IARG-UF/English-Kpelle-Corpus huggingface dataset:
English: Loads are in the town. plenty loads are in the town. the men brought the loads yesterday.
Kpelle: Kpîri-ŋa dikáa daai su. kpîri támaa káa daai su. zinâai di wɛ́ɛ pà a gbîri-ŋai.
English: They brought rice. they brought eddoes. the town people will buy the rice. the people will buy the eddoes.
Kpelle: Di pà a mɔlɔŋ. di pà a gbunɔ̂ɓele. daa-ɓelai da pai mɔlɔŋ yâi. nuai da pai gbunɔ̂ŋelei yâi.
English: Maybe greens will come.
Kpelle: Ɣele da tuma-laa a pai pâi.
English: Plenty loads will come tomorrow.
Kpelle: Kpîri-tamaa a pâi tínaa pâi.
English: Maybe palm nut will come.
Kpelle: Ɣele da tóu a pai pâi.
English: The woman went in the water. she went to fishing. she took fishing net. she put the net in the water.
Kpelle: Nɛnii e lì ǹyái su. e lì yá kpɛ̂i. e tuma siɣe. e dumai lɔ̂ ǹyái su.
English: She cut seven smaller fish. she cut one big fish. she carry the fish in the town.
Kpelle: E nyɛɛ̂ pɛlɛɛ lɔɔlumɛi feerɛ sôŋ. e ńyɛɛ kɛ́tɛ tɔnɔ sòŋ. e lí a ǹyɛ̃ɛi daai su.
English: The woman dry some of the fish. she cooked the balance with soup.
Kpelle: Nɛnii e ǹyɛ̃ɛi da kpala. e gbéli ɣìli a lào.
English: The man climb in the palm tree. he climb with his cutlass. he cut one palm head. he carry the palm in the town.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e tɛ̀ dóui su. ɛ tɛ̀ a ŋɔbêɣai. e tóu-ŋuŋ tɔnɔ tɛe. e lì a dóui daai su.
English: The palm nut was good. the woman will cook the palm nut. she will fix it with oil.
Kpelle: Dóui e kɛ̀ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ. nɛnîi a pai dóui ɣîlii. a pai gɛ̂i a wúlɔ.
English: The palm nut will produce good oil. the man will sell the oil. the man want three dollars ($3.00) for the oil.
Kpelle: Dóui a pa wúlɔ lɛ́lɛɛ kɛ̂i. nalôŋ a pai ŋúlɔi kɔlɛ̂i. nalôn̂ a dâla saaba wɛlii ŋúlɔi mɛni ma.
English: When it was in the morning, the man and the woman left the town. the woman carry the load, the man carry the cutlass.
Kpelle: Tãi e kɛ̀ a ɣele-waai, nalôŋ da nɛnii di dimu síɣe di kúla daai su. nɛnii e lì a gbîrii, nalôln e lì a gbêɣai
English: They reach to one town, they went to the town chief. the old man told them, the town chief is in the town.he is plating country cloth.
Kpelle: Di sèri taa tɔnɔ su, di lì gâloŋ ŋɔpɛrɛi lá. ziɛ-pɔlɔi ǹyɛɛ dîa, 'gâloŋ a daai su. gáa seɣe palâi
English: The man told the woman 'sit down here and rest. i am going to look for the chief.'
Kpelle: Nalôŋ ǹyɛɛ nɛnii ma, 'see ɓɛ. i ifii tɔ́ɔ, ŋa liî gâloŋ kɔ́rîi.'
English: He saw the town chief under the cloth platting hut. they spoke to one another.
Kpelle: E gâloŋ kàa zeɣe-pala-kpakii su, di dilá ti dikîe ma.
English: They thank the chief. the man said to them, 'the sun will shine today, i will go, because this town is far.'
Kpelle: Di gâloŋ sɛɣɛi fe. nalôŋ ǹyɛɛ dîa, 'vóloi a pâi sâa toôi. ŋa pai liî. kpɛni fei, daai ŋi su koyai.'
English: While going, the rain fell. the woman told the man, 'let us go and stand under that big tee, before the rain wet us.'
Kpelle: Di kɛɛ liî, dunai e pù. nɛnii ǹyɛɛ zurɔ̂ŋ ma, 'ku lí ku tɔɔ ŋúru kɛ́tɛi mu, dunai fe lâa kulókwa la.'
English: When they got in the town, the moon was shining. the man told them,'my uncle is here, let us go in his house.'
Kpelle: Tãi di sèri  la daai sui, ŋálôŋ e kɛ̀ fólôi. nalôŋ ǹyɛɛ dîa, 'mâleŋ káa ɓɛ́. ku lí ŋɔpɛ́rɛi mu.'
English: The time they were sitting, one person came to help them. he was carrying a rubber. the two of them carry the woman on the road.
Kpelle: Tãi di kɛ̀ seê ni zîŋ ŋái, núu tɔnɔ e pà kpɔnîi dîa. e kɛ̀ liî a lɔ̂ɓa. difeerɛ-ŋɔɔ di lì a nɛnîi berei su.
English: The man said to him ,'where are you coming from?' he said 'i am coming from the bus tapping rubber'. the man said to him,'are you going in the town?'
Kpelle: Nalôŋ ǹyɛɛ mà, 'mi ɓe ya siɣêi naai.' nyɛɛ ma, 'ŋa siɣêi nɔɔi su lɔ̂ba téêi.' nalôŋ nyɛ m̀a,'ya liî daa su?'
English: They all went to the town.
Kpelle: Dikelee di lì daai su.
English: He said, i am going there.
Kpelle: Nyɛɛ ma, 'ŋa lii naa.
English: Give me some of your loads let me carry it so that you can help the woman.
Kpelle: Ikpîrii da tɛɛ mbɔ́ ŋá lí la a gɛɛ i kpɔ́ŋ inɛnîi ma.
English: He set the load on his head.
Kpelle: E gbîrii sèe ŋ̀ûa.
English: When they got in the town, the drum beaters were playing.
Kpelle: Tãi di sèri la daai sui, gbuŋ-gbuŋ tua-ɓelai di kɛ̀ pêle kɛ̂i.
English: The man laughed , he told the woman, the people are happy because the king has killed a cow. they will play the hold night.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e ɣɛ̀lɛ e m̀ó nɛnîi ma, 'nûai líi nɛɛ̂i, kpɛni fei, gâloŋ e niŋa pàa. da pai sâa nyiî pêle kɛ̂i.'
English: The woman told them, let us go and add on them. and so they went where the people were playing.
Kpelle: Nɛnîi ǹyɛɛ dîa, 'ku lí kú tóo dîa.' nya ɓe di lî ɓɛi nûai di kɛ̀ bêlei kɛ̂i naai.
English: They too played. when it was dark,the man told the woman,'let us go and look for lodging. we will go far off tomorrow'
Kpelle: Dia máŋ di pêle kɛ̀. tãi gbínii e pɛ̀lɛ lai, nalôŋ e kɛ̀ nɛnîi ma, 'ku lí ku ku lâii kɔ́ri. kwa tínaa liî kwaa kôya ma.'
English: While they were going on the road, the man told the woman, wait let me bring my gun.
Kpelle: Tãi di kɛ̀ liî la berei mai, nalôŋ e kɛ̀ nɛnii ma, tɔɔ kpɔ ŋá pá a ŋagbânai.
English: The woman said, 'for what?' because many monkeys were in the tree over the road. they are very closer. i cannot miss them.
Kpelle: Nɛnii ǹyɛɛ ma, 'le-mɛni ma?' kpɛni fei, kwala támaa káa ŋ̀úrii su berei mɛi. dimaa kpuâi, fa pɔri pɔarai dîa.
English: The woman did not say anything. when the sun got hot, they reached on the motor road.
Kpelle: Nɛnii fe ŋɔ́nɔ mɛni da kelee ɓó ni. tãi vóloi e kpànaŋ lai, di seri môto-peri ma.
English: When the woman saw the cars for the first time, it was strange. she told her husband 'are we sleeping here today or we are getting in the  car to go to monrovia?'
Kpelle: Tãi nɛnii e môto-ŋai kàa la a maa ŋuŋ, è kùla la. nyɛɛ bɔ̂ŋ ma, 'kwa nyîi sâa ɓɛ, kpaa kwa pilîi môtoi  su ku li dukɔ̂ɔ?
English: He said, 'we are sleeping here.'
Kpelle: Nyɛɛ ma, 'kwa nyîi ɓɛ.'
English: They did not sleep fine because, the children and the car were sounding.
Kpelle: Dife nyii ni a ǹɛ́lɛɛ. kpɛni fei, nîa-pɛlɛɛi da motoi diwoo e kɛ̀ tɛ̂i.
English: They woke up before day got clear. the man told the woman, 'do'not be afraid'. she said 'i am not afraid'
Kpelle: Di dimu sîɣe ɣele e lɛ́ɛ ɓɔi. nalôŋ ǹyɛɛ nɛnîi ma, 'ife yào.' nyɛɛ ma, 'ŋafe yâwôi.'
