The Joys of Language Learning

Some of our friends have asked us about the task of learning another language so we thought we’d share with you one of the challenges that we face in learning Fulfulde. In English we can often use one adverb to modify several, if not most adjectives. If one wants to say something is very or really a certain way, we can usually just add very or really before the adjective. For example:

It’s very hot (temperature)
It’s very cold today.
It’s very early.

You get the picture of how easy it is in English to modify the meaning. Well, in Fulfulde there are specific adverbs for most adjectives and they’re not the same. In the following examples in Fulfulde, the adverb always follows the adjective (below in italics) and is given a strong vocal emphasis that would merit an exclamation point in English. In English the adverb always comes before the adjective. Here is a short list of the most common examples:

Very white is daneejum tal
Very black is baleejum kurum
Very red is bodeejum coy
Very hot is guldum jaw
Very cold is peewdum delem
Very hard is cattudum kolon
Very stinky is kaaddum rok
Very full is hebbingo tel
Very early is fajiri cub
Very straight is arni cir

So then, in addition to having to learn the basic vocabulary of colors, temperatures, time, etc., if one wants to intensify the meaning, there is a whole separate list of adverbs to learn as well as making sure to apply the correct adjective.

Oh the joys of language learning! Hey, if a child can do it, why can’t we?

Danny and our language helper Adamou.