TORUATO VERISSIMO NETO

∞
Phonology

It is the study of the sounds produced during the speech process.

These sounds emitted by the use of language are called
phonemes, which individualize and particularize each element
graphically represented by letters that constitute the alphabet of
the Bana language, and it is this set of sounds and letters that
allow the ldiom to be printed in a book, for example.
Phonoaudiological communication occurs between an issuer and
a receiver creating a channel between individuals by means of
oral or written messages. Therefore, the act that integrates
verbal communication passes essentially through the study of
phonetics before grammar.

The graphic unit from the grammatical point of view allows to

graphically represent phonemes that differentiate two words
that have the same radical, that is, belong to the same
etymological family. Thus, the morphic elements of the Bana
language can be reduced to phonological verbal desinences as
the vowels that appear at the end of each verb. The verbs in
Bana constitute the largest group of words in the language after
nouns, whose meanings change completely only by altering the
desinence of the verb.

The Bana alphabet is represented by 36 phonemes and 36

graphic signs that are classified according to the use of letters in
short, those represented by a single letter or long ones where
the duplication of consonants occurs.

A, B, bb, C, k, D, dd, E, F, ff, G, gg, H, I, y, L, ll, M, mm, N,nn, O, P,

pp, T, tt, R, rr, S, ss, U, y, V, w, X, Z.

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It is important and worthwhile to emphasize that the letter [H]
sounds like a short consonant in Bana graphically represented by
the phoneme [R].

Regarding the classification of these phonemes that are

produced by the passage of air through the mouth one can
define that the sound of vowels: a, e, i, o, u and y long can be
only of the oral type, since there is only nasality of timbre in the
letters [m] e [n] in the language Bana. When the air emitted in
the speech process finds resistance in the oral cavity originates
the phonemes represented by the short consonants: B, C, K, D, F,
G, H, J, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, W, V, X, Z, and long bb, dd, ff, gg , ll,
mm, nn, pp, rr, ss, tt.

Although the use of long consonants is frequent in Bana, that is,

of the ten grammatical classes only does not occur in the
formation of verbs, which are also classified in short the
dissylables and long the polysyllables, since there is not in Bana
monosyillable or trisyllable verbs. Therefore from the point of
view of articulatory phonetics the pronunciation of the language
is comparatively easier in relation to English, seeing that
grammar is regular without verbal inflections as to gender if it is
masculine, feminine or numeral according to the pronouns.

Therefore, the phonology of the Bana language is comparatively

simpler than most Indo-European languages because it reads as
it is written, for this reason, the sounds of words are not
differentiated from letters in general.

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GRAMMATICAL CLASSES:

BANA ENGLISH BANA ENGLISH

Aktina Noun Pronaktio Pronoun
Denaktio Adjective Dekatio Adverb
Akto Article Prepaktio Preposition
Aktino Numeral Konaktio Conjuction
Aktio Verb Injaktio Interjection

In the Bana language there are ten classes of words, which

constitute the central base of the language. These group of
words, depending on their application can be variables or
invariaves according to their grammatical use in each sentence.
There is no prefix type appended to the grammatical classes of
the Bana ldiom. All alterations occur only by the use of suffixes,
which allow the formation of new words by sufixial derivation.
For example, adding the suffix [KO] to the root of the verb
“bunu" derives the noun "bunuko" which can be translated as
human in English. Already with [KYO] arises "bunukya equivalent
to humanized. Adding [Gya] arises "bunugya" equivalent to
humanity. On the other hand, adding [MYA] arises "Bunumya"
equivalent to Humanitary. Therefore, adding [LYA] arises
"bunulya" equivalent to humanly. Thus, adding [Zya] arises
"bunuzya" equivalent to humanization and also adding [DYA]
arises "bunudya" equivalent to humanistic. Thus, as well as the
noun "bunuko" also vary the adjective, article, numeral and the
pronoun in gender, number and degree, which does not happen
with the adverbial, preposition, conjunction and interjection that
are always invariant in the phrase. The Bana verbs do not flex as

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with in many other languages in gender, number or degree, only
receive, for example, temporal suffixes [WA], [WI], [WO], [WY]
and [NY] respectively in the Past, Imperfect, Future, Conditional,
Gerund and Imperative of the Indicative Mode.

