Tyap/Printable version

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Tyap

The current, editable version of this book is available in Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection, at
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Tyap

Permission is granted to copy, distribute, and/or modify this document under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License.

Alphabet

Zwunzwuo a̱lyem Tyap ※ Tyap alphabet

The Tyap alphabet (Zwunzwuo A̱lyem Tyap ji) formerly had 39 letters, as drafted by the Tyap Literacy Committee (TLC) during the early 1990s:

  • Tyap alphabet: previous basic before 2018

Capital Letters

A A̱ B CH CHY D E F G GB GH GHW GHY H I I̱ J JHY K KH KP L M N NG NY O P R S SH SHY T TS U V W Y Z

Small letters

a a̱ b ch chy d e f g gb gh ghw ghy h i i̱ j jhy k kh kp l m n ng ny o p r s sh shy t ts u v w y z

Phonetic value

a ə b t͡ʃ t͡ʃʲ d e f g g͡b ɣ ɣʷ ɣʲ h i ɪ d͡ʒ ʒʲ k x k͡p l m n ŋ ɲ o p r s ʃ ʃʲ t t͡s u v w j d͡z

However, a current development as of 2018, has the Tyap Basic Alphabetical Chart reduced to 24, as follows:

  • Tyap alphabet: new basic

Capital Letters

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Y Z

Small letters

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p r s t u w y z

The letter "ch" would henceforth be represented by the symbol "c", without the "h". All others remain the same.

Phonetic value

a b c d e f g h i d͡ʒ k l m n o p r s t u v w j d͡z

Pronounce outrightly as :

ah bee chee dee eh fee gui he ih gee key lee me nee o pee ree see tee uh vee we ye dzee
  • Some Tyap words associated with the alphabet
Letter Name of letter Corresponding sounds as in
a á /a, ɑː/ hat, hot
b bi /b/ bush
c ci /tʃ/ chair
d di /d/ dance
e é /ɛ, eː/ pen
f fi /f/ file
g gi /g/ girl
h hi /h/ hiss
i í /ɪ, iː/ ill
j ji /dʒ/ jug
k ki /k/ king
l li /l/ louse
m mi /m/ man
n ni /n/ near
o ó /ɔ, oː/ hot, old
p /p/ peace
r ri /r/ rat
s si /s/ sun
t ti /t/ tank
u ú /u/ pull
w wi /w/ week
y yi /j/ yes
z zi /dz/ No English equivalent


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Phonology

Tyap Phonology[edit | edit source]

Intonation[edit | edit source]

Tyap is a tonal language with a high, mid, low, mid low, high-low and low-high ranges, but only one (the high tone indicated by the acute accent) is used for writing. Tyap has no nasal vowel sounds. It, however, has nasal consonants sounds (m /m/, n /n/ and ng /ŋ/) which are also tonal. Tyap also uses the underscore diacritic mark usually placed under vowels "a" and "i"; a̱ denotes the schwa sound /ǝ/ while i̱ denotes the shortened "i" sound /ɨ/.

Vowels[edit | edit source]

The seven vowels of Tyap can be classified as either short or long monophthongs sounds. Short Monophthongs : a a̱ e i i̱ o u Long Monophthongs : a a̱a̱ ee ii i̱i̱ oo uu The language has five (or six) diphthongs: /ei(/əi) ea əu ai oi/.

Consonants[edit | edit source]

Labialization and palatalization of consonant sounds are responsible for the many consonant sounds in the language unlike in english. The language has over 80 monographic and digraph labialized and palatalized consonant sounds, classified into fortis and lenis modifications.


Numbering system

We shall take the Tyap numbering system in terms of:

  • Ordinal numbers
  • Cardinal numbers
  • Frequency

Ordinal numbers[edit | edit source]

Fangnkyang di̱n Tyap: Nla̱mba

Small numbers[edit | edit source]

Number Tyap English
0 Gum, Piit Zero
1 A̱nyiung/Nyiung/Jhyiung One
2 A̱feang/Feang/Sweang Two
3 A̱tat/Tat/Tsat Three
4 A̱naai/Naai/Nyaai Four
5 A̱fwuon/Fwuon/Tswuon Five
6 A̱taa Six
7 A̱natat Seven
8 A̱ni̱nai Eight
9 A̱kubunyiung Nine
10 Swak Ten
11 Swak ma̱ng a̱nyiung Eleven
12 Swak ma̱ng a̱feang Twelve
13 Swak ma̱ng a̱tat Thirteen
14 Swak ma̱ng a̱naai Fourteen
15 Swak ma̱ng a̱fwuon Fifteen
16 Swak ma̱ng a̱taa Sixteen
17 Swak ma̱ng a̱natat Seventeen
18 Swak ma̱ng a̱ni̱nai Eighteen
19 Swak ma̱ng a̱kubunyiung Nineteen
20 Nswak nfeang Twenty

In Tyap, there are three ways of naming numbers one to five. When to use which depends on the class the noun/adjective/pronoun being quantified belongs. Remember, Tyap has six classifiers (definite articles). Please see: here.

For words in Category A and C, use numbers a̱nyiung (1), a̱feang (2), a̱tat (3), a̱naai (4), a̱fwuon (5).
For example, nggwon a̱nyiung (one child), a̱ka̱kwon a̱feang (two trees)
For words in Category B,
in the "HU" Class, use numbers nyiung (1), feang (2), tat (3), naai (4), fwuon (5).
For example, kyikyo nyiung (one leaf), nkyang nfeang (two things). NB: In this class when a plural noun is used, the number receives a nasal prefix n-, especially when the singular form of that plural word belongs to same "HU" Class.
in the "JI" Class, use numbers jhyiung (1), sweang (2), tsat (3), nyaai (4), tswuon (5).
For example, tswa jhyiung (one nut), zam sweang (two boys). NB: In this class when a plural noun is used, the number does not receive any nasal prefix.

