Xyric Folk Tales, Version 1
Author: Raymond Scherer
MS Date: 07-06-2019
FL Date: 09-01-2019
FL Number: FL-000060-00
Citation: Scherer, Raymond. 2019. “Xyric Folk Tales,
Version 1.” FL-000060-00, Fiat Lingua,
2019.
Copyright: © 2019 Raymond Scherer. This work is
licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
Fiat Lingua is produced and maintained by the Language Creation Society (LCS). For more information
about the LCS, visit http://www.conlang.org/
Xyric Folk Tales
Version 1
Table of Contents:
● Preface – 2
● The Great Boulder – 3
● Taro and the Demon – 9
● The Wind Man – 13
● The Pet that Could Talk – 17
● The Bird Mother – 22
● The Bird that Couldn’t Fly – 25
1
Preface
The is a collection of five different Xyric myths and folk tales that were commonly told by
the Xyric people. This also provides an IPA transcription of each story and an interlinear gloss in
addition to the English translation. This has been the largest undertaking as of yet during my
time as a conlanger, and it’s my greatest pleasure to share this work with the world.
2
The Great Boulder
Aryci gy dly drérg mhikryg nhe krecé drin olg afashodi téx.
/arˈyçi gy dly drərg ˈm̥ikryg n̥e ˈkreçə drin olg aɸaˈʃodi təx/
PST-live-SG ART.INAN big good rock ART.AN\ACC\ moon\ACC\ at and PST-sleep-SG 3SG
Once the great boulder lived on the moon and he slept.
Avlashi téx, olg abaxi téx gi kóbas.
/aβˈlaʃi təx olg aˈbaxi təx gi ˈkøbas/
PST-wake.up-SG 3SG.INAN and PST-see-SG 3SG.INAN ART.INAN\ACC\ world\ACC\.
.
He woke up, and he saw the Earth
Anjhi fegrez téx gi kóbas drin, rhelb ajiti téx bjerg nhe krecé jaz gi kóbas drin.
/ˈaɲ̥i ˈɸegrez təx gi ˈkøbas drin r̥elb aˈjiti təx bjerg n̥e ˈkreçə jaz gi ˈkøbas drin/
PST-want-SG travel-INF 3SG.INAN ART.INAN\ACC\ world\ACC\ at, so PST-throw-SG
3SG.INAN REFL\ACC\ ART.AN\ACC\ moon\ACC\ from ART.INAN\ACC\ world\ACC\ at
.
He wanted to travel to the Earth, so he threw himself from the moon to the Earth
Gegrec alarhki téx gi kóbas drin, ashjenjebo nhak pjógyk olg nhak kik.
/ˈgegreç aˈlar̥ki təx gi ˈkøbas drin aʃjeˈɲebo n̥ak ˈpjøgyk olg n̥ak kik/
When PST-arrive-SG 3SG.INAN ART.INAN\ACC\ world/ACC/ at, PST-die-PL ART.AN-PL
animal-PL and ART.AN-PL animal-PL
When he arrived, the animals had died.
3
Asymhi gy dly drérg mhikryg rheje dly, olg aclyni téx vec pégrelk asymhi téx rheje dly.
/aˈsym̥i gy dly drərg ˈm̥ikryg ˈr̥eje dly olg aˈçlyni təx βeç ˈpəgrelk aˈsym̥i təx ˈr̥eje dly/
PST-be-SG ART.INAN big good rock very big, and PST-kill-SG 3SG.INAN 3PL.AN\ACC\
because PST-be-SG very big
The great boulder was very big, and he had killed them because he was so big.
Axlegi zog téx, rhelb arangari téx nhek klék pjigy olg nhek klék kyk, olg arangari téx nhek
xok.
/aˈxlegi zog təx r̥elb araŋˈari təx n̥ek klək ˈpjigy olg n̥ek klək kyk olg araŋˈari təx n̥ek xok/
PST-like-SG NEG 3SG.INAN, so PST-make-SG 3SG.INAN ART/ACC/.AN-PL new
animal\ACC\-PL and ART.AN\ACC\-PL new animal\ACC\-PL, and PST-make-SG 3SG.INAN
ART.AN\ACC\-PL person\ACC\-PL
He did not like this, so he created new animals, and he created humans
Arnjorh arangari gy dly drérg mhikryg nhek xok, arirhalki téx nhók xék.
/ˈarɲor̥ araŋˈari gy ˈdly drərg ˈm̥ikryg n̥ek xok ariˈr̥alki ˈtəx n̥øk xək/
After PST-make-SG ART.INAN big good rock ART.AN\ACC\-PL person\ACC\-PL, PST-speak
3SG.INAN ART.AN\DAT\-PL person\DAT\-PL
After the great boulder made humans, he spoke to them.
Arirhalki téx, “Arho erhin fyjo drin!”
/ariˈr̥alki təx ˈar̥o ˈer̥in ˈɸyjo drin/
PST-speak-SG 3SG.INAN, “PST-come\IMP\-PL 2PL here to!”
He said, “All of you, come here!”
Kyt, arirho zog nhak xyk.
4
/ˈkyt arˈir̥o zog n̥ak ˈxyk/
However, PST-come-PL NEG ART-PL person-PL
However, they did not come.
Afefido zog everez vac gi dly drérg mhókryg.
/aɸeɸˈido zog eβˈerez ˈβac gi ˈdly drəgr ˈm̥økryg/
PST-know-SG NEG understand 3PL.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ big good rock
They couldn’t understand the great boulder.
Rhelb, arangari téx giv rhacipev.
/r̥elb araŋˈari ˈtəx giβ r̥aˈçipeβ/
Therefore, PST-make-SG 3SG.INAN ART.INAN\ACC\-PL sevenpetal.flower\ACC\-PL
Therefore, he made the seven petal flower.
Arengri gi ejadip tox fiv.
/arˈeŋri gi eˈjadip ˈtox ɸiβ/
PST-there.is-SG ART.INAN\ACC\ wisdom\ACC\ 3SG.INAN\ACC\ in
There was wisdom inside of it.