The order of words in a sentence in Bana follows basic principles

in the grammatical structure, which although it seems very
simple at first glance, can present some degree of difficulties
those students, whose languages use the verb at the end of the
sentence, as the Somali, for example. In general, the word order
presents the same regularity of the neo-Latin languages as
Portuguese or Spanish.The noun plays a fundamental role from
the point of view of semantics, since they can be of three types:
Neutral, Masculine and Feminine, which end in [a], [E], [I], [O],
[u] and [Y = u]. Therefore, [A] and [O] are the endings for
feminine and masculine respectively, while the other vowels,
including the long [Y] form the group of neutral nouns.

In the case of the noun that gives names to mammals, fishes,

birds and insects, for example, there is a specific suffix for each
of these groups of the Animal kingdom, except for the man
included in the first rule. The [ILKO] suffix is used only for
mammals, for example: Equus + ilko = Ekilko and its equivalent is
horse in english. Nouns do not vary in number, but pluralization
is made from the anteposition of the article in the plural, e.g.
Nivo Ekilko/The horses.

The pluralization of adjectives also occurs in the same way as

nouns, that is, by the anteposition of the article, por exemplo:
Singular form: Ivo kaparo/ the tooth and the plural form: Nivo
kaparo/ the teeth.

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THE ARTICLE:
SINGULAR PLURAL
Ivo/ the Divo/the
Iva/ a/ an Diva/a/an

The need to specify the correct use of the noun in the phrase
requires the employment of the article defined or undefined in
Bana before the noun, since the noun does not flex in number as
occurs in most languages that comes from Latin. It is interesting
to note that the pluralization of nouns by the use of the article so
only facilitates the sonorization of the words from a phonetic
point of view. The phonical structure of the article gives support
to the noun that can be regarded as short or long depending on
the duplication of the consonant or not. It is very common also in
Bana the orthographic duplication of words for the greater
extension to the phonemes according to the standards of the
language.

Use [Ivo] for both the masculine and feminine defined article.
and [Divo] to the plural, whose equivalent form in English is
[The]. The undefined article is [Iva]and [Diva] equivalent form of
[a/an] in english for the singular and plural or masculine and
feminine respectively.

Examples:
Ivo bosilko/ the ox Divo bosilko/ the oxen
Iva bosilka/a cow Diva bosilka/a cows

The neutral words of the language Bana are the ends in [e], [i],
[u] and [y=u long].

Ivo bolle/ the bottle Divo bolle/the bottles

Iva bokki/ a pot Diva bokki/ the pots
Iva nekrobery/a vulture Diva nekrobery/a vultures

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DEMONTRATIVES PRONOUS:
SINGULAR PLURAL
Nivo/this Denivo/these
Niva/that Deniva/those

PERSONAL PRONOUNS:
SINGULAR PLURAL
Ygi/I Yagi/We
Ygu/You Yagu/you
Yga/She Yaga/ They
Yge/He Yage/They
Ygo/You Yago/you

POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS:
SINGULAR PLURAL
Higi/My Hagi/Our
Higu/Your Hagu/your
Higa/Her Haga/ Their
Hige/HIS Hage/Their
Higo/Your Hago/your

REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS:
SINGULAR PLURAL
Wigi/Myself Wagi/Ourselves
Wigu/Yourself Wugu/yourselves
Wiga/Herself Waga/ Themselves
Wige/Himself Wage/Themselves

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 Wigo/Yourself Wago/yourselves
PRONOUNS:
SINGULAR PLURAL
Xigi/ with me Xagi/with us
Xigu/with you Xugu/with you
Xiga/with her Xaga/with them
Xige/with him Xage/with them
Xigo/with you Xago/with you

SINGULAR PLURAL
Zigi/to me Zagi/ to us
Zigu/ to you Zugu/to you
Ziga/to her Zaga/ to them
Zige/to him Zage/to them
Zigo/ to you Hago/to you

INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUS:

SINGULAR PLURAL
igi/me agi/us
igu/you ugu/you
iga/her aga/them
ige/him age/them
igo/you ago/you
VERBAL TENSE
BANA/TO BE TENSE
Igi bana/ I am Present of the Indicative
Ygi banawa/ I was Past of the Indicative

