peace corps ewe o.p.l. workbook (oral proficiency learning
TRANSCRIPT
-
EWE O.P.L. WORKBOOK(Oral Proficiency Learning)
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
i
Acknowledgement
Peace Corps Togo is very pleased to present the first ever Ewe local language manual
to Peace Corps Togo Trainees and Volunteers. This manual has become a reality due
to the meticulous work of many people.
The training team expresses its deepest gratitude to the Peace Togo Country Director
George Monagan, for having taken the initiative to have materials developed in local
languages. His support is tremendous.
The team is grateful to Peace Corps Togo Admin Officer, Priscilla Ashamu Sampil
and all the Administrative Staff for their logistical support and for having made funds
available for this material development.
A genuine appreciation to the language Testing Specialist Mildred Rivera-Martinez,
the Training Specialist Rasa Edwards, to Stacy Cummings Technical Training
Specialist, and all the Training Staff from the Center for their advice and assistance.
A sincere gratitude to Peace Corps Togo Training Manager Blandine Samani-Zozo
for her guidance and lively participation in the manual development.
A word of recognition to all Peace Corps Volunteers who worked assiduously with
the training team by offering their input.
Congratulations to Trainers Sarah A. GOE, Kossi Nyonyo, Essi Gbededzi and the
Training Secretary Jean B. Kpadenou who have worked diligently and
conscientiously to develop this manual.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
ii
To the learner
Congratulations to all of you Peace Corps Trainees and Volunteers for your
acceptance to learn a new language. Of course learning a new language is not easy,
but with dedication you will make it and achieve your goals.
This manual is competency based and contains useful expressions related to all
training components such as technique, health, safety and security. This will build up
your ability to communicate in local language and will bring you closer to the
community with which you will work.
This capacity will also enable you to know your community better. You will
participate effectively and with increased personal satisfaction in the type of cultural
and technical exchange that Peace Corps has been advocating for since its creation.
Some suggestions for succeeding in this learning process is being receptive and taking
risks. Use the new language, analyze it and be methodic. Search for new words with
friends, host families, and counterparts.
The training staff invites you to share your comments in the event that it becomes
necessary to revise the material. Any kind of feedback would be most welcomed.
Send it to:
Peace Corps Togo Training Manager
PO Box: 3194
Lom, Togo
Have fun and enjoy using this manual
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
iii
Table of Contents Page
Acknowledgement .................................................................................................................... i
To the learner .......................................................................................................................... ii
EWE ALPHABET .................................................................................................................. 1
Lesson 1 .................................................................................................................................... 4
Greetings .................................................................................................................................. 4
Lesson 2 Introduce oneself and someone else .................................................................... 12
Lesson 3 Introduce ones family ........................................................................................ 19
Lesson 4 Buying essential items ......................................................................................... 27
Lesson 5 Talk about food habits of the host country ....................................................... 39
Lesson 6 Invite someone, accept or decline an invitation ................................................ 46
Lesson 7 Talk about daily activities .................................................................................. 51
Lesson 8 Ask for and give direction and time .................................................................. 58
Lesson 9 Talk about transportation ................................................................................... 66
Lesson 10 Talk about ones state of health ........................................................................ 73
Lesson 11 Express ones sympathy in a happy or sad event ............................................ 78
Lesson 12 Ask for help in an emergency case.................................................................... 83
Lesson 13 Talk about her/his work .................................................................................... 89
Useful expressions ................................................................................................................. 96
English to Ewe Glossary ....................................................................................................... 99
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
1
EWE ALPHABET
The Ewe alphabet has 30 letters: 7 vowels and 23 consonants
A B D E F f G H X
a b d e f g h x
I K L M N O P R S T
I k l m n o p r s t
U V W Y Z
u v w y z
The vowels ares:
A E I O u Summary of ewe alphabet
Letter Pronunciation
(similar sound in English)
Ewe Example English Translation
a father ati Tree
b boy aiba Papaya
d Dog dodokp Exam
leather (but made by flicking the
tongue against the palate toward the
back of the mouth)
evi Kid
e mate egbe Today
red, bet ppp Exactly
f fish fafa Coolness
Pronounced as you blow air through
your lips Ae House
g go Togot Togolese
pretend you are gargling and add a
vowel at the end of the syllable leti
Month, noon
gb say ''egg-beater'' fast ; drop the ''-ter''
then the first ''e'' gboma Spinach
h hat aha Drink
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
2
Letter Pronunciation
(similar sound in English)
Ewe Example English Translation
x Like h in english. Example: how Xevi
XoXo
Bird
Old
i feet fita Mecanic
k kitten kpo Cup
kp say pick-pocket fast;
drop the ''-ket'' then the ''pi'' akpe Thank
l lady ale Sheep
m man Mawu God
n net neti Coconut tree
sing di
Morning/ greeting
ny French "peigner", Spanish "seor" nynu Woman
o no Togo Togo
paw, log; ball t Father
p pick Peya Avocado.
r Africa (but roll the "r" a little) Afrika Africa
s sit suku School
t tip ati Tree
u loop suku School
ts Like ch in english church tsitsa Teacher
v vat eve Two
Put the end of a pen in your mouth and
try to pronounce the sound v, then try
it without the pen and you will obtain
the sound
tru
ee
A door
Ewe
w wish woez Welcome
y you eya Wind
z zip az Feast
dz Pronounced like J in the english
word jogging dzo To leave
Nasalized vowels
The sign ~, slight sound of an, over the vowel indicates that it is nasalized.
For example: el = meat
l l nudwla = Volunteer
Tones
Ewe is a tonal language as are most African languages. The major tones are:
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
3
High (/) Low (\)
For example: m = we
m = you
Word formation
Ewe is a composite language, meaning that basic words are often rearranged and
combined to make verbs into nouns or adjectives.
For example: u (nu) to eat (something) Nuuu food, meal
Nouns are combined with prepositions to form other words: For example:
Ae house/city, village of ones birth -me inside of - Aeme home
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
4
Lesson 1
Greetings
Objectives:
After studying this lesson on greetings, trainees will be able to:
1) Use the specific vocabulary related to greetings to greet people at the different times
of the day
2) Use the specific verbs in the present tense 3) Discuss cultural notes related to greetings 4) Communicate, to build social relationship and friendship in Ewe communities in
order to support their personal safety and security.
5) Practice greeting in the community while respecting the culture of the Ewe community.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
5
Dailogue
Its seven a.m. Sara meets Kossi her neighbor and they greet.
Sara: di fofovi
Kossi: di Dadavi. Aemetwe?
Sara: Wf
Kossi: eviwe?
Sara: Wf
Kossi: Ets be d?
Sara: D ts. Miagadgo
Kossi: Yoo, miagadgo.
Dialogue in English
Sara: Good morning, young man
Kossi: Good morning, young lady. How are the members of your family?
(how is the family?)
Sara: They are fine.
Kossi: How are the kids?
Sara: They are fine.
Sara: See you again
Kossi: Ok, see you again
Cultural notes
Greeting is a moral and social obligation that should not be neglected. Its a sign of respect.
You greet people first before you talk about anything else. For an elder, a Chief or a notable you bend down or genuflect while greeting. You dont snap fingers with elders and women. You initiate greeting with elders but not hand shaking. Greeting is not only to ask about peoples health but also to show interest in a person
or to engage in conversation.
Greeting eases your integration and acceptance in the community. Therefore people are ready to help you whenever you have a problem or a safety and security issue.
Proverb: Amedzro si af le (The stranger or a new comer to an area has the obligation to go visit people and greet
them).
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
6
Words and Useful expressions
Different greetings
di (06H00 11H00) Good morning d (11H00 16H00) Good day Woale (16H00 18H00) Good afternoon Fi (18H00 night) Good evening
Periods of the day
dime in the morning dme in the noon etrme in the afternoon Fi me in the evening Zme in the night
Titles
Dadavi young lady/young sister Dag elder sister Dada mother, elder sister Fofovi young man Fofo father, elder brother Aet Mister Aen Madam Aenvi Miss Tgbui old man, grandfather, chief of a village Mama old woman, grandmother
Noun + vi small/younger Noun + g big/elder
Some verbs
F To wake up d (al) To sleep Na asi To shake hand Do gbe Greet X gbe Answer greetings
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
7
Expressions
Ametwoe? how is the family/what about the family ? A house Ame home(in the house) Amet someone living in the house Wle/wf / wli they are fine eviwe? how are the children ? , mef nyuie yes, I am fine f nyuie a? are you fine ? gb a? are you back ? Tsoetw (e)? the people of where you come from Miagadogo see you/we shall meet Dd nenyo sleep well Z nenyo good night kekea nenyo have a good day Mawu nef m see you tomorrow Elea/elia? Are you there?
