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 Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:14 pm
Welcome to the UchinaaGuchi General Discussion! This is where we discuss everything related to the UchinaaGuchi language, including, but not limited to:
-asking specific questions about Okinawan
vocabulary and grammar (people who can speak Uchinaaguchi fluently can help answer others'' questions)
-recommendations for Okinawan dictionaries, websites, etc
-and everything else about the beautiful langauge of the Ryuukyuu islands(in Japan)
Please note that although speaking in UchinaaGuchi is allowed here, it is not mandatory.
Let''s start off with a few facts about the Okinawan language:
Spoken in: Japan(RyuuKyuu islands, Okinawa)
Total number of speakers: fewer than 2 million
Language Family: Japonic(derived from Japanese)like, Amami
Regulated by confused
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:16 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:19 pm
DICTIONARIES:
does anyone recommend any Okinawan/Uchinaaguchi dictionaries/online translation
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Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:25 pm
The phonological characteristics of the Shuri dialect as compared to standard Japanese are mainly the vowel changes of e to i and o to u. For exmaple, the word for rain is pronounced ame in Japanese while it is pronounced ami in Shuri. In the same manner, the word for cloud is pronounced kumo in Japanese while it is pronounced kumu in Shuri. Some differences between Japanese and Shuri dialect also exist in consonants. Some of the common differences are as follows:
Japan ----- Okinawa(shuri)
K ------ chu
chi------tsi
mi-----n
ri----i
wa-----a
Examples:
Yuki(snow) becomes "Yuchi"
Michi (road) becomes "Mitsi"
Minato (port) becomes "Nnatu"
odori (dance) becomes "Udui"
kawa (river) becomes "Kaa"
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:44 pm
Um, not to say anything - Okinawan is considered a heavy dialect in Japan - not a language itself. sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 8:40 pm
That's what I thought... 3nodding
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Spanish Nerd Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:26 am
Ashvemn Um, not to say anything - Okinawan is considered a heavy dialect in Japan - not a language itself. sweatdrop IT'S NOT A DIALECT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! burning_eyes burning_eyes burning_eyes evil stressed scream mad mad mad IT'S AN " INDEPENDENT" language "DEVELOPED" from Japanese ********** Japanese IS NOT the native language of Okinawa.****** The Okinawan language of belongs to the Japanese-Ryukyuan language family which extends from northern Japan to Yonaguni ( located off the coat of Taiwan) in the southern Ryukyu (rope) island chain. Many linguists (such as the renowned Hattori Shiro) believes the Shuri (Okinawa) and Kyoto (Japan) dialects separated between the start of the sixth century and the middle of the twelfth century. The Ryukyuan language is classified as an independent language because of the uniqueness of its remote relationships in morphological, phonological, and lexical aspects. Within the Ryukyuan language, the Okinawan language itself is comprised of many different dialects and sub-dialects from village to village. The Shuri dialect was standardized under the Ryukyuan kingdom central administration established by King Sho Shin (1477-1526). It was the official language used in conversation by the aristocratic class of Shuri castle. Most Okinawan songs and poems were composed in the Shuri dialect. heres a RYUKYU DICTIONARY SITE: http://ryukyu-lang.lib.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:29 am
Grammar
Okinawan dialects retain a number of old grammatical features, such as a distinction between the terminal form (終止形) and the attributive form (連体形), the genitive function of が ga (lost in the Shuri dialect), the nominative function of ぬ nu (Japanese: の no), as well as honorific/plain distribution of ga and nu in nominative use.
書く kaku
to write
Classical Shuri
Irrealis 未然形 書か kaka- kaka-
Continuative 連用形 書き kaki- kaci-
Terminal 終止形 書く kaku kacun
Attributive 連体形 書く kaku kacuru
Realis 已然形 書け kake- kaki-
Imperative 命令形 書け kake kaki
One etymology given for the -un and -uru endings is the continuative form suffixed with uri (Classical Japanese: 居り wori, to be; to exist): -un developed from the terminal form uri; -uru developed from the attributive form uru, i.e:
kacuru derives from kaci-uru;
kacun derives from kaci-uri; and
yumun (Japanese: 読む yomu, to read) derives from yumi + uri.