Knowing the above numbering from zero to 20, let's count in tens from 30 to 100.

30 Nswak ntat Thirty
40 Nswak nnaai Forty
50 Nswak nfwuon Fifty
60 Nswak a̱taa Sixty
70 Nswak a̱natat Seventy
80 Nswak a̱ni̱nai Eighty
90 Nswak a̱kubunyiung Ninety
100 Cyi jhyiung One hundred

In counting other numbers in-between the tens, the format is <TENS> ma̱ng <UNITS>. Replace <UNITS> with a number between one and nine. Replace <TENS> with nswak nfeang, nswak ntat, nswak nnaai, nswak nfwuon, nswak a̱taa, nswak a̱natat, nswak a̱ni̱nai, or nswak a̱kubunyiung. For example, nswak nfeang ma̱ng a̱nyiung translates to twenty one. Your turn! Now practice how to count from zero to ninety-nine.

Large Numbers[edit | edit source]

Hundreds

Note that what could be termed as the "ancient" counting system used for 1-5 is usually used from 100 till infinity. 1 becomes jhyiung, and no more a̱nyiung. Same thing with the 2,3,4 and 5 placed immediately after cyi, the word for hundred.

100: Cyi jhyiung

101: Cyi ma̱ng nyiung

102: Cyi ma̱ng feang

103: Cyi ma̱ng tat

104: Cyi ma̱ng nyaai

105: Cyi ma̱ng fwuon

106: Cyi ma' taa

107: Cyi ma̱ng natat

108: Cyi ma̱ng ninai

109: Cyi ma̱ng kubunyiung

110: Cyi ma̱ng swak

120: Cyi ma̱ng nswak nfeang

130: Cyi ma̱ng nswak ntat

140: Cyi ma̱ng nswak nyaai

150: Cyi ma̱ng nswak nfwuon

160: Cyi ma̱ng nswak a̱taa

170: Cyi ma̱ng nswak a̱natat

180: Cyi ma̱ng nswak a̱ni̱nai

190: Cyi ma̱ng nswak a̱kubunyiung

200: Cyi sweang

300: Cyi tsat

400: Cyi nyaai

500: Cyi tswuon

600: Cyi a̱taa

700: Cyi a̱natat

800: Cyi a̱ni̱nai (or a̱ri̱nai)

900: Cyi a̱kubunyiung

999: Cyi a̱kubunyiung ma̱ng nswak a̱kubunyiung ma̱ng a̱kubunyiung

Thousands

Hayab (2016:66-67) in his research on Hyam, a related language to Tyap found out that the original word for number 10 is "kop"/kwop, and that the present word used for ten was the de facto word used for twelve or a dozen is "shwak" (in Hyam) or swak (in Tyap).

Due to the growing Hausa/English influence, undoubtedly before 1920 (because Thomas (1920:59) cited an example with Kagoro (Gworok) which, unlike its neighbours the Nungu, Ninzam, S. Mada and Mama, was not using as at then, the duodecimal system), the counting system has taken the shape of the Hausa/English decimal style and the word "kop/kwop" became almost extinct, while the "swak" took its place and misplaced its original meaning, which is twelve, to now mean ten.

With this in mind, when one considers the number "1,000" or cyi kwop jhyiung ("cyi kwop" is spelled one word), one can say that it literally means "hundred ten one" or "100 X 10 X 1".

Below are the modern Tyap Counting style in thousands:

1,000: Cyikwop jhyiung

1,018: Cyikwop jhyiung ma̱ng nswak ma̱ng a̱ni̱nai

1,500: Cyikwop jhyiung ma̱ng Cyi tswuon

2,000: Cyikwop sweang

3,000: Cyikwop tsat

4,000: Cyikwop nyaai

5,000: Cyikwop tswuon

6,000: Cyikwop a̱taa

7,000: Cyikwop a̱natat

8,000: Cyikwop a̱ni̱nai

9,000: Cyikwop a̱kubunyiung

10,000: Cyikwop swak

20,000: Cyikwop Nswak nfeang

30,000 : Cyikwop Nswak ntat

40,000: Cyikwop Nswak nnaai

50,000: Cyikwop Nswak nfwuon

60,000: Cyikwop Nswak a̱taa

70,000: Cyikwop Nswak a̱natat

80,000: Cyikwop Nswak a̱ni̱nai (or nswak a̱ri̱nai)

90,000: Cyikwop Nswak a̱kubunyiung

100,000: Cyikwop cyi jhyiung

200,000: Cyikwop cyi sweang

300,000: Cyikwop cyi tsat

400,000: Cyikwop cyi nyaai

500,000: Cyikwop cyi tswuon

600,000: Cyikwop cyi a̱taa

700,000: Cyikwop cyi a̱natat

800,000: Cyikwop cyi a̱ni̱nai

900,000: Cyikwop cyi a̱kubunyiung

Larger numbers[edit | edit source]

Millions

1,000,000: Milyon or cyikwop cyikwop jhyiung or simply Cyikwop a̱ka̱feang jhyiung