Wo marks the plural form e interrogative term
Dame e? What about the office/job? Wh/wya And you? Mile edz Its going well Egbe be d when you meet a person you already greet
during the day the day-literally means the work of
today
Ets be d! when you saw the person the day before Nyits be d! when you saw the person more than two days
ago
Woez (loo) Welcome Grammar notes
i. The subjet pronouns
There are six subject pronouns in Ewe, the following are used for the present and past tense.
* Me
*
*
* M
* M
* W
I
You
He, she, it
We
You
They
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
8
Example:
* Mef nyuie Im fine * Ef nyuie You are fine
* Ena as Ksi He/she shakes Kossis hand.
* Mi d nyui e We slept well
* Mido gbe na aemetwo You greet people of the house
* Wod nyuie They slept well
You can also use mie in place of mi or me in place of m The verb doesnt change its form when its conjugated
ii. The use of e
e is an interrogative particle that added to a noun means where is/what about/how is
Example:
* Kofi e ? Where is/what about/how is Kofi?
* eviwo e ? how are the kids doing?
* Fotoa e ? where is the picture?
iii. The use of a
a at the end of a sentence indicates a yes or no questions.
Ef a? Ele a?
Exercises
1) Build a dialogue with the words below and practice it with a classmate.
di, dadavi, egbe be d
aemetwo e, f a, woh
, mef , egbe be d,
miagadogo, d gbe, yoo.
2) Use the subject pronouns (me, , , mi, m, wo) to make sentences with the following
verbs:
a) F ____________________________________________________
b) do gbe ________________________________________________
c) d ____________________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
9
d) X gbe ________________________________________________
e) na asi _________________________________________________
3) Add e or a to the sentences below to ask questions:
Example: Mili -------------------milia ?
f) f nyuie _____________________________________________________
g) eviw __________________________________________
h) M li ____________________________________________
i) Esi d nyuie ______________________________________
j) Sara _____________________________________________
k) Aemetw ________________________________________
l) Nufiala le _________________________________________
4) Rearrange the following words into sentences
a) Do gbe /me ______________________________________
b) F / nyuie /Adzo __________________________________
c) a / d / e / nyuie? _________________________________
d) Do gbe / a/ Ismal ________________________________
e) e/ Aemetwo? ___________________________________
f) nyuie /w / d ____________________________________
g) mi / nyuie / f ____________________________________
h) a / d / mi / nyuie? ________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
https://www.livelingua.com/peace-corps-ewe-course.php
-
10
5) Answer the following questions.
a) eviwo e? ___________________________________________
b) Esi e? ______________________________________________
c) Mile a? ______________________________________________
d) Adzo kple Afi f nyui e a? _______________________________
e) Dometw e? ________________________________________
f) Sukua e?____________________________________________
6) Translate the following sentences into Ewe.
a) See you tomorrow. ____________________________________
b) Did you sleep well? ____________________________________
c) Have a good day! _____________________________________
d) Im fine, and you how are you? ___________________________
e) Welcome ____________________________________________
f) How is the family ______________________________________
g) See you _____________________________________________
h) Good night ___________________________________________
i) Yes, the kids are doing well ______________________________
j) The people in the house are fine __________________________
Role play
1) In the morning, you meet a woman near your house, greet her and say good bye.
2) At noon, after class, you meet the Chief of your village, greet him appropriately and then leave.
3) While going for a walk in the evening you see a young person, greet him/her and wish him/her a good night.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
11
Situation:
1) Your host brother comes back home from school in the evening. Greet him and ask him about his school.
2) Imagine a dialogue between you and your host mother as you are leaving the house for your job in the morning. (Greeting, wishes for the day, expressions to take leave).
TDA
Go to one of the trainers or a host family member, greet him/her and answer the
greeting. Write down all new vocabulary you heard for next class.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
12
Lesson 2
Introduce oneself and someone else
Objectives:
After studying the lesson on introductions, trainees will be able to:
1) Use the vocabulary related to introducing oneself and someone else 2) Ask questions to know someones identity 3) Use specific verbs related to introduction in the present tense 4) Discuss cultural notes related to introduction 5) Introduce oneself to a member of the host family and collect information about
him/her.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
13
Dialogue
Rachel a Peace Corps Volunteer introduces herself and his friend Shana to a counterpart
Rachel: Fi, Aen
Yawa: Fi, Dadavi. Mee kuku kwe?
Rachel: knye enye Rachel.
Yawa: Dukame netso?
Rachel: Metso Washington le Amerika.
Yawa: Dka wla nenye?
Rachel: Menye l l nudwla yeye le Peace Corps.
Dadavi sia nye xl nye, ek enye Shana, tso Montana le Amerika.
Shana nye l l nudwla yeye le Atakpame.
Yawa: Enyo. Mawoez loo.
Rachel: Yoo, miagadogo.
Dialogue in English
Rachel: Good evening, Madam.
Yawa: Good evening, young lady. Please whats your name?
Rachel: My name is Rachel.
Yawa: Where do you come from?
Rachel: I come from Washington in the States.
Yawa: Whats your profession?
Rachel: Im a Volunteer in Peace Corps. This young lady is my friend, her name is
Shana, she comes from Montana in America, she is a new Volunteer in
Atakpame.
Yawa: Well, welcome
Rachel: Ok, see you later.
Cultural notes:
In general, presentation is not automatic to know someones name you have to ask for it.
The first name, when its not a christian name corresponds to the day of the week on which you are born (see table below)
A way to show respect is to avoid calling people directly by their name but you precede the name by words like Da (davi) or Fo (fovi).
For Example Fo Simon, Da Sara
You also use Ameg or Tgbui for old persons
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
14
Days of the week and related names
Day English Woman name Man name
Dzoa (gbe) Monday Adz Kdz, Kudz
Blaa (gbe) Tuesday Abla Kmla
Kua (gbe) Wednesday Aku Kku
Yawoa (gbe) Thursday Yawa Yawo, Ayawo
Fia (gbe) Friday Afi, Afua Kofi
Memlea (gbe) Saturday Ami, Ameyo Kmi
Ksia (gbe) Sunday Ksiwa, Aksiwa, Esi Ksi
Vocabulary
k name l l nudwla Volunteer (A)Fika where Sukuvi pupil, student Agbledela farmer Nufiala/tsitsa teacher Asitsala/nusala/nudzrala seller/trader kita/dyla doctor/nurse Dreva/ukula driver Kapita carpenter Klake clerk Dkplavi apprentice Tela/awutla tailor Ddzikpla director Aet/Aen Mister/madam/head Xl friend Sr t married Ahivi girl/boy friend Tren bachelor/single ugbetsr fianc (e) Yeye new Xoxo old Du Town/country/village Amegbnvi/ bonne maid Aemedwla housewife
T: added to a country, town or place name to mean:
- who comes from Togot Togolese - the owner or the seller Kpnt bread seller
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
15
Nationality/origin
Togot Togolese Amerikat American Benint Beninese Afrikat African Kpalimet Who is from Kpalime Kaliforniat Who is from California
Expressions
knye eny my name is kw e ? whats your name? Dukame netso? from which town/village/country do you
come from
Fika (n)etso? where do you come from? Fika (n)ele? where are you/where do you live? Dukamet (n)enye? whats your nationality? Dkawla (n)enye? Whats your profession? n does not have a function, regional variation
Some verbs
Tso to come from Nye to be + (nationality, profession, marital status) Le to be (location)
Exercises
1) Answer a question or ask a question
a) kw e? _______________________________________
b) Metso Kalifornia le Amerika. __________________________
__________________________________________________
c) (A)fika (n)tso? ____________________________________
d) Menye kita le Sokode. _____________________________
2) You are on the way to your friends house and you met a young person who greets you. Answer the greeting and ask questions to know him/her better
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
16
Grammar notes
The use of the verb nye and le = to be
i. Ny
For example:
Menye Amerikat Im American Joe nye llnudwla Joe is a Volunteer Abra nye tren Abra is a bachelor
ii. Nye: possessive adjective knye my name
w: possessive adjective kw your name
NB: More information on the possessive will be discussed in lesson 3
iii. Le = to be or to live
For example:
Mi le Agou fifia We are in Agou now.
NB: Le is also used as a preposition meaning at or in.