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Ygi rase bana/I have been Perfect of the Indicative
Ygi rase banawa/I had been Imperfect of the Indicative
Ygi banawo/I will be Future of the Indicative
Ygi banawi/I would be Conditional
Ygi banawy/I am being Gerund
- banawe Participle
- bana Infinitive
- banany Imperative
Ivo ygi bana/that I be Present of the subjunctive
Yka ygi bana/if I was Past of the subjunctive
Xhuna ygi bana/when I am Future of the subjunctive

VERBAL FORMATION - INDICATIVE

PRESENT PAST

Bana/to be Verb + wa (va)

Ygi bana/ I am Ygi banawa/ I was

Ygu bana/ you are Ygu banawa/ you were
Yga bana/ she is Yga banawa/ she was
Yge bana/ he is Yge banawa/ he was
Yagi bana/ we are Yagi banawa/ we were

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Yagu bana/ you are
Yaga bana/ they are
Yago bana/ they are
PERFECT
Auxiliar verb: rase
Ygi rase bana/ I have been
Ygu rase bana/ you have been
Yga rase bana/ she has been
Yge rase bana/ he has been
Yagi rase bana/ we have been
Yagu rase bana/ you have been
Yaga rase bana/ they have been
Yago rase bana/ they have been Yago rase banawe/ they had been
FUTURE
Verb + wo (vo)
Ygi banawo/ I will be
Ygu banawo/ you will be
Yga banawo/ she will be
Yge banawo/ he will be
Yagi banawo/ we will be
Yagu banawo/ you will be
Yagu banawa/ you were
Yaga banawa/ they were
Yago banawa/ they were
IMPERFECT
Aux. verb: rase + verb + wa(va)
Ygi rase banawe/ I had been
Ygu rase banawe/ you had been
Yga rase banawe/ she had beeen
Yge rase banawe/ he had been
Yagi rase banawe/ we had been
Yagu rase banawe/ you had been
Yaga rase banawe/ they had been
CONDITIONAL
Verb + wi (vi)
Ygi banawi/ I would be
Ygu banawi/ you would be
Yga banawi/ she would be
Yge banawi/ he would be
Yagi banawi/ we would be
Yagu banawi/ you would be
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Yaga banawo/ they will be
Yago banawo/ they will be
GERUND
Verb + wy (vu)
Ygi banawy/ I am being
Ygu banawy/ you are being
Yga banawy/ she is being
Yge banawy/ he is being
Yagi banawy/ we are being
Yagu banawy/ you are being
Yaga banawy/ they are being
Yago banawy/ they are being
VERBAL FORMATION - SUBJUNCTIVE
PRESENT
Ivo + pronoun + verb
Ivo Ygi bana/ that I be
Ivo Ygu bana/ that you be
Ivo Yga bana/ that she be
Ivo Yge bana/ that he be
Ivo Yagi bana/ that we be
Ivo Yagu bana/ that you be
Yaga banawi/ they would be
Yago banawi/ they would be
PARTICIPLE
Rase + 2v + wa (va)
Rasebanawe
INFINITIVE
Bana
IMPERATIVE
Banany
NEGATIVE
Verb + particle Xo
Banaxo
PAST
Yka + pronoun + verb
Yka Ygi bana/ if I was
YkaYgu bana/ if You were
Yka Yga bana/ if she was
Yka Yge bana/ if he was
Yka Yagi bana/ if we were
Yka Yagu bana/ if you were
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Ivo Yaga bana/ that they be Yka Yaga bana/ if they were
Ivo Yago bana/ that they be Yka Yago bana/ if they were

FUTURE

Xhuna + pronoun + verb

Xhuna Ygi bana/ when I am

Xhuna Ygu bana/ when I are
Xhuna Yga bana/ when she is
Xhuna Yge bana/ when he is
Xhuna Yagi bana/ when we are
Xhuna Yagu bana/ when you are
Xhuna Yaga bana/when they are
Xhuna Yago bana/when they are

VERB: RETU/ORGANIZE

Retoko organ ko nouns

Retokyo organized kyo -ed
Retogya organizability gya -ty/bility
mya -ary
Retolya organizedly lya -ly
Retozya organization zya -ation/ing
dya -stic
Retobya organizable bya -able
Retobiry organizer biry -er

