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Nawdm, {nàwdḿ} is a language spoken in parts of Ghana and Togo in the region of West Africa.

Nawdm is the language of the Nawdba (singular: Nawda). The Nawdba are settled in the north of Togo, in the Prefecture of Doufelgou. From there, large numbers migrated to central and southern Togo and also to Ghana. Nawdm is a voltaic language (or gur), classified by Manessy, Gabriel, with the yom of Benin, in a separate group of the Oti-Volta subfamily.

Alphabet

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There are thirty one (31) Nawdm letters of alphabet.

A                      a

B                       b

La langue Nawdm
Nawdm people from Niamtougou,Togo in the West Africa

D                       d

E                        e

Ɛ                        ɛ

F                        f

G                        g

Gw                  gw

Gb                   gb

H                        h

Ĥ                        ɦ

I                          i

J                         j

K                        k

Kw                    kw

Kp                    kp

L                         l

M                        m

N                        n

Ny                    ny

Ŋ                        ŋ

Ŋm                   ŋm

O                        o

Ɔ                        ɔ

R                        r

S                        s

T                        t

U                        u

V                        v

W                       w

Y                       y

Vowels

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There are short and long vowels in Nawdm.

Short vowels

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We have seven (7) vowels:

A, E, Ԑ, I, O, Ͻ, U (a, e, ε, i, o, ͻ, u)

Long vowels

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We get the long vowels whenever we stretch a short vowel a little. Thus, we double the letter when writing it.

AA, EE, ԐԐ, II, OO, ϽϽ, UU (aa, ee, εε, ii, oo, ͻͻ, uu)

Consonants

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There are 24 consonants in Nawdm language:

B, D, F, G, Gw, Gb, H, ɦ, J, K, Kw, Kp, L, M, N, Ny, Ŋ, Ŋm, R, S, T, V, W, Y.

Common diphthongs

Gw, Gb, Kp, Ny, Ŋm,

Phrase list

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Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Welcome.

Bdanmii/ ndanmii

Ok (response to welcome) yoo

How is it?

L ked lan?

Response to hello

L keda hom

How are you?

L' ba laa?/ L' ba

Yes am fine

Mba hom

What is your name?

Ba ɦolb na wenii?/ ba ɦolb na bee?

My name is ______ .

Ba ɦolma naa ______.

Ma ɦidr nnii  ___________

  Please Di kɛwr

Excuse me ! Agoo

Thanks.

  You're welcome/It's a pleasure

  Ben ɦεra wεgb

Excuse me. (getting attention)

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Ma jowb

I'm sorry yen

Goodbye ( I am going)

Ma nyabn

We will meet again

T’ ba t’ taη

I can't speak Nwadm.

Ma kpaa gwɛɛla Nawdm

I'm learning Nawdm

Ma kpεlηa Nawdm

Do you speak English?

Ma gwɛɛla ηglism

Does anyone here speak English?

ɦii gwɛɛla ηglism Nnaɦ?

Help me!

tͻrg man!

Look out!

Gwedg nnaɦ!

Good morning.

b rorbii, v robii

Good afternoon.

b muunu, v Muunun

Good evening.

b jabrii, v jabrii

Good night (to sleep)

B’ doot hϽm

I am going to bed/sleep

Ma keeda ma doot

I don't understand.

Ma kpakewa Where is the toilet?

Bin badgu ba te?

