I Learn Meriam This Way

Ep5. I Learn Meriam This Way: Describing a state of well being

In this episode we use simple phrases to describe a state well being, for example, Ka gebgeb nali (I am cold); Kara gebgeb barki (I feel cold) , and E gebgeb pe dike (It is cold). We interchange ‘cold’ with other describing words. Wordlist: gebgeb = cold; urweri = hot; gimgim = sick; sikak = good, well; tebteb = alone; geumge = scared, afraid; niap = thirst; werer = hungry; erar = tired; baz = cloud; irmer = rain; lim = sun.

Ep4. I Learn Meriam This Way: Self Introduction

In episode 4 we cover a basic self introduction with an acknowledgement to your ailan group, your tribe and totem.

Ep3. I Learn Meriam This Way: Salutations, Greetings and Closings

In todays episode we concentrate on changing all your simple salutations (good morning, good day, etc) to meriam, a basic ‘how do you do?’ and a departure phrase. Word list for todays phrases are: debe = good; idim = morning; gerger = day; kikem = afternoon; ki = night; nako = how; ma = you; nali = am / existence near me; ua = pronoun more than one person; uridili = more than one person existing; esuau = thank you; au esuau = thank you very much; iako mi dali = see you again shortly; O O = departing signal; adira werkab = god bless

Ep2. I Learn Meriam This Way: Meriam Alphabet, vowels and “R”.

In this episode we find out that 19 letters are used in the Meriam alphabet, we hear the vowel sounds and the sound of the letter “R”. Words used in this episode: Vowels - A sound: abara = his, hers or its; ka and kaka = I; ma = you; E sound: emeret = old, ancient; debe = good: I sound: ipiti = striking, hitting or beating; idim = morning: O sound: ogog = dirty, unclean; omasker = children; parkoparko = imperfect: U sound: umele = know, know how, can or be able to; urut = year; nalu = what, which or why. Letter R sound: Meriam Mir; gerger = day; perper = lightning; girgir = thunder.

Ep1. I Learn Meriam This Way: The Method.

In episode one, I give a brief background of my learning journey and I explain my methodology to learn Meriam Mir, while living in a modern society. I don’t claim to be a native speaker, a linguist, an educator or academic on languages. This podcast is just a concept and an idea that I often refer to as “the method to my madness”.