2,000,000: Milyon sweang

3,000,000: Milyon tsat

4,000,000: Milyon nyaai

5,000,000: Milyon tswuon

6,000,000: Milyon a̱taa

7,000,000: Milyon a̱natat

8,000,000: Milyon a̱ni̱nai

9,000,000: Milyon a̱kubunyiung

10,000,000 : Milyon Swak

20,000,000: Milyon Nswak nfeang

30,000,000: Milyon Nswak ntat

40,000,000: Milyon Nswak nnaai

50,000,000: Milyon Nswak nfwuon

60,000,000: Milyon Nswak a̱taa

70,000,000: Milyon Nswak a̱natat

80,000,000: Milyon Nswak a̱ni̱nai

90,000,000: Milyon Nswak a̱kubunyiung

100,000,000: Milyon cyi jhyiung

200,000,000: Milyon cyi sweang

300,000,000: Milyon cyi tsat

400,000,000: Milyon cyi nyaai

500,000,000: Milyon cyi tswuon

600,000,000: Milyon cyi a̱taa

700,000,000: Milyon cyi a̱natat

800,000,000: Milyon cyi a̱ni̱nai

900,000,000: Milyon cyi a̱kubunyiung

Billions and Trillions

1,000,000,000: Bilyon or Cyikwop cyikwop cyikwop or simply Cyikwop a̱ka̱tat jhyiung

10,000,000,000: Bilyon Swak

100,000,000,000: Bilyon Cyi jhyiung

1,000,000,000,000: Trilyon or cyikwop cyikwop cyikwop cyikwop or simply Cyikwop a̱ka̱naai jhyiung.

10,000,000,000,000: Trilyon Swak

100,000,000,000,000: Trilyon Cyi jhyiung


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Tyiet 1/Lesson 1

    • 1. A kwai doot ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? = Good morning! (to one person)
      • Nyi kwai doot ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? = Good morning! (to more than one person)
    • 2. A shyip ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? = Good morning! (to one person)
      • Nyi shyip ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? = Good morning! (to more than one person)
    • A kwamam ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? = Good day/afternoon/evening! (to one person)
      • Nyi kwamam ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng a? = Good day/afternoon/evening! (to more than one person)
    • Si̱ a̱tson ka! = Good night!
    • A̱gwaza gu ta̱ngam nzi̱t ka̱ngka̱ra̱ng! = Good night!

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Tyiet 2/Lesson 2

    • Á̱ ngyei ang a̱nyan (w)a? = What is your name? (to one person)
      • Nung gwa á̱ ngyei Kambai = My name is Kambai! (lit. "I am the one they call Kambai!")
      • Á̱ ngyei nung Kambai = My name is Kambai! (lit. "I am called Kambai!")
      • A̱lyoot nung kya yet Kambai = My name is Kambai!
    • Á̱ ngyei nyin a̱nyanyan bya? = What are your names? (to more than one person)
      • Nzi̱t bya á̱ ngyei _____. = Our names are _____! (lit. "We are the ones they call _____!")
      • Á̱ ngyei nzi̱t _____. = Our names are _____! (lit. "We are called _____!")
      • Lyulyoot nzi̱t hu hwa yet _____! = Our names are _____!


Vocabulary

Contents : Nkyangmami

A̱sa̱khwot ※ Colours[edit | edit source]

Tyap Colour English
a̱shong red
a̱lyemu, tswuo orange
bagina yellow
lyilyim, a̱kwop, a̱li̱ga̱shi green
bula blue
a̱meti̱t purple
mbyin brown
a̱gurma pink
a̱sai white
ntong grey
a̱dyundyung black
a̱ghwum maroon
khaan creamy white

Others are: a̱da̱nzwak (dark brown), a̱ja̱jiat (pure white), a̱shyui (reddish-brown/maroon), kyai tswazwa (sky blue), a̱shyim a̱kwop (yellowish green), a̱shyim a̱kwop na̱ kyiai ma̱ng bula (bluish-green, cyan), a̱baan/khan (milk).

Apart from A̱shong, A̱sai, A̱dyundyung, lyilyim and A̱ja̱jiat, it is advisable to first say A̱sa̱khwot before saying any of the colours above to make complete meaning.

Á̱tuk ma̱ng Jen ※ Dates and Time[edit | edit source]

Swáng a̱lyiat ji̱ byia̱ a̱meang ma̱ng jen※ Terminologies associated with time
Tyap English
Ma̱nini, Ma̱ninika Now
Jenjini̱shi, Mi̱ di̱ kwi njen Later
A̱fwun (ka) Today
A̱tson (ka) Tomorrow
Lyuo (hu) Yesterday
A̱ti̱kyia̱ (ka) A day after tomorrow
A̱ti̱kyia̱ kwamam lyuo (ka) A day before yesterday
Mi̱ di̱ yong huni Currently
Mi̱ di̱n jen ji̱ swak a̱ni Previously
A̱tuk (ka) Date
Mam (hu) Day (of 12 hours)
A̱tuk (ka) Day (of 24 hours)
A̱tsotson (ka), Tsotson (ka) Morning
A̱ta̱mam (ka), Ta̱mam (ka) Afternoon
Jenshyung (ji) Evening
A̱tyetuk (ka)/A̱kyetuk (ka) Night
Sati (hu) Week
Zwat (ji) Month
A̱lyia̱ (ka) Year
Ta̱ulyia̱ A year before
A̱leang (ka) Current year
A̱lyia̱ cobai (ka) A year after
Jen (ji) Time
A̱cak (ka) Season
Mmam sati na ※ Days of the week
Tyap English
A̱tuk Ladi (ka) Sunday
A̱tuk A̱ta̱nii (ka) Monday
A̱tuk Ta̱lata (ka) Tuesday
A̱tuk La̱ra̱ba (ka) Wednesday
A̱tuk A̱laamit (ka) Thursday
A̱tuk Juma (ka) Friday
A̱tuk A̱sa̱ba̱t (ka) Saturday
Zwát a̱lyia̱ ji ※ Months of the year
Tyap English
Zwat Jhyiung (ji) January
Zwat Sweang (ji) February
Zwat Tsat (ji) March
Zwat Nyaai (ji) April
Zwat Tswuon (ji) May
Zwat A̱taa (ji) June
Zwat A̱natat (ji) July
Zwat A̱ni̱nai (ji) August
Zwat A̱kubunyiung (ji) September
Zwat Swak (ji) October
Zwat Swak ma̱ng Jhyiung (ji) November
Zwat Swak ma̱ng Sweang (ji) December