White person

saamaɦ

Visitor

saanaɦ

Problems

I am sick

L’weera ma

Sickness

bԐɦyiHurt/Injured

Ha nyadg ayen

Numbers

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Jugu, calb

1 myen 21 kwɛɛrɛɦ n myen 41 kwɛɦnaa n myen 61 kwɛɦroond n myen 81 kwɛɦniind n myen
2 mreɦ 22 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mreɦ 42 kwɛɦnaa n mreɦ 62 kwɛɦroond n mreɦ 82 kwɛɦniind n mreɦ
3 mtaɦ 23 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mtaɦ 43 kwɛɦnaa n mtaɦ 63 kwɛɦroond n mtaɦ 83 kwɛɦniind n mtaɦ
4 mnaa 24 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnaa 44 kwɛɦnaa n mnaa 64 kwɛɦroond n mnaa 84 kwɛɦniind n mnaa
5 mnu 25 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mnu 45 kwɛɦnaa n mnu 65 kwɛɦroond n mnu 85 kwɛɦniind n mnu
6 mroond 26 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mroond 46 kwɛɦnaa n mroond 66 kwɛɦroond n mroond 86 kwɛɦniind n mroond
7 Mlbleɦ 27 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mlbleɦ 47 kwɛɦnaa n mlbleɦ 67 kwɛɦroond n mlbleɦ 87 kwɛɦniind n mlbleɦ’
8 mniind 28 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mniind 48 kwɛɦnaa n mniind 68 kwɛɦroond n mniind 88 kwɛɦniind n mniind
9 mwɛɦ 29 kwɛɛrɛɦ n mwεɦ 49 kwɛɦnaa n mwεɦ 69 kwɛɦroond n mwεɦ 89 kwɛɦniind n mwεɦ
10 kwiɦr 30 kwɛɛtaɦ 50 kwɛɦnu 70 kwɛɛlbleɦ 90 kwɛɛwɛɦ
11 kwiɦr n myen 31 kwɛɛtaɦ n myen 51 kwɛɦnu n myen 71 kwɛɛlbleɦ n myen 91 kwɛɛwɛɦ n myen
12 kwiɦr n mreɦ 32 kwɛɛtaɦ n mreɦ 52 kwɛɦnu n mreɦ 72 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mreɦ 92 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mreɦ
13 kwiɦr n mtaɦ 33 kwɛɛtaɦ n mtaɦ 53 kwɛɦnu n mtaɦ 73 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mtaɦ 93 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mtaɦ
14 kwiɦr n mnaa 34 kwɛɛtaɦ n mnaa 54 kwɛɦnu n mnaa 74 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnaa 94 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnaa
15 kwiɦr n mnuu 35 kwɛɛtaɦ n mnu 55 kwɛɦnu n mnu 75 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mnu 95 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mnu
16 kwiɦr n mroond 36 kwɛɛtaɦ n mroond 56 kwɛɦnu n mroond 76 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mroond 96 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mroond
17 kwiɦr n mlbleɦ 37 kwɛɛtaɦ n mlbleɦ 57 kwɛɦnu n mlbleɦ 77 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mlbleɦ 97 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mlbleɦ’
18 kwiɦr n mniind 38 kwɛɛtaɦ n mniind 58 kwɛɦnu n mniind 78 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mniind 98 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mniind
19 kwiɦr n mwɛɦ 39 kwɛɛtaɦ n mwεɦ 59 kwɛɦnu n mwεɦ 79 kwɛɛlbleɦ n mwεɦ 99 kwɛɛwɛɦ n mwεɦ
20 kwɛɛrɛɦ 40 kwɛɦnaa 60 kwɛɦroond 80 kwɛɦniind 100 lɛmu

Time

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Today

jana

Tomorrow

Su

After tomorrow

subɛtr, suvɛtr

Yesterday

dindiin

Before yesterday

Togdaa

Clock time

Waasu gama

Game

Gbuut, saɦla

Football

Bool gbuut

I play football

Mà gbul yarmga.

He plays guitar.

Ĥa gbul janjalu

Days

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Day Nawdm
Monday Dabyaku, baraaku, kakaaku
Tuesday Dlaaku, tɛɛnab
Wednesday Tantaab, baragŋa(siou), tɛgnab
Thursday Tiyaku, Koka yaku(BG), kpalbayaku (Siou)
Friday Booku, nyamtyaku
Saturday Laarbuga, gwedkpaaku
Sunday Laad, sooku, kudyaku(BG), binaka (Siou, Bana)

Months

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There are 12 months by Nawdm people

Month Nawdm
1)   January Kwɛɛr kidga
2)   February Suunb kidga
3)   March Kidg targa
4)   April Toŋubuub, toŋbiilgu kidga
5)   May Kpaab kidga,  nadkpasaaga
6)   June Figmoog̈b kidga
7)   July Talb kidga
8)   August Yobgwɛdgu kidga
9)   September Duhool kidga
10)           October Didimr kidga
11)           November Kwɛnooga kidga
12)           December Josɔɦb kidga

Writing time and date

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Colours

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white Feelgu, feelm
Blue   Feerb
yellow Moont
Brown Butant gbanu, jii gbanu
Grey Jankpalaɦm
Bronze Niini gbanu
Black    Hoolgu
Red Molgu
Green Gwɛɦɛɛgu
Orange Leemɦu gbanu
Pink Sɔklb  fiigu
Violet Bool fiigu

Transportation

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Transport toɦdm
Aéroport ɦam n lͻͻr baŋu
Air ɦam
Ambulance, ɦambilansŋu
Ascenseur faaga kotgu
Autocar yaglɔɔr
Automobile kaaŋa
Aviation, saŋgbanlɔɔr baŋu
Avion saŋgbanlɔɔr
Barque kpiirgu
Bateau baatooŋu
Bicyclette bibirga
Brouette, burwɛtŋu
Bus lɔɔgu
Calèche deer lɔɔr
Camion lɔɔr
Camionnette lɔɔga
Carburant kpaam
Chauffeur ◦ lɔɔr jowda
Chemin de fer gaku huru
Chemin, huru
Circulation, Huru kewm
Électricité boglam
Embouteillage kewm
Entreprise Ŋmɛɛg̈b
Garage daar
Hélicoptère saŋgbanlɔɔrŋa
Pétrole Karasiim
Poste, wadii toollaŋa
Route fɛɛhuru
Station de voiture lɔɔra baŋu
Taxi taksiiŋa
Taxi – moto jɛɛd
Train Girgu
Vélo kekeŋa, kekɛnga,
Voyage saama hurbermu
Voyageur hurtia

