next. Many variants of this game exist all over the world, and the game often goes by the generic name derived from Arabic "Mankala".
Okrand Atlantean:
Dashug mak
Men-mil, ( Kakos-mil, Deyabond-in Bom-mil, )
odedlush-tem gom
kiroyd-en-tem din yadil-ag as peleb ga
yed-en-ag meres-e.
Gipit-en tuler-mig dashug-ag neb
nesdum-tem gut
komtib-retoh.
Gim dashug nish-in pidat-etot
anik aropos-mil Makala
deg
Dig-tem Mipot-ag ga teton-imot.
.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
=Windo ma=cheua mase Nchi-Ssokoma, Nchi-Zzimwi.la.baharini, =Chi-Wwali n=sini, sema ki-hafifu-aa ma=dalili a-toka.kwa ma=shimoma moja wili-aa ama zaidi kwa m=fuata. Ma=mmbo-ingi ma=windo-aa huyu uukungu.mzito ulimwengu, na ma=windo a-ppole =na ji=kkimya a-liw-pengo a-toka.kwa Ki=arabu "Mankala".
Text A, Page E.
Note 16-17, Page 104.
Description of the land mass of the ancient empire of Mali. Sokoto is a city in the modern northern Nigera and was an important settlement in the 19th century Fulani theocratic empire in that region. Fatiyataligara is obscure but one assistant considered it the home of the Soninke in the present-day Mauritania.
Okrand Atlantean:
Kweb genal-ag indanat-ag metot-mil Titet-ag:
Yeren-lant-tem kaweb-mil hekan-mil net
Pelad wil es-etot.
Gim es-imot
ayam nilden-mil
soreg-ag 19 net
Mogat-lant indanat mareyg-mil tet-tem deb net.
Gerab-lant garen-uses es-imot.
Ad atons-os din
Gen-lant peruk-mil net nasap Melish luden-ag es-imot
bet kwesash-imot.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Kkashifa u=sshaha-aa =lki-aa mi=cchaza Mali-aa.
Ssokoto a-wa mji-m=kubwa
mu==@=chi-ki=kkaango n=kaskazini n=mmaisha
na a-li-wa =ffalme u=mmuhtasari
mu==@=lki mi=karne-tisa mi=kuhani
mu==ki=onya.njia-le.
Fatiyataligara a-giza.la.jioni ila
=tu-eepesi m=hakika
a-li-jjidai-a ny=umbani Soninke-aa
mu==@-Chi-Uupenu n=hatari.
Text A Done.
Text B, Page A.
Originally copied by hand Fri 5 8 2020.
Page 69, Line 1803.
They said, If you seek Sumamuru, ask of the hawk! The balaphone of seven keys: After Sumamuru had played that balaphone, the mallets of the ballaphone, he would take, and give them to the hawk.
Okrand Atlantean:
Reg-etoh, Eb Nartak-wer birek-enen, kasun-tem geloh! Shinup kolish-enag 7: Gis Nartak-wer shinup-tem deb ranip-imot, ogdil-entem shinup-ag, las-imot, gim kasun-tem gom sobit peb-imot.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Wa-sema, Kama u-tafuta-a Sumamuru, n-uliza m=wewe!
=Bala ji=kunguo ji=saba-aa:
Nyuma.ya Sumamuru a-li-gguda n=bala-le,
ny=unda bala-aa,
a-li-hu-shika, na a-pa-wa-a kwa m=wewe.
Notes:
Sumamuru: The main enemy of the epic, a Pagan sorcerer king that Son-Jara fights and defeats.
balaphone: A type of musical instrument, called bala in the Mandinka language. -Phone is from English xylophone.
Text B, Page B.
Line 1809.
It would fly up high in a Flame Tree. And there in the depths of Susu Forest sit. Doka the Cat called to the hawk. The balaphone mallets, it delivered to him.
Okrand Atlantean:
Denet-tem yon-ag net kes-in nutag-kimot. Gim yus tibes-tem kayloh-ag Kraken-lant-ag net holis-imot. Ketak Mekas kasun-tem gom ket-imot. Ogdil-entem shinup-ag, tugib bobis-imot.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
A-hu-ruka.hewani kwa apotorodom-miki. Na pa==le mu==m=witu-gido susu-aa a-li-hu-chogi-a. Doka Paka a-li-mogo-a m=wewe. Ny=undo bala-aa, a-li-boroka-a-a.
Text B, Page C.
Line 1813.
Dun Fayiri, Nun Fayiri!
Manda Kante and Sama Kante!
Sori Kante, the Tall!
Susu Mountain Sumamuru Kante!
Salute Sumamuru!
Okrand Atlantean:
Din Nar, Dut Nar!
Sey Tak, Kut Tak!
Sha Tak, saynim-mil!
Nartak-lant Maleg Nartak-wer Tak!