Kyayak ma̱ng nkyangswuo ※ Food and drinks[edit | edit source]

Names of raw foods (Lyulyoot a̱bun nkyayak /Lʲúlʲo:d əbun ŋ̀kʲájag/)
Tyap English
Ji̱njok (ji) Beans
A̱cyi (ka) Yam
A̱gurma a̱nfwuong (wu) Garlic
A̱gurma (wu) Onion
A̱myia̱ (na)/Hya̱u (hu) Oil/Fats
A̱nyenyiat nfak (wu), Shuga (ji) Sugar
Cyia̱ga̱vang (hu) Rice
Nfak (na) Salt
Nyinyep (hu) Spinach
Kwon (hu) Vegetable
Swaat (also Swurak) (ji) Sorghum/Guinea corn
Shita (ji) Pepper
Shita a̱byin (ji) Ginger
Shyui (ji) Peanut
Tong (hu) Honey
Tumatut (ji) Tomato
Tson (ji) Fonio
Zuk (ji) Millet
Names of cooked foods (Lyulyoot nkyayak weang /Lʲúlʲo:d ŋkʲájag wɛjaŋ/)
Tyap English
Tuk cyi (hu) Pounded yam paste
Tuk swakpat (hu) Corn paste
Tuk cyia̱ga̱vang Rice paste
A̱ka̱ti (wu) Corn sauce
A̱ka̱ti cyi (wu) Yam sauce
Nyiung (hu) Soup
Names of drinks (Lyulyoot nkyangswuo /Lʲúlʲo:d ŋkʲáŋsʷwo/)
Tyap English
A̱ta̱bwai (na) Porridge
Buza (hu) Mead
A̱kan (na) Beer
A̱kpa̱nkoot (wu) Millet grained porridge
A̱kamu (wu) Pap
A̱sa̱khwot (na) Water
A̱baan (na) Milk
Tii (hu) Tea
Kwofi (wu) Coffee

Lyenlilyem ※ Linguistics[edit | edit source]

A

A̱lama wu = Symbol
A̱lyem ka = Language, tongue
A̱lyiat na = Speech
A̱tyong ka = Syllable; paragraph

B

Bwoi a̱lyoot hu = Etymology

G

Ga̱lyuut = Font

K

Kham a̱lyiat ji = Phrase

L

Lang a̱lyiat hu = Sentence
Lyiat = to Speak
Lyuut hu = to write, writing, script

N

Nwap ji = Ethnic group, tribe; language

S

Swang a̱lyiat ji = Word

T

Ta̱zut = to Inscribe

Y

Yei hu = Pronunciation

Z

Zwunzwuo ji = Mark, character, code
Zwunzwuo a̱lyem ji = Alphabet

Lyulyoot a̱ka̱vwuo, bibyinneet, ma̱ng lilyem ※ Place names, nationalities, and languages[edit | edit source]

Place names
A̱baka̱keang, A̱ka̱keang, ma̱ng A̱ca̱cet a̱ka̱keang ma̱ A̱byin A̱nienzi̱t ※ Villages, Towns, and Cities in Nenzit land
Tyap English (/Hausa)
A̱bwuiyap (wu) Rohogo
Fantswam (hu) Kafanchan
Gwoot (hu) Kagoro
Tsok (ji) Manchok
Nietcen A̱fakan Zangon Kataf
A̱ca̱cet a̱ka̱keang ta̱cya̱ ※ World cities
Tyap English
A̱buja (ji) Abuja
Nduguli (wu) Maiduguri
Urusha̱lima (hu) Jerusalem
Legwot (wu) Lagos
Nja̱t (ji) Jos
Atina (wu) Athens
Da̱maskut (wu) Damascus
Iska̱nda̱riya (wu) Alexandria
Rom (wu) Rome
Sa̱lamit (ji) Salamis
Bibyin swanta ※ Countries
Tyap English
Naijeriya (ji) Nigeria
Ityopya (wu), Ha̱basha (wu) Ethiopia
Ma̱sa̱t (wu), Ma̱sa̱r Egypt
Isi̱rela (wu) Israel
Sudan Sudan
Sudan A̱tak South Sudan
Suriya Syria
Italiya Italy
Li̱biya Libya
A̱gba̱ndang Bi̱ri̱ti̱n Great Britain
Helat Greece
Ma̱kidoniya A̱za North Macedonia
Ma̱lita Malta
Kuburut Cyprus
Konggo Congo
Mali Mali
Turkiya Turkey
Pa̱la̱stina Palestine
Roshiya Russia
Ndiya India
Moroko Morocco
Ninjer Niger
Gana Ghana
Afrika A̱tak South Africa
Caina China
Jami̱ni Germany
Ja̱pan Japan
Kenya Kenya
Nvam-a̱byin ※ Continents
Tyap English
Afrika Africa
A̱siya Asia
Yurop Europe
A̱streliya Australia
Amerika A̱za North America
Amerika A̱tak South America
A̱ntati̱ka Antarctica
Nkyai a̱sa̱khwot ※ Oceans/Seas
Tyap English
A̱gba̱ndang kyai a̱sa̱khwot Ati̱lantik Atlantic Ocean
A̱gba̱ndang kyai a̱sa̱khwot Ndiya Indian Ocean
A̱gba̱ndang kyai a̱sa̱khwot A̱tak Southern Ocean
A̱gba̱ndang kyai a̱sa̱khwot Atik Arctic Ocean
A̱gba̱ndang kyai a̱sa̱khwot Pasi̱fik Pacific Ocean
Kyai a̱sa̱khwot Meditaroniya Mediterranean Sea
Lilyem ※ Languages
Tyap English
Shong, Nggi̱li̱t English
Kpat Hausa
Ghwangkpang, Yoruba Yoruba
Kuma̱cyi, Igbo Igbo
Fi̱ransa French
A̱biru Hebrew
Helen Greek
La̱ra̱ba Arabic