For example: Me tso Accra le Ghana I come from Accra in Ghana
tso Boston le Amerika She/he comes from Boston in America
Exercises
1) Translate the following sentences into Ewe.
a) Iam in Tabligbo ________________________________________
b) Esi is a student __________________________________________
c) She is a housewife in Cotonou _____________________________
d) Jennifer is a Peace Corps Volunteer in Atakpame ______________
______________________________________________________
e) Adzo is a single and she is an apprentice _____________________
______________________________________________________
f) Blandine is Training Manager at Peace Corps _________________
____________________________________________________
g) George is an American but he is in Togo now _________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
17
____________________________________________________
h) Trainees are in Agou now _________________________
________________________________________________
2) Ask or answer questions from the statements below a) knye eny Kmi ____________________________________ b) Menye asitsala _______________________________________
c) Dukame (n)etso ______________________________________
d) Dka wla (n)enye? ____________________________________
e) Fika Dadavi sia tso? ________________________________________________
f) Aku ny sr t a? , ____________________________________
g) Steve nye l l nudwla ________________________________
h) Mle Lome __________________________________________
3) Text: knye enye Nancy. Metso Kalifornia le America, gake mele Togo fifia. Meny nusr la le
Agou. Dadavi sia nye xlnye. Ekenye Akpn. Etso Gae le Togo. Eny tela le Kpalime. Text :.
My name is Nancy. I come from California in the States, but now Im in Togo. Im a trainee
in Agou. This lady is my friend. Her name is Akpne. She comes from Gae in Togo. She is
a mistress in Kpalime.
Questions
Dukame Nancy tso?______________________________________
Dukamet Nancy nye? ____________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
18
Dkawla Nancy nye? _____________________________________
Fika Akpne tso? ________________________________________ Akpne nye tela a? _______________________________________
TDA
In your neigborhood, meet two people; greet them, introduce yourself to them and ask
questions to know them better (name-origin-profession-where they live). Write down the
information for next class.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
19
Lesson 3
Introduce ones family
Objectives:
After studying the lesson on Introduce ones family, trainees will be able to:
1) Use the vocabulary related to family relationships and the numbers from 1 to 20 to introduce their family
2) Use the possessive adjectives and their negative structure to introduce their family members
3) Discuss cultural notes related to the family 4) Talk about their own family to a member of the community.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
20
Sara e ome Saras family
Text:
knye enye Sara, ame ade le onyeme : tnye, nnye, nviutsu eve kple nvinynu eka.
Tnye k eny Yawo, ny nufiala le Adeta, tso Sevagan. Nnye k eny Mas. Eny
asitsala. Etso Keta le Ghana.
Nvinyeutsuwo k eny Yema kple Kdzo. Wle Lome. Nvinyenynu k eny Esi, enye
kita le Tsevie. Mel onyeme ut.
Text:
My name is Sara there are six persons in my family: my father, my mother, my two brothers
and my sister.
My fathers name is Yawo, he is a teacher in Adeta, he comes from Sevagan.
My mothers name is Mas. She is a trader; she comes from Keta in Ghana.
My brothers names are Yema and Kdzo. They are in Lome. My sisters name is Esi, she is
a nurse in Tsevie. I like my family so much.
Cultural notes
Polygamy is a reality in Togolese community Cousins and sisters are considered just like sisters and brothers Family links and community solidarity are strong Thus acceptance in your family or in your community is very important
Proverb: Nvitikpl me ena o (Nothing can break family links)
Mas
Kdzo Sara
Esi
Yema
Yawo
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
21
Vocabulary
Members of the family
ome Family
Dzila Parent
T Father
N Mother
Vi Nvi
Son/daughter
Sibling
Nviutsu Brother
Nvinynu Sister
Fofo Elder brother
Dada Sr
Elder sister
Spouse
Sr utsu Husband
Sr nynu Wife
Sr t Married
Ng Maternal aunt (elder)
Ni Maternal aunt (younger)
Nyr/nyin/ wfa Maternal uncle
Tga Parternal uncle (elder)
Ti Parternal uncle (younger)
Tasi Parternal aunt
utsu sia/ ya This man
Nynu sia/ ya This woman
evi Child (in general)
Tgbe Grandfather
Mama Grandmother
Nyr/ tasiyvi utsu Nephew
Ni/ng/nyr/ tasi/yvi utsu Niece
Tgbe yvi Grandson/granddaughter Expressions
Tnye k eny.. My fathers name is .
Nw k e? Whats the name of your mother?
Dzilanyew le Amerika My parents are in the States
Sr le asinye I have a spouse
Nviutsu Son/daughter
Nviutsu eka kple nvinynu eve le asinye I have a brother and two sisters
Nvi nenie le asiw? How many sisters and brothers have
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
22
you?
Dka wla nw nye? Whats your mothers profession?
Nnye ny asitsala My mother is a trader
Tnye tso Vogan My father comes from Vogan
Egbe Today
e Year Some verbs
Le asi To have
Do ome kple To be related to
For example: Medo ome kple Esi Im related to Esi
esr To marry/to get married
Gbe atsu To divorce
L ame To love someone
Dzi vi To give birth (to have a child) Numbers
1. eka 11. wuieke 2. eve 12. wuieve 3. et 13. wuiet 4. ene 14. wuiene 5. at 15. wuiat 6. ade 16. wuiade 7. dre 17. wuidre 8. enyi 18. wuienyi 9. asieke 19. wuiasideke 10. ewo 20. bla eve
Exercises
1) Give five words you associate with the word family and make a sentence with each of the words.
Example: t----tnye k enye Frank
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
23
2) Complete this identity card
Name
Profession
Origin
Father:
Name:
Place of residence:
Profession:
Family
Mother:
Name:
Place of residence:
Profession:
Brothers and sisters
Name:
Place of residence:
Profession:
Grammar notes
i. The possessive adjective has two forms: the normal form and the contracted one.
These are the contracted forms that mostly used with nouns related to family members.
Ewe English Example
------nye my tnye My father
-----w your nw Your mother
e-----(a) his/her/its evia
ek
his son
her name
mia---- our mia nyr our maternal uncle
ma---- your ma sr your husband/wife
W(a)---- their W(a) tasi Their paternal aunt
These are the normal forms
Ewe English Example
-----nye my agbalenye My book
-----w your aew Your house
Ee----- his/her/its Ee suku
ek
his school
her name
miae---- our Miae nufiala our teacher
mae---- your Mae tela your tailor
W(a)e---
their W(a)e fiase Their shop
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
24
ii. The plural in Ewe is made by adding w to the end of a word
Example:
Nufialaw teachers Nviw sisters/brothers Miae nusrlaw our students
iii. The verb le---asi to have The affirmative structure is: subject + verbal form + complet
sr le asinye I have a husband/wife Fofo le asiwo you have an elder brother Vi le esi he/she has a child Ni le miasi we have a younger maternal aunt Tg le miasi we have an elder paternal uncle Tasi le wsi they have a paternal aunt The negative structure is : subject + me + verbal form + compl + o
Sr me le sinye o I dont have a husband/wife Fofo me le asiwo o you dont have an elder brother Vi me le esi o he/she doesnt have a child Ni me le miasi o we dont have a younger maternal aunt Tg me le miasi o we dont have an elder paternal uncle Tasi me le wsi o they dont have a paternal aunt Exercises
1) Use the correct possessive adjective that corresponds to the English word in parenthesis:
Example: vi (my) vinye
a) T (his) _________________________________ b) Nyr (our)________________________________
c) Nufiala (your, singular)________________________
d) Ae (his) _________________________________
e) N (your, singular) __________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
25
f) Tasi (their) ___________________________
g) Nviutsu (your, plural)______________________
h) Ddzikpla (our)________________________
i) Suku (her) _______________________________ 2) Rearrange the following words into sentences:
a) eka / le / Nviutsu / asinye _______________________ b) tw / enye / k / kofi ________________________ c) nynuvi / si / eve / tnye /le _________________________ d) k / tasiwo / e? _________________________________ e) nviutsu / le / nenie / asiw? ________________________ f) fofo / asinye /me / le/ o ____________________________
Exercises
1) Answer these questions.
a) Nw k e? ____________________________________________
b) Nvi nenie le asiw? _______________________________________
c) Tw k e? ____________________________________________
d) Dka wla tw nye? ______________________________________
e) Dukame nw tso? ________________________________________
f) Nynu nenie le tw si? _____________________________________
g) Nyrw k e? _________________________________________
h) Dka wla tasiw nye? ______________________________________
i) x k e? ___________________________________________
j) Vi le ngw si a? __________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
26
2) Translate into Ewe:
There are 12 persons in my family: my father, my mother, my sisters, my brothers, my
paternal aunt and my maternal uncle. Our father comes from Tsevie and our mother is from
Keta. They have 3 sons and 5 daughters.