English: He said, 'why are you trembling?' the woman laugh and said 'i am afraid'. i never got in car before.
Kpelle: Nyɛɛ ma, 'le kpɛ̃liŋ ɓe ya m̀ôi?' nɛnii e ɣɛ̀lɛ e m̀ó ma, 'ŋa yâwôi'. fe tà pili ni môto su tɔnɔɔ.
English: When they got in the car, the woman took the load and put it between  her legs. many people were in the car.
Kpelle: Tãi di pìli la môtoi sui, nɛnîi e gbîrii sìɣe e zee gɔ́ɔ loai. núu tàmaa di kɛ géleń su.
English: They all were laughing and lecturing. they told the driver, 'let all of us go to monrovia'.
Kpelle: Dikelee di kɛ̀ ɣɛlɛ̂i dikɛ́ zɛpɛ pù. diyɛɛ môto sia-nuui ma, 'kwaa lí dukɔ̂ɔ.'
English: That is a good crafter, he is crafting a mortar for his wife.
Kpelle: Wúru saa-nuu lɛ́lɛɛ ká tí gáa ko—nâ saâi ŋɔnɛnii mɛni ma.
English: Mortar is the one we use to clean our rice.our girls children can not do away with it.
Kpelle: Konâ káa a kumɔlɔŋ sia-sɛŋ. kulônîi-nɛ̃yaai difa pɔri kɛ̂i ŋ̀ɛ́i pólu.
English: Even though people have brought in mailing machines to mail our rice within short period of time.
Kpelle: Berei máŋ kwii-ŋa da pá la a mɔlɔŋ sia-kɔli kulɔii su nyii a mɔlɔŋ támaa sìa tãi kpua yée mui.
English: There are special trees for fixing mortar, and special iron for crafting  it.
Kpelle: Konâ-wuru-ŋa dikáa mà diŋuŋ ŋa, zàa-kɔli-ŋa dikɛ́ ɓò mà diŋuŋ ŋá.
English: Mortar crafters can get money from women during harvesting time through their crafting.
Kpelle: Konâ saa-ɓela da sɛŋ-kao sɔlɔ ɓô diyɛlɛ kɛ́ɛi su see-ŋuŋ-ŋa nɛ̃yaa yéei a mɔlɔŋ tée-tãi.
English: During february, the women can go fishing in order to feed their husbands those that have already started their farming activities  during that month.
Kpelle: Nyéŋ-yeŋ su ɓe nɛ̃yâa da pɛ́lɛ nâa ya kpɛ́ɛ ma a gɛɛ di disinâai ŋá kɔ́ŋ, nyii-ŋai da nâ dikpâlaŋ ŋá-tii kɔ́ɔ pìlaŋ a màa-ɣaloŋ.
English: The women can go fishing in group.
Kpelle: Nɛ̃-yâai da yá kpɛ̀ dikpulu ma.
English: Before the time reach, the women has already finished plating their fishing nets.
Kpelle: Tãi ŋí é lɛ́ɛ pâi serîi, nɛ̃yâai da nâa kpɛ̀ɛ a dituma-ŋai paláa.
English: They can plait their nets with lashing/sisal and bamboo;when they finished plating the net, they can take the bamboo from within it and be left with the lashing.
Kpelle: Da dituma-ŋai pàla a malêŋ da kpáleŋ. da kpɛ̀ɛ a dumai paláa da gbáleŋ kúla zu é lɛ́ɛ nɔ a malêŋ.
English: The presence of umbrella have stopped the assistance of piassava thatch hat for a long time. only few people are still fixing it
Kpelle: Fólo-kpanâŋ-mɛni a wɔ́lɔ kélee-laa-gbaɓɛlɛ mɛni kpera a tãi su kôya. núu tɛi-tɛi nɔ́ ɓe niî gbɛtɛ̂i.
English: They use to fix it for rain and sun.
Kpelle: Da kâa gbɛ̀tɛ tuna-mɛni ma da fólo.
English: They can fix piassava thatch hat with piassava thatch.
Kpelle: Da kéele-laa gbaɓɛlɛ kpɛtɛ a kéele-laa, líi da kpáleŋ.
English: A fast person can fix one or two per day.
Kpelle: Yée ma-fela-nuu a pɔri dɔnɔ kpɛtɛ̂i kpaa màŋ veerɛ a fólo tɔnɔ.
English: We should not forget about some of our traditions that are good for us.
Kpelle: Kwaa kufe nìa kutûa-pere pɔlɔ-ŋai da-ni dîa nyii-ŋai dilɛ̂lɛi ku-mɛni mai.
English: Pumpkin is a food that black people can eat, that is the reason we the liberian can plant it for eating.
Kpelle: Téa káa a núu-tɛ̂i-ŋaa láa mii-sɛŋ nyii kúai a laibia-ŋai kwa zì mii-mɛni mai.
English: It is for money making crops at this time.
Kpelle: Gáa nâa a sɛŋ-kao sɔlɔ ɓó si-sɛŋ tãi ŋi su.
English: It can grow where there is no too much cold.
Kpelle: A pɔri lɛ̂lɛi ɓɛ́i kelee kɔ́lɛ támaa fé naai.
English: There are some pumpkin pets can not just destroy it .
Kpelle: Téa-sii da-ni káa naa, si-sɛŋ kara kolo fa gàra nɔ́ ti.
English: Pumpkin can spread, and so you have to plant it to a wider old farm in order to spread more.
Kpelle: Téa káa a kpɔlɔ-sɛŋ, mɛni ma fɛ̂ɛ núu é zí sûa su kɛ́tɛ su a gɛɛ gbɔlɔ é sâla a zu kɛ́tɛ.
English: You can plant pumpkin in february or august.
Kpelle: Ɓa pɔri téa sîi a dɛ́niŋ kpaa máŋ manâi.
English: You can only plant the seeds. you can put four seeds in one hole.
Kpelle: Ɓa zì nɔ a gáo, i gáo náaŋ pú lóa tɔnɔ su.
English: The planting distance should be eight feet. you can also plant pumpkin in rice on your farm.
Kpelle: Ǹoai kúla gîe ma a kɔ́ɔ-loai lɔɔlu mɛi saaɓa. ɓa pɔri máŋ téa sîi mɔlɔŋ su ikpâlaŋ ŋá.
English: Garden eggs are good crops for planting on the  african soil. it is good for eating. it is also a money making thing.
Kpelle: Ɓulɛ-kwɛlɛɛ káa a ǹúu-tɛi-lɔii su si-sɛŋ lɛ́lɛɛ. ǹɛ̂lɛi mii-mɛni ma, gɛ́ ɓo a sɛŋ-kao sɔ-lɔ ɓó sí-sɛŋ.
English: The one that seed is long, the skin look like half reap, that is the one that is good because it is surplus, pets cannot spoil it.
Kpelle: Nyii m̀á kôya-koyai, gɔlɔ kɛ́ɛ mà sɔyɔŋ, ǹyaa ɓe ǹɛ̂lɛɛi, kpɛni fêi, ǹáa toɔ̂i, kɔlɔ-fela-kolo fa zòŋ nɔ tí.
English: Put the garden egg seeds in water, when it get wet , you put it on nursery, when it germinate. then you take it from there and put it on different nursery.
Kpelle: Gwɛlɛɛ-kaoi pú yâi à yɔɔi í lɛ́ɛ bûi bêe ma, à pɔ̀muŋ, í gula i zí bêe da kpɛni ma.
English: Clay soil and sandy soil  that are wet are the ones that are good for said crops.
Kpelle: Ɓóo-lɔii da ŋɛ̃ya-lɔii nyii nyɔɔ̂i, ǹyaa ɓé ǹɛ̂lɛi gwɛlɛɛ-sii ŋi mɛni ma.
English: Put d.d.t on it so that it can not get disease.
Kpelle: D.d.t pú mà kɔlɔ-fela fa laa zoŋ la.
English: Potato can give too much strength to human being, it can give strength to the teeth and bones, it helps the eyes.
Kpelle: Kwiyeŋ a wála-wala támaa tɛ̀ɛ núu pɔ́, gɛ́ núu káo da ǹyíŋ kpànaŋ, gɛ́ kpɔŋ-maa tɛ̀ɛ nuu ŋɛ́i pɔ́. a kpɔŋ mâa tɛ̀ɛ núu ŋɛ́i pɔ.
English: Potato is a good food; it can give people money.
Kpelle: Kwiyeŋ káa a mii-sɛŋ lɛ́lɛɛ, gɛ́ ɓò ŋɔnɔ a sɛŋ-kao sɔlɔ ɓò sɛ̂ŋ.
English: The potato that inside is yellow is the good one.
Kpelle: Kwíyeŋ nyii zu kpelêŋɔɔi, ǹyaa ɓé ǹêlɛi.
English: Sandy soil and clay soil are good for potato, if you manage it very well.
Kpelle: Ŋãya-lɔii da ɓóo-lɔii ɓé ǹêlɛi kwíyeŋ mɛni ma, à kɛ̀ ɓà mɛ̀i kaa kpɔ́ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ.