Á̱nietnta̱m ※ Professionals[edit | edit source]

Á̱nietnta̱m ※ Professionals
Tyap English
A̱bwok (wu) Physician (of any sort)
A̱bwok-á̱niet (wu) Doctor
A̱bwok-a̱nyunyung (wu) Dentist
A̱bwok-nyám (wu) Veterinary doctor
A̱bwok-ntswam (wu) Engineer
A̱fwu (wu) Blacksmith
A̱na̱mbwon (wu) Nurse
A̱tyokat (/A̱tyu-a̱kat) (wu) Hunter
A̱tyubwom (wu) Singer
A̱tyuluk (wu) Driver
A̱tyuluk a̱man-tswam (wu) Pilot
A̱tyulyuut nkwambwat/nta̱ka̱da (wu) Author/writer
A̱tyukhap (wu) Farmer
A̱tyukwat (wu) Barber
A̱tyushei A̱lyiat A̱gwaza (wu) Preacher
A̱tyutsot bubwom (wu) Musician
A̱tyutsot nkwambwat/nta̱ka̱da (wu) Typist
A̱tyutyiet (wu) Teacher
A̱tyutywai (/A̱tyutwai) (wu) Tailor
Kapinta (wu) Carpenter
Nggwonshan (ka) Police

A̱ka̱cyet ※ Transportation[edit | edit source]

Nkyangcung ※ Vehicles
Tyap English
Tsaai tswam (ji) Bicycle
A̱bakputkput (ka), Tsaai ndong (ji) Motorbike
A̱da̱dei ma̱to (wu) Car
A̱gba̱ndang ma̱to (wu) Truck, lorry
Bos (hu) Bus
A̱taintuut (wu), Kyangcung a̱byin (hu) Train
A̱man tswam (ka) Aeroplane
Kukwon a̱wak (hu) Canoe, boat
A̱gba̱ndang kukwon a̱wak (wu) Ship
Kyangcung a̱sa̱khwot (hu) Water vehicle

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Articles

Tyap has no Indefinite articles like in English or German, but has Definite articles or Classifiers.

Indefinite articles[edit | edit source]

Indefinite articles are often unnecessary in normal speech, hence, absent in Tyap. But when being specific about the quantity of the noun, a number is used (usually placed after the noun).

E.g.,
  • A big tree. = A̱gba̱ndang a̱kwon.
  • One big tree. = A̱gba̱ndang a̱kwon a̱nyiung.
where: a̱gba̱ndang = big, great; a̱kwon = tree; a̱nyiung = one

Definite articles[edit | edit source]

Tyap has six definite articles or classifiers. Two (ka & wu) are primarily used for singular nouns and adjectives, two (hu & ji) for both singular and plurals and the other two (ba & na) for plural nouns. All nouns and adjectives in Tyap fall under one of these six, so do their corresponding pronouns.

When placed under categories, we would have three categories.

  • Category A (Ka & Wu)
    • KA: Words here are mainly used for younger humans, some animals, few non-concrete nouns and adjectives and plants.
Examples of words: a̱baai (knife), a̱bakeang (village), a̱banggwon (baby), a̱bwu (dog), a̱byin (land, country), a̱fwuop (link, meeting point, joint), a̱keang (human settlement, town), a̱kwi (cat), a̱kwon (tree), a̱nu (mouth), a̱pyia̱ (head), a̱sham (beautiful), a̱ta (bow), a̱ta̱nyeang (devil), a̱tuk (day - of 24 hours), a̱tyin (stem), nggwon (child), nggwoneam (girl), nggwoseam (boy)
- A̱baai ka = The knife
- A̱baai kani = This knife
- A̱baai a̱kya = That knife
- A̱baai keniaau = That knife over there


    • WU: Words here are mainly used for matured humans, some animals, and most non concrete nouns and adjectives.
Examples of words: a̱bwuon (fool), a̱gwak (expert, professional), a̱gwam (king, chief), A̱gwaza (God), a̱kwak a̱son (leader), a̱niet (person), a̱som (hare, rabbit), a̱toot (cloth), a̱tang (thief), a̱tyia̱ (father), a̱tyok (man), a̱tyoli (husband, master, mister), a̱tyu (person), a̱tyubishyi (human being), a̱yang (mother), a̱yin (person)
- A̱bwuon wu = The fool
- A̱bwuon wuni = This fool
- A̱bwuon a̱wa = That fool
- A̱bwuon wunia̱u = That fool over there


