Let's Learn Dusun Language IV

We meet again dear readers! Well, today let's talk about human body parts shall we? I'm sorry i didn't add translation in Malay due to the limited space but i believe you guys can tell which one i'm talking about since this one comes with image. Please take note that even though Dusun people speak Dusun, it doesn't mean that all the words are the same. Sometimes there are more than one translation in Dusun for the same meaning. For example, 'Rain' - In certain area such as Kota Belud, they call it 'Rasam', yet in other places such as Ranau, they call it 'Darun' but basically both are correct.

I've obtained image for this lesson from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_anatomy so if you guys want to check it out, please feel free to do so. If you're serious about learning Dusun language, it will be great if you can memorise each names of the human body parts as it might be very useful sometimes. I'm sorry i have to censor certain parts of the image but you guys know which one i'm referring to isn't it? So, here we go!

Names of Human Body Parts (English - Dusun)

Let's Learn Dusun Language III

Alright peeps, let's go to more questions. In this post, we will do some questions and answers. Don't worry, we'll start with something basic and short so that it will be easier for you to catch up. Anyway, before we continue, there's something i need to tell you guys. There are many types of Dusun. For example; we have Dusun Tindal, Dusun Kimaragang, Dusun Tangara, Dusun Liwan and some more. Usually Dusuns from different villages, towns and cities have their own dialect and slang. I'll take example from my village and the neighbouring villages. I can tell a person came from which village by his/ her dialect. Will you be surprised if i tell you that we can even hear rhymes when these people start talking? :)

Anyway, let's get started!

Q : (E) What is your name?

      (M) Siapa nama anda?

      (D) Isai ngaran nuh?

A : (E) My name is _______.

      (M) Nama saya ialah _______.

      (D) Ngaran ku nopo nga _______.

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Q : (E) Where are you from?

      (M) Anda dari mana?

      (D) Hombo tadon nuh?

A : (E) I'm from _____.

      (M) Saya dari _____.

      (D) Mantad oku'd _____.

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Q : (E) How old are you?

      (M) Berapa umur anda?

      (D) Piro toun nuh? (Please take note, this question can be used as 'how many years' as well;                                            depending on the conversation you're having)

A : (E) _____ years old.

      (M) _____ tahun.

      (D) _____ toun. (It is much easier answering as simple as this)

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Q : (E) What are you doing?

      (M) Anda sedang buat apa?

      (D) Nunu ma'an nuh? (You can also use 'mangan' tu replace ma'an)

A : (E) I'm doing nothing.

      (M) Saya tidak buat apa-apa.

      (D) Aiso ma'an ku'd tih. OR Aiso nunu-nunu ma'an ku'd tih. (ma'an OR mangan can be used)

A : (E) Something.

      (M) Ada lah.

      (D) Haro(ooo) noh. (Sabahan people tend to 'pull' certain vowel. Whether it's short or long, it                                             will determine the meaning of the words)

There's a lot of answers to this question depending on what exactly are you doing at that time. When i mention about 'pulling' a vowel; it is very common among Sabahan whether they are speaking English, Malay, Dusun or any other languages in Sabah. However it depends on certain words.

For example;

(E) Oooover there.

(M) Saaaana.

(D) Hiiiiilo. (Pronounce as hee - lo)

The longer the vowel is 'pulled', the farther the subject is. It's like Hilo as not far; Hiilo as far; Hiiilo as very far and Hiiiiiilo as very very very far.

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Let's Learn Dusun Language II

Hello there again people! How are you peeps doing today? Alright, last time i shared about basic greeting and conversation with you right? Today, let's get to know each other. It's easy. Just read the words loud and you'll be there in no time. :)

Let's Start With....!

(English = E/ Malay = M/ Dusun = D)

Question/ Soalan/ Tuhot

• (E) Who - (M) Siapa - (D) Isai
• (E) Whose - (M) Siapa Punya - (D) Disai/ Isai Sanganu
• (E) Where - (M) Mana - (D) Hombo/ Hinombo
• (E) What - (M) Apa - (D) Nunu
• (E) When - (M) Bila - (D) Soira/ Songgira
• (E) Why - (M) Kenapa - (D) Nokuro
• (E) How - (M) Bagaimana/ Macamana - (D) Poingkuro
• (E) How Much - (M) Berapa - (D) Piro/ Songkuro