English: Plant it in a hole on a line, cut the vine, wrap it and put the middle end in different holes.
Kpelle: Zí lóa su ɣɛli ma. gwíyeŋ-kpaai su tée-tee, i gbíniŋ i zâmai lɔ́ lóa tɛi-tɛi su.
English: You should cover it with dirt. you should buy insecticide and put it on the leaf.
Kpelle: I bɔ̂rɔi pú mɛ̀i. da sale da kɔ̀-lɛ bɛŋsîŋ kɔlɛ kwaa-ŋai ma, da ɓé i ǹya i bú gwíyeŋ ǹàa ma.
English: Some times you apply the treatment before planting the potato.
Kpelle: Tãi da ɓa zálei pù nɔii ma i lɛ́ɛ pai gwiyeŋ sîi.
English: If you apply the medicine on the potato  leaf, you have to wait for one week before you eat some of the leaf.
Kpelle: Ɓà zálei pù nâa gwíyeŋ-laai ma, fɛ̂ɛ lɔkuu tɔnɔ é tɛ́ɛ i lɛ́ɛ pai ǹáa da miî.
English: If in the dry season and your potato garden is not closer to water, you have to be putting water on it every morning.
Kpelle: A kɛ̀ a fólo-ɣele nyaŋ ikwiyeŋ-kpalaŋ fé yá kɔlɛ, fɛ̂ɛ i kɛ́ yá pûi ikwiyeŋ bee-ŋai dîa a ɣele-wala.
English: This time is very important. that is the time a woman can be getting prepare to receive her child.
Kpelle: Tãi ŋi mɛni kpanaŋɔi a dámaa. maa-tãi ti ɓe nɛnii a kɛ̂ gbŋ̂ kpɛtɛi la gɛ́ ŋɔlôloŋ maa kpɛ̂ŋ a gɛɛ e pá.
English: She have to take care of herself in order to gain strength in her pregnancy the time she will be giving birth including the time she will be having her child.
Kpelle: Fɛ̂ɛ nɔ nyaŋ e gbîŋ soŋ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ a gɛɛ e kpanaŋ sɔlɔ ɓó gooi su da tãi a pai kɛ̂i nôloŋ maa sɔlɔ ɓôi lai, e pɛ́lɛ tãi ma nôloŋ a pai kɛ̂i la ǹyéei.
English: It is good to be healthy, satisfy, she should again believe that god will carry her through safely.
Kpelle: Nɛlɛ̂i e kɛ́ a gɔlɔ̂i ponɔɔ, ǹíi láa, ǹáa ŋɔ́nɔ la a gɛɛ ɣâla a pai gulâi mɛnii ŋi su nɛ́ŋkpɛrɛɛ.
English: The man too can help the woman in order to be satisfy in her pregnancy. that is the only way marriage unique.
Kpelle: Zurɔŋ-ɣelei nyaŋ a kpɔŋ nɛnîi ma gɛɛ ǹíi e láa gooi su. nya ɓa gɛ́ tua laa é kɛ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ.
English: The child that is growing in the mother's womb is satisfy and growing  very well and strong.
Kpelle: Nôloŋ gáa ɓɔɔlɔ̂i ǹee koei ǹíi láai gɛ́ ɓɔlɔ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ, zu kpanaŋɔ ŋɔ́nɔ.
English: If at all the woman will be successful tomorrow,only those that love her and have ideas about pregnancy and know how to treat pregnant woman should be around her.
Kpelle: A kɛ̀ nɔ a sɛŋ a gɛɛ nɛnîi e tínaa kúla goo-mɛnii ŋi ǹɛ́lɛ́ɛ̂i, fɛ̂ɛ nɔ ŋɔwɛ́li-ɓelai da-ŋa di kɛ́ gɔlɛ nyii-ŋai mɛni támaa kɔ́lɔŋ e pêlaŋ la koo-mɛni ma da bere núu a pɔri koo-nɛni sonîi la a ǹɛ́lɛɛi.
English: These are the people that can take care of the pregnant women and advice her to go to the hospital every time.
Kpelle: Nûai ŋi ɓe nyaŋ da goo-nɛnii ŋi mɛi kâa, di kɛ́ ǹia-woo ɓò a gɛɛ gɛ́ li sale-pɛrɛi mu a tãi kelee.
English: Some midwives who can teach people concerning  these things.
Kpelle: Maa fûloŋ-ɓelai da-ŋa nyii-ŋai da mɛni lɛ̂ núu ma e pêlaŋ la mɛni-ŋai ŋi mai.
English: There are two good things in cleanliness.
Kpelle: Mɛni lɛ́lɛɛ feerɛ ɓe gáa maa-kpɛtɛ su.
English: The first one is, if you are clean, you are well every day.
Kpelle: Maa-ŋuŋ ɓa, à kɛ̀ ɓa kɛ a imaa kpɛtɛɛ, ikɔlɔ̂i ponoôi nɔ a ɣele kelee.
English: The second one is, if you treat yourself fine, you are fine before everyone.
Kpelle: Veerɛi ɓa, à kɛ̀ bà ikpîŋ sòŋ a nèɛ́lɛɛ, ɓa kɛ̂ a ilɛ́lɛɛ núu kelee ŋɛ́i.
English: Of the two good things, let us talk about the first one.
Kpelle: Tɔɔ ku lóno é pîlaŋ mɛni lɛ́lɛɛ feerɛi ŋi màa-ŋuŋ ma.
English: If we treat ourselves good, we can be healthy and live longer.
Kpelle: À kɛ̀ kwa kukpiŋ sóŋ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ, ku kɔlɔ̂i a pôno a ǹɛ́lɛɛ ku ŋɔnɔ tûa ɣele ma a zu kôya.
English: It is true that dirtiness can cause sickness.
Kpelle: Nyaŋ gáa kpɔ a tɔ̃yâ a gɛɛ liɓi a pâ a kɔlɔ-fela.
English: Dirtiness is eating rotten food, sweat, lightness, dust, dirt including anything that human being can throw away.
Kpelle: Liɓi ɓa; miisɛŋ lula, fɔ́nɔ, fɔiŋ, muluŋ, kala, da sɛŋ-sii kelee núu a bilii.
English: We know again that flies/insects can travel with these sicknesses they can want to hide in dirty place including dirt.
Kpelle: Ku gɔ́lɔŋ ŋɔnɔ a gɛɛ goôŋ-kolo-ŋai da sîa a gɔlɔ-fela-kolo-ŋai ŋi, da ŋwɛ̀li di dilóo kwaa liɓiɛ-ŋa dîa da kala su.
English: So if we clean all of our dirty places, then we drive some other sicknesses.
Kpelle: Mɛni ma, à kɛ̀ kwa gwaa liɓiɛ-ŋai ma kpɛ̀tɛ, gɛ ni kwa gɔlɔ-felai da kpɛ́.
English: We have come to the second thing.
Kpelle: Kwa ŋɔnɔ pá mɛnii veerɛi ma.
English: When we treat ourselves fine, we are fine before everyone.
Kpelle: Kwà kukpîŋ sòŋ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ, kwa lɛ̀lɛ núu ŋɛ́i.
English: If you see any child with dirty trouser, with burned teeth, you will not say, 'that child is too fine'
Kpelle: Nyan i máŋ lôloŋ da káa mà-bɛrɛ liɓiɛ, ǹyíŋ kéreŋɔɔ ǹá, ife pai m̀ôi, 'nôloŋ ti lɛ́lɛ̂i kpɔ.'
English: You will say, that child's mother cannot take care of herself.
Kpelle: Ɓa pai m̀ôi a gɛɛ ǹôloŋ ti ǹee fa gbiŋ sòŋ a ǹɛ́lɛɛ.
English: Or , if you see any woman with dirty clothes, her skin smelling, you will not want you and that woman to lecture.
Kpelle: Kpaa máŋ à kɛ̀ ɓa nɛnî da kàa màa-sêye liɓiɛ, gɔlɔ-kuŋ nyɔmɔɔ, ife pai ŋwɛ̂lii ka m̀aa-nɛnii ká zɛpɛ mu gie ma.
English: Or, if you see any man with old dirty trouser and has not wash it for long time, you will not say he is clean.
Kpelle: Kpaa máŋ ɓà nalôŋ da kaa bɛrɛ-saa liɓiɛ kɛ́ ɓò mà, ve ta wɔlɔ ŋ̀wàa ni a tãi su kôya, ife pai m̀ôi a gɛɛ mà kpɛ-tɛ́ɛ̂i.
English: There are some things that are still there for us to tell you concerning taking care of a child.
Kpelle: Mɛni da-ŋaa dikáa naa a gɛɛ ku m̀ó e pîlaŋ lóŋ mɛi káa mɛni ma.
English: Those things are, for the baby to sleep, the head depressed fracture, for the baby stomach to be dry, baby vomiting, and mouth sore.
Kpelle: Mɛni-ŋai ŋi ɓa, nôloŋ nyĩi mɛni, dôŋsu mɛni, goi kpála mɛni, ŋuŋ pili mɛni da ǹá-pala mɛni.
English: Sleeping business, during the first month, it is better for the baby to sleep too much.