3) Ask questions from the following statements:
a) Vi eve le asinye _____________________________________________ b) Tinye k eny Kmla ______________________________________
c) Nynu ene le tnye si ________________________________________
d) Mia ni k eny Kafui ______________________________________
e) e wuieve le vinye si _________________________________________
Role play:
You are meeting your host fathers friend for the first time. Introduce your family to
him and ask questions about his family.
TDA
Your host family would like to know more about the members of your family in the
States. Give them information and ask questions to know more than what you actually know.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
27
Lesson 4
Buying essential items
Objectives:
After studying the lesson on buying essential items trainees will be able to:
1) Count the CFA in Ewe 2) Name some essential items found at the market 3) Use expressions and verbs related to shopping 4) Use some interrogative terms (nenie, nuka ) the definite article a and the
present progressive form to purchase items
5) Discuss cultural notes related to market 6) Develop strategies for their personal security in the market 7) Buy an essential item at the market price
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
28
Dialogue
Evangeline a PCV went to the market in Azahoun to buy cloth.
Afi: Dadavi woez. Nuka dim (n)ele?
Evangeline: Mele av di(m)
Afi: Av sgb le asiny. ka dim nele?
Evangeline: Tsiviv dim mele. Nenie ny y?
Afi: Ab eka kotoku eka kple af.
Evangeline: Oh x asi akpa, mee kuku e dzi nam
Afi: Nenie le asiw?
Evangeline: Male biyedz enyi.
Afi: Oh mesu o. Godogodo kotoku eka
Evangeline: Yoo, xga.
Afi: X ava kple tsedzia
Evangeline: Yoo, akpe kaka
Afi: Mesu akp o. Magadgo
Dialogue in English
Afi: Welcome young lady! What are you looking for?
Evangeline: Im looking for cloth
Afi: I have a lot of cloths. Which one are you looking for?
Evangeline: Im looking for tsivi, the lower quality. How much is this?
Afi: One thousand five hundred CFA for two yards.
Evangeline: Oh. It is too expensive, reduce the price, please!
Afi: How much do you have?
Evangeline: I want to buy it at eight hundred.
Afi: Oh. It is not enough. The last price is one thousand CFA.
Evangeline: Ok, take the money.
Afi: Take the cloth and the change.
Evangeline: Ok, thank you very much
Afi: You are welcome. See you again.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
29
Cultural and safety and security notes
The market day is not only for trading but is also a great opportunity to meet friends Its necessary to bargain in the market and sometimes in shops. Exchanging things is not automatic; you need to discuss the case with the seller before. You dont use your left hand in the market. You dont bargain early in the morning without buying the item. Its not safe to go to the market with too much money on you or just after banking. Its important to be careful about people who ask for help in the market. When buying food you can ask the seller to add you some as a gift.
Proverb: Asigbe y asi i na (there is time for everything) Vocabulary
Numbers from 21 to 100
Bla eve v eke 21 Bla eve v eve 22 Bla eve v asike 29 Bla t 30 Bla t v ek 31 Bla t v eve 32 Bla ene 40 Bla ene v ke 41 Bla at 50 Bla asike 90 Alfa/alafa eka 100 Alafa eka kpl eka 101 Alafa eka bla eve v eve 122
Expressions to count money
Coins
Biye eka 5F Biye ve 10F Kpon 25F Biye ad 30F Biye ew 50F Kpon t 75F
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
30
Biye dz (eka)/alafa (eka) 100F Biye dz eve 200F Biye dz eve kple af/ 250F
Biye dz eve by w
Biye dz at 500F
Bank notes/bills
Kotoku eka/akp eka 1000F Kotoku eve 2000F Kotoku at 5000F Kotoku ew 10.000F
Words and expressions related to the use of the money
Ga/ho money Ga lili lime money Ga o dirty money/note Ga yy new coin/note Ga vv teared note Tsdzi/gagbagba change Womaga/ppaga bill/note Ga wli coin Af half
Essential items
Afkpa shoes/sandals
Ttsi flash light
Ttsikp battery Azale/ai soap Kuku hat (E) xa broom Akutsa sponge Tka bucket
Kpn bread
Skl sugar Edze salt Skl Kpn sugar bread
Edze Kpn salt bread
Atd pepper Timti tomato Sabala onion
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
31
Att pineapple
Ak banana
Aib papaya ut orange Pya avocado Av material/pagne/cloth
N thing (in general) Expressions
Nka d(m) nle? What are you looking for?
(present progressive)
Mele afkpa d(m) Im looking for sandals
Male t Ill buy/I want to buy orange
Nenie/nene ny ut a? How much is the orange?
x asi akpa/ ut Its too expensive
e dzi nam Reduce the price for me
Nk dzra (m) (n)le? What are you selling?
Biye ew ko le asinye I only have 50F
Nlela Customer/client
Ndzrala Seller
Asigbe Market
Mex asi o Its not expensive
kp Its cheap
u agba To go bankrupt
Hamehame/vovovo Different kind of
Tee eka/oo eka Pile of
Kpnt Bread seller
e dzi nam Add me some (its normal to ask for a gift if you buy food at the market)
Godogodo Cant go lower than that/last price
Sgb A lot of
Mana kotoku et Ill/l want to give 3000F
Verbs
Dzra/sa to sell le to buy X to receive Ts to take X asi to cost e dzi to reduce it (the price)
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
32
Bia nta to ask for a price Bia ga to ask for money Do ga to borrow Li fe to ask for the money back Di to look for/to desire Yi asm to go to market Na to give Noun + t seller/owner of
Exercises
1) Make at least five sentences using the expression male
Example: male ttsi
2) Imagine yourself in the market; ask questions about the price of some items you see by
a seller.
Grammar notes
i) The present progressive form
Its expressed by le and m, but sometime the m is not pronounced.
Subject + le + compl + verb + m
For example :
* Me le afkpa dim Im looking for sandals * le kuku lem youre buying hat * le ttsi dim youre looking for a flashlight * M le t dzra(m) Were selling orange * M le kpn dzra(m) youre selling bread * W le ak le(m) theyre buying banana
N.B: the m is a regional variation, and here it doesnt change the meaning of the sentence.
The same thing for ne and e = you, singular. (nle asime yi / le asime yi = youre going to the market)
ii) The present progressive and the interrogative terms
The structure is:
Interrogative term + verb + (m) +subject +le
* Nka what
Nka di(m) (n)le? what are you looking for?
* Eka which one?
ka lem w le? which one are they buying?
Afkpaka le(m) w le? which sandal are they buying?
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
33
* Fika where
Fika yim w le? Where are they going? Fika nw tso where does your mother come from
* Nenie (nene) how much Nene (n) le afkpaka sa(m)? How much are selling the sandal?
* ( A)meka who
Meka dim m le? Who are you looking for?
N.B: with the interrogative form the subject pronoun (he/she) becomesw.
(you sing) becomes n with n regional variation.
For example: Nuka dim w le? what is he looking for? Eka dim n le? Which one are you looking for?
i. The definite article la or the contracted form a that the commonly used.
For example:
utla/uta the orange Afkpaa the sandal Fika uta le? where is the orange?
Exercises
1) Below is a list of verbs. With these verbs make sentences in the present progressive tense using
a) the affirmative structure b) the interrogative structure (either with an interrogative term or not)
List of verbs: le, d, x , dzra, yi
Example: a) Nufiala le uti le(m) b) Nufiala le uti lem a? or Nuka lem nufiala le?
2) Use the following interrogative terms to ask questions: Nene, nuka, ka, noun + ka
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
34
3) Use nene (nenie) and the definite article a to ask the price of the following
items and give the price in Ewe.
Example: nene enye aia? Biye dz eka
ai (100F) _____________________________________________________ av (2000F) ____________________________________________________ ut (75F) _____________________________________________________ aiba (250F) ___________________________________________________ ttsikp (150 F) ________________________________________________ sklkpn (300F) _______________________________________________ papau (1500F) _________________________________________________ akutsa (500F) ___________________________________________________ kuku (600F) ____________________________________________________ edze (25F) _____________________________________________________
4) Answer the following questions a) Nka le(m) w le? atadi . le atadi le c) Ameka di(m) Ksi le? valentine _____________________________ d) Nka dzram ne le? sabala ________________________________
e) Fika d dzikpla tso? Amrika______________________________
f) Nka xm Afi le? tsdz _________________________________
g) Dka wla nw nye? asitsala ______________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
35
5) Dialogue: Katy the PCV goes to market to buy onions
Katy: Gue, an.