Abaxo nhak gulek xyk tlyroz, olg adégro vac tlyroz.
/aˈbaxo n̥ak ˈgulek ˈxyk ˈtlyroz olg aˈdəgro βaç ˈtlyroz/
PST-see-PL ART.AN-PL seven-PL person-PL 3PL.INAN\ACC\ and PST-eat-PL 3PL.AN
3PL.INAN\ACC\
Seven humans saw them, and they ate them.
5
Gegrec adégro nhak xyk giv rhacipev, ano vac gi ejadip.
/ˈgegreç aˈdəgro n̥ak ˈxyk giβ r̥açipeβ ˈano βaç gi eˈjadip/
When PST-eat-PL ART.AN-PL person-PL ART.INAN\ACC\-PL sevenpetal.flower\ACC\-PL,
PST-recieve-PL 3PL.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ wisdom\ACC\
When the people ate the seven petal flower, they received the wisdom.
Afefido irhalkez vac, olg afefido everez vac gi dly drérg mhókryg, rhelb arirho vac tox
drin.
/aɸeˈɸido iˈr̥alkez ˈβaç olg aɸeˈɸido eβˈerez βaç gi ˈdly drərg ˈm̥økryg r̥elb arˈir̥o ˈβaç tox
drin/
PST-know-PL speak-INF 3PL.AN and PST-know-PL understand-PL ART.INAN\ACC\ big good
rock\ACC\ so PST-come-PL 3PL.AN 3SG.INAN\ACC\ to
The were able to talk, and they were able to understand the great boulder, so they came to him.
Arirhalki téx vóc, “Arangari kal órhin. Symhi kal gy dly drérg mhikryg. Erógji kal órhin.”
/ariˈr̥alki ˈtəx βøç araɲˈari kal ˈør̥in | ˈsym̥i kal gy ˈdly drərg ˈm̥ikryg | eˈrøgji kal ˈør̥in/
PST-talk-SG 3SG.INAN 3PL.AN\DAT\. PST-make-SG 1SG 2PL\ACC\. be-SG 1SG ART.INAN
big good rock. FUT-help-SG 1SG 2PL\ACC\
He said to them, “I have created you. I am the great boulder. I will help you.”
Arevero nhak xyk tox.
/areβˈero n̥ak ˈxyk tox/
PST-understand-PL ART.AN-PL person-PL 3SG.INAN\ACC\
The people understood him.
6
Aroxorho gyv rheje jogev rhejogderhtipev, olg aryco nhak xyk gi dly drérg mhókryg oni.
/aroˈxor̥o gyβ ˈr̥eje ˈjogek ̥rejogder̥ˈtipeβ olg arˈyco n̥ak ˈxyk gi ˈdly drərg ˈm̥økryg ˈoni/
PST-elapse-PL ART.INAN-PL very some-PL year-PL, and PST-live-PL ART.AN-PL person-PL
ART.INAN\ACC\ big good rock\ACC\
Many years passed, and the people lived near the great boulder.
Arógji téx nhek xok gegrec apelprho vac.
/arˈøgji ˈtəx n̥ek ˈxok ˈgegreç aˈpelpr̥o ˈβaç/
PST-help-SG 3SG.INAN ART.AN\ACC\ person\ACC\-PL when PST-need-PL 3PL.AN
He helped the people when they needed it.
Abo rheje nhak xyk. Abo xrhanez vac olg abo bjopez vac.
/ˈabo ˈr̥eje n̥ak ˈxyk | ˈabo ˈxr̥anez ˈβaç olg ˈabo ˈbjopez ˈβaç/
PST-learn-PL very ART.AN-PL person-PL. PST-learn-PL tan-INF 3PL.AN and PST-learn-PL
hunt-INF 3PL.AN
The people learned much. They learned how to tan skins and they learned how to gather.
Asymho vac ydré. Sjog abjopo nhak xyk, azrhaco vac gi mhókryg.
/aˈsym̥o ˈβaç ˈydrə | sjog aˈbjopo n̥ak ˈxyk aˈzr̥aço ˈβaç gi ˈm̥økryg/
PST-be-PL 3PL.AN happy. During PST-hunt-PL ART.AN-PL person-PL, PST-find-PL 3PL.AN
ART.INAN\ACC\ rock\ACC\
They were happy. When the people were gathering, they found a rock.
Arengri gi mhjógeb tox fiv, kyt afefido zog gjez nhak xyk gi mhókryg.
/arˈeŋri gi ˈm̥jøgeb ˈtox ɸiβ kyt aɸeˈɸido zog gjez n̥ak ˈxyk gi ˈm̥økryg/
7
PST-there.is-SG ART.INAN\ACC\ fruit\ACC\ 3SG.INAN\ACC\ in, but PST-know-PL NEG
break-INF ART.AN-PL person-PL ART.INAN\ACC\ rock\ACC\
There was something edible in the rock, but the people could not break it.
Rhelb, adofo nhak xyk gi dly drérg mhókryg, “Fefadi gjez njós gi lem mhókryg?”
/r̥elb aˈdoɸo n̥ak xyk gi ˈdly drərg m̥økryg ɸeˈɸadi gjez ˈɲøs gi lem ˈm̥økryg/
Therefore, PST-ask-PL ART.AN-PL person-PL ART.INAN\ACC\ big great rock\ACC\,
“know\INT\-SG break-INF 2SG ART.INAN\ACC\ this rock\ACC\?”
So, the people asked the great boulder, “Are you able to break this rock?”
Arirhalki gy dly drérg mhikryg, “Ésh.”
/ariˈralki gy ˈdly drərg ˈm̥ikryg əʃ/
PST-speak-SG ART.INAN big great rock, “yes.”
The great boulder said, “Yes.”
Kyt, afefidi zog gjez téx tox pégrelk akli téx górh, olg agji téx bjerg.