Kpelle: Nyii mɛni. ŋáloŋ maa-ŋuŋ-ŋai yée mu, maa nɛ̃ɛ̂i a gɛɛ ǹôloŋ e nyĩi a dámaa.
English: Too much sleeping is good for the child because, it is good sleep that can make the baby to grow.
Kpelle: Nyĩi lɛ́lɛ́ɛ̂i maa mɛni ma. kpɛni fei, nyii ɓa ǹôloŋ kɛ̂tɛ a maa-felaa.
English: In the first few weeks, the baby can be growing, he can not sleep too much during the day.
Kpelle: Nɔ̂kuui maa-ŋuŋ-ŋai su, máŋ gwâtarai a kɛ́ kɛ̂tɛi, va ŋɔ́nɔ nyĩi a dámaa a fólo.
English: In the first few weeks, the baby can be growing, she can not sleep too much during the day.
Kpelle: Nɔ̂kuui maa-ŋuŋ-ŋai su, máŋ gwâtarai a kɛ́ kɛ̂tɛi, va ŋɔ́nɔ nyĩi a dámaa a fólo.
English: When the baby is about six months old, he can sleep two or three times a day.
Kpelle: Nôloŋ a nâa kɛ̀ a ɣáloŋ lɔ́ɔlu mɛida-loŋ, a nyĩi feerɛ kpaa máŋ saaɓa fólo tɔnɔ ma.
English: When the baby is about six months old, she can sleep two or three times a day.
Kpelle: Nôloŋ a nâa kɛ̀ a ɣáloŋ lɔ́ɔlu mɛida-loŋ, a nyĩi feerɛ kpaa máŋ saaɓa fólo tɔnɔ ma.
English: Some times the child can be sleeping with his head.
Kpelle: Tãi da a kɛ nyiî a ŋuŋ.
English: Some times the child can be sleeping with her head.
Kpelle: Tãi da a kɛ nyiî a ŋuŋ.
English: It is good for you to hang net over your baby's bed at night.
Kpelle: Nɛ́lɛ̂ɛi a gɛɛ í tɛ̂nɛ sɛlɛŋ ílólôŋ ɲɔ-ɡbìŋ mɛi a kpíni.
English: If you do not do that, the mosquitoes will suck the baby in the night.
Kpelle: Ya wala nyiíŋi kɛ́, ŋìna ŋína-ŋai da pai ɡbelêi a ɡbíníi.
English: This can make the baby sick too much.
Kpelle: Nyíŋi a nôloŋ kɔ̀lɛ a dámaa.
English: You know that when mosquito bites someone, then that person can get sick.
Kpelle: I ɡɔ́lɔŋ a gɛɛ ŋína-ŋina a núu kpêle gɛ́ ni maa-nuuí ti a kɔ̀lɔ-fela sìyɛ.
English: If the baby get sick, it is a problem for the baby because, it can spoil the baby blood in the body.
Kpelle: A kɛ ti kɔ̀lɔ fâa-maa à ɡwátárai sòn ɡáa kpɔ a mɛni kpanaŋɔ nôloŋ mɛni ma, kpɛní fei, a nôloŋ ŋama kàra ɡbonôi.
English: That is the reason why net business is fine for the baby because, the net can drive away the mosquito from him so that they should not suck him.
Kpelle: Mɛnií ŋí ɓe tɛ̂nɛ mɛnií lɛ́lɛ́ɛi la nôloŋ mɛnií ma. kpɛní fêi, tɛ́nɛí a ŋína-ŋina-ŋai kpɛ̂ ma a gɛɛ dífe ɡbele.
English: In some water, the baby can get more sicknesses from there.
Kpelle: Ya támaa su, nôloŋ a kɔ̀lɔ-fela támaa kúla naa.
English: If they are sleeping on the farm and the kitchen they are sleeping under is not good,then of course the mosquitoes from the water will suck the baby.
Kpelle: À kɛ̀ da kɛ̀ nyííi kpàlaŋ ŋá nyaŋ ɡêreí da nyíî mu ɡbálaŋ ŋái, vě lɛ́lɛŋ ní, gɛ ni ŋína-ŋina-ŋai da kúla nyáí tí su di pâ nɔoloŋ kpelǝí.
English: About the head.
Kpelle: Dôŋsu mɛni.
English: One of the things that the baby mothers supposed to think about is the baby head/depressed fracture.
Kpelle: Mɛnii dɔnɔi gɔ̃ɔ-lee-ŋai da pɔri dikíli ŋá siâi mai, nya ɓa gwâtarai tôŋsu mɛni.
English: We saw that the baby head/depressed fracture is a sickness.
Kpelle: Ku gàa a gɛɛ ǹôloŋ tôŋsu káa a kɔlɔ-fela.
English: The things that we are explaining to you is very good.
Kpelle: Mɛnii ŋi kwa zu kulâi yâi, gáa a mɛni lɛ́lɛɛ.
English: The baby skull is divided in to four.
Kpelle: Gwâtarai ŋuŋ-kau ŋá kɔlɛɛ̂i gîei náaŋ.
English: The four can meet on top of the head/the depressed fracture.
Kpelle: Dinaaŋɔɔ di kuyaâŋɔi dôŋsu.
English: When the baby is about to be born, the head can be too big for it to come out.
Kpelle: Da kɛ̀ pai ǹôloŋ maa sɔlɔ ɓôi, ŋuŋ a kɛ̀ a gɛ́tɛ kpɔ a dámaa gula mɛni ma.
English: That is the reason why god made the baby head like that so that when the baby is about to be born, it should not be difficult.
Kpelle: Mɛnii ŋi ɓe ɣala e ǹôloŋ ŋuŋ su kɛ̀ la ti a gɛɛ da kɛ̀ pai maa sɔlɔ ɓoi, ǹaa fe kɛ̀ a gbanaŋɔ.
English: When the baby is born, after few times, then the head will be fix the way a suppose to be.
Kpelle: A kɛ̀ da ǹôloŋ maa sɔlɔ ɓô, ǹaa da-loŋ à kɛ̀ ti, gɛ ni ŋuŋ a pai kpɛtɛ̂i yɛ̂ɛ berei maa nɛɛ̂i e kpɛtɛ lai.
English: It is not good for you to fix the baby head yourself.
Kpelle: Kɛ̀lɛ maa fe nɛɛ ni a gɛɛ ká ǹôloŋ ŋuŋ kpɛtɛ káa kpiŋ.
English: If you leave it god will fix it.
Kpelle: Ka ɓò ma ɣâla ɓe pai gbɛtɛ̂i.
English: When the baby is getting big,the skull will come together.
Kpelle: Nôloŋ à kɛ̀ kɛ̂tɛi, ŋuŋ-kau-ŋai da pai seêi dikîe-ni lá.
English: When the baby is one year old, then all the bones will be one.
Kpelle: Gwâtarai a gbàa kɛ́ a kóraŋ tɔnɔ-loŋ, gɛ ni gáu-ŋai da kɛ́ zu tɔnɔ.
English: They can say the head/depressed fracture is good.
Kpelle: Da mò a gɛɛ dôŋsu mɛnii káa a mɛni lɛ́lɛɛ.
English: If it is so, people can be afraid of it for what reason?
Kpelle: E máŋ kɛ́ ti, kpîŋ da yâo mɛnii ŋi ma le mɛni su?
English: It is not hard to understand this, you can see some young babies dying before the head closed/bulging.
Kpelle: Nyiŋi ŋá-kâai fe kpanaŋ ni. ya kwâtara támaa káa gɛ́ sàa dôŋsu e lɛ́ɛ pai pîlanii gîe lá.
English: For this reason you can say this is what killed the baby.
Kpelle: Mɛni ma ka mò kâa nyiŋi ɓe ǹôloŋ paa.
English: But, it is not because of the baby head/depressed fracture that killed him.
Kpelle: Kɛ́lɛ ǹôloŋ tôŋsu fe e pá baa.
English: The baby is not strong more than sickness.
Kpelle: Nôloŋ yée fe kpanaŋ ni e tɛ́ɛ gɔlɔ-felai ma.
English: If the mother does not properly care for the child, allowing mosquitoes to bite him or not ensuring clean water, this can cause the baby to become sick or even die.
Kpelle: Mɛni ma a kɛ̀ ǹee fe mɛi káa ni a ǹɛ́lɛɛ e lɛ́ɛ zu ŋina-ŋinai e gbele, kpaa máŋ ve ǹyái mɛi káa ni a ǹɛ́lɛɛ, nyiŋi a ŋɔlôloŋ kɛ̀ e kɔ́lɛ, e sáa.
English: Because the messenger for death is sickness. big person can also get sick.
Kpelle: Kɛ́lɛ zaai ŋɔkélai nɔ ɓa gɔlɔ-felai. kɔlɔ-fela a núu kɛtɛ kpîŋ soŋ.
English: Head/depressed fracture can not be the cause for death.
Kpelle: Toŋsu-wôloi fa pɔri kɛ̂i a saa-kɔlɔ-fela.