Abla: Gue Dadavi, nka dim nle?
Katy: Mele sabala dim. Nenie neo sabala siaw (yaw)?
Abla: Te vovovowo li: biye wo, biyedz, biyedz eve. Nenet dim ne le?
Katy: Bydzt ya? Ex as t, mee kuku e dzi vi/vi.
Abla: Ao, Dadavi sabala le asi x (m) fifia.
Katy: Yoo, gake mee kuku e dzi nam.
Abla: Enyo, x eka.
Katy: Akp, x gaa. Kotoku eka le asinye, gagbagba li a?
Abla: , li.
Katy: Nam tsedzi.
Abla: Tsedzia ya/ tsedzi ny sia.
Katy: Akpe, miagadogo.
Some words
ny si/ya here is. Neniet/nenet for how much Nam give me (in the dialogue) but also means: to me/for me Vi/vi a little Questions
a) Nka dim Katy le?
b) Nenie nudzrala o sabala?
c) Nenet dim Katy le?
d) Sabalaa x asi a?
e) Ameyo e sabala dzi na Katia?
f) Nene le Katy si?
g) Tsedzi nene Katy x?
6) Translate into Ewe
a) What are you looking for? ___________________________________________
b) Im looking for batteries
___________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
36
c) For how much? ___________________________________________
d) Its too expensive, please reduce the price for me ___________________________________________
e) Who are you looking for?
__________________________________________
f) I only have 2650F
__________________________________________
g) No, I dont have any change
_________________________________________
h) Where are the sandals? _____________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
37
7) Write a conservation between the seller and the customer based on
this picture.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
38
TDA
Go to the market, identify an article of your choice, ask for the price, bargain and buy it
and ask for the change.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
39
Lesson 5
Talk about food habits of the host country
Objectives:
After studying this lesson, trainees will be able to:
1) Name some foods in Ewe areas 2) Use expressions and verbs related to food preparation in order to talk about meals 3) Discuss cultural points related to food habits 4) Talk about what to eat in order to stay healthy 5) Give a recipe
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
40
Dialogue
Laura tells her friend Yawa about her lunch
Yawa: Davi Laura, la?
Laura: , ts be d.
Yawa: Nka u ets dme?
Laura: Meu mlu kple etsi viviae, gake nye me
nya ek o.
Yawa: Enyo, nyeya meu tek kple gbomadetsi.
Laura: Ooh! Nye h melna gboma detsi ut.
Dialogue in English
Yawa: Young lady, are you all right?
Laura: Yes,
Yawa: What did you eat at noon yesterday?
Laura: I ate rice and a delicious sauce, but I dont know the name.
Yawa: Well, (me) I ate boiled yam and spinach sauce.
Laura: I also like spinach sauce.
Cultural notes
When you eat you invite people near you to share your meal using the expression va mu n or mu n, but this doesnt mean that they will necessarily eat. The
answer to this invitation is ne z Enjoy your meal or go ahead. When you
get that invitation and you feel like eating say akpe = thank you and eat.
The left hand is seen like dirty and is not acceptable at table when youre with peole. You dont smell food in order to appreciate it and you should not step over the meal. Kitchen utensils should not be used for other purpose such as taking shower or
hiting someone.
Foods taboos are specific to families, communities or ethnical groups Traditional restaurants, streets food restaurants or fufu bars serve cheap but
good food and the service is quick. However be careful, they are not always clean
and healthy. Consequently, PCTs and PCVs are not advised to eat salads in those
restaurants.
Proverb: detsivivi ye hea zikpi (a delicious sauce brings you closer to the table: When the thing becomes interesting people pay more attention to it).
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
41
Vocabulary
Foods/meals
Nuu Food
Akple Dough (of maize, millet)
Mlu rice
Ete Yam
Agbeli Cassava
Etek /agbelik Boiled yam/boiled cassava
Eteba Ragout/stew (yam)
Ayimlu Rice and beans prepared together
Dz kpl Red paste, made with palm nut oil
Koliko Fried yam
(A)bladzo tt Fried plantain
(A)bladzoaa bioled plantain
(A)bladzomeme Roasted plantain
(Ete) fufu Pounded yam
(Agbeli) fufu Pounded cassava
Gawu Fried bean doughnut
Gali Cassava flour
Galift Mixed gali and tomato stew
Galidetsi Mixed gali, sugar and water
Ablo Steam-cook paste made of corn porridge
Dzogb/dzogba Porridge
Aha Drink
(E) tsi Water
Aha sese Alcoholic drink
(E) deha Palm wine
Soabi Local alcoholic drink (like gin) Some of the foods are called by their french name such as:
Chou Cabbage Carotte Carot Haricots verts French bean Pomme de terre Potato Salade/saladagbe Salad/lettuce Petit pois Garden peas
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
42
Some sauces
Dts Sauce Dtsuui/agbamedts Tomato sauce Gbomadts Spinach sauce (E)dedts Palm nut sauce Fufutsi/dtsxl Slight sauce Gusidts Sesame sauce Kotobritadi Cocoyam leaves sauce Azidts Peanut sauce Ademedts Ademe sauce (Ademe is a vegetable) Fetrsidts Okra sauce
There are many other vegetables used for the sauce such as: soboe, yovogbama, aloma
Ingredients
Edze Salt
Sabala Onion
Ayo Garlic
Atikali Black pepper
Atadi Hot pepper
Am Oil
Amdz Palm nut oil
Azm Vegetable oil (made of peanut)
(E)l Meat
Koklol Chicken (meat)
(E)nyil Beef
Gbl Goat
Hal Pork
Akpa/akp Fish
Akpameme Smoked fish
Akpamumu/ l mumu Fresh fish
Kanam Fried fish Utensils
Agb Plate
Agbgobo Bowl
Gatsi Spoon
Gafo Fork
Kakla/eh knife
Kpo/kpu cup
Eze Cooking pot
Siliva Sauce pan
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
43
Verbs
u (n) To eat (something)
a (n) To cook
No (n) To drink
To (fufu) To pound (fufu)
Tso (sabala) To cut (onion)
Tu (atadi) To crash (pepper)
o (dzogb) To prepare (porridge)
Expressions
Nye me una l o I dont eat meat
Nye me nona ah sese o I dont drink alcohol
Nye me una akpl o I dont eat paste
Evivi t Its very delicious/good
Nuuua vivi t The food is very delicious
Edze v detsia There is too much salt in the sauce
Atadi v detsia The sauce is spicy
(A)leke w ana teba? How does one cook yam stew?
(A)leke (n)e ana azidetsi How you prepare peanut sauce? Other words
Gb First
Evelia Second
Emegb After that
Dog/hafi Before
Alo Or
Eye Then
Gake But
(E)kema So
Ne If/to/for
Exercises
1) Add a maximum of three words to each word below to make complete sentences. Example:
u mu mlu
mu mlu kpl gbomadetsi
Nye kpl Afi mu mlu kpl gboma detsi
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
44
Suggested words :
Ayimlu,
Koliko
a nu
Azidetsi
2) You meet your friend after dinner. Ask questions to know what he/she ate and tell him/her about your dinner.
Text: (A)leke wotna koliko?
Gba, kpa te, fli lblb alo gbadzgbadz Evelia, kl tefliflia nyuie eye na k e
edzetsime. Emegbe, o ami dzodzi. Ne amia x dzo la, k tea e eme, asi ne fie nyuie hafi
na blu eme. Ne ega fie vie ko lo. Ekema esgbe ne uu.
How to make koliko
First peel the yam, cut it in long or small pieces. Second wash the pieces and steep them into
salt water. After that heat oil in a pan and put the pieces in the oil, let it fry for a while and
turn it. Wait a few minutes more and remove it: your koliko is ready to eat.
3) Read this sentence: me le nu am.
Now suggest substitutes: one, two or three words that could be replaced to make new
sentences.
You get something like:
Me le n am le dzodoe
Me le fufu tom le dzodoe
Adzo le galidetsi nom le xme.
Suggested sentences:
Sewa le ahavivi nom.
Kmi u aple.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
45
Situation:
You invited a togolese friend to share your lunch with you. After the meal, she/he asks you
for the recipe. So give her/him the recipe.
TDA
Ask your host mother or sister the recipe for a meal you choose. Bring the information to
class and share it with your classmates.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
46
Lesson 6
Invite someone, accept or decline an invitation
Objectives:
After studying this lesson trainees will be able to:
1) Use specific vocabulary and verbs to invite someone 2) Accept or decline an invitation in a polite way to maintain a good relationship with
people, which will support their personal safety and security.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
47
Dialogue
Akuvi invites her neighbor, the PCV Maro to a local and popular danse named Akpese.
