The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

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Khemehekis
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The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

A lot of you have expressed frustration at, or boredom with, creating words. A lot of you want to have a grammar as detailed and complete as, say, Siu,a's, without having to make thousands and thousands of words like Talossan or Kankonian or Arka or Itlani or Alurhsa.

So I've started this game. I'm putting it on the translation board, although I'm not really sure this is the best board. Ossicone or another mod may move it if she or he thinks another topic would be better.

All the sentences will be written with only 625 (five to the fourth power!) nouns, action verbs, linking verbs and adjectives, plus 50 names. That means you'll only have to create a maximum of 625-ish words (maybe a bit more if you split up the semantic space more) from these lexical classes as you develop your language. You could come up with equivalents for them all before you start this game, but if you run through them too fast you run the risk of relexing this list. (<---- Ooh! Tongue-twister!)

This list covers only content words; you're free to use whatever numbers, adverbs, adpositions, prefixes, suffixes, conjunctions, helping verbs, noun declensions, verb inflections, interjections, comparison markers, relatives, determiners, miscellaneous particles and pronouns you wish. Think of your sentences as like a mollusc: the nouns, proper names, action verbs, and adjectives are like the shell, and the function words, numbers and pronouns are like the soft part. Using "Alice", "feed", "green", "apple" and "goat", you can make "Alice was about to feed the greenest of her apples to that goat over there".

As I mentioned before, I've included 50 names. If you have a language that evolved on Earth, or an auxlang, or an altlang, you can have these evolve in their own way. If you have a language from another planet or a language that was isolated from Indo-European and Biblical names until recent times, you may either use these names unchanged, or adapt these to the current phonology of your conlang (the way Dave becomes Deebu in Japanese).

Without further ado, here are the 675 content words in 50 categories:

Some names:

Alice
Amanda
Anne
Ashley
Becky
Christine
Claire
Elizabeth
Jennifer
Jessica
Joan
Julie
Kate
Laura
Mary
Meg
Michelle
Natalie
Nicole
Rachel
Ruth
Sarah
Sharon
Stephanie
Susan
Alan
Alex
Andy
Brandon
Brian
Chris
Dan
Dave
Greg
Jim
Joey
John
Josh
Justin
Kevin
Mark
Matt
Mike
Nick
Paul
Peter
Rob
Steve
Tom
Tony

Adjectives:

bad (quality)
big, large
clean
cold
cool
deep
different
dirty
dry
dull
empty
fast
flat
full
good (quality)
hard
heavy
high (in altitude)
hot
huge
lightweight
little, small
long
low (in altitude)
narrow
new
old
right, correct
rough
round
same
shallow
sharp
short
slow
smooth
soft
straight
thick
thin
tiny
warm
wet
wide
wrong

Color words:

black
blue
brown
green
grey
orange
pink
purple
red
white
yellow

dark
light
striped

Sides:

back
bottom
corner
front
left
middle
right
top

Linking verbs:

to be (permanent)
to be (state)
to become, to get, to turn
to feel
to look
to seem, to appear to be
to smell
to sound
to stay, to remain, to keep
to taste

Vaic verbs (some languages make these aspects):

to begin, to start
to continue
to finish, to complete
to stop, to end

Events:

accident
birthday
breakfast
date
dinner, supper
meeting
lunch
party
race
shower
trip
vacation (US)/holiday (UK)
war
wedding

Entertainment words:

ball
game
to lose
movie, film
to play (a game)
to play (children's play)
to take (a photo)
to watch (TV or film)
to win

Money words:

cheap
coin
to cost
dollar (or other monetary unit)
expensive
money
poor
rich

Thinking verbs:

to agree
to believe, to think
to decide
to dream (have an oneiric experience)
to know (information)
to know (a person)
to learn
to think (cogitate)
to think (hold an opinion)
to understand, to see
to wonder

Feeling verbs:

to feel
to hate
to like (doesn't need to be expressed by a verb)
to love (agape)
to love (romantically, eros)
to love (something, philia)
to miss
to want, would like

Speaking verbs:

to apologize
to argue
to ask
to call (refer to by a certain name)
to lie
to reply, to answer
to request, to ask for/that
to say
to speak, to talk
to teach
to thank

Giving and receiving:

to borrow
to bring
to buy
to feed
to find
to get, to come to have, to obtain
to give
to go shopping
to have (something inalienable)
to have, to possess, to own
to lend
to lose (come to no longer have)
to lose, to misplace, to mislay
to need
to pay
to sell
to send
to share
to steal
to take

Verbs of physical contact:

to kiss
to pick
to play (an instrument)
to pull
to push
to rub
to squeeze
to tap (on the shoulder)
to touch

Verbs of position:

to be sitting
to be standing
to fall
to lie, to recline
to lie down
to sit down
to stand up

Verbs of handling matter:

to break
to carry
to close
to cut
to dig
to open
to put
to shatter
to split
to squash, to crush
to tear
to throw
to wash
to wipe

Expressions and gestures:

to cry
to laugh
to smile

Bodily functions:

to bleed
to break wind, to fart, to pass gas
to breathe
to cough
to defecate, to take a dump, to do one’s business
to drink
to eat
to have sex, to sleep with, to make love, to fornicate
to live
to smoke
to sleep
to spit
to suck
to swallow
to sweat, to perspire
to swell
to urinate, to pee, to piss, to make water, to take a leak
to vomit, to throw up, to puke
to wake up
to yawn

The five senses:

color
to feel
to hear
to look
to paint (a house, etc.)
picture
to see
sign
to smell
sound
to taste

Verbs of movement:

to climb
to come
to crawl
to dance
to drive
to fly
to go
to go down, to descend
to go up, to ascend
to jump
to leave
to return
to ride (a bicycle, a camel, etc.)
to run
to swim
to turn
to walk

Verbs of physical aggression:

to bite
to hit
to kick
to kill
to scratch
to stab

Some nature words:

air
ashes
beach
cloud
desert
diamond
dust
earth
fire
forest
glass
gold
ice
iron
island
lake
light
metal
moon
mountain
ocean, sea
rain
river
rock, stone
salt
sand
silver
sky
snow
soil, dirt
space
star
sun
valley
water
wind
wood
world

to burn
to float
to flow
to freeze
to sink

Husbandry and farming words:

to fish
to hunt
to plant

Time words:

afternoon
autumn, fall
day (time it takes a planet to rotate on its axis)
day, daytime
evening
hour (or equivalent)
month
morning
night
spring
summer
winter
year