  • Category B (Hu & Ji)
    • HU: Words here are mainly used for objects, plants, rarely humans; in general, most words beginning with b, f, g, h, k, l, m, p, v some words beginning with c, d, jhy, n, s, t.
Examples of words (singular): beang (help), bwak (hand), fi̱ng (young), fwuo (mind, neck), gak (boundary), hyet (arrow), kan (medication), kwon (vegetable), kyang (thing, property), li (to see), lang (line), mam (sun, 12-hour day), nam (meat, flesh, muscle), nyeang (marriage), pyia̱ (hair), tak (leg), vam (body), vak (road), wa (cavity), yak (grains, cereals)
- Vak hu = The road
- Vak huni = This road
- Vak a̱hwa = That road
- Vak hunia̱u = That road over there


Examples of words (plural): bibyin (lands, countries, territories), li̱la̱n (pots), lyilyia̱ (years, livers), lyulyoot (names)
- Lyulyoot hu = The names
- Lyulyoot huni = These names
- Lyulyoot a̱hwa = Those names
- Lyulyoot hunia̱u = Those names over there


    • JI: Words here are mainly used for almost all words beginning with z, ts, j, and some words beginning with b, c, d, j, ny, s; all languages; most loaned words in Tyap especially those from Hausa.
Examples of words (singular): byia̱k (bridge, support), bying (faeces), cyuo (leopard, panther), dyang (waist), ja̱m (weed), jem (hippopotamus), jen (time), jet (cricket), khwap (loan), Kpat (Hausa), nyam (animal), Shong (English, any European language), song (dance), sop (forest), shan (stick), shisham (beauty), tyan (station, location, point, spot; to quote, quotation), Tyap (Tyap), tsaai (horse), tsok (mountain), tswa (spirit, nut), za (rain), zat (buffalo), zon (goat), zonseap (sheep), zwuom (elephant)
- Jen ji = The time
- Jen jini = This time
- Jen a̱ja = That time
- Jen jinia̱u = That time over there


Examples of words (plural): cyuí (rats, mice), jét (cricets), nyám (animals), shán (sticks), tityan (points, stations, spots, locations; quotations), tsaaí (horses), tsutsok (mountains), zát (buffaloes), zón (goats), zwát (moons, months)
- Zwát ji = The months
- Zwát jini = These months
- Zwát a̱ja = Those months
- Zwát jinia̱u = Those months over there


  • Category C (Ba & Na)
    • BA: Words here are mainly used for plural living things, especially those with singulars in the "WU Category" and a few in the "KA & HU Category".
Examples of words: á̱ga̱fi̱p (plants, shrubs), a̱ghyi (eyes), á̱ghyi (face), á̱kyuo (wives), á̱nap (females), á̱niet (people), a̱nyiuk (women), á̱sam (males), a̱ti̱tak (legs), á̱tuk (days - of 24 hours), á̱tyok (men), a̱yaasom (hares), a̱yaatyia̱ (fathers), a̱yaatyoli (masters, lords, husbands), a̱yaayang (mothers)
- Á̱niet ba = The people
- Á̱niet bani = These people
- Á̱niet a̱bya = Those people
- Á̱niet bania̱u = Those people over there


    • NA: Words here are mainly used for plural of non-living things and some living things, especially those with singulars in the "KA Category" and "HU Category.
Examples of words: a̱ka̱neam (girls), a̱ka̱khwon (axes), a̱ka̱kwon (trees), a̱ka̱laa (lies), a̱ka̱ta (bows), a̱ka̱tung (meetings, gatherings, assemblies), a̱ki̱kan (medications), mbwak (hands), mkpa (pestles), mmam (days - of 12 hours), mman (children), ndang (lines), ndyia̱ (years, livers), nkyang (things, properties), nla̱mba (numbers), ntangka̱i (types), nvak (roads), nvam (bodies)
- Nkyang na = The things
- Nkyang nani = These things
- Nkyang a̱nia = Those things
- Nkyang nania̱u = Those things over there

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Nouns

Noun/Lilyoot[edit | edit source]

Difinition and Types[edit | edit source]

A noun is a word that identifies a person, place, animal, things, abstract idea etc.

Types

The types of noun include:

  • A. Proper noun:

Begins with a capital letter. It identifies:

  1. Person:Dawali, Chechet, Dangana, Jatau, Agwam etc.
  2. Place: Zongon Kataf, Zonkwa etc.
  3. Institutions: ACDA, TLC etc.
  4. Months and Days: Zwat Tsat, A̱tuk Ladi (ka) etc.
  • B. Common noun:

They don't start with capital letter.It refers to general names of person, place etc.

  1. Person:nggoneam, nggoseam, atyoli, ayang
  2. Animal: akwi, abwu, zwon etc.
  3. Things:ali, byin, kwatak, kurum, alaujyi, bung etc
  • C. Abstract noun:

They do not have physical attribute e.g. mai, di, chat(love), dyep(praise), fwei, twei(cry) etc.

  • D. Concrete noun:

They can be seen and touched e.g achiyang(basket), tong(honey), bokiti(bucket), tawud(towel),tebru/table, alaunjyi(sickle), akwatak(shoe).

  • E. Uncounotable(mass)noun:

They can't be Pluralised.They are usually singular e.g. kurum(money), za(rain), Atyoka (man), gamun(mosquito), Z(w)on (goat) etc.