/kyt aɸeˈɸidi zog gjez ˈtəx ˈtox ˈpəgrelk ˈakli ˈtəx gør̥ olg ˈagji təx bjerg/
However, PST-know-SG NEG break-INF 3SG.INAN 3SG.INAN\ACC\ because PST-become-SG
3SG.INAN weak, and PST-break-SG 3SG.INAN REFL\ACC\
However, he could not break it because he had become weak, and he destroyed himself.
Ashjenjebi gy dly drérg mhikryg.
/aʃjeˈɲebi gy ˈdly drərg ˈm̥ikryg/
PST-die-SG ART.INAN big great rock
The great boulder had died.
8
Taro and the Demon
Asymhi nha xy to alérgi pjosh Taro, olg asymhi nha nhik xak alxy.
/aˈsym̥i n̥a xy to aˈlərgi pjoʃ ˈtaro olg aˈsym̥i n̥a n̥ik xak ˈalxy/
PST-be-SG ART.AN person REL PST-called-SG 3SG.AN taro, and PST-be-SG ART.AN
ART.AN\GEN\-PL person\GEN\-PL leader.
There was a person that was named Taro, and he was the people’s leader.
Aresi pjosh nhe bydym xo, olg arémci rheje pjosh pjésh.
/arˈesi pjoʃ n̥e ˈbydym xo olg arˈəmçi ˈr̥eje pjoʃ pjəʃ/
PST-have-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\ small person\ACC\, and PST-love-SG very 3SG.AN
3SG.AN\ACC\
He had a child, and he loved him very much.
Alérgi pjosh Agjé.
/aˈlərgi pjoʃ ˈagjə/
PST-called-SG 3SG.AN agjé
He was called Agjé.
Abjopo Taro olg Agjé gi shaxornox oni.
/aˈbjopo ˈtaro olg ˈagjə gi ʃaxˈornox ˈoni/
PST-gather-PL taro and agjé ART.INAN\ACC\ forest\ACC\ near
Taro and Agjé were gathering near the forest.
9
Arirhalki Taro, “Fygri zog njós gi shaxornox fiv. Yco nhak shytik tox fiv.”
/ariˈr̥alki ˈtaro ˈ ɸ
ygri zog ˈɲøs gi shaxˈornox ɸiβ | ˈyço n̥ak ˈʃytik ˈtox ɸiβ/
PST-speak-SG taro, “go\IMP\-SG NEG 2SG ART.AN\ACC\ forest\ACC\ in. live-PL ART.AN-PL
demon-PL 3SG.INAN\ACC\ in
Taro said, “Don’t go into the forest. Demons live in there.”
Asymho nhak shytik rheje nhikit, olg acléno vac nhe bydym xo gegrec azrheco vac pjésh.
/aˈsym̥o n̥ak ˈʃytik ˈr̥eje ˈn̥ikit olg aˈçləno βaç n̥e ˈbydym ˈxo ˈgegreç aˈzr̥eço ˈβaç
pjəʃ/
PST-be-PL ART.AN-PL demon-PL very evil, and PST-kill\COND\-PL 3PL.AN ART.AN\ACC\
small person\ACC\ if PST-find\SUB\-PL 3SG.AN\ACC\
The demons were very evil, and they would kill a child if they found one.
Sjog abjopi Agjé, abaxi pjosh nhe xo té asymhi pjosh gi shaxornox fiv.
/sjog aˈbjopi ˈagjə aˈbaxi ˈpjoʃ n̥e ˈxo tə aˈsym̥i pjoʃ gi ʃaxˈornox ɸiβ/
while PST-gather-SG agjé, PST-see-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\ person\ACC\ REL\ACC\
PST-be-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ forest\ACC\ in
While Agjé was gathering, he saw a person that was in the forest.
Arirhalki pjosh, “Anhó! Fygri pjosh fyjo drin. Esi kal gi mhjógeb.”
/ariˈr̥alki pjoʃ ˈan̥ø | ˈ ɸ
yjo drin | ˈesi kal gi ˈm̥jøgeb/
ɸ
ygri pjoʃ ˈ
PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, “hello! go\IMP\ 3SG.AN here to. have-SG 1SG ART.INAN\ACC\
fruit\ACC\
He said, “Hello! Come here. I have a fruit.”
Aresi Agjé gi ngléb, rhelb akamanxi pjosh nhe xo drin.
10
/arˈesi ˈagjə gi ˈŋ̥ləb r̥elb akaˈmanxi ˈpjoʃ n̥e ˈxo drin/
PST-have-SG agjé ART.INAN\ACC\ hunger\ACC\ so PST-walk-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\
person\ACC\ to
Agjé was hungry, so he walked over to the person.
Kyt, asymhi zog pjosh nha xy, olyx asymhi pjosh nha shyti!
/kyt aˈsym̥i zog ˈpjoʃ n̥a ˈxy ˈolyx aˈsym̥i ˈpjoʃ n̥a ˈʃyti/
However, PST-be-SG NEG 3SG.AN ART.AN person, rather PST-be-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN
demon!
However, it wasn’t a man, but it was a demon!
Anjeli nha shyti Agjé olg afegri pjosh gi shaxornox fiv, olg abaxi Taro.
/aˈɲeli n̥a ˈʃyti ˈagjə olg aˈɸegri pjoʃ gi ʃaxˈornox ɸiβ olg aˈbaxi ˈtaro/
PST-grab-SG ART.AN demon agjé and PST-go-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ forest\ACC\ in,
and PST-see-SG taro
The demon grabbed Agjé and went into the forest, and Taro saw it.
Afegri Taro gi shaxornox fiv palz clynez nhe shoti.
/aˈɸegri ˈtaro gi ʃaxˈornox ɸiβ palz ˈçlynez n̥e ˈʃoti/
PST-go-SG taro ART.INAN\ACC\ forest\ACC\ in to kill-INF ART.AN\ACC\ demon\ACC\
Taro went into the forest to kill the demon.
Arongi clynez pjosh ga pjesh jigilóv nhe shoti, kyt agli gy jagilóv bjérg.
