Tairora-English Dictionary

650 Pages·5.914 MB·Papuan-English

by  Vincent Lois E.

Tairora-English
Dictionary
Lois E. Vincent
Grateful acknowledgement is made for funding from Wycliffe USA and private donors
which will enable the speakers of the Tairora language to be able to purchase copies of
the dictionary at a price affordable to them.
The drawing in Appendix 3 are by Anisi Kaave.
250 Copies
Published 2010 by the Wycliffe, inc.
Papua New Guinea Branch
ISBN: 9980-0-3600-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAP OF LANGUAGE AREA ............................................................iv
PREFACE .............................................................................................v
Introduction ...........................................................................................v
The Tairora language dictionary project ...............................................v
The sounds of Tairora ...........................................................................v
Tairora sound equivalents in Australian English: ................................vi
The dictionary entries ..........................................................................vi
Grammar categories .............................................................................vi
Transitive and Intransitive ..................................................................vii
Homonyms ..........................................................................................vii
Extended meanings .............................................................................vii
Scientific names ..................................................................................vii
TAIRORA – ENGLISH .................................................................1-488
ENGLISH – TAIRORA .............................................................489-575
APPENDICES:
GRAMMAR OF TAIRORA ......................................................576-608
SEMANTIC GROUPINGS .......................................................609-634
SOME DRAWINGS ..................................................................635-641
Map showing North and South Tairora villages in
relation to Kainantu and Ukarumpa.

