Introducing Yourself

Starter Vocabulary:

  tɔgɔ : first name

  jàmu : last name

  bara : favorite

  kà wuli : to wake up, arise, get up

  jaɲɛgɛn : drawing/painting

  You can often add the suffix -kɛla to a noun to make it into a profession.

     jaɲɛgɛnkɛla : painter/artist

  dɔgɔ : younger sibling

Project:

Grab a piece of paper and a writing utensil. Answer the following questions:

  I tɔgɔ ko di ? : Your first name is how? (What is your first name?)

        N tɔgɔ ko ___ . : My first name is ___ .

  I jamu ko di ? : What is your last name?

        N jamu ko ___ . : My last name is ____ .

  N ka jaɲɛgɛnkɛla bara ye mun ye ? : Your favorite artist is whom? (Who is your favorite artist?)

        N ka jaɲɛgɛnkɛla bara ye ___ ye. : My favorite artist is ___.

  I ka so bɛ min ? : Where is your house? (Where do you live?)

         N ka so bɛ ___. : I live in ___ .

  Munna i bɛ bamanankan kàlan ? : Why do you learn Bambara?

        N bɛ bamanankan kàlan ____ kosɔn. : I learn Bambara because ___ .

        N bɛ bamanankan kàlan parce que ____ . : I learn Bambara because ___.

  I wuli tuma jumen ? : When do you wake up?

        N wuli nɛgɛ kanɲɛ ___ sera . : I wake up at ___ o'clock.

   Dɔgɔ joli bɛ i bolo ? : How many younger siblings do you have?

         Dɔgɔ ___ bɛ n bolo. : I have ___ younger sibling(s).

Once you're done writing, grab a friend, pet or stuffed animal and practice with them: Ask them the above questions and see how they respond. Then have them ask you the questions again.