/arˈoŋi ˈçlynez ˈpjoʃ ga pjeʃ jigˈiløβ n̥e ˈʃoti kyt ˈagli gy jagˈiløβ bjərg/
PST-attempt-SG kill-INF 3SG.AN ART.INAN\INST\ 3SG.AN\GEN\ tool\INST\ ART.INAN\ACC\
demon\ACC\ but PST-break ART.INAN tool REF\ACC\
11
He tried to kill the demon with his knife, but the knife broke.
Afefidi zog cinhez pjosh nhe shoti!
/aɸeˈɸidi zog ˈçin̥ez ˈpjoʃ n̥e ˈʃoti/
PST-know-SG NEG harm-INF 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ demon\ACC\
He couldn’t harm the demon!
Kyt, asymhi Taro ejed. Afefidi shocez pjosh nhek shotik.
/kyt aˈsym̥i ˈtaro ˈejed | aɸeˈɸidi ˈʃoçez ˈpjoʃ n̥ek ˈʃotik/
however, PST-be-SG taro wise. PST-know-SG banish-INF 3SG.AN\ACC\-PL demon\ACC\-PL
However, Taro was wise. He knew how to banish demons.
Arirhalki pjosh, “Shoci kal njis!” olg akli nha shyti gy mhikryg.
/ariˈr̥alki ˈpjoʃ ˈʃoçi kal ˈɲis olg ˈakli n̥a ˈʃyti gy ˈm̥ikryg/
PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, “banish-SG 1SG 2SG\ACC\!” and PST-become-SG ART.INAN rock
He said, “I banish you!” and the demon became a rock.
Adegegi Taro Agjé.
/adeˈgegi ˈtaro ˈagjə/
PST-embrace-SG taro agjé
Taro hugged Agjé.
12
The Wind Man
Asymhi nha xy to aryci pjosh nhek xok ylox.
/aˈsym̥i n̥a ˈxy to arˈyçi pjoʃ n̥ek ˈxok ˈylox/
PST-be-SG ART.AN REL PST-live-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\-PL person\ACC\-PL far
There was a man that lived far away from people.
Aryci pjosh nhek xok drin pégrelk axlegi zog irhalkez pjosh nhók xék.
/arˈyçi pjoʃ n̥ek ˈxok drin ˈpəgrelk aˈxlegi zog iˈr̥alkez pjoʃ n̥øk ˈxək/
PST-live-SG 3SG.AN there at because PST-like-SG NEG speak-INF ART.AN\DAT\-PL
person\DAT\-PL
He lived far from people because he didn’t like talking to people.
Axlegi lortez pjosh.
/aˈxlegi ˈlortez pjoʃ/
PST-like-SG ponder-INF 3SG.AN
He liked to think.
Gegrec asymhi nha xy gi pjesh icérhax fiv olg alorti pjosh, aresi pjosh gi lyrt.
/ˈgegreç aˈsym̥i n̥a ˈxy gi pjeʃ iˈçər̥ax ɸiβ olg aˈlorti pjoʃ arˈesi pjoʃ gi lyrt/
When PST-be-SG ART.AN person ART.INAN\ACC\ 3SG.AN\GEN\ house\ACC\ in and
PST-ponder-SG 3SG.AN, PST-have-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ idea\ACC\
When the man was in his house and he was thinking, he had an idea.
Kyt, asymhi zog gy lem lort teshis.
13
/kyt aˈsym̥i zog gy lem ˈlort ˈteʃis/
However, PST-be-SG NEG ART.INAN this idea normal
However, this idea wasn’t normal.
Asymhi gy lort gy kjo drérg lort to aresi nha xy tox.
/aˈsym̥i gy ˈlort gy kjo drərg ˈlort to arˈesi n̥a ˈxy tox/
PST-be-SG ART.INAN idea ART.INAN all good idea REL PST-have-SG ART.AN person
3SG.INAN\ACC\
The idea was the best idea that he’d had.
Apelprhi irhalkez pjosh nhók xék.
/aˈpelpr̥o iˈr̥alkez pjoʃ n̥øk ˈxək/
PST-need-SG speak-INF 3SG.AN ART.AN\DAT\-PL person\DAT\-PL
He had to tell the people.
Arirhalki pjosh, “Gegrec kamenxi frhab kal giv nhik xak icérhaxev drin, eklizo nhak anpyk
nhak kracék olg emholko zog nhak xyk kel.”
/ariˈr̥alki pjoʃ ˈgegreç kaˈmenxi ɸ
n̥ak ˈkraçək olg eˈm̥olko zog n̥ak ˈxyk ˈkel/
r̥ab ˈkal giβ n̥ik xak içər̥ˈaxeβ drin eˈklizo n̥ak ˈanpyk
PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, “if walk\SUB\-SG slow 1SG ART.INAN\ACC\-PL ART.AN\GEN\-PL
person\GEN\-PL house\ACC\ at, FUT-become\COND\-PL ART.AN-PL sun-PL ART.AN-PL
star-PL and FUT-hear\COND\-PL NEG ART.AN-PL person-PL 1SG\ACC\
He said, “If I walked to the people’s houses slowly, the suns would become the stars and the
people wouldn’t listen to me.”
Rhelb, akamanxi rheje sóf pjosh giv nhik xak icérhaxev drin.
14
/r̥elb akaˈmanxi ˈr̥eje søɸ ˈpjoʃ giβ n̥ik xak içər̥ˈaxeβ drin/
Therefore, PST-walk-SG very fast 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\-PL ART.AN\GEN\-PL
person\GEN\-PL house\ACC\ at
Therefore, he ran to the people’s houses very quickly.
Gegrec alarhki tlyroz drin, arirhalki pjosh, kyt amhilko zog nhak xyk pjésh.
/ˈgegreç aˈlar̥ki ˈtlyroz drin ariˈr̥alki ˈpjoʃ kyt aˈm̥ilko zog n̥ak ˈxyk ˈpjəʃ/
When PST-arrive-SG 3PL.INAN at, PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, but PST-hear-PL NEG ART.AN-PL
person-PL 3SG.AN\ACC\
When he arrived at the houses, he spoke, but the people didn’t hear him.