  • F. Countable noun:

They can be counted and exist as singular and plural.

Examples:

S/N SINGULAR PLURAL
1 Anyung Anyunyung
2 Ali Akasa
3 Atyem Tityem
4 Ngoneam Akaneam
5 Alade Ayalade
6 Bwak Mbwak
7 Abaai Akabaai
8 Nggwon Mman
9 Tak Atitak
10 Acheang Akacheang

We can also classify Tyap noun plurals into regular and irregular.

Noun Formation(Bwoi A̱lyoot):[edit | edit source]

In this chapter, we shall view the various ways of forming nouns from verbs and adjectives.

Nouns can be formed from verbs:

  • (A) By adding the prefix "a̱-"

Examples:

S/N WORD NOUN FORMED
1 bwom a̱bwom
2 lyiat a̱lyiat
3 khwo a̱khwo
4 bwok a̱bwok
5 kpang a̱kpang
6 tyia‌ a̱tyia

The nouns formed above may refer to both living and non-living targets and situations.

  • (B) By adding the prefix "ka-"

Examples:

S/N WORD NOUN FORMED
1 jang kajang
2 shei kashei
3 kwok kakwok
4 lyiat kalyiat
5 kyiak kakyiak
6 sang kasang

These nouns formed are mostly used in reference to living beings, in contrast to situations or non-living objects. Nevertheless, where the situation warrants, they are used!)

  • (C) Nouns can be formed from adjectives by removing the first "a̱":

Examples:

S/N WORD NOUN FORMED
1 a̱sham sham
2 a̱tsatsak tsatsak
3 a̱gi̱gi̱k gi̱gi̱k
4 a̱tswotswat tswotswat
5 a̱pa̱mpang pa̱mpang
6 a̱sa̱t sa̱t
  • (D) Nouns can also be formed by placing the noun antecedent "a̱tyu" as a prefix before a verb.

The nouns formed using "a̱tyu" can only be used to refer to humans.

Examples:

S/N WORD NOUN FORMED
1 tyiet a̱tyutyiet
2 gba a̱tyugba
2 lyuut a̱tyulyuut
3 cham a̱tyucham
4 luk a̱tyuluk
5 khap a̱tyukhap
6 myiam a̱tyumyiam
  • (E) Nouns or noun phrases may also be formed using noun antecedents such as "kyang" and "swat" before other nouns.

Examples:

S/N WORD NOUN FORMED
1 chet kyangchet
2 chung kyangchung
3 a‌nyin swat a‌nyin
4 a‌tyia‌ swat a‌tyia‌
5 fang kyangfang
6 a‌yang swat a‌yang
  • (F) Lastly, nouns can be realized by placing verbs such as "yet"and "ya" to act as antecedents before an adjective or adverb.

Examples:

S/N WORD NOUN FORMED
1 a̱tswotswat yet a̱tswotswat
2 a̱tan yet a̱tan
3 fwuang ya fwuang
4 a̱swon ya a̱swon

NOTE: There are words which on their own serve as both verbs and nouns with removing or adding anything to from or to them. Example: Fang, lyuut, nwuan, etc.

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Pronouns

Pronouns[edit | edit source]

A pronoun is a word use in place of a noun.

Types[edit | edit source]

  • Personal pronoun:e.g nung, nung-wu, N, Zu, gu, Zit.

Examples:

  1. Zi ya chyi-agavang.
  2. N chat gu.
  3. Yei gu.
  4. Agwaza biyang zit.
  • Indefinite pronoun: e.g konyan(everybody)

Examples:

  1. Konyan chat chyi-agavang.
  2. Zit chat agyang
  • Interrogative pronoun: e.g ihwa(what), aji(where), ajau(there), ana/will.
  1. A nat aji?
  2. Ihwa nang aya?
  3. Ana ya kyak wu?

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Verbs

Verb[edit | edit source]

Definition[edit | edit source]

A verb is a word that denotes action or a state of being.

  • Action:
  1. Anyet madidit ya chyi agavang.
  2. Matina nung-wu lak nyung kusat.
  3. Samson nok ali.
  4. Nat a san khyahu
  5. Atyia,akum-achyi chat alyiat gu.
  6. Ana ya jinjok?
  • State of being:
  1. Agwaza yet Agwam
  2. Akakwon shyia madidit ma'tachya ka.
  • Miscellaneous examples of verbs: bai, nat, ya, twei, swuo, lyuut, lyiat, shim, fak, naai, fang, myiam, yong, swan, foot, Biyang, dyep, tyiet, cham, Gba, kwang, wan, chwi, San, shim, fak, nyin, Fip etc.

Definition[edit | edit source]

A verb is a word that denotes action or a state of being.

Action:

  1. Anyet madidit ya chyi agavang.
  2. Matina nung-wu lak nyung kusat.
  3. Samson nok ali.
  4. Nat a san khyahu
  5. Atyia,akum-achyi chat alyiat gu.
  6. Ana ya jinjok?

State of being:

  1. Agwaza yet Agwam
  2. Akakwon shyia madidit ma'tachya ka.

Miscellaneous:

Example of other verbs are: bai, nat, ya, twei, swuo, lyuut, lyiat, shim, fak, naai, fang, myiam, yong, swan,foot, Biyang, dyep, tyiet, cham, Gba, kwang, wan, chwi, San, shim, fak,nyin ,Fip etc.

Verb Formation (Bwoi 'Kyai'):[edit | edit source]

In Tyap, verbs are largely formed mainly from nouns. Other ways include the addition of verb antecedents to adjectives, adverbs or nouns to form verb phrases.

