Sumandak Dusun Sabah: June 2013

5 June 2013

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.

3 June 2013

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)