Akuvi: Dadavi Maro, f a?
Maro: wya ?
Akuvi: Nye h mef. Medi be ma kpewo yi eue fime, mee kuku l a?
Maro : Oh, dzdzi nam, akpekaka.
Akuvi: Enyo, eyi fime
Maro: Yoo.
Dialogue in English
Akuvi: Young sister Maro, how are you?
Maro: Im fine, and you?
Akuvi: Im also fine. I would like to invite you to Akpese dance tonight. Would
you like it?
Maro : Oh yes! I would like it, thank you very much.
Akuvi: Well, see you tonight.
Maro: Ok.
Cultural notes
In general, friends or members of the same family visit each other without any previous invitation.
You are always welcome to share a meal or a drink or to spend time together even if it was not planned before.
You are responsible for guests food or drink. Its necessary to express your limits during an invitation where people will be
offering you food and drink again and again.
Proverb: Nuvi namet me nye dzouamet o: (he who gives or offers a little is not an enemy, so no matter how little a gift is, enjoy it and be grateful).
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
48
Expressions
Medibe ma kpw I would like to invite you
Medibe ma kpm I would like to invite you (plu)
El be yead kplm a/ would you like to go out with me?
El be mad a?
di be yeadgo a? would he/she like going out?
dzdzi na w be aunu kplm a? would you like to eat with me?
Yoo, enyo, akp ok, thats great, thanks
, edzdzi nam yes, I like it/its a pleasure.
, mel be Yes, I accept to
nyo, mava well, I will come
Ao, akp no, thank you
Mee kk, vovo mele utiny o. Im sorry ,Im not free
Nye ma t va o I cannot come
Nye ma t yi o Icant go
D sugb le dziny Im too busy
Occasions to be invited
Evieto naming ceremony/ outdooring Ceremony/traditional baptism
Sr e wedding ceremony
Dzigbez birthday
Etsxme/kut funerals
Tsdtaknu baptism ceremony
Knu ceremony
Dezu traditional feast/ celebration
Az feast
Krismas(i) Christmas
Ista easter
e yy new years
Tsa a walk
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
49
Tabaski, ramadan Tabaski, ramadan Verbs
Kpe ame to invite someone
Di to look for/to want/to desire
L to like/ to love
Dzdzi to please
Exercise
Give an affirmative or a negative answer to these questions in Ewe
a) Would you like to come to my birthday celebration? _____________________________________________________________
b) Would you like going out with me to night? _____________________________________________________________
c) Will you be pleased to have dinner with me? _____________________________________________________________
d) Would you go to the funerals with my family?
_______________________________________________________
Grammar notes
The conditional tense used to express politeness, a wish or to soften a demand or an order is meant in Ewe: medi
be+ future
Example: Medi be makpe w le krsitmas dzi I would like to invite you for Christmas
Subj+be+future subj+verb+object
di be yakpm you would like to invite me
di be yakpw he/she would like to invite you
Mdi be makpw we would like to invite them
Mdi be makpew you would like to invite her/him
Wdi be yewoakp m they would like to invite us.
Situation
Your host sister/brother seems bored at home. Discuss plans to make for the evening.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
50
TDA
Ask two or three people in your host family or in your neighorhood how they accept or
decline an invitation without frustating your host . Come back to class with your findings.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
51
Lesson 7
Talk about daily activities
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
52
Objectives
After studying this lesson, trainees will be able to:
1. Name different daily activities 2. Use the appropriate vocabulary and the present habitual to talk about daily activities in
their community
3. Discuss cultural notes and safety and security issues related to the competence 4. Talk about their daily activities in the community for their good integration.
Text: Aku e gbesiagbe dwww.
disiadi. Aku f na kaba. funa kume y una alo. lena ts.
dna awu, vuna a y yina suk. Le suk megba, ei tna u y gbna e me. Le
zme la, me mlna anyi kba o.
Akus daily activities.
Every day Aku wakes up early. She washes her face and chewes stick, she takes her
bath, gets dressed, combs her hair and goes to school. After class, she is tired and she relaxes.
At night, she doesnt go to bed early.
Cultural notes
In the morning people wash their face before they greet or start their activities. Activities are shared according to gender and age In general, women take care of household chores. Its better to wear appropriate shoes to go to farm.
Proverb: Ed enye ame (work makes life value)
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
53
Vocabulary
Some places
Xme in the room
xdme in the bed room
Dzod kitchen
Tsle bathroom
Tme in the river
Suk school
Dme at the office
Agble field
Asime in the market
Daily activities
D al to sleep
Ny /f to raise
Tsite/tso to wake up
Fu kume to wash face
Lu ge/l ge to shave
Vu a to comb hair
D awu to get dressed
e awu to take off clothes
u alo/kl nume to chew stick and clean teeth/wash mouth
Ml anyi to go to bed
i tsa to take a walk
dzudz/gbme/ime to rest
Kpl nu to sweep the floor
Kl agb to wash dishes
Nya n to do laundry
a n to cook
D dz to light a fire
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
54
u n to eat
ku ts to fetch water
Yi agbl to go to farm
Yi suk to go to school
Yi dme to go to the office
Xle n to read
Fe to play
Ku keke to ride a bicycle
Expressions of time
di sia di everyday
d sia d everynoon
Z sia z every night
etr sia etr every afternoon
Ksia sia Ksia every week
Gasiagame evey time
(E)e sia e every year
Kb early/quickly
dzidzi often
ea wy/gawme sometimes
hafi before
megb after
y and
Mlba finally
Kptea last
Nka wna di sia di? What do you do every morning?
Dka wna gbesiagbe? What do you do everyday?
Nuka (n) e wna/dka newna+ period what do you use to do at that period?
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
55
Exercises:
1. Guessing: the teacher performs an action and the learner guesses the verb (activity)
that corresponds to the action.
2. Give the activities that correspond to these periods of the day:
dime
dme
Fime
Zme
Example: dime
F , lu ge
Grammar notes
na is attached to the verb to indicate habit or regularity of the activity.
The contracted word is a
Subject+verb+na or a+compl.
Example:
Aku f na kb Aku wakes up early (she used to)
ana nu di sia di she cooks every morning. kuatsi dzidzi often, she (used to fetch) fetches water Mena ak o I eat bananas Me yia suk gbesiagbe I go to school every day Wla nuu ksia sia ksia they buy food every week
The negative form:
Subject+me+verb+na or a+compl.+o Aku me fna kaba o Aku doesnt wake up early (she doesnt used to...)
Me ana nu di sia di o she doesnt cook every morning. Me kuatsi dzidzi o she doent fetch water Nye me una aku o I dont play football often.
M me ona bl dzidzi o you dont play football often.
M me yia suku gbsiagbe o we dont go to school every day.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
56
Exercises
1) Say what you do at these different periods of the day:
di sia di, ________________________________________________________
d sia d
________________________________________________________ fi sia fi,
_________________________________________________________
Example: di sia di me melena tsi. 2) Change the sentences in exercise 1 into the negative form
Example: Ny me lena tsi di sia di o 3) Use na or a and change the following sentences according to this Example:
Blandine le nu fiam_______Blandine fiana nu_______
a) Mi le asime yim__________________________________________ b) Nusr lawo le ewgbe sr m.________________________________ c) Mi le d wm____________________________________________ d) Me le akpl am ________________________________________ e) Me le fufu tom __________________________________________ f) Nufiala le agbal xlm ____________________________________ g) Sukuviw le nusr m a ? ____________________________________ h) Amerikatw le kk kum _________________________________
i) Jenifer le du um ________________________________________ j) Amy le xme kplm ______________________________________
4) Tell a story about someones daily activities. The trainer begins the story and trainees
continue the story in turn.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
57
Text:
di sia di, mekplna nu hafi le na tsi. Ne mele tsi v la, meuna nu y medzrana o.
megba, me yina dme. Mewna d sgb le kekeame gake nye me dzudzna o. ei
tena unye t. Mlebala, melena tsi, me mlna anyi y medna al.
Ne mele tsi v la = when I finish to take bath i tena uny = I get tired kekeame = in the day
Questions
a) Nuka Abla wna hafi le na ts ? b) Nuka wwna ne le tsi v? c) Emegbe ? d) Nuka Abla wna le dme? e) ei tena Abla ua? f) Nuka wwna le ame fime
5) Change the paragraph di sia diyina dme into the negative form.