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Biriba child
Biribo boy
Biro son
kabiro father
Gabo brother
Gabiro Son-in-law
Gabano cousin
Gaboto baby
Birobiro grandson
Kabirobiro grandfather
Gabobiro uncle
Birogabo nephew
Kadiro stepfather
Kabirano husband
Kabiroto married
Kabimo single
Dekabirano divoerced
Dekabiroto widow
Gabamo relatives
Kabiromo parents
Dekabiro orphan
Kabinoto infant
Kabinfo kid
Kabindo young

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CARDINAL NUMBERS:

Lin/o one/zero Vandanva twenty-six

Ban two Pandanpa twenty-seven
Fan three Jandanja twenty-eight
San four Randanra twenty-nine
Gan five Fadan thirty
Van six Sadan thirty-one
Pan seven Sadan forty
Jan eight Gadan fifty
Ran nine Vadan sixty
Dan ten Padan seventy
Lida eleven Jadan eighty
Bada twelve Radan ninety
Fada thirteen Bantin one hundred
Sada fourteen Danbantin one thousand
Gada fifteent Miliontin one million
Vada sixteen Biliontin one billion
Pada seventeen
Jada eighteen
Rada nineteen
Bandan twenty
Bandanli twenty-one
Bandanba twenty-two
Fandanfa twenty-three
Sandansa twenty-four
Gandanga twenty- five

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ORDINAL NUMBERS:

Liny first Vandanvy twenty-sixth

Bany second Pandanpy twenty-seventh
Fany third Jandanjy twenty-eighth
Sany fourt Randanry twenty-ninth
Gany fifth Fadany thirtieth
Vany sixth Sadany thirty-first
Pany seventh Sadany fortieth
Jany eighth Gadany fiftieth
Rany nith Vadany sixtieth
Dany tenth Padany seventieth
Lidy eleventh Jadany eightieth
Bady twelfth Radany ninetieth
Fady thirteenth Bantiny one hundredth
Sady fourteenth Danbantiny one thousandth
Gady fifteenth Miliontiny one millionth
Vady sixteenth
Pady seventeenth 1Y. 1st
Jany eighteenth 2Y. 2nd
Rany nineteenth 3Y. 3rd
Bandany twentieth 10Y. 10th
Bandanly twenty-first 70Y. 70th
Bandanby twenty-second 100Y. 100th
Fandanfy twenty-thirth 1000Y. 1000th
Sandansy twenty-fourth 10.000Y. 10.000th
Gandangy twenty- fifth 100.000Y. 100.000th

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DAY OF THE WEEK (WIKODO OK APA):

Linapa sunday
Banapa monday
Fanapa tuesday
Sanapa wednesday
Ganapa thursday
Vanapa friday
Panapa saturday

MONTHS OF THE YEAR (WIKOAPA OK YZINO):

Linizino january
Banizino february
Fanizino march
Sanizino may
Ganizino april
Vanizino june
Panizino july
Janizino august
Ranizino september
Danizino october
Lidazino november
Badazino december

SEASONS OF THE YEAR (MADANA OK YZINO):

Linmadana spring Fanmadana fall

Banmadana summer Sanmadana winter

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UNITS OF MEASUREMENT AND CONTAINERS:

Wetto weight Yaddro jar

Hubbra lenght Kanny can
Haddra widht Baddro barrel
Hallo height Buddry bucket
Derro deep Basso basin
Wollume volume Kannko tank
Haredda area Fasso flask
Ggramy gram Ziddro cistern
Kiloggramy kilogram Kuppy cup
Meddra meter Woddry glass
Cenntimedra centimeter Paddry saucer
killomedra kilometer Bolla bottle
Millano mile Wazzel vessel
kappabo foot Tuddra tube
Binnko inch Baggo bag
Jarddo yard Doggo package
Kuddry square Setta basket
Hekktaro hectare Boccha box
Littero liter Bokka pot
Deggro degree Wessa vase
vollto volt
amppero ampere
Hallga half
Danny dozen
Kaddra scale

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INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS/ QUESTION WORDS

