'''Bambara''', or '''Bamanankan''' is a language in [[West Africa]], mostly in [[Mali]], where it is mother tongue of the ''Bambara'' people (30% of the population), and where 80% of the population can communicate in the language. Bambara will also be useful in [[Burkina Faso]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], and [[Gambia]]. Together with Dioulé and Malinké it belongs to the Mandekan dialect family, which itself part of the Mande group, which is a Niger-Congo language subgroup.
'''Bambara''', or '''Bamanankan''' is a language in [[West Africa]], mostly in [[Mali]], where it is mother tongue of the ''Bambara'' people (30% of the population), and where 80% of the population can communicate in the language. Bambara will also be useful in [[Burkina Faso]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], and [[Gambia]]. Together with Dioulé and Malinké it belongs to the Mandekan dialect family, which itself part of the Mande group, which is a Niger-Congo language subgroup.
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The language is heavily influenced by [[French phrasebook|French]], and even the slightest knowledge of French will make it easier to remember words, and if you don't remember a word you can try to use the French word.
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The language is heavily influenced by [[French phrasebook|French]], and even the slightest knowledge of French will make it easier to remember words. If you don't remember a word you can try to use the French word.
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== Headline text ==
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==Pronunciation guide==
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[[Image:[[Media:Example.jpg]]<math><nowiki>Insert formula here</nowiki>--[[User:24.1.3.1|24.1.3.1]] 21:45, 16 September 2010 (EDT)
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== [Headline text][[''Link title''''' ''']] == shh dont wake up the lions
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===Vowels===
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</math>]]
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; a : like 'a' in "father"
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; e : like 'e' in "prey"
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; ε : like 'e' in "met"
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; i : like 'i' in "police"
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; o : like 'o' in "so"
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; ɔ : like 'ough' in "bought"
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; u : like 'u' in "clue"
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There are also long vowels:
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*'''aa'''
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*'''ee'''
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*'''εε'''
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*'''ii'''
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*'''oo'''
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*'''ɔɔ'''
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*'''uu'''
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and nasal vowels:
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*'''an'''
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*'''en'''
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*'''εn'''
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*'''in'''
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*'''on'''
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*'''ɔn'''
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*'''un'''
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===Consonants===
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; j : like 'j' in "jay"
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; ɲ : like 'ny' in "canyon"
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; ŋ : like 'nw'
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; c : like 'ch' in "chair"
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; g : like 'g' in "get"
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; h : like 'h' in "hard"
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; s : like 'ss' in "pass" or 'sh' in "shake" (varies by region)
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===Blends===
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; sh : like 'sh' in "shore"
==Phrase list==
==Phrase list==
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; Good night (''to sleep'') : ka su hεεrε
; Good night (''to sleep'') : ka su hεεrε
; I don't understand. : n m'a faamu
; I don't understand. : n m'a faamu
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; Where is the toilet? : ɲεgεn bε min wa?
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; Where is the toilet? : ɲεgεn bε min?
===Problems===
===Problems===
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; That's too expensive. : abadika, O ka cha. Do bo a la [cheaper please]
; That's too expensive. : abadika, O ka cha. Do bo a la [cheaper please]
; Would you take _____? : Would you take _____?
; Would you take _____? : Would you take _____?
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; expensive : ka gelen (literally - too heavy)
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; expensive : ka gelen (literally - too hard)
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; cheap : ma gelen (literally - not heavy)
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; cheap : ma gelen (literally - not hard)
; I can't afford it. : wardi tε n'bolo. (literally - the money is not in my hand)
; I can't afford it. : wardi tε n'bolo. (literally - the money is not in my hand)
; I don't want it. : N t'a fε. [note: once you have made an offer you are obligated to purchase]
; I don't want it. : N t'a fε. [note: once you have made an offer you are obligated to purchase]
; You're cheating me. : Namara ka cha.
; You're cheating me. : Namara ka cha.
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; I'm not interested. : I'm not interested. (..)
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; I'm not interested. : N ma se a ma.
; OK, I'll take it. : Awo, n ba taa. or Awo, n bε fε k'a san. (literally - I want to buy it)
; OK, I'll take it. : Awo, n ba taa. or Awo, n bε fε k'a san. (literally - I want to buy it)
; Can I have a bag? : mahnah bε wa? (literally - do you have plastic)
; Can I have a bag? : mahnah bε wa? (literally - do you have plastic)
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{{usablephrasebook}}
{{usablephrasebook}}
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{{phrasebookguide}}
Latest revision as of 00:04, 9 September 2012
Bambara, or Bamanankan is a language in West Africa, mostly in Mali, where it is mother tongue of the Bambara people (30% of the population), and where 80% of the population can communicate in the language. Bambara will also be useful in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Gambia. Together with Dioulé and Malinké it belongs to the Mandekan dialect family, which itself part of the Mande group, which is a Niger-Congo language subgroup.
The language is heavily influenced by French, and even the slightest knowledge of French will make it easier to remember words. If you don't remember a word you can try to use the French word.
The month is always stated first in a date, then the day of the month. For example, January 25, 2008 would be "janvier kalo tile mugan ni duru san baa fila ni segi". A literal translation would be "January month day twenty-five year two thousand and eight." When written with digits, the French tradition of day, month, year is generally followed.
Parlons Bambara, langue et culture Bambara, Ismael Maiga
This is a usable phrasebook. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use it to get by, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
