Leer jouself Nama

Teach yourself Nama

Aitsama Namagowaba khkhsen

Leer jouself Nama

Teach yourself Nama
Aitsama Namagowaba khkhsen

Inhoudsopgawe/Table of content

Item

Page

Voorwoord/Foreword

Die Klapklanke/The Click sounds

56

Klinkers/Vowels

68

Alfabet/Alphabet

Selfstandige naamwoorde/Proper nouns

Woordelys/Glossary

9 10

Vreemde woorde/Foreign words

10

Groet en gasvryheid/Greetings and hospitality

10 11

Die weer/The weather

11

Seisoene/Seasons

12

Hemelliggame/Planets

12

Getalle/Numbers

12 13

Rangtelwoorde/Ordinals

13

Essensile/Essentials

13 14

Klaskamer/Classroom

14

Hoflikheidsfrases/Polite phrases

14 15

Vrae en versoeke/Questions and requests

15 16

Taalprobleme/Language problems

16

Tyd en datum/Time and date

16 17

Nuttige stellings/Useful statements

17 18

Liggaamsdele/Body parts

18

A da !ga

19

Voorwoord
Hierdie boekie is ontwerp en saamgestel as deel van die Departement Kultuursake
en Sport in die Wes-Kaap se Nama Bewustheidsveldtog.
Die boekie en sy gepaardgaande CD is daarop gemik om die leser in staat te stel om
self die Nama taal aan te leer. Dit moet egter ingedagte gehou word dat die beste
manier om n taal aan te leer, is om met moedertaalsprekers van die taal te praat.
Die inhoud en struktuur van die boekie is saamgestel en gekonseptualiseer deur
mnr Pedro Dausab.
Die Departement hoop dat hierdie boekie die leser sal help om n kennis en
waardering van n kosbare taalerfenis van Suid-Afrika aan te kweek.

Foreword
This booklet was designed and compiled as part of the Nama Awareness Campaign
of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport in the Western Cape.
The booklet and its accompanying CD are aimed at making it possible for the reader
to learn the language through self tuition. It should however be remembered that
the best way of learning a language is to speak to mother-tongue speakers of the
language.
The contents and structure of the booklet were compiled and conceptualized by Mr
Pedro Dausab.
The Department hopes that this booklet will assist the reader in developing a
knowledge and appreciation of a valuable linguistic heritage of South Africa.

1. Die Klapklanke/Clicks
Daar is vier kenmerkende klapklanke in die taal en hulle word verteenwoordig deur
die letters: | || ! .
There are four characteristic clicks in the language, and they are represented by the
letters: ! .

1.1

Die Tandletter/Dentale klapklank |

The Dental click

Die | klapklank word gemaak deur die breek van n geringe suiging wat
veroorsaak word deur die voorpunt van die tong net agter die boonste voortande
waar hulle die tandvleis raak, te plaas; neem (met albei lippe effens apart) dan die
voorpunt van die tong weg van die tande af.
The click sound is made by breaking a slight suction that is created by just
placing the very tip of the tongue behind the upper front teeth; where they meet
the gums; then (keeping both lips slightly apart) draw the tip of the tongue away
from the teeth.

1.2

Die Palatale klapklank !

The Palatal click !

Die ! klapklank word gemaak deur die breek van n geringe suiging, veroorsaak
met die voorkant van die tong teen die verhemelte, waar dit afdraai na die boonste
voortande. In die breek van hierdie suiging word n skerp ondertoebeweging van die
tong gemaak, terwyl die lippe effens van mekaar gehou word. In die voortbring van
hierdie klank is daar ook n skerp ondertoebeweging van die onderkakebeen te
bespeur.