Food and drink:

to bake
beef
beer
bread
cake
chicken
chocolate
to cook
cookie, biscuit
egg
fish
food
fruit
ham
honey
juice
meat
milk
nut
pie
pork
salad
sauce
soup
sugar
vegetable

fresh
rotten

Places:

bank
bar
bridge
church/temple
cinema, movie theater
city, town
country, nation, state, land
garden
home, house
hospital
hotel
library
park
restaurant
restroom
road
school
store, shop
street
tower

Music words:

band
concert
drum
guitar
to listen (to music)
music
piano
to sing
song

Published material words:

book
card
dictionary
to draw
homework
letter (written message)
magazine
newspaper
test, exam
word
to write

Containers:

bag
basket
bottle
box

Vehicles:

airplane
bicycle
boat
bus
car, automobile
motorcycle
ship
skateboard
taxi
train
truck
wagon
wheel

Weapons:

arrow
gun
rope
spear

Household objects:

bed
camera
CD
cell phone
chair
computer
door
headphones
knife
mirror
paper
pen
pencil
photograph
radio
refrigerator
room
soap
table
telephone, phone
television, TV
wall
window

Clothes:

belt
button
clothes
coat
glove
hat
jacket
pants
ring, piercing
shirt
shoe
shorts
skirt
sock
sunglasses
watch
to wear

Plant words:

apple
banana
bark
bean
bush
coffee
corn, maize
flower
grass
leaf
orange
pepper (Capsicum)
plant
potato
rice
root
rose
seed
stick
tomato
tree

Animal words:

animal
ant
bear
bird
camel
cat
chicken
cow
dog
elephant
feather
fish
fly
goat
horse
human
insect
lamb
monkey
mouse
pig
rabbit
sheep
shell
snake
spider
tail
wing
worm

Human body:

abdomen
arm
back
blood
body
bone
breast
ear
eye
face
finger
foot
hair (mass)
hand
head
heart
knee
leg
mouth
nail
neck
nose
shoulder
skin
tear
tongue
tooth

Physical description:

beard
beautiful, pretty
blind
blonde
brown (hair)
curly
freckles
glasses
handsome, attractive
hazel
messy (of hair)
old
short (height)
straight (hair)
tall
ugly
wavy
young

Physical condition:

(to be) cold
(to be) hot
(to be) hungry
(to be) thirsty
(to be) tired

alive
dead

Events in life:

to be born
to die
to have (a baby)
to marry

Emotions:

afraid
angry
bored
excited
happy
interested
proud
sad
sorry
surprised

Kinship terms:

brother
child (reciprocal of parent)
daughter
father
husband
mother
parents
sister
son
wife

People

adult
baby
boy (young man)
child
girl (young woman)
little girl
little boy
man
person, people
teen, adolescent
woman

actress/actor
artist
doctor
farmer
fisherman
friend
king
neighbor
president or prime minister, whichever your connation has
priest
prince
princess
queen
sailor
scientist
soldier
student
teacher
waiter/waitress/server
warrior

A few very basic verbs:

to be (location)
to be (Steve is a boy)
to do, to perform
to help (assist)
to make (create)
to make (cause to be)
to try, to attempt
to use

And finally, some general nouns:

class
group
kind, type, sort
name
pair, couple
place
system
team
thing

--------------------------------------------------------------------


HOW TO PLAY:

The first person creates a sentence from these words, and translates it into her/his conlang, with a gloss.

The next person translates that sentence into her/his own conlang, then adds a sentence or her/his own, also translated into her/his conlang.

Each person will translate all the previous sentences, and add one each time. The sentences should all be translated into that conlanger's own conlang, so the list of sentences (and workload) grows like a snowball.

For example:

Joey writes:
Komgithrian:
I painted the door purple.
Tumayafoy wa ludigavhiq phamist.
paint-RECENT.PST-1sg 1sg purple-MAS-OBL door-ACC
Then Sam writes:
Nharistani:
I painted the door purple.
Onhukhez shyhakh triphouzh.
purple-FEM.SG.DAT door-FEM.SG.ACC 1sg.MAS.PST.TELIC-paint

Becky made a coat of feathers for her father.
Beki dhutalh&oacute;s khramel psistend.
Becky-FEM.SINGULAR.NOM father-3sg.FEM.GEN-MAS.SG.BEN coat-MAS.SG.ACC 3sg.FEM.PST.TELIC-make
Then Jacqlyn writes:

Gwapikiru:
I painted the door purple.
Ki ru pikawa si xuqwa 'upapi.
1sg PST paint DEF.ALIENABLE door purple

Becky made a coat of feathers for her father.
Ta Biki ru vuxu 'i'a kwi gwagwa rida davu vuqa
NAME Becky PST make BEN GEN.3sg.INALIENABLE father coat made.out.of feather

Jim was listening to music with his eyes closed.
Ta Jimu ra 'imu la kwi kaku 'a'i 'uni mina qatiji.
NAME Jim PPART close ADJ GEN.3sg.INALIENABLE eyes IMPF hear music
And so on.

If Joey should participate in the snowballing a second time, he does not need to translate the sentences he's already done the first time he took a turn. He can just list the other three sentences in English, then add a new fourth sentence, with his translation in Komgithrian.

Tips on playing:

*Write sentences that are good at demonstrating some aspect of grammar, be it verb tense, cases, aktionsart, order of adjectives and nouns in certain situations, or whatever.
*Sentences that deal with aspects of grammar often overlooked in conlangers' grammars are good. Things such as object complements, oblique pronouns, polite order of pronouns, possessed actions ("John's playing the guitar at night made me wake up"), etc.
*Aim to create sentences that are different from the ones created before and demonstrate new grammatical phenomena. On the other hand, two similar sentences can help demonstrate subtle but importance semantic differences (as with the famous pair of sentences "Ellen wants to marry a Norwegian", meaning "Ellen's partial to Norwegian guys", and "Ellen wants to marry a Norwegian", meaning "The fiancé of Ellen happens to be Norwegian").
*Most of all, have fun!





