Soussou Language
Language Learning Activity: Numbers and Nouns
Objective:
Learn more about how Soussou is used in daily interactions by thinking about both how to count and combining that with various proper nouns. This will be a good way to both practice counting as well as to drill vocabulary on important nouns that might be used in such places as the market, when going to buy food.
Instructions:
- Write down the numbers in Soussou from 1 through 10. Make sure that these are numbers you’re comfortable using. Split each number onto a flashcard.
- Write down a list of at least 10 proper nouns in Soussou. These will be modified by the numbers that you’re using above.
- Create a small list of verbs. You can write down their meanings and use them openly. They don’t have to be on flash cards.
- Choose one card from each pile and try to put them together. See if you can actively pair them with some of the verbs that you have written out before.
- If you are working with your mentor, take time to construct sentences together. Work on correct pronunciation of all words, and make sure you can use them all together even in short sentences.
- Make notes of which words you struggled with and put them in a separate pile. Go back and do the exercise again with those words you struggled to put together and remember the names of.
Resources:
- Numbers 1 through 10: Kérén, Firín, Sakhán, Naní, Souli, Senni, Soloféré, Soloma sakhán, Soloma naní, Fou
- Some proper nouns:
- Lofouré – orange
- Mangué – mango
- Hignè – milk
- Dômma – shirt
- Böuki – book
- Yèhè – fish
- Yèèkhè – sheep
- Bandè – rice
- Wöto – car
- Sankiri – shoes
- A few verbs that can be used
- Sara(fé) – to buy
- Wama – to want
- Sognirya – give me
- Allah bè / Hè i sa tiin – Please
- Some sample sentences and phrases
- N’sigafé markiti n’ghasa lofoure solofere sara – I am going to the market to buy 7 oranges
- M’bara mange keren dom – I ate one mango
- M’bara böuki sakhan sébé – I wrote 3 books
- Wökha fougnè naní – Your four pineapples