Goyus-yoh Nartak-wer!
[ These ancestors of Nartak-wer are given numbers and parts of his name, with reference to the names of the ancestral kings of the Shang Dynasty in the Oracle Bone Script Chinese inscriptions. Nar is "corpse" or "musician" and tak is "fish". Din dut sey kut sha : 1 2 3 4 5. There is also some reference to Hades and the Greek gods being the children of the Titans, though not much because it is not a common mythological concept. This was a very hard passage to translate because I had to find the footnote explaining what the names in it meant. ]
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Dun Fayiri, Nun Fayiri!
Manda Kante na
Sama Kante!
Sori Kante, m=tu-refu!
Susu M=lima Sumamuru Kante!
N-salimu Sumamuru!
Sumamuru: The main enemy of the epic.
Note 1813 ff. The Janjon is a floating praise-poem, sung here for Sumamuru, see the note for lines 1311 ff. This poem is said to be sung to warriors going into battle. Another praise poem called the Duga is said to be sung to warriors coming out of battle. Lines 1813-15 are Kante clan ancestors, while lines 1816 to 28 are praise-names for Sumamuru, emphaisizing his occult power and ruthlessness.
I included this part for the parts before and after it. I don't remember what it's all about. Ancient texts are like this, you need a glossary and several books and you still can't be sure what it all means.
Text B, Page D.
Line 1818.
Sumamuru came amongst us:
His pants of human skin.
Sumamuru came amongst us,
his coat of human skin.
Sumamuru came amongst us,
his helm of human skin.
The first and ancient king,
the king of yesteryear.
So, respite does not end resolve.
Sumamuru, I found you gone.
Oh! Glorious Janjon!
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
Nartak-wer gwisit mib saldup-imot,
berak tugin ipihok-ag tarob-enag.
Nartak-wer gwisit mib saldup-imot,
burok tugin ipihok-ag tarob-enag.
Nartak-wer gwisit mib saldup-imot,
gamal tugin ipihok-ag tarob-enag.
Makit din-lag gim heg-mil,
makit yanut-losh-ag.
Bat, pigosh-ir noshib-ir-tem kwam bosil-imot.
Nartak-wer-top, mohit komtib-dimik .
Um! Martak-wer mashig-mil!
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Sumamuru a-li-ja katikati.ya-tu,
suruali-a ng=ozi-a.kibindamu-aa.
Sumamuru a-li-ja katikati.ya-tu,
m=paku-a ng=ozi-a.kibindamu-aa.
Sumamuru a-li-ja katikati.ya-tu,
u=sukani-a ng=ozi-a.kibindamu-aa.
M=falne-a.kwanza na m=tu-a.kale, m=falne m=bbidu-aa.
Meta, m=figo a-hawa-ssupa-a m=bigabiga.
Ni-li-ona-a m=bbipu-u.
Chiki! Jajon-tukufu!
Sumamuru: Main enemy of the epic, rival Pagan king.
of human skin: I've read a lot and in old times, body parts of captured enemies were made into trophies which were worn or displayed in various ways and with various meanings. Usually it's the part of the body in which they thought the soul resided. Notably, the Mayan Hieroglyph for shield, PAKAL, is thought to have a skinned human face on it. Which reminds one of the image of the Gorgon's face which was depicted on some Ancient Greek shields. Which reminds one of shrunken heads and scalpings.
Text B Done.
Text C, Page E.
Originally copied by hand Fri 5 8 2020.
Note 1780.
Ta-Suma-Gani-Late, 'Caress of Hot Fire', appears to be a praise-name for King Dankaran Tuman's daughter, emphasizing her sexual appeal.
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
Kraken-gwen, 'Shapash-Atsin-Narnikmil', godas dateya Tenaken Meges Makit-ag sher es-hetot, mehob-tem tuhin ek-in boleh-e.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Ta-Suma-Gani-Late,
'Kukumbatia.kwa.upendo Moto-a.moto-aa',
nounoudoukoye-bboka muda.wa binti Mfalne Dankaran Tuman-aa,
cchigi-ppalapalabu m=gali-a m=yeye-bb.
Note 1781.
Doka the Cat is Son-Jara's royal bard, usurpsed by Dankaran Tuman when he exiled Son-Jara.
Note 1782.
Susu Mountain Sumamuru Kante.
Sorcerer king of the country of Susu, casted blacksmith, scourge of Islam, and archenemy of Son-Jara.
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
Martag-wer Mekeas es-etot shamad makit-mil Aktirak-wer-ag, Tenaken Meges mob berish-imot dos Aktirak-wer-tem hodlim-imot.
Nartak-lant Maleg Nartak-wer Tak.