English: The illness could lead the baby to develop a depressed fracture very quickly.
Kpelle: Gɔlɔ-felai à gɛ̀ ǹôloŋ tôŋsu e tóo a maa-felaa.
English: If the baby is getting depressed fracture very fast then he is sick.
Kpelle: A kɛ ǹôloŋ toŋsu a kɛ toôi a maa-felaa gɛ ni gáa kɔlɛi.
English: There was a woman whose peers used to gossip about her in her town.
Kpelle: Kpòma-nɛni tɔnɔ ɓé wɔ́lɔ kɛ̀naa, m̀arâai da kâa kɛ̀ ǹàa ɓói ŋɔtaai su.
English: This used to worry her, but there was no way for her to have a child.
Kpelle: Mɛnii ŋi è kɛ̀ mà a lii-sɛlɛŋ. kɛ́lɛ pere fe kɛ́ ni naa a gɛɛ é lóŋ sɔlɔ ɓó.
English: She and her husband travel around the country for people to help her but, there was nobody to help her.
Kpelle: Da ŋɔsurɔ̂ŋ di ɣìliŋ nɔii su gwaa kelee a gɛɛ sale kɛ́-ɓela di kpɔŋ-maa tɛɛ ɓɔ́. kɛ́lɛ núu da fe pɔri ni kpɔnîi mà.
English: The woman was worried for many years, until she became frail as if she were ill.
Kpelle: Nɛnîi è kɛ̀ lii-sɛlɛŋ su a kóraŋ tá-maa, é lɛ́ɛ zu é kpála kpɔ yɛ̂ɛ ǹyaa ɓé è kɛ̀ kɔ̂lɛi
English: She used to be alone because, when she was among her friends, they would mock her or talk about their children in front of her.
Kpelle: A kâa kɛ̀ nɔ ǹyaa tɔnɔ ŋuŋ ma. kpɛni fei, à kɛ̀ màrâai sáma, da kɛ̂ nɔ ɣɛ́lɛ-maa kulâi zu, kpaa máŋ dikɛ́ di-nîa-pɛlɛɛi maa-mɛni ɓò ŋ̀ɛ́i.
English: The woman was getting older, and she was worried because she had not given birth to a child.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe nɛnîi è kɛ̀ nâa pɔlɔ̂i, ǹíi kɛ́ nâa sɛ̀lɛŋ, kpɛni fei, vé lóŋ káaŋ ni-
English: Time was passing. the worry made her crazy, and she went into the forest where wicked animals were.
Kpelle: Tãi è nâa kɛ̀ tɛɛ̂i. níi-sɛlɛŋ è ŋuŋ su kɛ̀ ma é bili wolâ su, ɓɛ́i ŋwana-lɔɔ-sua támaa di kɛ̀ naai.
English: Her husband and the town people got crazy for her business. the town chief added four men on the husband for them to look for her.
Kpelle: Ŋɔsurɔ̂ŋ da daa-belai di ɓoo a màa-mɛni. daa-kaloŋ è kpàkolo náaŋ pɛ̀lɛ ŋɔsurɔ̂ŋ ma a gɛɛ di gɔ́ri.
English: They spent many days in the bush, but they did not see her.
Kpelle: Nyaŋ di fólo támaa kɛ̀ nɔɔi su, dife gáa ni.
English: The swamp rice business we are talking  about in this book, it is concerning the rice people can plant with hands on lay out bed in swamp.
Kpelle: Bâra-mɔlɔŋ -mɛnii ɓôi gɔlɔi ŋi sui, bîlaŋɔɔi mɔlɔŋ ma da zi a diyée bêe kpua ŋá kpɛtɛɛ ma- pâra sui.
English: They can call this bed potion.
Kpelle: Nyaŋ da m̀aa-bee ŋi tòli a nyii-kpîniŋ.
English: Dividing swamp rice work by potion side by potion.
Kpelle: Pâra mɔlɔŋ-tii ŋáa kɔlɛ̂ɛ a kpîniŋ-ŋa gîe-ni kɔlɛ.
English: They can plant the potions at one time or, different time just the way the workers are.
Kpelle: Da pɔri gbîniŋ-ŋai ŋi sîi a tãi tɔnɔ, kpaa máŋ a tãi da kpɛni-ŋa, yɛ̂ɛ berei nɔ dii kɛ̂-belai dikáa lai.
English: It is advised that a swamp farmer should start with two or three potions until they become familiar with swamp farming.
Kpelle: Gáa a lia-woo a gɛɛ pâra mɔlɔŋ-tii kɛ́-nuu é gɔ́ɔ pîlaŋ a kpîniŋ feerɛ kpaa máŋ saaɓa é lɛ́ɛ la zu é pâra mɔlɔŋ-tii kɛ́-tare támaa kɔ́lɔŋ.
English: Upon the time the swamp worker knows about swamp work and getting rice from it, he can now make his farm larger.
Kpelle: Tãi nâa pâra mɔlɔŋ-tii kɛ́-nuu a gɛ́-pere kɔ̀lɔŋ la gɛ́ mɔlɔŋ sɔlɔ ɓô zui, a pɔri nâa ŋɔtii su kɛ̂tɛi.
English: Half a lot or a whole plot of land can be sufficient for the entire family.
Kpelle: Lɔii ŋɔ kpôra kpaa máŋ êka tɔnɔ a pɔri gula kɛ̂i núu-suu tɔnɔ mɛni ma.
English: They can build the swamp to create a level area where they can direct water to and drain water from the plots.
Kpelle: Da pɔri pâra-tii kɛ̂i kwaa seeɛɛ ma ɓɛ́i da pɔri yá tɛ̂i naa dii-kpíniŋ-ŋai su di ŋɔnɔ gula disui.
English: They have to do it in a way that they can send water to the plots throughout the year.
Kpelle: Fɛ̂ɛ di gɛ́ yá kɔlɛ nyii a pɔri yá tɛɛ̂i dii pɔ́ a tãi kelee góraŋ sui.
English: That is the one that is important, and it has to be there for the swamp work.
Kpelle: Nyaŋ nyá ɓe m̀ɛni kpanaŋɔɔi, nyaŋ fɛ̂ɛ é kɛ́ naa pâra-mɔlɔŋ-tii kɛ́-mɛni su.
English: Accept water to be there all the time where people can drain it and send it back there.
Kpelle: Fɛ̂ɛ nɔ yá é kɛ́ naa a tãi kelee nyii núu a pɔri gbâlai é ŋɔnɔ dɛ́ naa pôlui.
English: Black dirt swamp and red clay swamp are good for swamp rice farming.
Kpelle: Pâra-tɛi da ɓóo-para kpɔlu di lɛ́lɛ̂i pâra-mɔlɔŋ-tii kɛ́-mɛni ma.
English: Chalk clay soil and sandy clay soil are not good for swamp rice farming.
Kpelle: Ɓóo-kole da ŋɛ̃ya-boo fe lɛ́lɛ ni pâra-mɔlɔŋ mɛni ma.
English: When the kiwi business had not yet expanded internally, the land was shared in this way.
Kpelle: Gwii mɛnii kɛ́ɛ ve nií kɛ̀ pá ni gbɛlɛɛ-lɔii sui, nɔii mɛnii ŋá kɔlɛ̂i è kɛ̀ bere-sii ŋi su.
English: The boundaries between the towns, the old people were the ones made them.
Kpelle: Goyaŋ-pere-ŋai daa-ŋai loai wɔ́lɔ wɔlɔ nûai ɓe gbɛtɛ.
English: The reason is, the land closer to the town near the boundary belongs to that town.
Kpelle: Nyiŋi su kulâi ɓa a gɛɛ nɔii daai kɔlɛ goyaŋ-pere su-perei, gáa a daai pɔ́ɔ.
English: This means the town people own the land, which is divided by quarters within the town.
Kpelle: Nyiŋi su kulâi ɓa a gɛɛ daa-ɓelai ɓe dipɔ́ɔ ɓa nɔii nyii ŋ̀á kɔlɛ̂i góli-ŋai dîa daai sui.
English: The quarter chief is the one that can own the land at that time.
Kpelle: Góli-kaloŋ nyaŋ ɓe bɔ́ɔ a kɛ̂ a nɔii ti.
English: If someone wanted to get farming land, he had to ask the quarter chief for the land.
Kpelle: A nii núu da a kâa kɛ̀ ŋwɛ̂lii a tíi kɛ́ lɔ̂i sɔlɔɓo, fɛ̂ɛ e góli-kâloŋ marê ké nɔii mɛni ma.
English: If at all the worker took the land from him.
Kpelle: A nii dii kɛ́-nuui e nɔii kùla ǹyéeì.
English: More lands were there, that was the reason why any one you wanted, that was the one you will take and make your farm on it.
Kpelle: Lɔii támaa e kɛ̀ naa, mɛni ɓe nyii nûai da kâa ŋwɛ̀lii, ǹya nɔ ɓe da kâa ziɣe di tíi kɛ́ ma.
English: Why has the old plan changed?
Kpelle: Le mɛni ɓe bere-pɔlɔi maa e fàleŋ lai.