I'll start:

Kankonian:
Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Novos id kuni id meshi ad wan hazien ad iyef Peter.
try done_to help done_to friend to 3sg make-PST to happy Peter
Last edited by Khemehekis on 22 Jul 2018 04:03, edited 2 times in total.
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
User avatar
Lao Kou
mongolian
mongolian
Posts: 5089
Joined: 25 Nov 2012 10:39
Location: 蘇州/苏州

Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

Khemehekis wrote:Kankonian:
Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Novos id kuni id meshi ad wan hazien ad iyef Peter.
try done_to help done_to friend to 3sg make-PST to happy Peter
Géarthnuns:

Chau zhömauíörsaut ba kupaz chau jebethalörs lén Pétersaut höi sfalöker nöi.
[tʃɔ 'ʒømɔ'jøɾsɔt ba ku'paz tʃɔ dʒɛ'bɛθaløɾs 'len pe'tɛɾsɔt høj 'sfaløkɛɾ 'nøj]
DEF friend-ACC PTCL help DEF trying-NOM AUX/PAST/CAUS Peter-ACC PTCL happy-NOM be
Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.

Che mfailöthsev, chethet Íöhans lé chö béöbsöv cha maralansas jnégez sho, se gdönshuths küvath, sau papöters, sök töbsöp, sík mfulsíp sü bökédeksün, sau ngurs söil röshetsöig, sakh hönsath römbelenath, zhö sa aléhans örhön lé miçnakh.
[tʃɛ 'm.faj'løθsɛv, 'tʃɛθɛt jø'hãs 'le tʃø be'øbsøt tʃa maɾa'lãsas 'dʒnegɛz ʃo, sɛ 'gdønʃuθs 'kyvaθ, sɔ papø'tɛɾs, søk 'tøbsøp, sik m-'fulsip sy bøke'dɛksyn, sɔ 'ŋuɾs søjl ɾø'ʃɛtsøjg, sax 'hœ̃saθ ɾømbɛ'lɛnaθ, ʒø sa ale'hãs ø'Xøn le 'mɪɕnax]
DEF basket-LOC, REL/ACC John-NOM AUX/PAST DEF house-LOC DEF mother-GEN carry PTCL, INDEF ham-NOM small-NOM, INDEF chicken-NOM, INDEF/PL green.apple-NOM/PL, INDEF/PL nut-NOM/PL INDEF small.bag-INSTR, INDEF milk-NOM INDEF/DUAL bottle-INSTR/DUAL, INDEF/SEPT rose-NOM/SEPT yellow-NOM/SEPT, and INDEF clothing-NOM clean-NOM AUX/PAST there.be
In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.

Not a sentence Pulitzers are made of, but deals with numbers and partitives. [:)]
Last edited by Lao Kou on 04 Mar 2013 06:55, edited 2 times in total.
道可道,非常道
名可名,非常名
Khemehekis
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Posts: 3883
Joined: 14 Aug 2010 09:36
Location: California über alles

Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

Yay! You did it right!

1. Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Already done

2. In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.
E veksas azid John eshenen safga ad shakti na helemas ad wan trahi pies mui uphath mui bepas kran mui kren na khombezas mui bam skenas na swesi mui treil nayizes hilis mui vwetz hashar aen.
in basket that_(obj.) John carry-PST in_the_process_of to house of mother to 3sg ham small and chicken and apple-PL green and bag of nut-PL and two bottle-PL of milk and seven rose-PL yellow and clothes clean exist-PST

3. Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.
Jim ayen tzoyen ash stiv na wan verim.
Jim have-PST sit-PST on shoulder of 3sg bird
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
User avatar
Lao Kou
mongolian
mongolian
Posts: 5089
Joined: 25 Nov 2012 10:39
Location: 蘇州/苏州

Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

Khemehekis wrote:Yay! You did it right!
I did it right over three months ago. Postal chess looks positively zippy in comparison. [xD]

1. Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Already done

2. In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.
Already done.

:con: Géarthnuns

3. Jimbauths lén söi ömbíötsöit chü akhaksüv shé çalíf.
['dʒɪmbɔθs len søj øm'bjøtsøjt tʃy ax'aksyv 'ʃe ɕa'lif]
Jim-NOM AUX.PAST.CAUS INDEF bird-ACC DEF shouder-LOC "let"-ADV.PAST sit
Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.

4. Sharöns, vwélabs techetnekeb eshpíreb chö, la sal autmörgínsam éfünam zhö sí wotelsít gaterelít, öregü fauk íalömsaup la höi vö dnévözhekhsöv vau fromanalömsauv fapat hauhumpeth sho, zhdra mnévöth.
['ʃaɾœ̃s, 'vwelabs tɛ'tʃɛtnɛkɛb ɛʃ'piɾɛb tʃø, 'la sal ɔtmøɾ'gĩsam e'fynam ʒø si ʋo'tɛlsit gatɛ'ɾɛlit, øɾɛ'gy fɔk ja'lømsɔp 'la høj vø dnevø'ʒɛxsøv vau fɾomana'lømsɔv fapat hɔ'humpɛθ ʃo, 'ʒdɾa mne'vøθ]
Sharon-NOM, actress-NOM beautiful-NOM blond-NOM DEF, AUX.PRES INDEF.DUAL sunglasses-ACC.DUAL dark/black-ACC.DUAL and INDEF hat-ACC big-ACC, so.that INDEF.PL.NEG person-NOM.PL.NEG AUX.PRES PTCL DEF.NEG park-LOC.NEG DEF drinking-LOC.NEG 3SG-ACC.NEG know/recognize-SPEC PTCL, often wear
Sharon, the beautiful blond actress, often wears dark sunglasses and a big hat so that people don't know her when she drinks in the park.
Last edited by Lao Kou on 27 Jan 2016 11:55, edited 4 times in total.
道可道,非常道
名可名,非常名
Khemehekis
mongolian
mongolian
Posts: 3883
Joined: 14 Aug 2010 09:36
Location: California über alles

Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

1. Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Already done

2. In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.
Already done.

3. Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.
Already done.

4. Sharon zash phurtis ski az esinas supung enbwolwuas zhulad kar mui trat dom do meyez os *asas wan av wan pukeyas er rave.
Sharon APPOS actor/actress blonde REL be_beautiful-PRS often wear_on+eye/PL-PRS sunglasses dark and hat big so person/PL not know-PRS 3sg when 3sg drink_alcohol-PRS at park
Sharon, the beautiful blond actress, often wears dark sunglasses and a big hat so that people don't know her when she drinks in the park.