Xhunda how
Xhenta which
Xhinto who
Xhanda what
Xhunla whose
Xhuna when
Xheda where
Xhinaza Why
Xhamadana What time madana time
Xhujurana How long Juruna long
Xhutaruna How wide taruna wide
Xhupatuna How high patuna hight
Xhudarunna How old duranna old
INDEFINITE Thing/tanga
PRONOUS

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Sullotanga something
Sullobiry somebody
Tullotanga anything
Tullobiry anybody
Tullobiry anyone
Xotanga nothing
Xobiry nobody
Sulloxhunda somewhere
Sullo some
Tullo any
Bullo every
Bullotanga everything
Bullobiry everybody
Bullobiry everyone
Bulloxheda everywhere
PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES/ PREPOSITION

Wok; ok of
Wokidda from
Wanidda beyond
Wapotta around
Wupatta across
Wagalla over
Wugilla about
Wirra by
Wutojja against
Wudanna through
Widimma towards
Wumodda near
Waxogga to; for
Wuxundda together with
Waxulla on behalf of
Wungga with
Wongga without
Warandda during

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Wamuyya according with
Wanakka along
Winikka under
Wusibba insides
Wubassa outsides
Wutilla on account of
Wurutta bet/ among
Wurudda below
Wurugga abouve
Wulubbok Instead of
Wogomma behind
Wugunnok In front of
Wengullok because of
Windilla on; in; at
Wusikka besides
Wulsuttok South of
Wilesttok West of
Wurnottok North of
Wulgattok East of
Wumugga within
Wussappe except
Wissatta considering
Wubulla Next to; with
Wubudok for lack of
Wubukka on the top of
Warukka owing to
Wipadalok at the bottom of
Waruffok on the basis of
Wakuffok at the mercy of
Wumiddok In the middle of
Wokugga thanks to
Wugutamba In a position to

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CONJUNCTIONS:

Yka if
Ykana but
Ykula even
Yku that
Ykuma ever since
Ykiti then
ykutila until, till
Yxulla and
Ykada hence
Ykisaca so
Ykazuma maybe
Ykuwengula because
Ykzu or
Yka … zu Neither … or
Yku … zu Whether … or
Yko … zu Either … or
Ykudazu while
Ykalaza … zu As soon as
Ykuxa after
Ykaxama before
Ykozuta wherever
Ykezamata In order that
Ykumata So that
Ykeda lest
Ykezura althrough
Ykuraza In spite of
Ykumabara Even if
Ykubarama Nwithstanding
Ykadala sonner
Ykaza only
Ykazu both
Ykaru Also/too
Ykubuxo But not

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Ykubuta however
Ykorota while
Ykima whereas
Ykipa as
Ykovero moreover
Ykimore … mo re the more … th e more
Ykubukaza but only
Ykulaka Even if

7. HUMAN BODY/ BIROKAPULO

Kapulo body Kapugastry stomach

Kapela mouth Kapulumby loin
Kapelina skin Kapuxondry cartilage
Kapito head Kapukardy heart
Kapitolo hair Kapukoly colon
kapada hand Kapulmony lung
kapana arm Kapulary larinx
Kapama leg Kapulandy glands
Kapava ear Kaputero liver
Kaparo thoot Kapufagy pharinx
Kapabo foot Kaputragy trachea
kapata tongue Kapuncry pancreas
kapolo knee Kapuscoly arteries
kapuka neck Kapuvasky veins
Kapida face Kapumusky muscles
Kapigo lip Kapumuky bones
Kapumba neils Kapuhisto tissue
Kapusna thumb Kaputely epithelium
Kapugata palm Kapucity cell
kapulasa finger Kapunephy kidney
kapugo shoulder Kapunery nerve
Kapuzo fist Kapurematy blood
Kaporo wrist Kapudominy abdomen

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Kapunto foreman Kapuntery front
Kapomo elbow Kapupiny spine
Kapoto heel Kapulery pleura
Kapovo chest Kapuretony peritoneum
Kapuva flank Kapuwentry belly
Kapura hip Kapuproty Rectum/anus
Kapiro back Kapuby genital region
Kapene pennis Kapuverty vertebra
Kapizo breast Kapudipy fat
Kapopo buttocks Kapuriny nose
Kapugina vagine Kapunteriky intestine
Kaputiny retina Kapustaty prostate
Kapuridy iris Kapuspermy sperm
Kapukeraty cornea Kapuriny bladder
Kapukocly cochlea Kaputesty testicle