English: When the kiwi business came into the country, with the government's order, we saw a new idea.
Kpelle: Gwii mɛnii páa nɔii su da gɔmɛnɛ wala-walai, kwa nâa pere-nina káa.
English: Why we should change?
Kpelle: Le ɓe fɛɛ ku kumaa fáleŋ?
English: We have to change because it won't be long before there is limited land for everyone in this land.
Kpelle: Fɛ̂ɛ ku kumaa fáleŋ, kpɛni fei, naa su fe nâa kôya ni a gɛɛ lɔii támaa fe pai kɛ̂i naa núui kelee mɛni ma nɔii ŋi sui.
English: If two people that do not like one another want the same piece of land, noise will arise between them.
Kpelle: A níi nûa feerɛ nyii-ŋai dife dikîe-ni wɛ́li nii, da kɛ̀ lɔlii-kpûa tɔnɔ wɛ̂lii, sóoŋ a tôo diloai.
English: It is important to settle the problem between them. it is good to show the person who owns the land. the government is ahead.
Kpelle: Nyaŋ gáa a sɛŋ fɛ̂ɛ di mɛnii ŋi kpɛtɛ. gáa a mɛni-lɛlɛɛ di núui lɛ́ nyii nɔii káa a bɔ́ɔi. gɔmɛnɛi káa tuɛ-
English: See the reason why, sometimes, people will end up fighting over land business.
Kpelle: Bere káa a gɛɛ ɣele da a pai serîi nûa da pai kɛ̂i kɔ̂i lɔii mɛni ma.
English: That is the reason why the government is showing land ownership.
Kpelle: Mɛnii ŋi ɓe gɔmɛnɛi a nâa pɛlɛ lɔii nâmu kɛ̂i la ma.
English: For the future, if anyone comes to you and asks you for a piece of land and says, 'i want this piece of land,' you will be able to tell him, 'this is my land.'
Kpelle: A gɛɛ wɔ́lɔ-wɔlɔ da núu da à pà e lɔii-kpûa da maa mɛni ɓó nyɛɛi, 'ŋa ŋwɛ̂lii a nɔii-kpuai ŋi', ya pai pɔrii môi m̀a yɛ̂ɛi, 'ŋalɔii ká ŋi.
English: You will only work on it if i agree.
Kpelle: Ya pai pɔrii tíi kɛ̂i ma à kɛ̀ ŋa fàa ma.
English: You will have a document, it will be in the power of the government, and it will also show that you are the landowner.
Kpelle: Kɔlɔ a pai kɛ̂i iyéei, doɔ́ gɔmɛnɛi ŋɔwala walai mɛni ma, gɛ́ ŋɔ́nɔ ǹɛ a gɛɛ ya ipɔ́ɔ ɓa nɔii.
English: No differing talk will be between you and that person if the document given by the government is correct.
Kpelle: Lóno da kelee fe pai kɛ̂i kaloai ka ǹúui ti à nìi ikɔlɔi gɔmɛnɛi e dɛɛ zãâi.
English: No differing talk will be between you and that person if the document given by the government is genuine.
Kpelle: Lóno da kelee fe pai kɛ̂i kaloai ka ǹúui ti à nìi ikɔlɔi gɔmɛnɛi e dɛɛ zãâi.
English: The story i will tell you is about the sun and the moon.
Kpelle: Bɔlɔi  ŋa pâi ŋ̀wɛ̂ɛi yâi è pílaŋ la fólo da ɣáloŋ dîa.
English: Sun took upon itself and went to moon and said moon, i am coming to visit you.
Kpelle: Fólo é wɔ́lɔ sia sîɣe é lí ɣaloŋ pɔ naa nyɛɛ ma, ɣáloŋ ŋá pai i naâ káa.
English: Moon said yes, sit here. i agree for you to come and visit me.
Kpelle: Ɣáloŋ nyɛɛ ma, owei seeɓɛ. mvâai mu a gɛ́ɛ í pa íńaa káa.
English: While they were sitting for a long time, the sun asked the moon, 'what news do you have? it's been a long time since we've seen you here.'
Kpelle: Di kɛ́ɛ see-ní a zu-koyia, ɣáloŋ  è fólo marɛ̂-kɛ nyɛɛ ma, fólo ku mɛ̀ni nyaŋ kufe ta i káa ní ɓɛ.
English: Moon said to sun, i have something on my mind that is the reason why i came here. what did you bring? sun asked him.
Kpelle: Ɣáloŋ é mò fólo ma nyɛɛ, mɛni da káa ŋ́goi ńyâ ɓe ŋá pa la ɓɛ. le mɛni ɓe í pá lai? fólo e marê-kɛ.
English: Moon said to the sun, 'i came so that we can eat each other's babies.'
Kpelle: Ɣáloŋ e mò fólo ma nyɛɛ, ŋá pa a gɛ́ɛ kuku-kie-ni lóŋ mii.
English: Then the sun said, 'i agree. but whose son will be first?'
Kpelle: Ǹya ɓe fólo é mò ma nyɛɛ ŋá fáa. kɛ́lɛ gbɛɛ ɓe kwa pâi ǹóŋ mii fúlɔi?
English: Then the sun said to the moon, 'i am coming to you so that we can eat your son first before we eat my son.'
Kpelle: Ǹya ɓe fólo e mò ɣaloŋ ma nyɛɛ, ŋá pâi i pɔ́ naa ku ilóŋ mii ku lɛɛ pai ŋ́ɔi lónŋ mii.
English: Moon told him, 'm̀ḿ, the thing you are saying, before i agreed, now i do not agree.'
Kpelle: Ǹya ɓe ɣáloŋ è mò mà nyɛɛ, m̀ḿ, mɛnii yá mm̂ môi, ti ŋá lɛɛ pái fáa mà ḿvé fáa ti mà.
English: Let us eat your child before we eat my child tomorrow. then they ate the sun's only son.
Kpelle: Ku ilóŋ mii ku lɛɛ pá ŋ́ɔi mii tinâa ǹya ɓe di fólo ŋɔlóń mii.
English: Sun told moon , i will come to your house very soon so that we can eat you son.
Kpelle: Fólo è mò ɣáloŋ ma nyɛɛ, ŋá tinaa so-mui i pɛ́rɛi lá a gɛɛ ku i lóŋ mii.
English: When day broke, sun went to moon for them to eat his child.
Kpelle: Tãi ɣele è ɓɔ lái fólo e li ɣáloŋ pɔ naa a gɛ́ɛ di ǹóŋ mii.
English: Then, moon told sun, go and come back tomorrow because, i have not prepared myself for us to eat my child.
Kpelle: Kɛ́lɛ ɣáloŋ e mò ma nyɛɛ, li i tinaa pá. kpɛni fei ḿvé ni ŋ́gbiŋ kpɛ́tɛ ni a gɛ́ɛ ku ńóŋ mii.
English: If you come tomorrow, we will eat  my child. sun told him,o, i do not want to come here tomorrow.
Kpelle: À kɛ̀ yá tinaa pá kwa pái ńóŋ mii. ǹya be fólo é mò ma nyɛɛ. o, ḿvé ŋ̀wɛlii ŋà tinaa pá pôlu.
English: Allow me to sleep here, when day brakes then, we can eat your child.
Kpelle: Ye ǹɛɛ naa ŋa nyii ɓɛ ɣele é ɓɔ ku iloŋ mii.
English: Moon told him, m̀ḿ, you could sleep here, but, there is no way because, i will be receiving a stranger.
Kpelle: Ǹyá be ɣáloŋ e mò ma nyɛɛ, m̀ḿ, i maa nɛ̃ɛ i nyii ɓɛ, kɛ́lɛ pere fe zu kpɛni fei ŋɔ̃ɛɛ káa pâi ŋ́gɔ́ɔ mɛi.
English: You yourself know that my house is not big.
Kpelle: Yá kpiŋ i gɔlɔŋ a gɛ́ɛ ŋá pɛ́rɛi mu fe kɛ́tɛ ti.
English: You go, and the next day, he said, 'moon, i have come.' the moon told him, 'sun, do you not get tired?'
Kpelle: Ye li pôlu ma ɣele. nyɛɛ ɣáloŋ, ŋaâ pá. ǹya be ɣáloŋ e mò ma nyɛɛ, fólo ifii fá kpɛɛ?
English: Then, after a long time, the sun began to tire and left, and did not come back again.
Kpelle: Ǹya ɓe di lɛɛ zu fólo fii e kpɛɛ é li vé nɔnɔ paŋ ni pôlu.
English: That is the reason why the moon is always in the sky; we call it the moon. this is the end of the story about the sun and the moon.
Kpelle: Zeŋ ká ti wɔlɔ ɣáloŋ káa la ɣelêi, nyii kwa dóli a pɛmɛ̂nɛ-kau. mɛni-pɔlɔi nyii pîlaŋ fólo da ɣáloŋ mai gbɛɛ ŋa ká ti.
English: There were two chiefs, one was in monrovia, and the other one was like in gbarnga.