The ! click sound is made by breaking a slight suction, made with the forward
portion of the tongue against the roof of the mouth (palate), where it curves
downwards towards the upper front teeth. In breaking this suction, a sharp
downward movement of the tongue is made, whilst the lips are slightly apart. In
producing this sound a sharp downward movement of the lower jaw is also
noticeable.
5

1.3

Die Sydelingse/Laterale klapklank

The Lateral click

Die klapklank word gemaak deur die breek van n suiging veroorsaak tussen een
van die twee kante van die tong en die
betrokke wang. Die lippe en tande word effens apart gehou wanneer hierdie
klapklank gemaak word en die onderstekakebeen word nie op of af beweeg nie.
The click sound is made by breaking a suction created between either side of
the tongue and relative cheek. In making this sound, the lips and teeth are kept
slightly apart and the lower jaw is not moved upwards or downwards.
1.4

Die Alveolre klapklank

The Alveolar click

Die klapklank word gemaak deur die breek van n suiging wat veroorsaak word
deur die voorpunt van die tong tussen die voortande te sit en vinnig terug te trek;
met albei lippe effens apart.
The click sound is made by breaking a suction, that is created by placing the tip
of the tongue between the front teeth and pulling back the tongue with both lips
slightly apart.
Die klapklanke mag deur die volgende gevolg word:
The clicks may be followed by:

n Klinker / A Vowel
Deur g / By g
Deur h / By h
Deur n / By n
Deur kh / By kh

2. Klinkers/Vowels
Daar is vir alle praktiese doeleindes vier soorte klinkers in Nama.
For practical purposes four kinds of vowels are distinguished in Nama.
6

Kort klinkers /Short vowels

Seun

Son

Axab

Wanneer

When

Hamo

Gister

Yesterday

ari

Mre

Tomorrow

ari

Later

Later

Ega

Groet

Greet

Tawete

Lang klinkers/Long vowels

Kom

Come

Gee

Give

Gaan weg

Go away

Daad

Deed

Db

Kry

Get

Vat

Take

Genasaleerde klinkers/Nasalised vowels

Staan

Stand

Vra

Question

Stuur

Send

Gaan

Go

!G

Diftonge/Diphthongs.

In Nama behou elke letter sy eie klank; byvoorbeeld in Khoeb word die o apart
gehoor en die e ook - nie soos in Afrikaans waar die oe as u uitgespreek word nie.

In Nama each letter keeps its own sound; for instance in Khoeb the o must be
heard separately likewise the e. not as in English where au is pronounced as aa like
in laugh.

Vasmaak

Fasten

!Gae

Siek

Sick

|aesen

Sing

Sing

nae

Terug/gaan terug

Go back

Oa

Man

Man

Khoeb

3. Alfabet/Alphabet
Die Nama alfabet bestaan uit 20 letters. (Die letters wat ontbreek, word glad nie in
egte Nama woorde gebruik nie, maar slegs in leenwoorde of name):

The Nama alphabet consists of 20 letters. (The omitted letters are not used in
authentic Nama words at all, but only in borrowed names):

B(be)

Ts(tse) d(de) e x(ge) h

k
h m(em) n(en)
(khi)

p r(er)

g(ke) k(kha)

s(es) t(te) u(oe) w(we)

Let op die uitspraak van die volgende letters in Nama:

Note the pronunciation of the following letters in Nama:

C - word uitgespreek as ts

C is pronounced as - ts

X - word uitgespreek as g

X is pronounced as - g

G - word uitgespreek as ke

G is pronounced as - ke

I - word uitgespreek as ie

I - is pronounced as - ie

U - word uitgespreek as - oe

U- is pronounced as - oe

4. Selfstandige Naamwoorde/Nouns
Selfstandige naamwoorde kom voor in enkelvoud, tweevoud en meervoud.
Nouns occur in singular, dual and plural form.
Let wel!

Please note!

-s dui die vroulike geslag enkelvoud aan, tweevoud eindig met

ra, en meer met di.
-b dui die manlike geslag enkelvoud aan, tweevoud eindig met
kha en meervoude met gu.
-I dui geen geslag aan nie, meervoude eindig dan met n.
-s indicates the feminine singular, twofold ends with ra, and more
with di.
-b indicates the masculine singular, twofold ends with kha, and
more with gu.
-I indicate no gender, plural ends with n.