Number/ Nombor/ Numbur

• 1 : (E) One - (M) Satu - (D) Iso
• 2 : (E) Two - (M) Dua - (D) Duo
• 3 : (E) Three - (M) Tiga - (D) Tolu
• 4 : (E) Four - (M) Empat - (D) Apat
• 5 : (E) Five - (M) Lima - (D) Limo 
• 6 : (E) Six - (M) Enam - (D) Onom
• 7 : (E) Seven - (M) Tujuh - (D) Turu
• 8 : (E) Eight - (M) Lapan - (D) Walu
• 9 : (E) Nine - (M) Sembilan - (D) Siam
• 10 : (E) Ten - (M) Sepuluh - (D) Hopod
• 11 : (E) Eleven - (M) Sebelas  - (D) Hopod'om Iso
• 12 : (E) Twelve - (M) Dua belas - (D) Hopod'om Duo
• 13 : (E) Thirteen - (M) Tiga belas - (D) Hopod'om Tolu
• 14 : (E) Fourteen - (M) Empat belas - (D) Hopod'om Apat
• 15 : (E) Fifteen - (M) Lima belas - (D) Hopod'om Limo
• 16 : (E) Sixteen - (M) Enam belas - (D) Hopod'om Onom
• 17 : (E) Seventeen - (M) Tujuh belas - (D) Hopod'om Turu
• 18 : (E) Eighteen - (M) Lapan belas - (D) Hopod'om Walu
• 19 : (E) Nineteen - (M) Sembilan belas - (D) Hopod'om Siam
• 20 : (E) Twenty - (M) Dua puluh - (D) Duo'no Hopod
• 21 : (E) Twenty One - (M) Dua puluh satu - (D) Duo'no Hopod'om Iso
• 30 : (E) Thirty - (M) Tiga puluh - (D) Tolu'no Hopod
• 100 : (E) One Hundred - (M) Satu ratus - (D) Hatus
• 101 : (E) One Hundred and One - (M) Satu ratus satu - (D) Hatus'om Iso
• 121 : (E) One Hundred and Twenty One - (M) Satu ratus dua puluh satu - (D) Hatus'om Duo'no Hopod'om Iso
• 200 : (E) Two Hundred - (M) Dua ratus - (D) Duo'na Hatus
• 1000 : (E) One Thousand - (M) Satu ribu/ Seribu - (D) Iso'no Ribu/ Soribu

Just remember when it comes to numbers, the most important thing is to memorise number one (1) to ten (10) so that it will be easier for you to combine all numbers. For example 21. In Dusun we pronounce it as Duo'no Hopod'om Iso. So basically, as the numbers go up, you just have to change the 'Iso' to any number you want like 25; you may pronounce it as Duo'no Hopod'om Limo.

Same applies to other numbers like 33 = Tolu'no Hopod'om Tolu. 47 = Apat'no Hopod'om Turu. 89 = Walu'no Hopod'om Siam. If you noticed, only the number at the beginning and the end changed. You still keep the 'no Hopod'om there.

In numbers, you'll often see the particles NO, OM and NA are used. We will dig deeper into numbers next time alright.

Let's Learn Dusun Language

Hey peeps! Have you ever heard about The Dusuns and their language? Dusun is one of the native tribe residing in Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo. I myself is a Dusun. Both mom and dad are Dusun as well. Talking about Dusun, I myself started to apply more Dusun language in my daily conversation when i was 13 years old. During my Primary School, i often use Malay in my daily conversation with everyone and sometimes English especially with my mom.

Anyway, i know i am not a total expert in this language but i wish to share with you all about Dusun language. It's sad to know that only few percentage of the Dusuns can actually understand and speak this language. To be exact, kids these days doesn't apply Dusun language in their daily conversation anymore especially families that lives in the city or urban area. They tend to use more English in their conversation. To me, our language is our heritage. It's going to die if we didn't put our effort in keeping it alive by teaching the youngsters about this language.

Alright, i guess enough with the introduction and such. I'm calling all of you especially the Dusuns that doesn't understand this language to start learning your mother tongue language. Don't be afraid or shy to apply this language in your conversation especially with the elders for they are not looking at how bad your Dusun language is because what matter most is that you tried.

P/S;
If you're an expert in Dusun language, please let me know if i am making any mistakes here aite! I appreciate it. Thank you very much.

Come! Let's start with the basic greetings and conversations!

English : How are you?
Malay : Apa khabar?
Dusun : Nunu habar nu?

English : I'm Fine.
Malay : Khabar Baik.
Dusun :  Osonong. (Osonong means 'good' or 'fine' so it could be use in different situation too)

English : Thank You!
Malay : Terima Kasih!
Dusun : Pounsikou! ('Kounsikahan' - Depends on the situation)

English : Good morning!
Malay : Selamat Pagi!
Dusun : Osonong Kosuabon!

English : Good Afternoon!
Malay : Selamat Tengahari!
Dusun : Osonong Tanga'dau! (Some Dusun use "Tanga'dou" or "Tinga'dau" - Depends on the location)

English : Good Evening!
Malay : Selamat Petang!
Dusun : Osonong Sodopon!

English : Good Night!
Malay : Selamat Malam!
Dusun : Osonong Totuong!

English : Sorry.
Malay : Maaf.
Dusun : Siou. (Can be used as "Excuse Me" too)

English : Forgive Me.
Malay : Maafkan Saya.
Dusun : Moki Maap Oku.