Kpelle: Kâloŋ feerɛ ɓe wɔlɔ kɛ̂ naa ǹúui dɔnɔ e kɛ́ yɛ̂ɛ dûkɔɔ. marɑŋ-nuui kɛ́ ɓo yɛ́ɛ gbaŋ-ŋa.
English: The chief who was in monrovia had a girl child.
Kpelle: Nyíŋi má kâloŋ kɛ́ yɛ́ɛ dûkɔɔ, e loŋ nɛni kaa.
English: This girl child was very clever.
Kpelle: Nóŋ-nɛniŋi e kɛ a daliɛ kpɔŋ a ŋanaa.
English: She told her father she wanted to marry a man who would be as clever as her.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe e m̀ó ǹâŋ ma nyɛ̃ɛ, à ŋ̀wɛ̂lii é surɔ̂ŋ kúla nyii pâi kɛ̂i a dàreɛ yɛ́ɛ ǹyaa.
English: The chief who was living in gbarnga had a son who said he wanted to marry a woman who would be as clever as him.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe gâloŋ ǹyii kɛ́ yɛ́ɛ gbaŋai ŋɔloŋ-surɔŋ e m̀o nyɛ̃ɛ, à ŋ̀wɛ̂lii e nɛnii kula nyii pâi kɛ̂i a dareɛ yɛ́ɛ ǹyaa.
English: One day the chief that was in gbarnga told his son, let us go and visit my friend.
Kpelle: Ǹya ɓe e kɛ́ a ɣele tɔnɔ da. gâloŋ nyii kɛ́ yɛ́ɛ gbaŋai e mò nóŋ-surɔŋ má pá kuli ńâoi nâa kaâ.
English: While on their way going,they reached in a town where one person die there.
Kpelle: Di kɛ́ɛ liî di kúla taa loŋ tɔnɔ da su nyii núu da e saa naa.
English: The people were crying so much
Kpelle: Nûai dikɛ́ wɔ́lɔi a dámaa.
English: The boy asked his father, 'the person they are crying for, did he really die or did he not die?'
Kpelle: . nyà ɓe surɔ̂ŋ-loŋ ŋi e ǹaŋ marê-kɛ, nyɛɛ m̀a, núui ti da zaa-wɔlɔ-kɛi ti é saa kpaa maŋ vé saa ti?
English: His father got angry with him and said to him, 'do not ask me stupid questions.'
Kpelle: Nâŋ lii è wãna mà nyɛɛ mà, ife móko marê-kɛ kɛ̀ a ńyaa.
English: When they reached the chief, the boy told his father, 'let someone give him water to drink.'
Kpelle: Gɛ̀ɛ da seri gâloŋ pɔ́ naai, surɔ̂ŋ noi è mò ǹaŋ má a gɛɛ é ɓo di yá tɛ́ɛ bɔ e gbele.
English: When the girl was bringing the water, the boy asked his father again, 'the water they are bringing, is the water in the cup or the cup in the water?'
Kpelle: Nɛni-loi kɛ́ɛ pai a nyài, surɔŋ-loi è ŋɔnɔ ǹâŋ marê-kɛ nyɛɛ mai, nyai ti da pai lâi gáa gɔɛ̂i su kpaa maŋ gɔɛ̂i káa nyài su?
English: His father again got angry on him and said to his friend, my friend, this boy can ask foolish questions.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe ǹaŋ-lii è ŋɔnɔ wãna ma nyɛɛ ǹâoi, nóloŋ ŋi a ɓoko marê-kɛ támaa kɛ.
English: He asked me again on the road, the person they are crying for, is he dead or he did not die?
Kpelle: E ŋɔnɔ da kɛ́ a ǹyaa berei su nyɛɛ m̀âi, núui da zaa-wɔlɔ-kɛi ti e saa kpaa mȧŋ vè saaŋ ni?
English: The little girl told the chief, he did not ask foolish question.
Kpelle: Nyà ɓe nɛni-lo e mó gâloŋ má nyɛɛ, vè ɓoko marê-kɛ́ɛ kɛ́ŋ ni.
English: The person died or did not die means, the person who died, did his name die or did his name not die, because someone can die, but the name cannot die.
Kpelle: Núui é saa kpaa vè saa ni zukulâi ɓa núui ti zaai kɛ tii nàa e saa kpaa vè saa ni. kpɛni fe núu a saa, kɛ́lɛ, nàa fá saa.
English: The question he asked, 'is the water in the cup or is it not in the cup?' means, 'the woman you said you will give me, is she the one or not?'
Kpelle: Marê-kɛɛi e gɛ̀ nyɛɛ, nyài káa gɔɛ̂i su kpaa vè zui, zukalâi ɓa nɛ̀nii ikɛ́ ŋa pâi dɛɛ̂i i pɔi nyà ɓe ŋí kpaa nyà fêe?
English: When the girl explained these parables, the two chiefs thought about what these children had earlier planned to do.
Kpelle: Gɛ̀ɛ naa nɛni-loi ŋi a zaŋ-male-kɛ-ŋai ŋi sukulâi, gâloŋ feerɛ di dikili-ŋa sia e pilaŋ la dilonii-woo ma,
English: They said to them it is good for you both to get marry.
Kpelle: Diɛ dia, maa-nɛ̃ɛ nɔ ká kakiɛ-ni kúla a surɔ̂ŋ da nɛ́ni.
English: When the boy decided to go and visit the girl, he bought, snuff for wicky old lady, a meat for the big dog.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe tãi nôo-naai ŋi è gbìŋ kpɛ́tɛ la a gɛ́ɛ é pa nɛni naa kaâi, e taâŋ fũa yá wãna-lɔɔ nɛni-pɔlɔ mɛ̀ni ma. e sua yá ɣila sirɛ-kɛtɛ̂i maa mɛni ma.
English: When he reached to the chief house, he took the snuff and give it to the old lady, he passed and went to the dog and give it the meat.
Kpelle: Tãi e seri la gâloŋ ŋɔkorŋ̂ lai, e taŋ̂ fũaŋ seɣe e dɛ̀ɛ nɛɛ pɔlɔi pɔ. e tɛɛ è li é zuai tóo ɣilai mè.
English: Then, he passed and went to the girl and asked her for love and the girl agreed.
Kpelle: E tɛ́ɛ é li nɛni-lo pɔ́ naa. nya ɓe è mò nɛni-lo mà a gɛɛ a ŋ̀wɛ̂li. nɛnii e fáa mà.
English: While they were there, most of  the people got angry why that type of boy has taken away a beautiful girl from them.
Kpelle: Tãi di lɛɛ́ la zu, nûai támaa lii e wãna a gɛ́ɛ le ɓe kɛ́ lóloń kɛɛ-ti a nɛni lɛ́lɛɛ kúla diyéei.
English: For this reason they decided to kill him.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe dí maa-kili-tee a gɛ́ɛ di baa.
English: They captured him and carry him in the bush to kill him.
Kpelle: Di nɛɣɛ̃ŋ di li nɔɔi su a gɛ́ɛ di baa.
English: He told them, before you can kill me, allow me to eat from my wife.
Kpelle: . nya ɓe è mò dia nyɛɛi, ká lɛ́ɛ pâi ḿbaâi, ká nɛ̀ɛ naa ŋá ŋanɛni ɣili-ɓa mii.
English: Then he told one of them to go and tell his wife to cook dry rice and send it.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe è mò nùui tɔnɔ ma á gɛɛ e li e mò ŋɔnɛni ma é ɓá-kpala ɣili e dɛɛ.
English: If she cook it, she should put one chicken egg in the middle, she should put oil on it, put spoon inside it and send it.
Kpelle: A ŋili e tɛ́ɛ-ɣâloŋ tɔnɔ lɔ zamai, e wúlɔ tinâŋ mà, é mîna too zu è dɛɛ.
English: When the woman head the message, she knew that something happen in the bush.
Kpelle: Nya ɓe tãi nɛnîi e ŋorɛ̂ɛ-wooi mɛni lai, è gɔlɔŋ a gɛɛ mɛni da aâ kúla nɔɔi su.
English: The woman said i hold word.
Kpelle: Nyà ɓe nɛnîi è mo ǹyɛɛi ŋ̀a maa soŋ.
English: She said in her heart, i am going to tell my father to sent people in the bush to rescue my husband.
Kpelle: É mo goi pêre nyɛ̀ɛi–ŋaliî môi nâŋ ma é nûaa tɛ́ɛ nɔɔi su di ŋá surɔ̀ŋ kula-yéei kɛ́.
English: Because, chicken egg, oil and rice means, he is amongst a dangerous group in the forest.
Kpelle: Kpɛni fei dɛ̀ɛ-ɣaloŋ, wúlɔi da m̀ái sukúlai ɓa, gaa kpɔŋ sama nɔɔi su mɛni kpôlu su.
English: The chief sent people to rescue him from the enemy very quickly and then brought him back; of course, that happened very fast.
Kpelle: Nyà ɓe gâloŋ e nûa tɛ́ɛ digula-yêei kɛ a maa-felaa di pa la, nyaŋ e kɛ ti a maa-felaa.