PLANETS:

Nnura earth
Nnurana moon
Nnuma star
Nnuro sun
Nnuromo space
Nnulaxa galaxy
Nnutely satellite
Nnukozy cosmos
Nnuroidy meteorite
Nnurbity orbit
Nnuteroidy asteroid
Nnumophery atmosphere
Nnuklipsy eclipse
Nnuplanty planet
Nnurugga milk way
Nnumaro mars

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Nnutuno nepturne
Nnupitero jupiter
Nnutuny saturn
Nnurany uranus
Nnumekury mercury
Nnupaluto pluto
Nnuweny venus
Nnurody world
Nnupacy space
Nnuganuma constellation
Nnuloby globe

ADVERBS:

Durrok another
Urrok other
Murrok Much/many
Nurrok Little/ few
Ummok less
Charrok ready
Chammok already
Chuddok always
Chobbok never
Chuttak again
Chollik like
Mussuk namely
Çunnik yet
Xi yes
Xo not

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Dallik here
Çoddik not yet
Xoddik never
Chubottak never again
Xoggy soon
Xoddy late
Xuggumy perhaps
Degguma on the right
Duggama on the left

Muttaby enough
Mubbiry alone
Vugulla once
Vugulladana once a time
Wokinnay of course
Kumma since
Chikimmo today
Chikanna tommorow
Chikumma yesterday
Chigguçy yearly
Nolly now
Notty often
Noggy indeed
Norry just
Chirra down
Chippa up
Chilla away
Chidda far
Niggok each
Nillok almost
Waxogamma for example Xogamma example

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Waxommada By hand

Apa dia
Wikanna mornig
Wikuza evening
Wikozo night
Hallgawikoso midnight
Hallgapa madrugada
Madana Hour/time
Khinute minute
Banny second

THE COLOURS

Hannolete violete
Hannizo yellow
Hannudo red
Hannida white
Hannuka black
Hannuto green
Hannilo blue
Hannupo pink
Hannuso grey
Hannuga orange
Hannogo brown
Hinndigo indigo
Hinnpura purple
Hinnteto dark
Hennida light

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ADJECTIVES:

Kyko small
Koky big
Duranna old
Duramma new
Kommo hard
Kanno easy
Chotto short
Chaddo long
Fatto fast
Faddo slow
Butta great
Kerryna gay
Kerry serious
Kazza unusual
Kuzzo usual
Kugga beautiful
Koggo ugly
Kello dirty
kalla clean
Gomma good
Gummura better
Domma bad
Dummara worse
Humma happy
Hummara unhappy

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ANIMAL KINGDOM/ILKO

Ekilko horse Rinokerilko rhinoceros

Bosilko bull Girilko giraffe
Canilko dog Hipopilko hippopotamus
Felilko cat Macrilko kangaroo
Tigrilko tiger
Vulpilko fox
Leolko lion
Lupilko wolf
Oncilko jaguar
Leopilko leopard
Xitilko cheetah
Pantilko panther
Pumilko puma
Latrilko coyote
Crocutilka hyena
Aurilko jackal
Leukilko lynx
Kaprilko goat
Ovisilko sheep
Susilko swine
Lexodilko elephant
Oriktilko rabbit
Musilko mouse
Kiropilko bat
Kamilko camel
Bubalko buffalo
Delfilko dolphin
Focilko seal
Balilko whale
Ursilko bear
Leukilko panda

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Makilko monkey
Asinilko donkey
ANIMAL KINGDOM/BERY

Acipibery hawk
Falkobery falcon
Kolumbery pigeon
Nekrobery vulture
Onikosbery sparrow
Vultubery condor
Cigenubery swan
Korvibery rook
Anatibery duck
Ansebery goose
Kolkibery pheasant
Pisitabery parrot
Trokibery hummingbird
Pawubery peacok
Estrubery ostrich
Pelikabery pelican
Hirunbery swallow
Drikobery woodpeaker
Estrigibery owl
Kanabery canary
Laribery seagull
Diomebery albatross
Esfenobery penguin
Gallubery

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