Manding (Bambara, Dyula, & Malinké)
Short Text for Verb Practice in Dyula
Read the story and answers the questions below. If you have any queries about the verb structures, review the Super Seven in Manding page!
Musa bɛ bala fɛ
Cɛ dun. A tɔgɔ Musa. A bɛ bɔ Ameriki. A seginin bɛ Chicago. Musa bɛ bala fɔ karan fɛ, nga bala tɛ a fɛ. Bala karamɔgɔ tɛ a fɛ fana. Teri bɛ Musa fɛ. A tɔgɔ Drissa. Drissa bɛ bɔ Farafinna, nga sisan a seginin bɛ Atlanta. Drissa ye Musa ta jula-kan karamɔgɔ ye. Bala bɛ Drissa fɛ, nga bala kelen dɔrɔn bɛ a fɛ. Musa bɛ na taga Farafinna. A bɛ na bala fire yan fe.
Vocabulary:
Bala = balafon (instrument)
fo = to speak; to play an instrument
Karan = to study
fana = also
Farafinna = Africa
kelen = one (1)
dɔrɔn = only
ta = possessive marker
bɛ na taga = will go
yan fe = (over) there
Comprehension Check
Time to see how much you understood! Try to answer the following questions. Remember that while Dyula has verbs markers that are few and small, their positioning in a sentence can change its meaning.
*wa = particle for yes or no question
- Bala bɛ Musa fɛ wa?
- Musa bɛ bala fɛ wa?
- Bala bɛ Drissa fɛ wa?
- Musa bɛ bɔ mini?
- Drissa seginin bɛ mini?
- Musa bɛ na taga mini?
*****
If you need help answering these questions, consult the translations below:
***
- Does Musa have a balafon?
- Does Musa want a balafon?
- Does Drissa have a balafon?
- Where is Musa from?
- Where does Drissa live?
- Where is Musa going?