English: It is finished
Kpelle: Âa kpɛ̀ɛ.
English: The man is going to the town.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lîi daai su.
English: The man is going.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lîi.
English: The man is in the town.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a daai su.
English: The man is carrying it.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lîi la.
English: The man is going.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lîi
English: The main is in town.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a a daai su
English: He is carrying it to town.
Kpelle: A lîi la daai su.
English: The man is carrying it to town.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lîi la daai su.
English: A man said to his mother, 'i am going to lie down. i want to get up very early in the morning and go to sanoyea.'
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e kɛ̀ ǹee ma, 'ŋ lîi laai. ŋa ŋwɛlii ŋa mu siɣe a ŋele-ɓɔi kpinii, ŋa li sanɔyeei.'
English: His mother said, 'all right, i will call you in the morning.'
Kpelle: Ǹee ǹyɛɛ ma, 'ńyɛɛ kaa mu, ŋa pâi itolîi a ŋele-waai.'
English: When it was morning, his mother called him and said, ' get up! get up! i want you to go to sanoyea now.'
Kpelle: Tãi e kɛ̀ a ɣele-waai, ǹee e dòli e mo ma, 'imu siɣe! imu siɣe! ŋa ŋwɛlii i somu sanɔyeei.'
English: He got up, put on his clothes and went to sanoyea.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e mu siɣe e ŋɔseɣei too ma, e naa mii e li sanɔyeei.
English: The men are going to town.
Kpelle: Zinai da lîi daai su.
English: They are in the town.
Kpelle: Dikaa daai su.
English: The men are carrying it.
Kpelle: Zinai da lîi la.
English: The men are carrying it to the town.
Kpelle: Zinai da lîi la daai su.
English: He is going to the town.
Kpelle: A lîi daai su.
English: The men are in the town.
Kpelle: Zinai dikaa daii su.
English: The men have gone to the town.
Kpelle: Zinai daa li daai su.
English: My duck is beside the house.
Kpelle: Ŋákwi-tɛɛi a bɛ́rɛi kwɛ̀lɛ.
English: I am going to catch it and it to my brother.
Kpelle: Ŋa lîi zonîi ŋa dɛɛ ńeɣe pɔ́
English: When i was building my house, he brought sticks and thatch.
Kpelle: Tãi ŋa kɛ̀ ŋápɛ́rɛi tɔɔi, e pa wúru da láa.
English: He worked well.
Kpelle: E tii kɛ̀ a nɛ̀lɛɛ.
English: He is a good person.
Kpelle: Gaa a núu lɛ́lɛ.
English: I caught the duck and gave it to him.
Kpelle: Ŋa dɛ́ɛi sòŋ ŋa dɛɛ bɔ́.
English: He killed it in the morning and cooked it.
Kpelle: E bàa a ŋele-waai e ŋili e ńdoli.
English: He called me. he said to me, 'sit here and let us eat'
Kpelle: Tãi ŋá li naai. e mò mâa, 'see ɓɛ. ku kulaa mii.'
English: I told him, 'thank you, i will because i am hungry'
Kpelle: Ńyɛɛ ma, 'ńyee kaa mu, kpɛni fei puru kaa mâa.'
English: He caught the man.
Kpelle: E nalôŋ sòŋ.
English: They will catch the man.
Kpelle: Da pâi nalôŋ sonîi.
English: He caught the men.
Kpelle: E zinaia sòŋ.
English: The man caught the men.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e zinai sóŋ.
English: It is necessary that they catch the men.
Kpelle: Da pɔ̂ri zinaii sonîi.
English: He caught the men in the town.
Kpelle: E nalôŋ sóŋ daai su.
English: The man is going to town.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lìi daai su.
English: The man carried it.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e li la.
English: He went to the town to catch the men.
Kpelle: E li daai su nalôŋ sonîi.
English: The man is going to catch the men.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a lîi e zinai soŋ.
English: The men are carrying it to town.
Kpelle: Zinai da lîi la daai su.
English: They will carry it.
Kpelle: Da pâi lîi la.
English: He praised the man.
Kpelle: E nalôŋ tɛ̀.
English: They are raising it.
Kpelle: Da dɛ̂i.
English: The men are lifting it up.
Kpelle: Zinai da dɛ̂i.
English: There is coal in town.
Kpelle: Tiɣi a daai su.
English: He lifted the coal.
Kpelle: E diɣii tɛ̀.
English: The men are lifting the coal
Kpelle: Zinai da diɣii tɛ̂i.
English: The man lifted the coal.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ e diɣii tɛ̀.
English: He lifted the man.
Kpelle: E nalôŋ tɛ̀.
English: He is going to catch the man.
Kpelle: A lîi nalɵŋ sonîi.
English: The workman.
Kpelle: Díi-kɛ́-nuui.
English: The workman is going to town.
Kpelle: Díi-kɛ́-nuui a lîi daai su.
English: He caught the workman.
Kpelle: E díi-kɛ́-nuui sòŋ.
English: He did not catch the workman.
Kpelle: Ve díi-kɛ́-nuui soŋ ni.
English: He did not catch the men.
Kpelle: Ve zinai soŋ ni.
English: The men call him.
Kpelle: Zinai da dòli.
English: He called the man.
Kpelle: E nalôŋ tòli.
English: He went to town to call him.
Kpelle: E li daai su dolii.
English: The workman is in town. call him.
Kpelle: Díi-kɛ́-nuui a daai su. doli.
English: The man is able to catch the workman.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ a pɔ̂ri díi-kɛ́-nuui sonîi.
English: He praised the workman.
Kpelle: E díi-kɛ́-nuui laa-ma-tɛ.
English: They are praising him.
Kpelle: Da ńaa-ma-tɛi.
English: The kola nut is in town.
Kpelle: Dulêi a daai su.
English: This is my kola nut. take it
Kpelle: Ŋátuêi ka ŋi. li la.
English: This is the workman's kola nut. take it.
Kpelle: Díi-kɛ́-nuui ŋɔ̀tulêi ka ŋi. li la.
English: This their headman.
Kpelle: Dinúu-kɛtɛi ka ŋi.
English: The men saw their headman in town.
Kpelle: Zinai díi-kɛ́-nuui kaa daai su.
English: The man is working.
Kpelle: Nalôŋ kaa tíi kɛ̂i.
English: He is working in town. call him.
Kpelle: A tíi kɛ̂i daai su. doli.
English: He went to town to work.
Kpelle: E li daai su tíi kɛ̂i.
English: He did not work
Kpelle: Ve tíi kɛ ni.
English: The men are working.
Kpelle: Zinai da tíi kɛ̂i.
English: He did not go to town.
Kpelle: Ve li ni daai su.
English: He worked.
Kpelle: E tíi kɛ̂i.
English: The kola nut is in the hole.
Kpelle: Dulêi a noai su.
English: My kola nut is not in town.
Kpelle: Ŋátulêi fe noai su.
English: My coal is in town.
Kpelle: Ŋátiɣii a daai su.
English: He worked.
Kpelle: E tíi kɛ̀.
English: The men went to work.
Kpelle: Zinai di lì tíi kɛ̂i.
English: They are going to catch the man.
Kpelle: Da lîi nalôŋ sonîi.
English: The man was called.
Kpelle: Di nalôŋ tòli.
English: He has not caught him yet.
Kpelle: Ve nii zoŋ ni.
English: They have caught them.
Kpelle: Dà disóŋ.
English: This is my work.
Kpelle: Ŋátii ka ŋi.
English: This is my pit.
Kpelle: Ŋáloai ka ŋi.
English: The men are in the pit.
Kpelle: Zinai da noai su.
English: He dragged the man.
Kpelle: E nalôŋ ɣàla.
English: This the coal. bring it nearer.
Kpelle: Diɣii ka ŋi. nɛɣɛ ɓɛ.
English: He did not drag the man.
Kpelle: Ve nalôŋ ɣala ni.
English: They dragged the man.
Kpelle: Di nalôŋ ɣàla.
English: The men's things are in town.
Kpelle: Zinai disãai a daai su.
English: They have brought the things near.
Kpelle: Dà zãai maa lɛ́ɣɛ.
English: My kola nuts are in the hole.
Kpelle: Ŋátulêi a noai su.
English: Their things are in the hole.
Kpelle: Disãai a noai su.
English: They called the man.
Kpelle: Di nalôŋ tòli.
English: Drag the man. turn him around
Kpelle: Nalôŋ ɣala. dinaŋ.
English: They turned the man around.
Kpelle: Di nalôŋ tìnaŋ.
English: He did not turn the workman around.
Kpelle: Ve díi-kɛ́-nuu tinaŋ ni
English: It can be turned around.
Kpelle: Da dinaŋ.
English: They did not turn the man around.
Kpelle: Dife nalôŋ tinaŋ ni.
English: They are going to turn it around.
Kpelle: Da lîi di dinaŋ.
English: He is going today.
Kpelle: A lîi sâa.
English: The man is working today.
Kpelle: Naalôŋ a tíi kɛ̂i sâa.
English: He did not catch the men today.
Kpelle: Ve zinai soŋ ni sâa.