Arirhalki pjosh, “Xav fefado zog mholkez nhak xyk kel?”
/ariˈr̥alki ˈpjoʃ xaβ ɸeˈɸado zog ˈm̥olkez n̥ak ˈxyk kel/
PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, “why know\INT\-PL NEG hear-INF ART.AN-PL person-PL 1SG\ACC\?”
He said, “Why can’t the people hear me?”
Aronghi irhalkez rald pjosh nhók xék, kyt afefido zog mholkez vac pjésh.
/arˈoŋ̥i iˈr̥alkez rald ˈpjoʃ n̥øk ˈxək kyt aɸeˈɸido zog ˈm̥olkez ˈβaç ˈpjəʃ/
PST-attempt-SG speak-INF again 3SG.AN ART.AN\DAT\-PL person\DAT\-PL but PST-know-PL
NEG hear-INF 3PL.AN 3SG.AN\ACC\
He tried to talk to the people again, but they couldn’t hear him.
Pégrelk akamanxi rheje sóf pjosh, akli nha xy nhe rhón.
/ˈpəgrelk akaˈmanxi ˈr̥eje søɸ ˈpjoʃ ˈalki n̥a ˈxy n̥e ˈr̥øn/
Because PST-walk-SG very fast 3SG.AN, PST-become-SG ART.AN person ART.AN\ACC\
wind\ACC\
15
Because he ran so fast, he had become the wind.
Onghi irhalkez gjashik pjosh nhek xok.
/ˈoŋ̥i iˈr̥alkez ˈgjaʃik ˈpjoʃ n̥ek ˈxok/
try-SG speak-INF still 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\-PL person\ACC\-PL
He still tries to speak to people.
16
The Pet that Could Talk
Asymhi nha bydym xy to axlegi irhalkez rheje pjosh.
/aˈsym̥i n̥a ˈbydym ˈxy to aˈxlegi iˈr̥alkez ˈr̥eje ˈpjoʃ/
PST-be-SG ART.AN small person REL PST-like-SG speak-INF very 3SG.AN
Once there was a girl that really liked to talk.
Alérgi pjosh Lana.
/aˈlərgi ˈpjoʃ ˈlana/
PST-be.called-SG 3SG.AN lana
Her name was Lana.
Anjho zog irhalkez nhak xyk pjash pégrelk arirhalki rheje njré pjosh.
/ˈaɲ̥o zog iˈr̥alkez n̥ak ˈxyk ˈpjaʃ ˈpəgrelk ariˈr̥alki ˈr̥eje ɲrə ˈpjoʃ/
PST-want-PL NEG speak-INF ART.AN-PL person-PL 3SG.AN\DAT\ because PST-speak-SG
very often 3SG.AN
People didn’t want to talk to her because she talked so much.
Asymhi pjosh oc pégrelk anjho zog irhalkez nhak nlovek xyk pjash.
/aˈsym̥i ˈpjoʃ oç ˈpəgrelk ˈaɲ̥o zog iˈr̥alkez n̥ak ˈnloβek ˈxyk ˈpjaʃ/
PST-be-SG 3SG.AN sad because PST-want-PL NEG speak-INF ART.AN-PL none person-PL
3SG.AN\DAT\
She was sad because no one wanted to talk to her.
17
Kyt, aresi pjosh gi anjir olg arirhalki pjosh tyx.
/kyt arˈesi ˈpjoʃ gi ˈaɲir olg ariˈr̥alki ˈpjoʃ ˈtyx/
However, PST-have-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ pet\ACC\ and PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN
3SG.INAN\DAT\
However, she had a pet and she talked to it.
Anjhi Lana gamalb afefidi irhalkez gy pjesh enjir.
/ˈaɲ̥i ˈlana ˈgamalb a ɸ
idi iˈr̥alkez gy ˈpjeʃ ˈeɲir/
ɸ
eˈ
PST-want-SG lana that PST-know-SG speak-INF ART.INAN 3SG.AN\GEN\ pet
She wanted the pet to be able to talk.
Anjhi góv kjov exicipev irhga Lana gamalb afefydi irhalkez gy pjesh enjir.
/ˈaɲ̥i gøβ exiˈçipeβ ˈir̥ga ˈlana ˈgamalb a ɸ
ydi iˈr̥alkez gy ˈpjeʃ ˈeɲir/
ɸ
eˈ
PST-want-SG ART.INAN\DAT\-PL all-PL night\DAT\-PL on lana that PST-know\SUB\-SG
speak-INF ART.INAN 3SG.AN\GEN\ pet
Every night Lana wished that her pet could talk.
Avlashi Lana gó dérhtip irhga olg amhilki pjosh gi pjesh anjir. Arirhalki téx, “Lana! Lana!”
/aˈβlaʃi ˈlana gø ˈdər̥tip ˈir̥ga olg aˈm̥ilki ˈpjoʃ gi ˈpjeʃ ˈaɲir | ariˈr̥alki ˈtəx ˈlana ˈlana/
PST-wake.up-SG lana ART.INAN\DAT\ day\DAT\ on and PST-hear-SG 3SG.AN
ART.INAN\ACC\ 3SG.AN\GEN\ pet\ACC\. PST-speak-SG 3SG.INAN, “lana! Lana!”
She woke up one day and heard her pet. It said, “Lana! Lana!”
Afefidi irhalkez gy pjesh enjir!
18
idi iˈr̥alkez gy ˈpjeʃ ˈeɲir/
ɸ
eˈ
ɸ
/a
PST-know-SG speak-INF ART.INAN 3SG.AN\GEN\ pet
Her pet could talk!
Afegri Lana gi pjesh anjir drin.
egri ˈlana gi ˈpjeʃ ˈaɲir drin/
ɸ
/aˈ
PST-go-SG lana ART.INAN\ACC\ 3SG.AN\GEN pet\ACC\ to
Lana went over to her pet.