Makit Lenad demot-ag Nartak-lant-ag, kwah kenip-imot, pudeb Yadlug-ir-ag, gim washod-mok Aktirak-ag.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Doka Paka a-wa
m=shairi-a.kifalme Sson.Jara-aa,
a-li-lew-jitwali.bila.haki-a
nje Dankara Tuman
a-li-po-hamisha.ugenini-a Sson.jara.
SSusu M=lima Sumamuru Kante.
M=chawi M=falne ji=mbo-aa Ssusu-aa,
li-aburokyiriaba m=hunzi,
m=jeledi Afangmeitsho-aa,
na adui-bbolo Sson.Jara-aa.
Text C, Page G.
Note 1786.
Balaphone.
Musical instrument resembling the xylophone. The keys are made of rosewood, and calabashes of different sizes, tied below the keys, provide resonance.
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
Shinup.
Narim warkod keleb-etot.
Kolish-en yoshubr-entem ga pah-imot
gim tawit-enesh sheloh-mig deg shab-entem
yos kolish-entem shak lerosh-eshetoh
yos wowom-tetoh.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Bala.
Chombo.cha.kufanyia.kazi cchigi-ppogopogo angkaatwaree.
Ngi=kunguo wa-liw-fanyiza nje kwai.angma.tsho,
na ma=buyu vi-nnula-ssuki-aa
li-funga.kwa.kamba chini.ya ng'=kunguo
oogo m=sshugalawanga faa-ggoza muda.wa kkotamedefetsui.
Text C, Page H.
( Players often attach metal jingler sto their hands which resonate when the keys are struck with mallets. The word balaphone is a combination of the Mandekan word bala and the English suffix -phone.
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
Nar-en wey sakip-etoh
nisis-entem dilam-mig shayod-entem sobin gom
yos wowom-eshetoh yos
ogdil-enesh kolish-entem hok-eshdetoh.
Palab "shinup"
palab-ag Yerag-lant-ag "shib" gim
palab-ag Tuyeb-lant-ag "nup"
rusik-betot.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Mi=chez-aji =wwechiwechi wa-hu-mara.nyingi-wa mi=madini tikitiki-aji kwa wa=kono-wa wa-o-hu-kotamedefetsui wa-po-hu-liw-piga-wa nje ny=undo. Neno "meku-bala" a-wa m=bijabija neno-mande-aa "bala" na m=cchungichungikupa-bbugi "meku-".
Text C, Page I.
Note 1797. Dark forest.
Both words are images of the occult.
Dibi 'darkness' implies the secretive milieu of sorcery while the forest symbolizes the realm of chaos. See note for lines 356 to 359.
The image is of a pagan sorcerer's domain.
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
N 1797. Lisom plitak-mil.
Palab-en bud-mig maysot-en kohek-ag es-etot.
Plitak-ir goteh-tem ish-mil lenad-ir-ag tenem-etot,
dos lisom hagek-tem shushus-ag welum-etot.
Bideg-entem 365-59 sher pedlim-tem gamos-yoh.
Maysot yeydil-tem lenad-makit-ag dukap-mil kiweb-etot.
Ancient Africa Conlang:
N 1797. =Witu m=dibi.
=Eno n=vyote.viwili wa-wa-wa wa=fano m=jigu-aa.
M=ddibi a-chini-ambia u=siri limwengu u=rafiki-aa,
a-po-ish-dalili m=witu kwa m=ilki machafuko.makubwa-aa.
( N-uona barua.fupi juu.ya wa=stari 356-59. )
M=fano a-ambia-a ma=mlaka m=tombolombo-chawi-falne-aa.
Text C, Page J.
Note 1813 ff.
The Janjon is a floating praise-poem, sung here for Sumamuru. ( See note for lines 1311 ff. ) This poem is said to be sung to warriors going into battle. ( Another praise-poem called the Duga is said to be sung to warriors coming out of battle. )
Okrand Atlantean Conlang:
N 1818 ff.
Riyag hupat idem-mil es-etot, won Nartak-wer-tem sher kan-i. ( Bideg-entem 1311 tin sher pedlim-tem gamos-yoh. ) Dob neb tarik-tem net bin-e deg bidlug-osentem gom gorash-in kanesh-etot. ( Legap shiban hupat-ag tarik-tem ek saldup-e deg bidlug-osentem gom gorash-in kan-eshetot. )
Ancient Africa Conlang:
Janjon a-wa cchigi-elea kkokolengyema, a-li-liw-imba ha==pa muda.wa Ssumamuru. ( N-ona barua.fupi juu.ya wa=stari 1311 ff. ) Ma=shari huyu a-ttugu-li-liw-imba kwa vy=askari cchigi-ingia pigano. ( Kkoloengyema-ingine a-wa.na-a ji=na Duga a-ttugu-imba kwa vy=askari wa-enda-nje pigano. )
Image:
Here's a picture of a balaphone with some related vocabulary in Okrand Atlantean:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balafon