Piris

Pirira

Piridi

Bok(ooi)/Goat

Gomas

Gomara

Gomadi

Koei/Cow

Arib

Arikha

Arigu

Hond/Dog

Khoe-I

Khoen

Khoen

Mense/People

5. Woordelys/Glossary
Meneer

Mister/Sir

!Gasab

Mevrou/Juffrou

Madam/Lady

!Gasas

Jy

You

Sats (male)

Jy

You

Sas (female)

Ek

Tita

Bed

Bed

Khaorob

Slaap

Sleep

Word wakker

Wake up

Khai

Siek

Ill

aesen

Medisyne

Medicine

So an

Pille

Pills

Pels

Gesond

Healthy

Gau/uru

God

God

Elob

Skool

School

Skoli

Tabak

Tobacco

Tapaga-i

Verbaas

Surprised

Buru

Oorlog

War

Torob

6. Vreemde Woorde/Foreign words

Motor

Car

Audos

Bioskoop

Bioscope

Bioskop/baeskop

Flits

Torch

Flts/tts

Voorskoot

Apron

Forkhs

Knoop

Button

Kunubes

Masjien

Engine

Masins

Tante

Aunt

Mikis

Poskantoor

Post Office

Poskantors

Stasie

Station

Stasis

Trein

Train

Trens

Geleentheid

Lift

Xale-i

Koffie

Coffee

Kofi-i

Tee

Tea

T-

Possel

Postage stamp

Stems

7. Groet en gasvryheid/Greetings and hospitality

Groet en gasvryheid

Greetings and hospitality !Gkhoisu namxasib

Goeiemre

Good morning

!Gi goas

Goeiedag

Good day

!Gi tss

Goeienaand

Good night

!Gi !oes

Hallo

Hello

!Gi tss

Hoe gaan dit?

How are you?

M re?

Hoe gaan dit?

Are you well?

Khai(t)s go?

Baie goed, dankie

Very well, thank you

Hanu a, gangan

Totsiens

Good bye

!Gise !g re

Sien jou spoedig

See you soon

!Haese mgus /
Khawa mgus

10

Bly om jou te ken

Pleased to know you

!Gi a an (t)si sa

Wat is jou naam?

What is your name?

Mati(t)s |on h?

Van waar is jy?

Where are you from?

Mapa xu(t)s ta h?

Waar woon jy?

Where do you live?

Mapa(t)s ta h?

Woon jy in hierdie
dorp?

Do you live in this

town?

N !s ai(t)s ta h?

Kom binne

Come in

Gxa re

Mag ek help?

May I help?

Hui Kh ta a?

Wil jy iets h om te
drink?

Would you like a drink? Ax-e hba(t)s h?

Help jouself

Help yourself

Huisen

Dankie vir n aangename tyd

Thanks for a pleasant

time

!Gai h aeb !aroma

gangans

Kan ek vir jou enigiets Can I offer you anyaanbied?

thing?

X-he m(t)si kh ta
a?

8. Die weer/The weather

Die weer

The weather

Oab ts nanub

Dis n mooi dag, is dit Fine day today, isnt it? sa tss ge ama tamanie?
e?
Dis warm