Arirhalki pjosh, “Fefidi irhalkez njós! Xled njhozi irhalkez njós?”
/ariˈr̥alki ˈpjoʃ ɸ
idi iˈr̥alkez ˈɲøs | xled ˈɲ̥ozi iˈr̥alkez ˈɲøs/
ɸ
eˈ
PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, “know-SG speak-INF 2SG! what want\INT\-SG speak-INF 2SG?”
She said, “You can talk! What do you want to say?”
Arirhalki gy enjir, “Cici njós!”
/ariˈr̥alki gy ˈeɲir ˈçiçi ˈɲøs/
PST-speak-SG ART.INAN pet, “be.unpleasant-SG 2SG!”
The pet said, “Screw you!”
Asymhi Lana rheje balirk.
/aˈsym̥i ˈlana ˈr̥eje ˈbalirk/
PST-be-SG lana very surprised
Lana was very surprised.
19
Afefidi zog pjosh gamalb asémhi gy pjesh enjir rheje cicé gegrec afefydi irhalkez téx.
idi zog ˈpjoʃ ˈgamalb aˈsəm̥i gy ˈpjeʃ ˈeɲir ˈr̥eje ˈcicə ˈgegreç a ɸ
ɸ
eˈ
ɸ
/a
ˈtəx/
ydi iˈr̥alkez
ɸ
eˈ
PST-know-SG NEG 3SG.AN that PST-be\COND\-SG ART.INAN 3SG.AN\GEN\ pet very vulgar
if PST-know\SUB\-SG speak-INF 3SG.INAN
She didn’t know that her pet would have been so vulgar if it could talk.
Arirhalki pjosh, “Irhylki zog njós!”
/ariˈr̥alki ˈpjoʃ iˈr̥ylki zog ˈɲøs/
PST-speak-SG 3SG.AN, “speak\IMP\-SG NEG 2SG!”
She said, “Don’t talk!”
Kyt, arirhalki gjashik gy enjir. “Cici njós! Symhi njós shorko!”
/kyt ariˈr̥alki ˈgjaʃik gy ˈeɲir | ˈçiçi ˈɲøs | ˈsym̥i ˈɲøs ˈʃorko/
However, PST-speak-SG still ART.INAN pet. “Be.unpleasant 2SG! be-SG 2SG ugly!”
However, the pet still talked. “Screw you! You’re a piece of crap!”
Rhelb, apelprhi irhalkez Lana gó rheje cicé onjir.
/r̥elb aˈpelpr̥i iˈr̥alkez ˈlana gø ˈr̥eje ˈçiçə ˈoɲir/
So, PST-need-SG speak-INF lana ART.INAN\DAT\ very vulgar pet\DAT\
So, she had to talk to a very vulgar pet.
20
The Bird Mother
Asymhi nha xy to alérgi pjosh Zrhaji olg axlegi ógjez pjosh nhek xok.
/aˈsym̥i n̥a ˈxy to aˈlərgi ˈpjoʃ ˈzr̥aji olg aˈxlegi ˈøgjez ˈpjoʃ n̥ek ˈxok/
PST-be-SG ART.AN person REL PST-be.called-SG 3SG.AN zrhaji and PST-like-SG help-INF
3SG.AN ART.AN-PL person-PL
Once there was a woman named Zrhaji and she liked to help people.
Gegrec arósi nha xy gi ngléb, avélki pjosh nhó xé gi pashed.
/ˈgegreç arˈøsi n̥a ˈxy gi ŋləb aˈβəlki ˈpjoʃ n̥ø ˈxə gi ˈpaʃed/
If PST-have\SUB\-SG ART.AN person ART.INAN\ACC\ hunger\ACC\, PST-give\COND\
3SG.AN ART.AN\DAT\ person\DAT\ ART.INAN\ACC\ food\ACC\
If a person was hungry, she would give the person food.
Gegrec asomhi nha xy oc, arirhólki pjosh nhó xé.
/ˈgegreç aˈsom̥i n̥a ˈxy oç ariˈr̥ølki ˈpjoʃ n̥ø ˈxə/
If PST-be\SUB\-SG ART.AN person sad, PST-talk\COND\-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\DAT\
person\DAT\
If a person was sad, she would talk to the person.
Arémci Zrhaji nhek kjok xok, olg arémci golz pjosh nhek pjigyk olg nhek kyk.
/arˈəmçi ˈzr̥aji n̥ek kjok ˈxok olg arˈəmçi golz ˈpjoʃ n̥ek ˈpjigyk olg n̥ek kyk/
PST-love-SG zrhaji ART.AN\ACC\-PL alll-PL person\ACC\-PL, and PST-love-SG also 3SG.AN
ART.AN\ACC\-PL animal\ACC\-PL and ART.AN\ACC\-PL animal\ACC\-PL
She loved everyone, and she also loved animals.
21
Aresi pjosh giv rheje jogev anjirev.
/arˈesi ˈpjoʃ giβ ˈr̥eje ˈjogeβ aˈɲireβ/
PST-have-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\-PL very some-PL pet\ACC\-PL
She had many pets.
Akamanxi pjosh gó dérhtip irhga gi shaxornox fiv gegrec azrhaci pjosh nhek gulek
bydymek rhépjigyk.
/akaˈmanxi ˈpjoʃ gø ˈdər̥tip ˈir̥ga gi ʃaxˈornox ɸiβ ˈgegreç aˈzr̥açi ˈpjoʃ n̥ek ˈgulek
byˈdymek r̥əˈpjigyk/
PST-walk-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\DAT\ day\DAT\ on ART.INAN\ACC\ forest\ACC\ in when
PST-find-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\-PL seven-PL small-PL bird\ACC\-PL
One day she was walking in the forest when she found seven baby birds.
Areso zog vac nhe tilm.
/arˈeso zog ˈβaç n̥e tilm/
PST-have-PL NEG 3PL.AN ART.AN\ACC\ parent\ACC\
They had no parent.