Directions

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English Nawdm
A direction kpaɦaab
A way ɦuuru
A street fɛɛhuru
A road saama huru
A boulevard saama hurmɔmu
An avenue gilmb ɦuuru
A main road saama hurbermu
A place kaalaŋa, tagr
A crossroad hurragr, hursansara
A railway gaku ɦuuru
A subway Tant kwɛɛn ɦuuru
The underground kwɛɛn ɦuuru
Tout droit biraa
Demi-tour ɦooru kɔkɔgu
traffic circle bogmͻlm
Church soosi
Train station gaku baŋu
A map kɔrgu kartŋu
Where? tee?
On Jugun
In nin
Near L’ man
Far vɔkun, bɔkun, bɔkon
Here nnaɦ
There laɦaa
Anywhere baatee
Nowhere riikan
Towards wee
Alongside Jugun
In front of nɔngan
Behind kaa, kawa
Right najuudu ɦɛn
Left galu ɦɛn

Lodging

[edit]

How to name up some places where you would like pass the night even your own house?

A bathrobe huurb n hegkaɦgu
A bathroom huurtgu
A bathtub Huurb
Restaurant delaŋa
A bed ɦabatŋa
A bunk bed ɦabatii tajun
A coat hanger baɦga, baɦb
A cupboard / a closet kadakŋu
A dresser ɦadakŋu
A hairdryer jiikparŋtgu
A key Saabr, safid, saafi
Polish nanawda kpaam
A kitchenette Dugdgua
Pomade jii kpaam
A lamp kand
A mini-bar dabaŋu
A pillow judɛɦdgu, lafeer
A sheet draaŋu
A towel fafaagu
Conditioner Nigiitgu
Comb sagdrtga
Linen haaga dimgu
Shampoo Sampuŋu
Soap fɔfɔɔ
Toilet binbadgu

Money

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lig̈biir

How much?

daɦt, alaaɦ?

Eating jub

Food diit

Cooking digm, diit digm

Breakfast

[edit]

ɦateekwɛɛn diit, ɦateekwaan diit

Lunch

muunun diit, muungbowr diit

 Dinner

jabr diit, jabhoolm diit

 Water

[edit]

Nyaalm

  Milk

beɦeem

Tea

Tii

Plantain

ɦamadaaŋu

Banana ɦayabr

Bread

kpoonu

Pineapple

saama laŋkpadga

Mango

tamb

Coconut baŋkpurb

Papaya

ɦadibgu, ɦadimbgu

Tomato

jimadgu

Maize

jimadgu

Meat

Naanamgu

Rice miiri

Fish ɦɔlga

Chicken

kɔdahiir, kadahiir

Egg

kɔɔleer

Beans

Tiira

Stew

salambii Jit

Soup

Jit

Bread

kpoonu

Onion

gaabu, jaabu

Bars

baɦr

Shopping

Market yaaku

I want (a) _______

Mabagl ______

I have (a) _______

Ma ba n

Sell yaarm

Buy

daɦ

To buy

daɦb

To sell

gweedmb

BOOK

wadga

Driving

Road

saama hurbermu

Car loor

Authority

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Government 

kɔrgu  

Gouverneur

kɔrgu huura

Animals and Insects

Bird

ŋmɛnga  

Lizard

baŋa

Mouse

ɦɔŋr

Goat

burgu

Cow

naag̈b

Cat

muusŋa

Dog

gwԐԐgu

Monkey

waama

Elephant

ŋmɛŋmɛɛr

Crocodile

kaseegu

Bee

heb, hib

Mosquito

dumga

Housefly

joŋa

Butterfly

kpaŋkpaanga

Tse Tse

Fly

koljond, koljuŋu  

Ant

gwɛɛm

Termite

jamru, ligr

sheep

fɛɛgu

Learning more

To  phone

tangarfu

medicine

ragr

soap

fɔfɔɔ

Hospital

dɔgdŋu

Christmas

binkpeemr

Merry Christmas to you

B’ binkpeemrii, V’ binkpeemr

Happy new year to you

B’binkwɛɛlii

This Nawdm phrasebook is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!