A similar etymology is given for the terminal -san and attributive -saru endings for adjectives: the stem suffixed with さ sa (nominalises adjectives, i.e. high → height, hot → heat), suffixed with ari (Classical Japanese: 有り ari, to exist; to have), i.e:
takasan (Japanese: 高い takai, high; tall) derives from taka-sa-ari;
atsusan (Japanese: 暑い atsui, hot; warm) derives from atsu-sa-ari; and
yutasaru (good; pleasant) derives from yuta-sa-aru.
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:47 am
greetings
(Excerpted from the Okinawan Language Text by Dr. Mitsugu Sakihara.)
Chaabira sai. Pardon me. May I come in? (Used when entering a home.)
Mensooree. Welcome.
Ii misooree. Please come in.
Chuu uganabira. How do you do?
Hajimiti uganabira. I'm glad to meet you.
Uchinaa-guchi
wakai miseemi. Do you understand Okinawan?
Uu, ufee wakai biin. Yes, I understand a little.
Nifee deebiru. Thank you.
Guburii sabira. I would like to be excused.
Chaa ganjuu
yaibiimi tai. Have you been well?
words & phrases :
(Excerpted from UCHINANCHU: A History of Okinawans in Hawaii)
abiyaa -person who talks loudly, yelling
achisan yaa tai It's hot, isn't it?
andagii Okinawan doughnut
anmaa or ayaa mother
ashitibichi pig's feet soup
chu (short sound) people
churakaagii good looking
gachimayaa gluttonous
jin-gwaa money
kumankai kuuwa Come here.
maa kai ga Where are you going?
magii large, big
maasan tasty, delicious
niibu yaa sleepy head
njichabira goodbye
Uchinanchu people from Okinawa
uumaku rascal
ningurugwaa sweetheart (besides's one's wife); girlfriend
unju you (polite)
warabi child
yanakaagii not good looking
yukuimisooree Rest awhile.
Yamatunchu Japanese from the main islands of Japan; naichi
yuntaku talkative
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:48 am
Okinawan Proverbs
Ataishi turu atairu. - We get along well with those we can get along with well.
Achinee ya tankaa mankaa. - Business is a two-way street.
Aramun jooguu ya duu ganjuu. - One who eats plain food is healthy.
Ichariba choodee. - Once we meet and talk, we are brothers and sisters.
Uya yushi kwa yushi. - Parents and children teach one another.
Kaagee kaa ru ya ru. - Beauty is skin deep.
Kamuru ussaa mii nayun. - The more you eat, the more you gain.
Kuu sa kana sa. - Small things are lovable.
Kuchi ganga naa ya yakutatan. - A smooth talker is a good-for-nothing person.
Kutubaa. Jin chikee. - Spend words as efficiently as money.
Kutuba noo ushikumaran. - A word can't be recalled once spoken.
Shikinoo chui shiihii shiru kurasuru. - Let's live helping each other in this world.
Shinjichi nu ada nayumi. - Kindness will never be wasted in any way.
Jin too waraaran kwa tu ru waraariiru. - We can laugh happily with our children, but not with money.
Chu uyamee ru duu uyamee. - If you respect others, they will respect you.
Choo kukuru ru dee ichi. - The heart is the most essential human quality.
Tusui ya tatashina mun. Warabee shikashina mun. - The old should be Treated with due respect. Children should be treated with gentleness.
Tusui ya takara. - The old people are treasures to us.
Miitundaa duu tichi. - Man and wife are one flesh.
Nuchi nu sadamee wakaran. - Only God knows one's term of life.
Machushi garu ufu iyoo tuyuru. - One who waits patiently will catch a big fish.
Miinai chichi nai. - We learn by watching and listening.
