Spoonfed Lesson 10: Stories and Letters

pelika means “words” or “language.” While resting in your room, you realize you want to understand the local language better. With the -o ending, peliko = to articulate. With the -i ending, peliki = verbal, linguistic.

mikenla means “document” or “text.” Someone brings you a book to read while you recover. With the -o ending, mikenlo = to read. Now you can form pusenka-mikenla = paper (material-document) and mikenla-simela = newspaper (document-new).

numalo means “to touch.” You carefully touch the old pages of the book. With the -a ending, numala = touch. The -u form numalu is a preposition meaning “against” (physical contact): sitala kipu sa no numalu kopina = my hand is against stone.

tinkesi means “dry” – the opposite of lesoni (wet). The old pages are dry and fragile. With the -a ending, tinkesa = dryness. With the -o ending, tinkeso = to dry. Now you can form kemopa-tinkesa = desert (land-dry).

lintami means “light” or “lightweight.” The book you hold is thin and easy to carry. With the -a ending, lintama = lightness.

senpito means “to write” or “to inscribe.” You set the book down and decide to write a letter home to let your parents know you are recovering. With the -a ending, senpita = writing, inscription.

lonlo means “to hear” or “to listen.” As you set the letter aside, you hear someone in the next room telling stories about the land. With the -a ending, lonla = sound, noise. With the -i ending, lonli = audible.

mesanla means “face” or “countenance.” You peek in and see the storyteller’s face light up as she begins her tale. With the -o ending, mesanlo = to face, to confront. With the -i ending, mesanli = facial.

kolisu means “if” – a conditional modal preverb. It introduces a condition: kolisu X, tilepu Y = if X, then Y. The storyteller warns: if rain comes, then we all stay inside. With the -i ending, kolisi = conditional, uncertain. As a modal preverb before a verb, kolisu can also mean “maybe” or “possibly”: sa kolisu seso = I might go.

lesanko means “to play” or “to recreate.” Through the window you hear children playing in the street below. With the -a ending, lesanka = play, game. With the -i ending, lesanki = playful.

lotinka means “image,” “picture,” or “sign.” Later you walk slowly outside and notice a painted sign on the road. With the -o ending, lotinko = to depict, to represent. Now you can form lotinka-mesanla = portrait (image-face).

linansa means “art” or “artwork.” Near the sign, you discover beautiful artwork on a wall. With the -o ending, linanso = to create art. With the -i ending, linansi = artistic. Now you can form many art compounds: linansa-lonla = music (art-sound), linansa-pelika = poetry (art-words), linansa-sola = singing (art-speak).

liseti means “clean” or “pure.” You return to your room and find it has been cleaned while you were out. With the -a ending, liseta = cleanliness. With the -o ending, liseto = to clean, to purify.

mekunpa means “ear.” Your ears have become attuned to the sounds of this place. With the -o ending, mekunpo = to notice, to become aware of.

mituka means “year.” You realize you have been traveling for a full year now. With the -i ending, mituki = annual. Now you can form mituka-tonila = season (year-part).

mukonso means “to wait,” “to expect,” or “to await.” You sent your letter – now you wait for a reply from home. With the -a ending, mukonsa = expectation, anticipation. Now you can form lunena-mukonsa = hope (feeling-expectation).

tisanpa means “message” or “communication.” But before your parents can reply, a message arrives from someone unexpected. With the -o ending, tisanpo = to communicate. Now you can form tisanpa-pekama = email (message-far).