5. Becky zash piva azad Rachel kardasen az wan kulesen du*ug os hesienas ad Sarah hom woving spei em blatzas.
Becky APPOS girl REL-ad Rachel think-PST REL 3sg need-PST apologize not speak-PST-PRES to Sarah by_means_of telephone for three day/PL
Becky, the girl Rachel thought needed to apologize, has not spoken to Sarah on the phone in three days.



We need more people playing!
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
User avatar
Lao Kou
mongolian
mongolian
Posts: 5089
Joined: 25 Nov 2012 10:39
Location: 蘇州/苏州

Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

:con: Géarthnuns

5. Bekíbaugs, ípwaps va, chan lé chau övazalörsauv Rakhélsís ba kfömöl haudaikh sho, lö Sarabaugsek fek dalgsed touged srem içmöl.
['bɛkibɔgs, i'pwaps va, tʃan 'le tʃɔ ø'vaza'lørsɔv ɾax'elsis ba kfø'møl hɔ'dajx ʃo, 'lø, ‚saɾa'bɔgsɛk fɛk 'dalgsɛd taʊgɛd sɾɛm ɪɕ'møl]
Becky-NOM/NEG, girl-NOM/NEG DEF/NEG, REL-NOM AUX/PAST DEF think-PresGER-LOC Rachel-GEN PTCL apologize need-SPEC PTCL, AUX/PresPERF Sarah-DAT/NEG INDEF/PL/NEG day-POST/PL/NEG three-POST/PL/NEG for speak.on.the.phone
Becky, the girl Rachel thought needed to apologize, has not spoken to Sarah on the phone in three days.

6. Chöik tavatsöip lé, chöitöip löi arzhö faumaub töi che vbulítöthset, chethet Klérs lé shaval sho, fíjaf sho, chí mörauvölsív sezhetefötöip, lurhalötöip, zhö sök vebsöf zçenhaitöip vanöi.
[tʃøjk ta'vatsøjp 'le, 'tʃøjtøjp 'løj aɾ'ʒø 'fɔmɔb 'tøj tʃɛ 'vbuli'tøθsɛt, 'tʃɛθɛt klers 'le ʃa'val ʃo, 'fidʒaf ʃo, tʃi 'møɾɔ'vølsiv 'sɛʒɛtɛ'føtøjp, luXa'løtøjp, ʒø søk 'vɛbsøf ʑɛn'hajtøjp va'nøj]
DEF/PL tomato-NOM/PL AUX/PAST, REL-NOM/PL AUX/PastPERF but 3SG-POST/NEG unbeknownst.to DEF truck-ACC, REL-ACC Claire-NOM AUX/PAST drive PTCL, fall.off PTCL, DEF sunlight-LOC soft-NOM/PL, rotten-NOM/PL, and INDEF/PL worm-INSTR/PL full-NOM/PL become
The tomatoes which, without Claire knowing, had fallen off the truck she was driving were becoming soft, rotten, and full of worms in the sun.
Khemehekis wrote:We need more people playing!
Indeed, though I am torn. On the one hand, if we keep having at it, the thread stays off the Land-That-Time-Forgot obscurity of page 2 or 3. On the other, snowballs qua snowballs, someone jumping in fresh already has seven sentences to do. [O.O] In the meantime [ɓɔ]! (meant to be sound of tennis ball), someone else's court. [:D]
Last edited by Lao Kou on 10 Jul 2015 11:33, edited 2 times in total.
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Valosken
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Valosken »

Though I can't play yet, I love you for giving me so many ideas for words.
First, I learned English.
Dann lernte ich Deutsch.
Y ahora aprendo Español.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

1. Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Already done

2. In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.
Already done.

3. Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.
Already done.

4. Sharon, the beautiful blond actress, often wears dark sunglasses and a big hat so that people don't know her when she drinks in the park.
Already done.

5. Becky, the girl Rachel thought needed to apologize, has not spoken to Sarah on the phone in three days.
Already done.

6. Shoipes az shehe*enen ukh bordar azid wan safga trethen oba haues dyu Claire inen safga falaz mui bulos mui durdi dyu pupas vutus heles.
tomato-PL REL fall-PST-PST off truck that_(obj.) 3sg in_the_process_of drive-PST without know by Claire become-PST in_the_process_of soft and rotten and full by worm-PL below sun
The tomatoes which, without Claire knowing, had fallen off the truck she was driving were becoming soft, rotten, and full of worms in the sun.

7. Seng argas lamas az kam ar meyez oman ad uhu shuyes ham lat, seng argas ar trenkiizos.
the_more much lami-PL REL in 2sg person-PL blind to go across that street the-ore much 2sg pay-PSV-PST
The more hours you help blind people go across that street [over there], the more you will be paid.
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

7. Öçek lín sauk kursauf ezgaurauf rhté sauk zwökörsauch höi chau gersaut helkeraut vdöirhí sföngez sho, öçek lík rhté hengövezh.
2SG-NOM AUX.FUT.CAUS INDEF.PL hour-INSTR.PL many-INSTR.PL the.more INDEF.PL blind.one-ACC.PL PTCL DEF street-ACC that-ACC help-ADV.FUT cross PTCL, 2SG-NOM AUX.FUT.DATPASS the.more pay-CONCL
The more hours you help blind people go across that street [over there], the more you will be paid.

8. Pétems lé höi ví knöifebefsít drökfifít gaterefít helkefít vau adezhalömsaut fenfelemaut vau sfömsaun vau vangketheglomsauv hautel sho, faum lé vö mvakhsöv ölzdenü ksa hesílbrénakh.
Peter-NOM.NEG AUX.PAST PTCL DEF.NEG spider-ACC.NEG ugly-ACC.NEG big-ACC.NEG that-ACC.NEG DEF.NEG squash-PRESGER-ACC.NEG your.neg-ACC.NEG DEF.NEG shoe-INSTR.NEG DEF.NEG dinner-LOC.NEG see-SPEC PTCL, 3SG-NOM.NEG AUX.PAST DEF.NEG soup-LOC.NEG irrealis-ADV unfortunately-ADV vomit-CONCL
If Peter hadn't seen you squash that big, ugly spider with your shoe at dinner, he wouldn't have thrown up into his soup.
Last edited by Lao Kou on 27 Jan 2016 12:36, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Ralph »

Sakata:

1. Nyánká chí ná súbá sásé kawé tapák nú kika chí é ná pano hyán yáshá Pít'e.
Because PST QUOT try help 3SG.PROX.ERG friend OBV GEN-3SG.PROX PST PFV QUOT start be happy Peter
Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.