Rhelb, anjeli pjosh vec olg akamanxi pjosh gi pjesh icérhax drin palz tólmez vec.
/r̥elb aˈɲeli ˈpjoʃ ˈβeç olg akaˈmanxi ˈpjoʃ gi ˈpjeʃ iˈçər̥ax drin palz ˈtølmez ˈβeç/
So, PST-grab-SG 3SG.AN 3PL.AN and PST-walk-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ house\ACC\ at
to raise-INF 3PL.AN\ACC\
So, she grabbed them and walked to her house to raise them.
Avylki góv kjov dérhtipev irhga pjosh vóc gi pashed olg arirhalki golz pjosh vóc.
22
/aˈβylki gøβ kjoβ dər̥ˈtipeβ ˈir̥ga ˈpjoʃ ˈβøç gi ˈpaʃed olg ariˈr̥alki golz ˈpjoʃ ˈβøç/
PST-give-SG ART.INAN\DAT\ all-PL day\DAT\-PL on 3SG.AN 3PL.AN\DAT\ ART.INAN\ACC\
food\ACC\ and PST-speak-SG also 3SG.AN 3PL.AN\DAT\
She gave them food every day and also talked to them.
Arémci rheje pjosh nhek bydymek rhépjigy.
/arˈəmçi ˈr̥eje ˈpjoʃ n̥ek byˈdymek r̥əˈpjigy/
PST-love-SG very 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\-PL small-PL bird\ACC\-PL
She loved the baby birds very much.
Avlashi gó dérhtip irhga pjosh olg abaxi zog pjosh vec.
/aˈβlaʃi gø ˈdər̥tip ˈir̥ga ˈpjoʃ olg aˈbaxi zog ˈpjoʃ ˈβeç/
PST-wake.up-SG ART.INAN\DAT\ day\DAT\ on 3SG.AN and PST-see-SG NEG 3SG.AN
3PL.AN\ACC\
One day she woke up and didn’t see the birds.
Arho vac gi icérhax ylox.
/ˈar̥o ˈβaç gi iˈçər̥ax ˈylox/
PST-fly-PL 3PL ART.INAN\ACC\ house\ACC\ far
They had flown far away from the house.
Asymhi Zrhaji rheje oc.
/aˈsym̥i ˈzr̥aji ˈr̥eje oç/
PST-be-SG zrhaji very sad
Zrhaji was very sad.
23
Kyt, abaxi pjosh nhek rhépjigy.
/kyt aˈbaxi ˈpjoʃ n̥ek r̥əˈpjigy/
But, PST-see-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\ACC\-PL bird\ACC\-PL
However, she saw the birds.
Afegro rald vac gi icérhax drin.
/aˈɸegro rald ˈβaç gi iˈçər̥ax drin/
PST-go-PL again 3PL.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ house\ACC\ at
They had come to the house again.
Abo rhez vac.
/ˈabo r̥ez ˈβaç/
PST-learn-PL fly-INF 3PL.AN
The had learned how to fly.
Abi rhez Zrhaji, olg arhi pjosh nhók pjesh rhépjygyk nja.
/ˈabi r̥ez ˈzr̥aji olg ˈar̥i ˈpjoʃ n̥øk ˈpjeʃ r̥əˈpjigyk ɲa/
PST-learn-SG fly-INF zrhaji, and PST-fly-SG 3SG.AN ART.AN\DAT\-PL 3SG.AN\GEN\
bird\DAT\-PL with
Zrhaji learned how to fly and she flew with her birds.
24
The Bird that Couldn’t Fly
Asymhi nha bydym rhépjógy to afefidi zog rhez pjosh.
/aˈsym̥i n̥a ˈbydym r̥əˈpjøgy to aɸeˈɸidi zog r̥ez ˈpjoʃ/
PST-be-SG ART.AN small bird REL PST-know-SG NEG fly-INF 3SG.AN
There was a small bird that couldn’t fly.
Aronghi rhez njré pjosh, kyt afefidi zog rhez gjashik pjosh.
/arˈoŋ̥i r̥ez ɲrə ˈpjoʃ kyt aɸeˈɸidi zog r̥ez ˈgjaʃik ˈpjoʃ/
PST-try-SG fly-INF often, but PST-know-SG NEG fly-INF still 3SG.AN
He often tried to fly, but he still couldn’t fly.
Aresi kjelf pjosh gi ngléb pégrelk afefidi zog rhez, rhelb afefidi zog bjopez drérg.
/arˈesi kjelɸ ˈpjoʃ gi ŋləb ˈpəgrelk aɸeˈɸidi zog r̥ez r̥elb aɸeˈɸidi zog ˈbjopez drərg/
PST-have-SG always 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\ hunger\ACC\ because PST-know-SG NEG
fly-INF, so PST-know-SG NEG gather well
He was always hungry because he couldn’t fly, so he couldn’t gather well.
Aresi pjosh giv nlovev rhógev.
/arˈesi ˈpjoʃ giβ ˈnloβeβ r̥øgeβ/
PST-have-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN\ACC\-PL none friend\ACC\-PL
He had no friends.
Anjajo nhak kjok rhépjógyk, “Symhi pjosh gy ngérhsh pégrelk fefidi zog rhez pjosh.”
25
/aˈɲajo n̥ak kjok r̥əˈpjøgyk ˈsym̥i ˈpjoʃ gy ŋər̥ʃ ˈpəgrelk ɸeˈɸidi zog r̥ez ˈpjoʃ/
PST-think-PL ART.AN-PL al-PLl bird-PL, “be-SG 3SG.AN ART.INAN dirt because know-SG
NEG fly-INF 3SG.AN”
All the birds thought, “He’s worthless because he can’t fly.”
Arho gó dérhtip irhga nhak kjok rhépjógyk pjésh ylox. Asymhi pjosh rheje oc.
/ˈar̥o gø ˈdər̥tip ˈir̥ga n̥ak kjok r̥əˈpjøgyk ˈpjəʃ ˈylox | aˈsym̥i ˈpjoʃ ˈr̥eje oç/
PST-fly-PL ART.INAN\DAT\ day\DAT\ on ART.AN-PL all-PL bird-PL 3SG.AN\ACC\ far.