Situation
During your post visit, your counterpart will ask you about your plan for the week.
Role play
You want to plan a happy hour with your friend over the weekend. Imagine a
conversation with him when you discuss your schedule for the weekend and find the right
moment for your happy hour
TDA
Observe the members of your host family and ask them questions about their daily
activities. Write a paragraph on that for next class.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
58
Lesson 8
Ask for and give direction and time
Objectives:
After studyng this lesson, trainees will be able to:
1) Use appropriate vocabulary to ask for and give directions and the time 2) Use the imperative form and prepositions to ask for and give directions 3) Discuss cultural notes and safety and security issues related to orientation 4) Give and follow directions in the community.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
59
Dialogue
Jane a PCV in Afagnan arrives in Pagala for a workshop and she asks Kudzo to indicate
her the road from the center to the village market.
Jane: di Aet
Kudzo: di, dAdavi, f a?
Jane: , mef . Mee kk mka mto ayi asime?
Kudzo: Me ss o, z yi g t, ne eo amdzila nato nuusime,
megba, z t vase mdzkplia nu, xa kna nuusime y naz vi,
akp asia le gw
Jane: Akp kk
Kudzo: Me su akp o.
Dialogue in Englsih
Jane: Good morning, sir.
Kudzo: Good morning young lady. How are you?
Jane: Im fine. Please how do I get to the market?
Kudzo: Its not difficult, go straight to the paved road and turn right. After that
go straight to the crossroads, turn right and walk for a few minutes, you will see
the market in front of you (the market is in front of you).
Jane: Thank you very much.
Kudzo: Youre welcome.
Cultural notes
In general, indications about distance are not precise Sometimes with illiterate people, time is related to the activities of the day (like children
going to school, muslems morning prayer)
Some people will come late for meetings People would prefer to lead you to the place by themselves or by having a child accompagn
you.
Keep asking people for directions until you arrive at your destination.
Proverb: mtabiala me bu na o (He who asks for direction never gets lost)
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
60
Vocabulary
Some places
Asime In the market
K dzi Hospital, health center
Fiame In the Chiefs house
Suk School
Fiase (me) (in the) shop
uoe Taxi station
Ahanoe Bar
Nue Restaurant
M Way, road
Am Paved road
Afm Path
Mdzekpli Crossroads
Dzodz Traffic light
Ablme Traditional public place
Auta Beach
Posu Post office
Verbs
Fia m To indicate
Fia To indicate
Yi To go
Yi miame To go left
Yi usime To go right
Va Come
Dzo To leave
Z To walk
Do g To arrive in advance
To/yi miame To go left
Tso mme To cross the road
Tte To stop
Xa kna To turn
Tr To go back/to return
Tr va To come back
Tr yi To go back
o Fia
To arrive
To show
Fiam Show me
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
61
Bu m/tra m To get lost
Kpl yi To go with
kpl va To come with
Expressions
Miame Left
Nu (usime) Right
didi Its far
Medidi o Its not far
tskpoe Its close
megb After
Tso afisia/tso fiya From here
(A)fima There
Fika uoea le? Where is the taxi station?
Vasee To/until
Ne la If , Expressions related to time
Ga Hour/time
Ga nen o le gbw? What time is it?
o ga eve Its two oclock
o ga et kple miniti blaeve Its three twenty
o ga eka kple af Its one and half
o di ga ade Its six a.m.
sus/kpt miniti at ne ga dre Its five to seven
Metsi megb Im late
Medo g I m in advance/ I come early
Gakame makpa? When will we close?
Gakame madogo? When will we meet?
Tsi megbe To be late
N gamedzi To be on time
Exercises
1) Make sentences with these words:
Example: k dzi___Nnye le k dzi__
a) Nuue
_______________________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
62
b) Ahanoe ______________________________________________________
c) Fiaeme
______________________________________________________ d) ue
______________________________________________________ e) Auta___________________________________________________
2) Make sentences with these expressions:
a) To nuusime _____________________________________________________
b) Vasee
______________________________________________________ c) Fika
______________________________________________________ d) Fiam
______________________________________________________
3) Read the time on these pictures:
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
63
Grammar notes
i) Prepositions in general the follow the noun. Here are some:
Prepositions(ewe) English Example
-me in Nusrlaw le ume.
Trainees are in the vehicle
-dzi on Agbala le kpldzi The book is on the table
-uti at, against Ele kpl uti He is at the table
-kume, -g in front of, face Kdzia le sukua kume
The hospital faces the school.
-gb near, close to, to Fiasea le uoea gb The shop is near the station
-xa near, nearby Sukua le asia xa The school is near the market
-megbe,
-megbedome
behind Aea le nuuea gb The house is behind the restaurant
-titina
-dodome
middle, center Fiaeme le dua e titina/dodome The chiefs house is in the center of the village
-dome betwen K dzia le asia kple sukua dome The hospital is betwen the market and the school
ii) Imperative: the formation and utilization are the same as in English, except that the plural personal
pronouns (m, m) are not dropped out.
Example: yi g t go straight
z t vasee go straight to the m yi g vi lets continue a little m xa kna e miame (let you) turn left
Exercises
1) Trainees execute orders from trainer and then they do the same thing one by one
between themselves.
2) Practice question and answer: to be done among trainees
a) Ga nenie o? (15h00)
_________________________________________________
b) Ga nenie madzo? (10h20)
__________________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
64
c) Gakame Adzo va? (18h35)
________________________________________________
d) Ganeneme sukviwo gbna etrme? (15h00)
__________________________________
3) Give indications based on the map below:
From:
a) kdzi to bank
b) uoe to bloe
c) Ahanoe to posu
d) Asime to nuue
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
65
Situation
You are inviting your classmates to your host familys house. Give them directions from the
tech house to your house.
TDA
Go to your host father, ask him how to get to a place you want to go to, write down the
information in ewe and come back with it to class.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
66
Lesson 9
Talk about transportation
Objectives:
After studying this lesson trainees will be able to:
1) Use the present progressive, interrogative words and the future tense 2) Ask questions about the coast, travel time and destinations to be able to travel
independently
3) Discuss travel conditions and strategies to travel safely
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
67
Dialogue
The PCV Michele goes to her post Nyassive
Buka: Dadavi woez
Michele: Yoo, ef a?
Buka: , me f . Fika yim nele ?
Michele : Me le Nyassive yim.
Buka : Nyassive uoea le (a)fima aa
Michele: Yoo, akpe. (She goes to the place)
Dreva: Nyassive ame eka, Nyassive ameeka!
Dadavi Nyassive a?
Michele: , nene nye uoga a?
Dreva: Biye dz enyi koe, va n anyi mi dzo.
Michele: Yoo, gakame miadzo?
Dreva: Madzo fifia.
Dialogue in English
Buka: Welcome young lady
Michele: Ok, how are you?
Buka: Im fine, where are you going?
Michele: Im going to Nyassive.
Buka: The vehicles to Nyassive are over there
Michele: Well, thank you. (She goes to the place)
Dreva: One person for Nyassive, young lady are you going to Nyassive?
Michele: Yes, whats the travel fee?
Dreva: Only eight hundred. Come take a seat for departure.
Michele: Ok, when are we leaving?
Dreva: We will leave soon.
Cultural notes
Travelers need to be patient enough because drivers will try to have as many passengers as possible before they depart and they are often overloaded.
In some remote villages, you can be waiting the whole day, or vehicles are available only on market days.
Its important to have your valuables on you, not packed in your bags... You should check your luggage whenever a passenger is getting off along the way.
Proverb: evi matsadukp egblna be yen e detsi koe vivina (A kid that has never
visited other countries thinks her mother is the best cook)
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
68
Vocabulary
Means of transportation
Af foot/feet Keke bicycle Kekevi handcar Em/dzokeke/zemidz motocycle (E)u vehicle/car ug truck Aklo pirogue Yameu airplane
Words and expressions
uoe car station Dreva driver uoga travel fee Agba luggage Agbaga/agbatsi luggage charge
Verbs
o u To take a car/vehicle
o m To take a moto
o yameu To take an air plane
Ku keke To bike
Ku u To drive
i To get down
Dzo To leave
Dzo yi To leave for
Gb To come back
Yi udoe To go to the station
Tte/nte To stop
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
69
Expressions
Mai e kuma I will get off in Kuma
Mai e fiya I will get off here
Nenie wo ona u tso yi?/ Nenie nye udoga tso yi ?
How much do you pay from to ?
udoga enye /wotuna You pay
ukawoe li? Which vehicle are available
ukawoe yina ? Which vehicles are going ?