2. Chí ná hyân tayukwá ma ná púná Chôn nú yamak'ú kipapa nú k'éséchí kiyomakoyo chíkí nú, kwanhá nú, púpat'áw meyaw kwan nú, bánpam kíkyúkaw nú, támpú kíwépés wakó nú, yontaw mewyu watam nú, hóy nópáchú sánweku kwan nú.
PST QUOT be-3PL LOC-basket COMP QUOT carry John-ERG OBV DAT-cottage GEN-mother OBV cut.thing GEN-meat-pig small OBV, chicken OBV, apple-PL grue-PL some OBV, bag GEN-nut-PL OBV, bottle-PL GEN-milk two OBV, rose-PL yellow-PL seven OBV, and clothes clean-PL some OBV.
In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.
(a koyo is not actually a pig, but it's near enough)

3. Chi na panút tákónká kíChîm táwǎk nú.
PST QUOT sit LOC-shoulder GEN-Jim bird-ERG OBV.
Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.

4. Na nópa Shátǒn, shinkyánchí hénámewiwa sénwá, yósáyunyú káywa sóká kíhyámá nú hóy pani t'ámá nú éypan kákay men tanam k'áta nú nupan báwan kawé tátíkantá nú.
QUOT wear-3PL Sharon-ERG, actor hair-yellow-ADJ beautiful, mask-glass dark against GEN-sun OBV and hat big OBV often in.order.that NEG know people-ERG OBV while drink 3SG.PROX.ERG LOC-park OBV
Sharon, the beautiful blond actress, often wears dark sunglasses and a big hat so that people don't know her when she drinks in the park.

5. Men na maya Bék'ǐ, patîk ma maynu Atácheté nú ma nakú hyánká sonye kawé nayhá, yáSáta nú táták'í yamayawaynakayék nú nakan kísáhúnú mena nú.
NEG QUOT speak Becky-ERG, girl-ERG COMP think Rachel-ERG OBV COMP need.to be-CAUS low 3SG.PROX.ERG self, DAT-Sarah OBV with DAT-speak-distant-machine OBV since GEN-day-PL three OBV.
Becky, the girl Rachel thought needed to apologize, has not spoken to Sarah on the phone in three days.

6. Chi na panó hyán shósáw ma, mentanka na tanam ketétě nú, chí é na báwa nan kích'ínkano nú ma sénwí kawé wapáw, émpyáshú, hóy enanúkú kíhwáwáw nú wá táhyámá nú.
PST QUOT start-3PL be tomato-PL COMP, without.COMP QUOT know Claire-ERG OBV, PST PFV QUOT fall-3PL off GEN-truck OBV COMP drive 3PL.OBV.ERG soft-PL, PART-rot-PL, and PART-fill-PL GEN-worm-PL OBV under LOC-sun OBV.
The tomatoes which, without Claire knowing, had fallen off the truck she was driving were becoming soft, rotten, and full of worms in the sun.

7. Hyî hánúk ma sásé unú kát'á yihyú nú taka kákay wǎ nusá núkú yásáwna kák, wá sénat nakû yawon yipyú kyan nú.
Every hour COMP help 2SG.ERG people blind-PL OBV LOC-3SG.PROX in.order.to go-3PL across 3PL.OBV DAT-street that, FUT pay-3PL 1PL.ERG DAT.2SG money more OBV.
The more hours you help blind people go across that street [over there], the more you will be paid.

8. Chá men chí é téy hayu Pít'ě nú ma chí é pátá unú kwépá kónyú t'ámá kák táták'í yáypék táhwánéname, yan men chí é téy hóbá yamasén.
If NEG PST PFV HYP see Peter-ERG OBV COMP PST PFV squash 2SG.ERG spider ugly big that with DAT-shoe LOC-meal-evening, then NEG PST PFV HYP vomit DAT-soup.
If Peter hadn't seen you squash that big, ugly spider with your shoe at dinner, he wouldn't have thrown up into his soup.

9. Chí hyán meyna mípí, nánú chí é k'átómak Atísǎ nú sóhansha kansa nú.
PST be cold elephant, therefore PST PFV make-APPL Alice-ERG OBV coat warm OBV
The elephant was cold, so Alice made it a warm coat.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

Ralph wrote:Sakata:
Hurrah, a new player! [:D] (nicely played, BTW)

9. Chí fídels lé shtöf, gaiçö Alisbauths lé sílík sü aneksüt tengüdhauküt hedravnath.
DEF elephant-NOM AUX/PAST be.cold, therefore Alice-NOM AUX/PAST 3SG-DAT INDEF coat-ACC warm-ACC make-CONCL
The elephant was cold, so Alice made it a warm coat.

10. Chöi alüdzerats lé chö díbsök, gü sík thnalsích zhö sak flahansach chö stebsöv füröböv chauk gersaud veng cha frensas híau ba paishutel chau ganekhalörs lé hölmar nzhí höinöi sho, ngamath.
DEF prime.minister-NOM AUX/PAST DEF king-DAT, CONJ INDEF/PL bush-ACC/PL and INDEF/PL flower-ACC/PL DEF spring-LOC each-LOC DEF/PL street-POST/PL DEF country-GEN all PTCL plant DEF continue-PresGER-NOM AUX/PAST expensive-NOM ADV be-DISC PTCL, say
The prime minister told the king that it would be expensive to continue planting bushes and flowers along the country's streets every spring.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

Lao Kou wrote: 8. Pétems lé höi ví knöifebefsít drökfifít gaterefít helkefít vau adezhalömsaut fenfelemaut vau sfömsaun vau vangketheglomsauv hautel sho, faum lé vö mvökhsöv ölzdenü ksa hesílbrénakh.
Peter-NOM/NEG AUX/PAST PTCL DEF/NEG spider-ACC/NEG ugly-ACC/NEG big-ACC/NEG that-ACC/NEG DEF/NEG squash-PresGER-ACC/NEG your.neg-ACC/NEG DEF/NEG shoe-INSTR/NEG DEF/NEG dinner-LOC/NEG see-SPEC PTCL, 3SG-NOM/NEG AUX/PAST DEF/NEG soup-LOC/NEG irrealis-ADV unfortunately-ADV vomit-CONCL
If Peter hadn't seen you squash that big, ugly spider with your shoe at dinner, he wouldn't have thrown up into his soup.
This is the best sentence yet!
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Ralph »

Lao Kou wrote:Hurrah, a new player! (nicely played, BTW)
Thanks! [:)]

10. Chí é na yama soch'ítatúkay pahiwá yasunin nú ma wá hyán énhénka chá wá tátá tínǎt núki meychu hóy yasháw nú táwan tásáwnaw kéyik nú tátósún hyî.
PST PFV QUOT tell rule-group-member-ERG head-ADJ-ERG DAT-king OBV COMP FUT be PART-cost if FUT continue plant-PL 3PL.OBV.ERG bush-PL and flower-PL OBV along LOC-street-PL GEN-country OBV LOC-spring every
The prime minister told the king that it would be expensive to continue planting bushes and flowers along the country's streets every spring.