Mii ya tin niru aru. - Our fates are as registered by heaven.
Munoo yuu iyuru mun. - Speak well of others.
Yaasa ru maasaru. - Food is delicious when one is hungry.
Duu nu duu ya duu shiru shiyuru. - You know your body best.
Choo kani ru deeichi. - Common sense is essential.
Yii kutoo isugi. - Do good things quickly.
Chira kaagi yaka chimu gukuru. - Kind hearts are better than fair faces.
Yuu ya shititin mii ya shitinna. - Even if you hide yourself from the world, don't lose sight of your real nature.
Nmarijima nu kutuba wasshii nee kuni n wasshiin. - Forgetting your native tongue means forgetting your native country.
Ashibi nu chura saa ninju nu sunawai. - The more the merrier.
Acha nu neen chi ami. - Tomorrow is a new day.
Yikiga nu kutubaa shuumun gaai. - A man's word is his honor.
Mookiraa kwee michi shiri. - Once you have made a fortune, know how to spend it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes on Pronunciation
There are five vowels:
a - as in "father"
e - as in "pet"
i - as in "each"
o - as in "so"
u - as in "blue"
The double vowels are pronounced with the longer vowel sound. For example: dee is pronounced more like "day" as opposed to "dee" (long "e" sound).
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:49 am
1 - One -tii chi
2 - Two- taa chi
3 - Three- mii chi
4 - Four -yuu chi
5 - Five- ichi chi
6 - Six -muu chi
7 - Seven -nana chi
8 - Eight -yaa chi
9 - Nine -kuku nuchi
10 - Ten -tuu
100 - One Hundred- hyaa ku
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:54 am
The Ryuuchu languages are spoken in the Ryuuchu islands and make up a subfamily of the Japonic family. Some disagree as to how these languages should be divided; there is however a general consensus among Ryukyuanists that there are 6 different groups.
Amami Spoken: islands of the Amami district, Standard: Naze, Speakers: 130000
Miyako (Miyako: myaaku hutsi) Spoken: islands of the Miyako district, Standard: Hirara, Speakers: 55783
Okinawan (Okinawan: uchinaaguchi) Spoken: southern and central districts of the Okinawan mainland and the surrounding minor islands, Standard: traditionally Shuri, modern Naha, Speakers: 900000
Kunigami Spoken: the Yanbaru district of the Okinawan mainland as well as the surrounding minor islands, Standard: Kunigami, Speakers: n/a
Yaeyama (Yaeyama: yaima munii) Spoken: islands of the Yaeyama district, Standard: Ishigaki, Speakers: 44650
Yonaguni
Spoken: Yonaguni island in the Yaeyama district, Standard: Yonaguni, Speakers: 1800
Phrases in Sui (Shuri) Dialect:
Sui Dialect was the language of the royal Ryukyuan court and the official language of the kingdom and is known for its many levels of formality which are important. This is the language so often called Okinawan
Formality levels=
1- High, Upper Class language, for use with elders
2- Casual, Middle Class language,
3- Equal, Popular Language
Greetings:
Hello- haisai (Male) Haitai (Female)
Welcome- Mensoree(3), Imensiibiri (2), Uchiinsiibitii (1)
How are you: Chuu uganabira?
Have you been well- Chaa ganjuu yaibiimi tai?
How Do You Do- Hajimiti Uganabira?
Im doing well- uu ganjuu soi biin
Nice to meet you- yutakushiku unigai sabira
Please stay and rest a while- Yukuimisooree
I come from___-wan ya_____ kara chaibitan
My name is ______-wan nu noiji ya ___yaibin
Sorry- Chaabirasai, guburii sabitan
Thankyou- Nifedeebiru, Nihedeebiru
Goodbye- guburi sabira, Nchabira
Good Morning- Ukinriichii, ukitii (3), uukimisiibitii (2),Uukinsiibitii, uukinjyanshiimisiibitii (1)
Good Night- Uyukuimi sori
Yes- Uu
No- Nn
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:55 am
The Ryuuchu languages are spoken in the Ryuuchu islands and make up a subfamily of the Japonic family. Some disagree as to how these languages should be divided; there is however a general consensus among Ryukyuanists that there are 6 different groups.