PST-be-SG 3SG.AN very sad
One day all the birds flew away from him. He was very sad.
Gegrec akamanxi oc pjosh, abaxi nha plóv pjógy pjésh.
/ˈgegreç akaˈmanxi oç ˈpjoʃ aˈbaxi n̥a pløβ ˈpjøgy ˈpjəʃ/
when PST-walk-SG sad 3SG.AN, PST-see-SG ART.AN different animal 3SG.AN\ACC\
When he was sadly walking, another animal saw him.
Arirhalki nha pjógy, “Xav semhi njós oc?”
/’ariˈr̥alki n̥a ˈpjøgy xaβ ˈsem̥i ˈɲøs oç/
PST-speak-SG ART.AN animal, “why be\INT\-SG 2SG sad?”
The animal said, “Why are you sad?”
Arirhalki nha rhépjógy, “Arho nhak rhépjógyk fyjo ylox. Fefidi zog rhez kal, rhelb symhi
gjashik kal fyjo drin. Fefidi zog zrhacez kal gi pashed olg esi kal gi ngléb.”
/ariˈr̥alki n̥a r̥əˈpjøgy ˈar̥o n̥ak r̥əˈpjøgyk ˈɸyjo ˈylox | ɸeˈɸidi zog r̥ez ˈkal r̥elb ˈsym̥i
ˈgjaʃik ˈkal ˈɸyjo drin | ɸeˈɸidi zog ˈzr̥açez ˈkal gi ˈpaʃed olg ˈesi ˈkal gi ŋləb/
26
PST-speak-SG ART.AN bird, “PST-fly-PL ART.AN-PL bird-PL here far. know-SG NEG fly-INF
1SG, so be-SG still 1SG here at. know-SG NEG find-INF 1SG ART.INAN\ACC\ food\ACC\ and
have-SG 1SG ART.INAN\ACC\ hunger\ACC\”
The bird said, “The birds flew away from here. I can’t fly, so I’m still here. I can’t find food and
I’m hungry.”
Anjhi ógjez nha pjógy nhe lem rhépjigy rhelb afegro vac gi nhi pjogy icérhax drin olg
avylki nha pjógy gi pashed nhó rhépjygy.
/ˈaɲ̥i ˈøgjez n̥a ˈpjøgy n̥e lem r̥əˈpjigy r̥elb aˈɸegro ˈβaç gi n̥i ˈpjogy iˈçər̥ax drin olg
aˈβylki n̥a ˈpjøgy gi ˈpaʃed n̥ø r̥əˈpjygy/
PST-want-SG help-INF ART.AN animal ART.AN\ACC\ this bird\ACC\ so PST-travel-PL 3PL.AN
ART.INAN\ACC\ ART.AN\GEN\ animal\GEN\ house\ACC\ at and PST-give-SG ART.AN animal
ART.INAN\ACC\ food\ACC\ ART.AN\DAT\ bird\DAT\
The animal wanted to help this bird so they went to the animal’s house and the animal gave
food to the bird.
Asymhi pjosh rheje ydré, kyt asymhi golz evirht.
/aˈsym̥i ˈpjoʃ ˈr̥eje ˈydrə kyt aˈsym̥i golz ˈeβir̥t/
PST-be-SG 3SG.AN very happy, but PST-be-SG also confused
He was very happy, but also confused.
Adofi nha rhépjógy, “Xav arégjez njós kel? Symhi kal nhe rhépjigy té fefidi zog rhez
pjosh. Symhi kal gy ngérhsh!”
/aˈdoɸi n̥a r̥əˈpjøgy xaβ arˈəgjez ˈɲøs ˈkel | ˈsym̥i ˈkal n̥e r̥əˈpjigy tə ɸeˈɸidi zog r̥ez
ˈpjoʃ | ˈsym̥i ˈkal gy ŋər̥ʃ/
PST-ask-SG ART.AN bird, “why PST-help\INT\-SG 2SG 1SG\ACC\? be-SG 1SG ART.AN\ACC\
bird\ACC\ REL\ACC\ know-SG NEG fly-INF 3SG.AN. be-SG 1SG ART.INAN dirt
The bird asked, “Why did you help me? I’m a bird that cannot fly. I’m worthless!”
27
Arirhalki nha pjógy, “Symhi zog njós gy ngérhsh! Njaji kal gamalb symhi njós drérg olg
somhi njós gy drérg rhig.”
/ariˈr̥alki n̥a ˈpjøgy ˈsym̥i zog ˈɲøs gy ŋər̥ʃ | ˈɲaji ˈkal ˈgamalb ˈsym̥i ˈɲøs drərg olg
ˈsom̥i ˈɲøs gy drərg r̥ig/
PST-speak-SG ART.AN animal, “be-SG NEG 2SG ART.INAN dirt! think-SG 1SG that be-SG
2SG nice and be\SUB\-SG 2SG ART.INAN good friend”
The animal said, “You’re not worthless! I think that you’re nice and that you might be a good
friend.”
Asymhi nha rhépjógy rheje ydré. Apelprhi zog fefidez rhez pjosh palz symhez nha drérg
rhépjógy.
/aˈsym̥i n̥a r̥əˈpjøgy ˈr̥eje ˈydrə | aˈpelpr̥i zog ɸeˈɸidez r̥ez ˈpjoʃ palz ˈsym̥ez n̥a drərg
r̥əˈpjøgy/
PST-be-SG ART.AN bird very happy. PST-need-SG NEG know-INF fly-INF 3SG.AN to be-INF
ART.AN good bird
The bird was very happy. He didn’t need to be able to fly to be a good bird.
Adegegi nha rhépjógy nhe pjigy.
/adeˈgegi n̥a r̥əˈpjøgy n̥e ˈpjigy/
PST-hug-SG ART.AN bird ART.AN\ACC\ animal\ACC\
The bird hugged the animal.
28