11. Chí kócháw híshítananchishá tanták kika nuka kíkwépáw makókáw nú tapan é ka kyu pampan tapâk kika, tunúkashi, nú.
PST write seek-knowledge-er-ERG book GEN-3SG.PROX about LOC-spider-PL PART-jump-PL OBV when PFV do in walk friend-ERG GEN-3SG.PROX, artist, OBV
The scientist was writing his book about jumping spiders when his friend, the artist, walked in.
Edit: I've changed the way Sakata forms active-participle-like adjectives from action nouns like kóká (jump), and changed the word for 'jumping' above to reflect that.
Last edited by Ralph on 25 Apr 2013 20:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

11. Zçeshtanö chau mnísfers lé chí gefrölsít chík knöifepelsíd sömegezalölíd ésh fuzh sho, chau zhömauíörs, ösfandíls chí, lé nadínzdanez.
as DEF scientist AUX.PAST DEF book-ACC DEF.PL spider-POST.PL jump-PrsPTPL.PL about write PTCL, DEF friend-NOM, artist-NOM DEF, AUX.PAST walk.in
The scientist was writing his book about jumping spiders when his friend, the artist, walked in.

12. Tsovíeths lüv helkeveçö ba barasuth ngamath sho, seth lüv pshul.
whoever-NOM AUX.TRANSC.IMPERS thus PTCL smell say PTCL, 3SG-NOM AUX.TRANSC.IMPERS break.wind
(Whoever/He who claims to smell thus has broken wind.)
He who smelt it dealt it. (That's, like, so mature (creaky voice/vocal fry)! [xP] )
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

1. Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.
Already done

2. In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.
Already done.

3. Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.
Already done.

4. Sharon, the beautiful blond actress, often wears dark sunglasses and a big hat so that people don't know her when she drinks in the park.
Already done.

5. Becky, the girl Rachel thought needed to apologize, has not spoken to Sarah on the phone in three days.
Already done.

6. The tomatoes which, without Claire knowing, had fallen off the truck she was driving were becoming soft, rotten, and full of worms in the sun.
Already done.

7. The more hours you help blind people go across that street [over there], the more you will be paid.
Already done.

8. Yakhen Peter os em ar apirsh ham khofembo dom az wouwas ba tzataki na ar, yau wan os ienen us*e*etz pai yea na wan.
if-PST Peter not see 2sg squash that spider big that be_ugly-PRS INSTR shoe of 2sg then 3sg not would-PST-PST vomit into soup of 3sg
If Peter hadn't seen you squash that big, ugly spider with your shoe at dinner, he wouldn't have thrown up into his soup.

[I was worried my Kankonian grammar might not have had how to form verbs like "hear the bird singing when the leading verb was in the irrealis (which means no suffix in Kankonian), but it did!]

9. Kamar semishen howei, do Alice hamien ad wan markam titel.
elephant feel-PST cold so Alice make-PST for 3sg coat warm

Or: Kamar semishen howei, do Alice hamien markam titel ad wan.
elephant feel-PST cold so Alice make-PST coat warm for 3sg

The elephant was cold, so Alice made it a warm coat. [Nice!]

10. Ekseph emiyain ad tei az rotu va stoham anduzas mui shures blailis lates na poilang kam hali *ayani osen khokem.
prime_minister tell-PST to king that continue VA-PARTICLE plant bush-PL and flower-PL along street of country TIME every spring FUT-PST expensive
The prime minister told the king that it would be expensive to continue planting bushes and flowers along the country's streets every spring.

11. Te*asti arditzen safga kahupha na wan hous khofembas az poluss av meshi zash twesatz ad wan daitroken pai ye.
scientist author-PST in_the_process_of book of 3sg about spider-PL that jump-PRS when friend APPOS artist to 3sg walk-PST into PREP-ADV
The scientist was writing his book about jumping spiders when his friend, the artist, walked in.

[Lots of interesting things going on in this one. Unless he was using a pencil, pen, stylus, marker or crayon, the word "ekhet" wouldn't be used for write; instead "arditz", meaning author or to author, would be correct. "Safga" means "in the process of", and is joined with a past-tense verb to make an imperfect. You wouldn't use it as often as the imperfect in English is used, but in cases where a "when" is used the sentence might wrongly sound like a completed action ("The scientist had written his book . . .") if you didn't use "safga". "Khofembas az poluss" literally means "spiders that jump" -- the Kankonian name for the Salticidae happens to be of the same reasoning as Terran languages use for the family; considering the jumping is such a salient feature, it's not surprising. A friend is a friend TO you rather than a friend OF you ("People aren't property!" is the Kankonian reasoning), much like family members, and the noun "twesatz" (artist) has to be moved in before "ad wan" (of him) or it would mean "when the friend of him, the artist" and imply that the scientist was also an artist. Finally, the particle "ye" turns a preposition into an adverb; in this case, however, the English "in" really means "into something", so "pai" (into) is placed before "ye", instead of "e" (in).]

12. Adaz a*uien wan usphiphisen.
for-REL smell-PST 3sg break_wind-PST
(Whoever/He who claims to smell thus has broken wind.)
He who smelt it dealt it.

13. Tom zash bein storman hel *ine blan mui sheraza mui bwolwu wowum mui khetekes katen bikhat na wan mos helhuduponen.
Tom APPOS boy teen with hair brown and messy and eye-PL blue and freckle-PL cut-PST knee-EXCPT of 3sg while with-skateboard-PST
Tom, the teen boy with messy brown hair, blue eyes and freckles, cut his knee riding his skateboard.