Amami Spoken: islands of the Amami district, Standard: Naze, Speakers: 130000
Miyako (Miyako: myaaku hutsi) Spoken: islands of the Miyako district, Standard: Hirara, Speakers: 55783
Okinawan (Okinawan: uchinaaguchi) Spoken: southern and central districts of the Okinawan mainland and the surrounding minor islands, Standard: traditionally Shuri, modern Naha, Speakers: 900000
Kunigami Spoken: the Yanbaru district of the Okinawan mainland as well as the surrounding minor islands, Standard: Kunigami, Speakers: n/a
Yaeyama (Yaeyama: yaima munii) Spoken: islands of the Yaeyama district, Standard: Ishigaki, Speakers: 44650
Yonaguni
Spoken: Yonaguni island in the Yaeyama district, Standard: Yonaguni, Speakers: 1800
Phrases in Sui (Shuri) Dialect:
Sui Dialect was the language of the royal Ryukyuan court and the official language of the kingdom and is known for its many levels of formality which are important. This is the language so often called Okinawan
Formality levels=
1- High, Upper Class language, for use with elders
2- Casual, Middle Class language,
3- Equal, Popular Language
Greetings:
Hello- haisai (Male) Haitai (Female)
Welcome- Mensoree(3), Imensiibiri (2), Uchiinsiibitii (1)
How are you: Chuu uganabira?
Have you been well- Chaa ganjuu yaibiimi tai?
How Do You Do- Hajimiti Uganabira?
Im doing well- uu ganjuu soi biin
Nice to meet you- yutakushiku unigai sabira
Please stay and rest a while- Yukuimisooree
I come from___-wan ya_____ kara chaibitan
My name is ______-wan nu noiji ya ___yaibin
Sorry- Chaabirasai, guburii sabitan
Thankyou- Nifedeebiru, Nihedeebiru
Goodbye- guburi sabira, Nchabira
Good Morning- Ukinriichii, ukitii (3), uukimisiibitii (2),Uukinsiibitii, uukinjyanshiimisiibitii (1)
Good Night- Uyukuimi sori
Yes- Uu
No- Nn
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Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 11:58 am
Pronouns/peopleI- Wan You- Unjuu (Formal), Unjyu (Informal) Mom- Anmaa (3), Ayaa (1,2) Father- Suu (3), tuurii (2), Ajiimee (1) Older Brother-Afii (3), Yashichii (2), Yachimee(1) Older Sister- abaa (3), nmii (2), Nmiimee (1) Places:Chinen- Cinin Chyatan- Chyatan Ginoza- Jinujya Gushikami- Gushichyan Gushikawa- Gushichaa Haebaru-Feebaru Higashi- Higashi Ishikawa- Ishichyaa Itoman- Ichuman Kadena- Kadina Katsuren- Kacchan, Kachirin Kin- Chin Kitanagusuku- Kitanagushiku Kochinda- Kuchinda Kunigami-Kunjyan Motobu- Mutubu Nago- nagu Naha- Nafaa, Nafwaa Nakagusuku- Nakagushiku Nakijin- Nachijin Nishihawa-Nishibara Okinawa- Uchinaa, Kujyaa Onna- Unna Oogimi- Ujimi Oozato- Ufujyatu Ryukyu- Ryuuchu Sashiki-sashichi Shuri- Sui Tamagusuku- Tamagushiku Tomigusuku- Tumigushiku Urasoe- Urashii, Urasii Yonabaru- Yunabaru Yonashiro- Yunakushiku Yomitan- Yuntanjya http://uruma.jp/radio/mp3/0_1135563500.mp3http://uruma.jp/radio/mp3/0_1135734296.mp3
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