It is hot

|Gamsa a

Dis koud

It is cold

!Khai a

Dis winderig

It is windy

Oaxa a

Daar is n storm aan

die kom

There is a storm brew- Kai oas ge ra khi

ing

Blits en donderweer

Thunder and lightning

!Gurub ts nawab

Slegte weer

Bad weather

Gaora oab ts
nanub

11

9. Seisoene/Seasons
Seisoene

Seasons

Kurikamagu

Somer

Summer

khunab

Herfs

Autumn

Hai !kharib

Winter

Winter

Saob

Lente

Spring

haoaeb

10. Hemelliggame/Planets
Hemelliggame

Planets

Hom isigu

Hemel

Heaven

Homi

Uitspansel

Sky

!Auisab

Son

Sun

Sores

Sterre

Stars

Gamirodi

Wolke

Clouds

nanun/!on

Maan

Moon

Khb

11. Getalle/Numbers
Nommers

Numbers

!Gadi

Een

One

|Gui

Twee

Two

|Gam

Drie

Three

!Nona

Vier

Four

Haka

Vyf

Five

Koro

Ses

Six

!Nani

Sewe

Seven

Agt

Eight

Khaisa

Nege

Nine

Khoese

Tien

Ten

Disi

12

Eleven

Disi |gui |a

Twelve

Disi |gam |a

Twenty

|Gamdisi

Twenty two

|Gamdisi |gam |a

Thirty

!Nonadisi

Fourty

Hagadisi

Hundred

Kaidisi

Two hundred

|Gamkaidisi

Three hundred

!Nonakaidisi

Thousand

|Oadisi

12. Rangtelwoorde/Ordinals
Rangtelwoorde

Ordinals

Saogub

Eerste

First

Guro

Tweede

Second

|Gam

Derde

Third

!Nona

Vierde

Fourth

Haka

Vyfde

Fifth

Koro

Sesde

Sixth

!Nani

Sewende

Seventh

Agste

Eighth

Khaisa

Negende

Ninth

Khoese

Tiende

Tenth

Disi

13. Essensile/Essentials
Essensile

Essentials

Hhsa

Ja

Yes

Nee

No

H-

Asseblief

Please

Toxoba

Dankie

Thank you

Gangans

Verskoon my

Excuse me

|ba te re

13

14. Klaskamer/Classroom
Khkh!n-omi(s)

Klaskamer

Classroom

Goeiemre kinders

Good morning, children !Gi goas, |gan

Sit

Sit down

N re

Maak julle boeke oop

Open your books

Sadu khanina
khowa-am

Tel julle potlode op

Pick up your pencils

Sadu xoaxuruga khi

Stop!

Stop!

| re

Herhaal/Weer

Repeat/Again

Khawa

Doen soos ek doen

Do as I do

D re tita ra d khemi

Oefen

Practise

Khpsen / !isen

Kyk, sien jy

Look, do you see

Kre, m du ra

Wel gedaan

Well done

!Gise(t)s ge go d

Jou beurt

Your turn

Sa !nas

Luister

Listen

!G re

Bly stil

Be quiet!

!N re

Waar is Willem?

Where is William?

Willema mapa h?

Wat soek jy?

What are you looking

Tare-e(t)s ta a?

Goed

Good/fine

!Gi a

Maak gou

Hurry

!Hae re

S agter my aan

Repeat after me

Ti khao !g m

Dit was baie lekker

It was very nice

Kaise go !gi i

14

15. Hoflikheidsfrases/Polite phrases

Hoflikheidsfrases

Polite phrases

|Gauxa ibasendi

Verskoon my

Excuse me

|ba te re / Gawa
aegu te

Ek is jammer

Im sorry

|hawio kai te re

Weer/herhaal

Pardon

Khawa

Dis reg so

Thats all right

Hanu-a

Nie te danke

Dont mention it

T m

Dit maak nie saak nie

It doesnt matter

X he h tama

S weer/ekskuus?

I beg your pardon?

Khawa m re?

Goed/Dis reg so

Good/ Thats fine

!Gi-a

Moenie bekommerd
wees nie

Dont worry

T ae

16. Vrae en versoeke/Questions and requests

Vrae en Versoeke

Questions and requests

Ddi ts Gandi

Waar?

Where?

Mapa?

Waar is die hotel?

Where is the hotel?

Hotelsa mapa h?

Wanneer?

When?

M ae?

Wanneer sal jy kom?

When will you come? Mae(t)s n |kh?

Hoeveel?

How much?

Matik?

Hoe ver?

How far?

Matikse !n?

Wat is di?

What is this?

Tare-e n-e?

Wat is dit?

What is that?

Tare-e n-e?

Wat wil jy h?

What do you want?

Tare-e(t)s ta gao?

Wat moet ek doen?

What must I do?

Tare-e ta n d?

Het jy?

Have you?

(t)s h?

Daar?

Is/are there?

Nba?

Het jy gesien?

Have you seen?

M(t)s go?

Gee my asseblief

Please give me

Toxoba m te re

15

Ek wil n h

I want

Tita ge ra gao

Waarom?

Why?

Tare-i !aroma?

Doen dit!

Do that!

D n-e!

Moenie dit doen nie!

Dont do that!

Tn-e d!

Wat het gebeur?

What happened?

Tare-e go ?

17. Taalprobleme/Language problems

Taalprobleme

Language problems

Gowab !gomsigu

Praat jy Engels?

Do you speak English?

Hurigowaba(t)s ta !
hoa?

Ek praat nie Nama nie I dont speak Nama

Tita ge Namagowaba
!hoa tama h

Ek verstaan nie

Nu ! tama ta ge h

I dont understand

Praat asseblief stadig Please speak slowly

Au se toxopa !hoa re

18. Tyd en datums/Time and dates

Tyd en Datums

Time and dates

Aeb tsi dadomdi

Hoe laat is dit?

