Falamu

Falamu (native: [fælǽˑmʉ]) is a creole language based on Somali and Portuguese.

Introduction

Etymology

From early Falamu (nu) falâmu "we (incl.) speak" (= modern Falamu nu fâla) < Portuguese (nós) falamos "we speak".

Phonology

Orthography

Phonetic script

Note that in this article, accents are used for clarity. They are normally omitted in writing.

Consonants Letter IPA Remarks b b d d f f g ɡ h h j dʒ ~ tʃ k k l l m m n n ng ŋ ~ ɰ̃ syllable-final allophone of /n/ ny ɲ ~ j̃ r r s s t t w w x ʃ y j

Vowels Letter IPA Remarks "Front" "Back" a æ ɑ e e ɛ i i ɪ o ɞ ɔ u ʉ ʊ

Vowels

• A word cannot begin in a vowel. Instead, a glottal stop is inserted.
• Each vowel has a "front" and "back" variety. This is the basis of vowel harmony.

Prosody

Accent

• Pitch accent

Phonotactics

• No consonant clusters except at syllable boundaries.

Sample Texts

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 1)

Regular: Adamis ses tod e lis nase kan lis se hor i nibrad na orra i deretus. E si daba rason i damir, ma e ki biso otu biso kuli li axi komu irmon.

Phonetic: Âdamis ses tôd é lis náse kán lis sê hór i nibrád na órra i derêtus. É si dába rasón i damír, ma é ki bisó ôtu bisó kûli li âxi kómu irmón.

Etymological: Âdamis ses tôd é lis násce cã lis sê hór i nibrád na órra i derêtus. É si dába razõ i damír, ma é qui pissó ôtu pissó cûli li âji cómu irmõ.

IPA: /ǽðæmis ses tɞ́d ɛ́ lɪs nɑ́sɛ kɑ́ŋ lis sé hɔ́r i nɪbrɑ́d nɑ ʔɔ́rːɑ i derétʉs || ɛ́ si dɑ́bɑ rɑsɔ́ŋ ɪ dɑmɪ́r | mɑ ʔɛ́ kɪ bɪsɔ́ ɞ́tʉ bɪsɔ́ kʉ́li li ʔǽʃi kɔ́mu ʔɪrmɔ́ŋ/

Gloss: human-PL 3P.POSS all FOC 3P be_born while 3P be free and level in dignity and rights. FOC IMPRS give-PST reason and conscience, and FOC that person other person with 3S act like brother.