  • Verbs are formed from nouns by the removal of the first letter "a̱-" of the noun word.

Examples:

S/N WORD VERB FORMED
1 a̱tung tung
2 a̱shai shai
3 a̱ta ta
4 a̱bwok bwok
5 a̱bwom bwom
6 a̱gwai gwai
7 a̱yaat yaat
8 a̱ka̱u ka̱u
9 a̱fwu fwu
10 a̱wak wak
11 a̱khwop khwop
12 a̱lyiat lyiat
13 a̱khwo khwo
14 a̱khwu khwu
15 a̱fwu fwu
16 a̱kpang kpang
17 a̱bwum bwum
18 a̱tyia̱ tyia̱
19 a̱tsa tsa
20 a̱mat mat
  • Verbs can also be formed by the removal of the first part of a double-sounding noun word.

Examples:

S/N WORD VERB FORMED
1 shyishyi shyi
2 shyishyim shyim
  • Verbs or verb phrases are formed by the addition of verb antecedents to nouns, adverbs or adjectives.

Examples:

S/N WORD VERB FORMED
1 khwo tyia̱ khwo
2 a̱swon ya a̱swon
3 bwak swuó bwak
4 fa̱t bwuo fa̱t
5 bying ta bying
6 jejeet li jejeet
7 gba̱gbai li gba̱gbai
8 taan tyia̱ taan
9 kyekyak tyia̱ kyekyak
10 nfwuut ta nfwuut

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Adverbs

Adverb[edit | edit source]

Definition and Types[edit | edit source]

An adverb tells more about a verb.

Types of adverb

  • Adverb of Manner:e.g shenshwuon, makpat, chachaat, ghan, akafiyang
  • Adverb of time: manini, atswon, taulyia, kuzang-mam, lyuo, aliyang, nyet gbang-gbang, harmanini,afwun
  • Adverb of place: aji, ajau, kpankpan, gban-kayau
  • Adverb of degree: gbamgbam
  • Adverb of frequency: kuzanjen, nchiring.

Adverb Formation (Bwoi 'A̱kwa'):[edit | edit source]

Tyap language adverbs, regardless of dialect are mainly formed from adjectives, as well as from nouns in varying but closely related ways.

  • Adverbs can be derived from adjectives by the addition of the prefix "m-".

Examples:

S/N WORD ADVERB FORMED
1 a‌kyiri‌p ma‌kyiri‌p
2 a‌chunchwiit ma‌chunchwiit
3 a‌kyenkyai ma‌kyenkyai
4 a‌ka‌nka‌rang ma‌ka‌nka‌rang
5 a‌za‌nzan ma‌za‌nzan
6 a‌kpa‌a‌t ma‌kpa‌a‌t
7 a‌tsatsak ma‌tsatsak
8 a‌shonshyon ma‌shonshyon
9 a‌cha‌chaat ma‌cha‌chaat
  • Adverbs are again derived from nouns by the addition of the "a̱-" prefix.

Examples:

S/N WORD ADVERB FORMED
1 mali a̱mali
2 tsotswon a̱tsotswon
3 ta̱mam a̱ta̱mam
4 jenshyung a̱jenshyung
5 tyetuk a̱tyetuk
  • It may as well be formed from a noun through other ways.

Examples:

S/N WORD ADVERB FORMED
1 sham a̱nsham
2 shanshan ma̱shansham

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Adjectives

Adjectives[edit | edit source]

Definition and Types[edit | edit source]

Adjective tells more about a noun,pronoun or adjective.

Types of adjective

  • Attributive adjectives: atyong-jyip, kakap/sarai, nggoseam, atan, nyung, gbandang, abobwon, akpa.

Examples:

  1. Philip yet atan nggoseam
  2. Atyia nung-wu byia gbandang tsaai
  3. A yet abwon nggoseam.


  • Predicative adjectives:asai-alyia, zanzam, Tsotswat, abwon, Akatuk, asham, dundung.

Examples:

  1. Atyubishi yet akatuk
  2. Joy kani yet asham

Adjective Formation (Bwoi 'Sanggak'):[edit | edit source]

Adjectives in Tyap language (Tyap Proper dialect) are mainly formed from nouns by the addition of the prefix "a̱-".

  • Examples:
S/N WORD ADJECTIVE FORMED
1 fi̱fan a̱fi̱fan
2 tsatsak a̱tsatsak
3 shyim a̱shyim
4 pyat a̱pyat
5 sa̱t a̱sa̱t
6 tswotswat a̱tswotswat
7 sham a̱sham
8 mumwang a̱mumwang
9 gba̱za̱zai a̱gba̱za̱zai
10 kyenkyai a̱kyenkyai

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Prepositions

Prepositions[edit | edit source]

Prepositions shows relationship between a noun, pronoun or other words in a sentence e.g. tafa ,tazwa

Examples:

  1. Akwi shyia tafa tebru kani
  2. Agwaza shyia tazwa

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Conjunctions

Conjunction[edit | edit source]

Word that join two or more phrases, clauses or sentences together.e.g "mang" ,"a" etc

Examples:

  1. Fang a myam
  2. Nat a hyat nyang ji nyou.
  3. Myiam Fang Mang Lyuut Tyap

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Interjections

Interjection[edit | edit source]

Word that expresses emotion, e.g. Ka̱t!, kaai!, Kwot!

Example:

  1. Ka̱t! bredi, ka̱ n na shyia̱.
  2. Kaai! N kan bai a̱ji bah.

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