Nuer Field Project


Exercises For Lesson 33

  1. Listen carefully from now on for the Habitual constructions, taking as accurate note of the situations in which they occur as possible in order to get the feel of the meaning intended. Attempt to identify each aspect and the subject of the verb. Go to clinic prayers and listen for this construction exclusively noting how often it is used.
  2. Write the sentence [wu̲t ɛmɔ laa bëë wanɛmɛ ni̲ ciaŋ.] and substitute 10 intransitive verbs in 1st Aspect 3rd singular.
  3. Write a theme explaining why Dɛŋ is different from Jesus and then explain the grammatical usage of each word. Write at least 10 sentences.
  4. Take the following sentences and write them out substituting the verbs listed below. Write out the translations as well.
    Transitive: eat, bring, give, take, know, see, want, ask, agree to.
    Intransitive: go, come, eat, lie down, play, argue, good, bad, have
    Transitive sentences:
    1. Ɣä̲n laa jɛ a camä̲.
    2. La kɛn ti̲ti̲ a cä̲m ciaŋ ciaŋ.
    3. Bɛ ti̲ti̲ a camɛ.
    Intransitive sentences:
    1. Jï̲n, laa ti̲i̲ wanɛmɛ.
    2. La ɤä̲n tɛ̲ wanɛmɛ.
    3. Cikɛ ku̲ a tɛ̲kɛ wanɛmɛ.
  5. Write in English:
    1. Jɛn lapɛ ram mi̲ gɔaa.
    2. Jï̲n laa jä̲li̲ kɛ duɔ̲ɔ̲r lɔɔcdu̲. Ɛ ŋu̲?
    3. Ram ɛmɔ lapɛ gua̲n gak.
    4. La ɤä̲n jɛ a lɛɛl.
    5. Dho̲o̲li̲ tɔtɔ laa bä̲kɛ wanɛmɛ kɛ cä̲ŋ da̲a̲r. Go̲o̲ kɛn ni̲ ŋu̲.
    6. Bi̲ nɛy ruä̲n a thaal.
    7. Cikɛ ku̲ a tëk tä̲ä̲mɛ kɛ ɤöö ci̲ ki̲i̲m kɛ luä̲k.
    8. La wu̲t ɛmɔ kɔ a mooc ŋɔaani̲ guä̲thni̲ diaal.
    9. Nɛy tɔtɔ lapkɛ wu̲tni̲.
  6. Write the Nuer sentences appropriate for the following situations:
    1. Somebody is always walking through your garden, you see him, tell him so and ask what he wants.
    2. Someone's cloth is always dirty and you tell him so and go on to ask him when he's going to wash it.
    3. Someone's child is very ill and you instruct the mother that the child is to be brought to the clinic every day.
    4. You have been helping someone in need and he comes and complains to you about something for some reason so you tell him that you have helped him all the time and you ask him why he is unhappy with you.
    5. Someone has been hunting work for a long time and finally he finds work and he is very happy.
  7. Make up situations with your informant and converse with him using the habitual. That's the only way you'll conquer it.
Nuer Field Project Nouns Verbs Verb Book Expressions Grammar Genesis Others