What time is it?

Matik aexa i go?

Dit is een uur

It is one oclock

Gui-r go

Dit is middag

It is midday

Ts !g aeb ge

Dit is middernag

It is midnight

Tsuxub !gb ge

Dis vroeg

It is early

!Oega i ge a

Dis laat

It is late

!Onkhao i ge a

Hoe laat begin dit?

What time does it

start?

Mae ra tsoatsoa?

Hoe laat maak dit

klaar?

What time does it

end?

Mae ra toa?

Gaan jy lank bly?

Are you staying long? Gaxuse(t) s ta h?

Ek bly vir vier dae

Im staying for four

days

Haga tsde ta ge ni
h

Ek is n week al hier

Ive been here for a

week

Wekheba ta ge nba
go h i

16

Ons vertrek 5 Januarie Were leaving on Jan

5th

Koros Januarib dis aida

gera !nari

Wat is die datum?

Whats the date?

Matik a nts?

Vandag

Today

Nts

Gister/Mre

Yesterday/Tomorrow

Ari

Oormre

Day after Tomorrow

Aets

Dag

Day

Tss

Vanoggend

This morning

N goaga

In die middag

In the afternoon

Karab ai

Gisteraand

Last night

Arikam !oe

Mreaand

Tomorrow night

Arikam !oe

Die week

This week

N wekhe

Verlede maand

Last month

Oa go kh

Volgende jaar

Next year

!Goaxa kuri

19. Bruikbare stellings/Useful statements

Bruikbare stellings

Useful statements

Sisenhesa !urigu

Ek hou van dit

I like it

Tura ta ra

Ek hou nie van dit

nie

I dont like it

Tura tama ta h

Ek is nie seker nie

Im not sure

|Oasase ta an tama
h

Ek weet nie

I dont know

| ta-a

Ek het nie geweet nie I didnt know

| ta go i

Ek dink so

I think so

Ti tara i

Ek is honger

I am hungry

!sa ta a

Ek is dors

I am thirsty

Gsa ta a

Ek is moeg

I am tired

Tsau sa ta a

17

Ek is haastig

I am in a hurry

!Noesa ta a

Los my uit

Leave me alone

Nx te

Wag n bietjie

Just a moment

Aerob |guiba

Op hierdie manier

This way please

N |gaub ai toxoba

Sit maar

Take a seat

N re

Kom binne

Come in

Gxa re

Dis te veel

Its too much

Kaise a !nsa

Dis al

That is all

Nn ge hna

Jy is reg

You are right

Hanu(t)s a

Jy is verkeerd

You are wrong

Hanu tama(t)s h

Ek is reg

I am ready

Homisen toa ta h

20. Liggaamsdele/Body parts

Hare

Hair

Kop

Head

Danas

Wenkbroue

Eyebrow

gugu

Oor

Ear

gaes

Oog

Eye

ms

Mond

Mouth

ams

Neus

Nose

guis

Nek

Neck

!aos

Skouer

Shoulder

!hs

Elmboog

Elbow

!unib

Hand

Hand

!om mi

Vinger

Finger

khunub

Knie

Knee

goas

Been

Leg

nub

Voet

Foot

ais

18

21. A da !ga
Gui - gam ti ta ge,

Een twee dis ek

One two it is me

!nona haka sats ge. Drie vier jy is

Three four you are

Koro - !nani, sas ge

Vyf ses jy is

Five six you are

H - khaisa b ge

Sewe agt hy is

Seven Eight he is

Khoese disi s ge

Nege tien sy is

Nine ten she is

Disi |gui |a disi |gam elf twaalf ons is

|a sida ge

Eleven twelve we are

Disi !nona |a disi Dertien veertien ons is Thirteen fourteen we

haka |a sada ge
are
Hoa da ra!ga
khpesen !
Let wel!

Sats dui op die manlike vorm enkelvoud

Sas dui op die vroulike vorm enkelvoud
Sida is ekslusief m.a.w. dit sluit net n sekere
groep in
Sada is inklusief en sluit almal in

Please note!

Sats denotes masculine singular

Sas denotes feminine singular
Sida is exclusive i.e it only includes a specific
group
Sada is inclusive and includes everyone

19