DLS: Simple Dusun Talk-episode 1

Happy Saturday everyone. Its time for my Dusun Language Saturday (DLS) again. Every week on Saturday, I will share one situation and translate them to Dusun language. Today theme will be Simple Dusun Talk (Episode 1). When you come to Kota Marudu, you can try to talk Dusun with the help of this DLS. This DLS is for Kota Marudu area only. I am not sure if this can be used at other district in Sabah. Why do I am sharing my ethnic language? I am not very good in my language because we don't speak any Dusun at home. Most of the time, we speak Malay. Sharing my language, hopefully will help me improve my Dusun vocabulary.

Dusun Language Saturday (DLS): Learn Dusun Language.

Simple Dusun Talk when you come to Kota Marudu

English: How much?

Malay: Berapa ni?

Dusun: Pi ro ga tang?

English: What is this?

Malay: Apa barang ni?

Dusun: Nu nu ti?

English: I want one kilo.

Malay: Saya mahu satu kilo.

Dusun: O nuai oku sokilo.

What to say if you want to test the fruits before buying.

English: Can I try this?

Malay: Boleh saya cuba ini?

Dusun: Obuli taraiyon ti?

English: No free gift aunty? I buy so much from you.

Malay: Tiada free ka makcik? Saya beli banyak ni.

Dusun: Aiso piri ti Inan? Ogumu bolian ku ti.

English: Thank you.

Malay: Terima kasih.

Dusun: Konsikow.

English: Welcome.

Malay: Sama-sama.

Dusun: miagal, nopo.

English: Can you put double plastic, fear it will torn later.

Malay:Boleh kasi double plastik, takut koyak.

Dusun: Ma ai padabolan lo polositik ka, modosi oku noruhak@obubus.

English: Old woman (aunty).

Malay: Makcik.

Dusun: Inan.

English: Old man (uncle).

Malay: Pakcik.

Dusun: Aman.

When they called us inan or aman, that doesn't mean we are old. Its actually their way of telling you, that they want you to called them Inan or Aman. So if an old lady said this:

English: Buy my banana Inan?

Malay:Belilah pisang saya Inan?

Dusun: Bo li po ti punti ku Inan?

Just answer this, if you want to buy them:

English: How much the price for this stacked Inan?

Malay: Berapa harga ni satu tumpuk?

Dusun: Piro horogo sotumpuk ti Inan?

Just answer this, if you don't want to buy them:

English: Not yet Inan

Malay: Belum lagi Inan.

Dusun: Amu po Inan.

or you can answer this:

English: I just look around Inan.

Malay: Saya tengok-tengok sahaja ni Inan.

Dusun: Mintong intong no ti Inan.

Give her your best smile and walk away as fast as you can. Or she will talk Dusun with you all day. Hahahahaha.... Many old seller in Kota Marudu don't have anything to do at home. They come here just to have a chat with friends. Normally, you will get more respect in Sabah if you (foreigner) can talk our language. That will also help you get a cheaper items.

Any suggestion for next week Dusun Language Saturday theme? Any of you want to add anything into today theme? Feel free to comment and share it with everyone.

Chayo-chayo....

Posted in: Language