[And you can also translate the English more closely with "mos *egmaten hudupon na wan", while ride-PST skateboard of 3sg.
Last edited by Khemehekis on 27 Apr 2013 01:43, edited 2 times in total.
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

13. Taumbauths, çaburs chau söik zrautsöif, sel bithseg sülítheg, zhö sö zédübsön dvaurhöbön gnöibasharebön, lé chí shfolsít chöi bömerelitsöin gdöl.
Tom-NOM, youth-NOM DEF INDEF.PL freckle-INSTR.PL, INDEF.DUAL eye-INSTR.DUAL blue-INSTR.DUAL, and INDEF hair-INSTR brown-INSTR unkempt-INSTR, AUX.PAST DEF knee-ACC DEF skateboarding-INSTR wound
Tom, the teen boy with messy brown hair, blue eyes and freckles, cut his knee riding his skateboard.

14. Içteshtanö Rugs löi fíl vöifsím, arsfen sí löi sethek helkeveçö vzhaugil sho, ba jvírhöz bédrö í zhgöchez sho, seth lé sö ngaibsöt, chöbön trízh lé chöl víöbsöm höi sal kamelanainsag rhtíelethtölöböm ba sazakan nzhí kalokh sho, dravnath.
after Ruth-NOM.NEG AUX.PASTPRF INDEF.DUAL.NEG stick-ACC.DUAL.NEG, as-CONJ 1SG-NOM AUX.PASTPRF 3SG-DAT thus teach PTCL, PTCL rub scarcely just begin PTCL, 3SG-NOM AUX.PAST INDEF fire-ACC, REL-INSTR 1DUAL-NOM AUX.PAST DEF.DUAL fish-ACC.DUAL PTCL INDEF.DUAL banana.leaf-INSTR.DUAL wrap.PRF.PTPL-ACC.DUAL PTCL cook ADV be.able PTCL, make
No sooner did Ruth start rubbing (two) sticks together as I had taught her than she made a fire by which we could cook the (two) fish wrapped in (two) banana leaves.
Last edited by Lao Kou on 27 Jan 2016 11:09, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Khemehekis »

14. Grasi Ruth *aitzarten va dzhiu ghigas kalui oor is azirethenen ad wan, wan hamien luoi az hom wir wahazen troikos tairakes az falskiizen e haphlaphes na klanatzad.
as_soon_as Ruth start-PST VA-PARTICLE rub stick-PL together like/as 1sg teach-PST-PST to 3sg 3sg make-PST fire REL by 1pl be_able_to-PST cook fish-PL REL wrap-PSV-PST in leaf-PL of banana
No sooner did Ruth start rubbing (two) sticks together as I had taught her than she made a fire by which we could cook the (two) fish wrapped in (two) banana leaves.

15. Blahatz tri sharab na pta* na is as re venit de blahatz tri venit na arditz hous piskhofembas na is.
day SUPERL bad of fish of 1sg PRS COMP good than day SUPERL good of author about saliva-spider-PL of 1sg
My worst day fishing is better than my best day writing about spitting spiders.
♂♥♂♀

Squirrels chase koi . . . chase squirrels

My Kankonian-English dictionary: 86,336 words and counting

31,416: The number of the conlanging beast!
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

15. Vík knöifepefsíd ptekhalöfíd ésh vau fums fítem vím éhö fe dalgsen la vöi gdíasödhsöin fítedhöin tushvídhöin éhö fe dalgsen aitheküf.
DEF.PL.NEG spider-POST.PL.NEG spit.PresPTPL-POST.PL.NEG about DEF.NEG writing-NOM.NEG my-NOM.NEG fruitful-NOM.NEG SUPERL INDEF.NEG day-INSTR.NEG AUX.PRES DEF.NEG fishing-INSTR.NEG my-INSTR.NEG unfruitful-INSTR.NEG SUPERL INDEF.NEG day-INSTR.NEG compare
My worst day fishing is better than my best day writing about spitting spiders.

16. Içteshtanö chí behejöls löi chau kengaungevíersaut chí rhílsfölsív gataz sho, Raukhs lé, gü söb lé ba rhan ar'hetaum sau tezemarsaut ba tsébanöz höidaikh sho, sferül.
after DEF goat-NOM AUX.PastPRF DEF farmer-ACC DEF abdomen-LOC kick PTCL, Rob-NOM.NEG AUX.PAST, CONJ 3SG-NOM AUX.PAST PCTL laugh or INDEF doctor-ACC PTCL call ought.to-DISC PTCL know
After the goat kicked the farmer in the abdomen, Rob didn't know whether he should laugh or call a doctor.
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by clawgrip »

Okay, I am joining this thread. It took a long time to get all this done (I had to create about 20 new characters) but I finally got it.

1. Image
Jnger taal mgooay keun ntey Pittur jung yoom.
strive help friend TPC cause Peter become be.happy
Trying to help his friend made Peter happy.

2. Image
Pittur ptiahjart ganat kao leum ler boh ley chi keun sakwengwaak joak nek otgduat-pdalwaak nek ntaa-pan pot nek henin ler oakgoat nek arng-gneuo ler chmo nek lsum-pounsgeang hiat nek poach skaomskaom tui gmar.
Peter bring bag go.to house belong mother and inside.part TPC ham be.small and one.whole-chicken.meat and several.items-apple be.blue and bag belong nut and two-bottle belong milk and seven-rose be.yellow and clothing be.cleaned 3 exist
In the basket John was carrying to his mother's house was/were a small ham, a chicken, some green apples, a bag of nuts, two bottles of milk, seven yellow roses, and some clean clothes.

3. Image
Jem-gay snooh sgeu bgaiy twarng chooayng.
Jim-Mr. bird sit IMPERF be.at shoulder
Jim had a bird sitting on his shoulder.

4. Image
Sahlong-kteachfteuk sgaiy kmey lah hiat tui chaingeh madwaamdau heup nek boan piang nteyplar yiam peakteap borm huoo flet bia bung bdang twarng neemen.
Sharon-actor be.beautiful have hair be.yellow 3 put.on eye-cover-tool be.dark and hat be.big so.that people recognize can NEG arrive time drink alcohol be.at public.park
Sharon, the beautiful blond actress, often wears dark sunglasses and a big hat so that people don't know her when she drinks in the park.