Gakame miadzo? When are we leaving?
Miadzo ga et We will leave at three
Gakame miao? When will we arrive?
Miao ga ene Well get there at four.
Edidia? Is it far?
, edidi/ao, medidi o Yes, its far/no, its not far miao fifia Well arrive soon
Dreva, mai Driver, Ill stop there
Dreva, tte mai/nte mai Stop driver, I will get down here
Mayi mava Im going and I will be back
Mayi Lome mava Im going to Lome and I will be back
Gaoo nene miaw hafi ao?
How long does it take to reach there?
Exercises
1) What will you say in Ewe in these situations:
a) To know the tariff from Kpalime to Atakpame
__________________________________________________________
b) To know what time you are departing?
_______________________________________________________
c) To know when you will get there?
__________________________________________________________
d) To tell the driver youll get down at Govie
________________________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
70
2) Make sentences with the verbs below:
a) o u _____________________________________________________
b) ku keke ___________________________________________________
c) dzo yi ____________________________________________________
d) gb tso ___________________________________________________
e) i e+place ________________________________________________
f) tte _______________________________________________________
Grammar notes
i Review interrogative terms (nenie, fika, gakame)
* Nenie woo na ua? How much is the tariff?
* Fika uoea le ? where is the car station ?
*Gakame miadzo ? when/what time are we leaving? ii. Review present progessive
Mele keke ku (m) Im riding bicycle
Mele uoe yi(m) Im going to the station
iii. Future tense
To have the future tense you change the e in the subject pronoun into a whereas the verb remains
unchanged.
Ma Mayi suku. I will go to school o u. You will take a vehicle
a Ale u. He will buy a car Mia Miai e fiya. Well get down here Ma Mai e fiya. Youll get down here Woa Woadzo ets. Theyll leave tomorrow
Exercises
1) Answer these questions:
a) Gakame mia dzo? ______________________________________________
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
71
b) Gakame (n)a ku keke? ______________________________________________
c) Gbekagbe miadzo le Adeta? ______________________________________________
d) Drevakae ayi Lome ets? _______________________________________________
e) (A)fika miayi ksiagbe? _______________________________________________
f) Dka aw ets dime hafi ava suku? _______________________________________________
1) Read the dialogue and answer the questions
Bob goes to the station in Tomegbe
Dreva: Woez loo!
Bob: Yoo, mee kuku ukawoe le Lome yim?
Dreva: Woawoe ya. Ele yi a?
Bob: , nenie nye uoga ?
Dreva: Kotoku eka kple af. Yi x tike na va
Bob: Gakame ua adzo
Dreva: Fifia
Bob: Enyo, gaoo nene miaw le mdzi?
Dreva: Gaoo et
Bob: Dreva, midzoe
Dreva: Nte vie, ekpt ameeka
Notes
Woawoe ya here they are
Tike ticket
Ameeka kpt there is one person left
Questions:
a) Fika yi Bob le? b) Nenie nye udoga? c) Gaoo nenie woa w le dzi?
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
72
d) Gakame ua adzo
2) Translate into Ewe the following sentences
a) Which vehicle is going to Atakpame? _________________________________________________
b) Im going to Heheatro. _________________________________________________
c) I will go to Batume tomorrow morning ________________________________________________
d) My father will take the plane to Senegal ________________________________________________
e) We will take the canoe to Togoville _______________________________________________
f) I will bike to Bodze tomorrow? _______________________________________________
g) Where will you go tomorrow? _______________________________________________
h) How long will we be traveling? _______________________________________________
Situation
You want to go Badou. Try to find the right vehicle at the station, ask for the tariff,
duration
TDA
Go to the station in Adeta. Get information about these tariffs:
Adeta Danyi
Adeta Notse
Adeta Atakpame
Adeta Bodze
Ask about vehicles and travel conditions. Come back to class with the information.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
73
Lesson 10
Talk about ones state of health
Objectives:
After studying this lesson, trainees will be able to:
a) Name different parts of the human body b) Talk about their state of health or ask for someones state of health c) Use the direct complement personal pronouns d) Discuss Togolese ideas and behaviors regarding sickness
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
74
Dialogue
Tanya meets Aku on her way to her friends house.
Tanya: Dadavi Aku, ef a?
Aku: , mef . Fika yi ele?
Tanya: Meyi xl nye gb, woya e?
Aku: Meyi fiaseme male atike
Tanya: Oh, nukua ele ww?
Aku: Mele d le, eta le vem eye dme h le dum
Tanya: Woele kpe(m)
Aku: Yoo, akpe
Dialogue in English
Tanya: Young lady Aku, how are you?
Aku: Im fine, where are you going?
Tanya: Im going to my riends house, and you?
Aku: Im going to buy medicine in the store
Tanya: Oh, what wrong with you?
Aku: Im sick, my head and my stomach hurt
Tanya: Im sorry for you
Aku: Ok, thank you
Cultural notes
People are not direct in saying whats wrong. They will first say everything is ok before they mention any sickness or sad new
Sickness is seen like a punishment from God or ancestors or caused by sorcery People will not necessary go to the hospital or to a health center when they are
sick, but they will try different treatments by themselves with medicine or
traditional infusions
People believe a lot in traditional healers
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
75
Vocabulary
Human body
(E)ta Head
dme Stomach
ku Eye
Au Tooth
Nume Mouth
(E)to Ear
ti Nose
Af Foot
Eno Breast
Ali Waist
(E)veme Throat
Akta Chest
Dzime Back
Verbs
Ve/u To hurt/ache
Yi kdzi To go to hospital
Do abiui To have a shot
No atike To take medicine
le atike To buy medicine
le d To get sick
Sra dme To have diarrhea
Kpe(e)kpe To cough
Expressions
Nuka ele wwo(m)? whats wrong with you? Dme le unyem/ dme le um my stomach aches Eta le vem/um I have headaches ku le Esi ve. Esi has eye infection Tome le vem I have ear infection Me le (yi) kodzi yi(m) Im going to hospital Male atike Im going to buy/I will buy a medecine Vevesese pain Avlkui worms Avlkui le fu e(m) nam I have worms Abi le dme na evia the kid has stomach infection Mele atike nom Im taking a medecine kita do abui nam the doctor/nurse give me a shot
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
76
Mele ekpe kpe(m)/ekpe om Im coughing Atiketsi malaria Atiketsi le lem/atiketsi le fu e nam I have malaria Dmesasra diarrhea Sida dlele/ikanaku AIDS Vuv cold
Exercise
Make sentences with these verbs by using u or ve
Au Eta
Dme
(E)tome
Al
ku
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
77
Grammar notes
i. The complement personal pronouns. They are:
Eta le venye(m) my head aches Eta le vewo(m) your head aches Dme le eu(m) her/his stomach aches Au le mia ve(m) our teeth hurts
Au le ma ve(m) your teeth hurts
Au le wo ve(m) their teeth hurts
Note: People also say: eta le vem instead of eta le venyem.
Exercises
Translate into Ewe :
a) Whats wrong with you?
b) I have stomachaches.
c) My head aches.
d) The kids are coughing.
e) He is going to the traditional healer.
f) You have malaria. TDA
Talk with Mister X, ask him the common diseases in the area and their treatment.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
78
Lesson 11
Express ones sympathy in a happy or sad event
Objectives:
After studying this lesson trainees will be able to:
1) Talk about the culturally accepted behavior during a happy or sad event 2) Use correct words and expressions to express ones sympathy in those events.
Hosted for free on livelingua.com
-
79
Dialogue
Ami: Oh, Yawa, nye me ga kpw kp o!
Yawa: , (e)tnye va ku ta meyi vaw Ksia eka le ae.
Ami: Aoo, nye me se o, baba nawo sea!
Yawa: Yoo, akpe.
Ami: Mawu ut aw esiae!
Yawa: Yoo, enyo, miadogo.
Dialogue in English
Ami: Oh, Yawa, I havent seen you for a long time!
Yawa: Yes. My father died and I spent a week in my village.
Ami: Oh! I didnt hear that, Im sorry for you
Yawa: Ok, thank you.
Ami: God will take care of every thing!
Yawa: Ok, well, see you.
Cultural notes
Its very important to express ones sympathy to a friend, a collegue, your neighbor during a sad event (sickness, accident, death) by visiting or making
a symbolic gift of money, food or anything else depending on your relationship.
You do the same for happy events and you congratulate. Failing to give a moral support (especially to pay a simple visit) would make
people think that you have no regard toward people or you are not interested in
the community in which you are living.
Proverb: Amelam