May 25, 2008
Master Fulfulde in six seconds
We're all familiar with dazzling language-learning promises made by Linguaphone and similar companies: Speak fluent Arabic in just three weeks! Swedish in a weekend!
Well, here's Fulfulde in six seconds. Just learn this word:
CHIBBEL-LIBBEL
That is the word for the very top of a tree, the point that's always growing upwards.
When any Fulani is 'testing' you on your Fulfulde, they will invariably say 'Ada anndi Chibbel-libbel, naa?' (Do you know what Chibbel-libbel means), and if you point to the top of a tree, they follow up with 'Eeeeeeee, a hanti Fulfulde' - you have mastered Fulfulde!
Posted by sahelsteve at May 25, 2008 09:29 AM