5. Image
Baykey keun Laychil sianggyort mao syoklauch tmeuk aadang flet sam-chaot fkai dua huoo.
Becky TPC Rachel believe allow apology be.supposed.to therefore arrive 3-day address PERF NEG
Becky, the girl Rachel thought needed to apologize, has not spoken to Sarah on the phone in three days.

6. Image
Sloynket tui eumpeak dua joon dmeynjmot nung Kleh’aa mtemmgiat bgaiy cheung petmjur huoo dang ngeuo jung pney look bgaiy ley ñagah beymbeym jgeng.
Tomato 3 fall.out PERF come.from truck that Claire drive IMPERF but notice NEG so be.exposed become be.soft rot IMPERF and worm be.numerous enter
The tomatoes which, without Claire knowing, had fallen off the truck she was driving were becoming soft, rotten, and full of worms in the sun.

7. Image
Ley jaantaa ler ñual nung taal keuu moap jok gañ euuk ley jaantaa ler dbuoon jaoplar.
and amount belong hour REL assist person be.blind cross road there.DIST and amount belong money be.given
The more hours you help blind people go across that street [over there], the more you will be paid.

8. Image
Yoan Pittur nlooayk dua huoo duool gjiatfchaung deul piang fngurch teuk ouho dang poñtngau huoo jgeng pñoong choacheung.
if Peter see PERF NEG 2 squash spider be.big be.ugly use shoe then vomit NEG enter soup and.yet
If Peter hadn't seen you squash that big, ugly spider with your shoe at dinner, he wouldn't have thrown up into his soup.

9. Image
Naryeuut pat dang Aalee wau ñjuipah truang.
elephant be.chilly so Alice have.made coat be.warm
The elephant was cold, so Alice made it a warm coat.

10. Image
Dongbachjdeñge sarkkcheh fion tui heat dang glong nek sgeang tobor noi kih gañ ler gok dang wiautong gluat dui.
prime.minister inform king 3 say so bush and flower continue plant skirt road belong country so cost be.high exceed
The prime minister told the king that it would be expensive to continue planting bushes and flowers along the country's streets every spring.

11. Image
Bia treukiapliankeuu ut bgaiy knung pngom deul leuut tek mgooay aajung gtenyoh tui dar jgeng.
time scientist write IMPERF book be.about spider jump then friend be artisan 3 walk enter
The scientist was writing his book about jumping spiders when his friend, the artist, walked in.

12. Image
Charng logeuuga fkoy dang ga-ork gel.
from someone smell so instance here release
He who smelt it dealt it.

13. Image
Tom-gay aajung haip ler japjaa-bjooh ley lah aañartmey bloungspeen nek ma pot nek suañuin gmar bia tui je bgaiy wgaychdeekchoch poon oal.
Tom-Mr. be boy belong ten-rank-year and hair be.brown be.disorderly and eye be.blue and freckle exist time 3 board wheel-plank cut knee
Tom, the teen boy with messy brown hair, blue eyes and freckles, cut his knee riding his skateboard.

14. Image
Luiseu jark teugai moang arng-tak tpiak joot hwai noat tek geltkiat nung kyang bar arng-gak sool dua flet tio ler wur.
Ruth start rub happen.immediately.after two-stick intersect be.like 1 teach then light.fire REL use cook two-fish wrap PERF arrive leaf belong banana
No sooner did Ruth start rubbing (two) sticks together as I had taught her than she made a fire by which we could cook the (two) fish wrapped in (two) banana leaves.

15. Image
Chaot ler dongbach chon nung petgak tui lor leung chaot ler dongbach lor nung utdger pngom deul poñ.
day belong uppermost.thing be.bad REL catch-fish 3 be.good separate day belong uppermost.thing be.good REL write-document be.about spider spit
My worst day fishing is better than my best day writing about spitting spiders.

16. Image
Dang swenmung wernton kao heuukeuu flet woat dang Lohba gjo borm huoo poung yoan snetbaung poung yoan fkailoh klauchyoh.
then goat kick go.toward farmer arrive gut then Rob decide can NEG or if laugh or if summon doctor
After the goat kicked the farmer in the abdomen, Rob didn't know whether he should laugh or call a doctor.

17. Image
Tooayn ler snooh leap sgaiy aabia poatgen lao dua ley jootmoang teugai dua teuk toa ler ngdaa nek kjai.
feather belong bird be.smooth be.beautiful be.when morning-light engulf PERF and be.just.like rub PERF use powder belong silver and gold
The bird's feathers were smooth and beautiful in the morning light, as if they had been rubbed with silver and gold dust.
Last edited by clawgrip on 10 May 2013 16:03, edited 1 time in total.
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Lao Kou
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Joined: 25 Nov 2012 10:39
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Re: The snowball game: translating with only 625 words

Post by Lao Kou »

clawgrip wrote:Okay, I am joining this thread. It took a long time to get all this done (I had to create about 20 new characters) but I finally got it.
Kudos! It can be tough enough playing just as is, but with the added complexity of a burgeoning logographic system, it must have been particularly challenging getting up to speed <doffs cap>.

17. Chík dhüvölsíp chöi ömbíötsöis lé chí segenavölsív shözhelíp zhö techetnekelíp, sürnavö rhíl löit sü vaçik- zhö aibaksün haumnaulöth sho, nöi.
DEF.PL feather-NOM.PL DEF bird-GEN AUX.PAST DEF morning.light-LOC smooth-NOM.PL and beautiful-NOM.PL, as.if 3PL-NOM AUX.PastPRFPASS INDEF silver- and gold.dust-INSTR rub-SPEC PTCL,be
The bird's feathers were smooth and beautiful in the morning light, as if they had been rubbed with silver and gold dust.

18. Chö shebsöv, chöböv öçek lé Marsauk, gü öçek lé che gdíasözalöthset dhnaikhethet nzhí höihazh sho, íaugavel sho, sí lé, gü saur lé chau ídwönarsaut nzhí höirhauçébözh sho, sthövekh.
DEF night-LOC, REL-LOC 2SG-NOM AUX.PAST Mother-DAT, CONJ 2SG-NOM AUX.PAST DEF fisherman-ACC old-ACC ADV marry-DISC PTCL, tell PTCL, 1SG-NOM AUX.PAST, CONJ 3SG-NOM AUX.PAST DEF tongue-ACC ADV swallow-DISC PTCL, think
I thought Mother would swallow her tongue the night you told her you were going to marry the old fisherman.
道可道,非常道
名可名,非常名
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