Kainantu ■
■ Ukarumpa
Haapaarira ● ●Auhaana
●Vatantara North Tairora
●Ontavura
Vurauta ● ●Ahaunkira
●Uraara
●Bantura (Vaantura)
●Untoqa
●Vontaqa
●Aviqora
●Vatainavura
●Arokaara ●Noraikora
●NoraqerantaMaamaqera● ●Noraikora
●Oqiva
●Vaaravuntora ●Vaaravuna
Saiqora ●
●Atopi Arau ●
Varosia ●
●Hosarora
●Nompia ●Aantantara
●Tomaura ● Suwaira (Kuvaira )
North Tairora ●Orena
☼Mt Erantora
Dialect
Motokara●
●Kyaurona
●Omwunra - Obura
Kovara ●
●Qaakyara - Asara
Vaira ● ●Aatasaara
●Vivera
South Tairora ●Anima
●Toqura
●●TAohqeuqkayena
Veqaura ●
●Haaviqinra
●Oraura
●Vinaata ●Konkompira
Village names are given in Tairora spelling.
Distance from Ukarumpa to Suwaira by road is 30 km.
iv
PREFACE
Introduction
The Tairora language is a member of the Eastern family of the East New Guinea Highlands
Stock, and the language is spoken by approximately 13,000 people most of whom live
in the Wonenara-Kainantu sub-district in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New
Guinea. There are a number a dialects spoken, and the major division is between north and
south. The Northern dialects differ from the Southern dialects in the following way:
North Tairora Dialects South Tairora Dialects
4 way distinction in the verb 5 way distinction in the verb
No nr or mw phonemes nr and mw phonemes
No animate or inanimate distinction Animate or inanimate distinction made in
made in the verb ‘to be’ the verb ‘to be’
The entries in this dictionary are from the North Tairora. This group numbers
approximately 5,000 who live in villages near Kainantu and in villages as far south as
Suwaira, Motokara and Kovara (see map).
The Tairora language dictionary project
The material in this dictionary was collected by the authors during short periods of
field work and residency in Aupora and Bantura villages followed by 49 years living in
Vaa’era village in the Suwaira area in the North Tairora under the auspices of the Summer
Institute of Linguistics. Data was gathered f rom everyday conversations, written texts
and observations.
This is not an exhaustive dictionary of so rich a language as Tairora. It is hoped that
there will be some who will use this as a base to produce an even fuller dictionary As
well as this dictionary helping to preserve the Tairora language, it is hoped that it will
encourage school children and the community at large to value their mother tongue and
not consider it inferior to Tok Pisin and English. It may also be a benefit to non-Tairora
speakers living in the community.
The sounds of Tairora
The Tairora alphabet has 11 consonants: p, t, k, h, m, n, p, q, r, s, and v. The letter s is a
variant of h in introduced English words like soap, salt and helicopter and usage depends
on the preference of the speaker. The glottal stop is written as q. This was chosen over the
apostrophe with the hope of keeping the whole word together in cursive writing. There
are no final consonants.
v
The vowels are a, aa, i, e, o, u with ai and au glides. The lengthened a is written as aa.
Pre-nasalized stops mp, nt, nk
Tairora sound equivalents in Australian English:
a as in but
aa as in father
ai between the sound in may and the sound in iron
au as in over
e as in error
h as in English
i as in bee
k as in keg
m as in English
mp as in temper and timber (Suwaira)
n as in English
nk as in sinking
nt as in centre and sender (Suwaira)
o as in lawn
p as in pat
q represents the glottal stop
r is a single flapped ř
s as in English
t as in English
u as in boot
v is like a v made with the two lips instead of top teeth on bottom lip
The dictionary entries
There are entries from the Tairora dialect (Tai) close to Kainantu, and the Suwaira dialect
(Suw) dialect north of Obura. The headword is usually Tairora. Variant forms of the entry
follow the headword/major entry. The English meaning follows a ► (wedge).
The abbreviation cf (compare) refers the reader to a related word elsewhere in the
dictionary.
Other abbreviations are: Lit – literally, Opp – opposite
Grammar categories:
(n) noun or noun phrase
(-va) -va class noun (see grammar)
(pro) pronoun
(v) verb or verb phrase
(adj) adjective
(adv) adverb
vi
Transitive and Intransitive
Many verbs can be transitive and/or intransitive. Verbs or verb phrases ending with ke are
usually transitive. Those ending with vi are intransitive. Sometimes the headword verb
(lexeme) might end in vi (intransitive), but an example might end in ke (transitive).
Homonyms
Homonyms are indicated by a subscript number after the headword. See for example
tota and tota .
1 2
Exended Meaings
Some headwords have an extended meaning depending on context. A number and a right
bracket 1) following the ► (wedge) gives the extended meaning. These numbers following
the headword indicate the number of meaning variations. See for example rukite ► 1).
Scientific names
Where known, scientific names are given and these are in underlined italics. For
example, the korikora – the ornamental honeyeater – has the scientific name: Melidectes
torquatus.
Appendices
The first appendix, pages 579-611, is a simple grammar which it is hoped will be easy to
follow for those Tairora speakers who have a reasonable grasp of English.
The second appendix, pages 612-contains listings of semantically-related groups of
words.
The third appendix, pages 635-641, has drawings by Anisi Kaave from the Tairora
valley.
Bibliography
The volume entitled The Languages of the Eastern Family of the East New Guinea
Highland Stock edited by Howard McKaughan and published by the University of
Washington Press 1973 contains more information about Tairora Noun Morphology,
Tairora Verb Structure, and has some translated Tairora Texts.
The 2005 revision of the Tairora New Testament, Qaraaka Uva Tivatora, and the Old
Testament 50%, Haarua Uva Tivatora, is on line. A primer and other literacy materials
are also on line.
A Dialect paper and the last edition of the Tairora hymn book will also be on line.
Acknowledgements
While it is not possible to acknowledge every individual who has helped in producing
the dictionary we do want to recognize those who have given an especially large amount
of time to making the dictionary completion possible.
Tuva’u Vauto and Ra’ia Duhe gave invaluable help in checking and re-checking the
Suwaira material without the benefit of knowing English which was the case with most
vii
of those who checked the material.
Others who also contributed are: Aive O’uvi, Monu Vatau, Puampu Vahi, Ori Kainke,
Manki Vi’i, Tutua Vahi, U’aatai Arovara and others from Bantura and surrounding vil-
lages. Timoti Uhaa, Vohaa-Uva Nanori, Verava Kaina, Uiniqa O’o’i, Konti Kave, Amuri
Ka’o, Rupi O’o’i, Avaa O’o’i, Noto Imia, Deri Duhe, Kokaahi Deri, Vuari O’o’i, Ka’aari
Vumpani, Hirihiri Noto from Suwaira.
We acknowledge much help from Birds of New Guinea – Beehler, Pratt and Zimmer-
man (1986).
We are grateful to the Tairora people who have befriended us for many years and taught
us their language and worked with us to produce literature for their own people.
We are deeply appreciative of friends, family members and churches in the Australia,
Norway, Switzerland, the United States and other countries who have faithfully supported
us and our work among the Tairora people for many years.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge assistance from Wycliffe USA and private
donors who have helped meet the cost of the publication.
viii
aaha nukate 1 aahomankaiqama ke
► menopause Lit: ‘become dry’. cf: ahara
A a
• Nahetivano kia tora tavaraitiro, viva 
aaha nukate ► designate cf: ainiqama vi aahara ara viro vairo. The woman
a
aahaa vuvu kai ti ▪ vora ri Suw: vora stopped menstruating and went through the
ahora auti, vora ahora nti, vora nti menopause.
b
(v) ► sing the victory chant Note: Usually • Kontavano kia tora tavero 
done when death occurs in a battle. Singing aaharauqama viro. The old woman
d
and dancing accompany the rejoicing. stopped menstruating and went through the
• Navutaara ariro aahaa vuvu kai tiro. menopause. e
He killed the enemy and rejoiced and aahara haraika Suw: aahara haraika,
chanted the victory song. haraika (n) ► arrow with barbs Note: The h
• Raquqi vi vuru vaiiti aavata aruke vora  trunk is buried in the mud to blacken it so it
ahora ntuvaqi ani. They fought and killed has a shine on it. cf: aahara veva i
a man and rejoiced and sang the victory song. • Vaiitivano huru okara teqa varero viri 
• Iqokaqi vaiinti arukero vora ntiro. hora kupaqi quntama taivaro voqatanta  k
They killed a man in the fight and rejoiced vaitaivaro ikoka aru vivaro varero vuru 
and chanted the victory song. kahi kaahima kero viraqohairo aahara  m
• Vaiinti aavata aru kaivaro qutu vivaro  haraika autiro. The man cut down the
n
vira navutaava vora ahora autiro. black palm tree trunk and buried it in the
They knocked the man unconscious and, mud, and it lay there a few nights and
o
when he died, his enemies rejoiced and sang became black, and then he took it and split
the victory chant. it into sections and made the arrows with
p
aahaahiraiqama te Suw: kaakahira barbs.
ari, qaaqahira ari (v) ► injure, wound aahara kivikai ► unpainted arrow type q
• Tunteqi Ovuraaka Mukau-Oriraaka  cf: kivikai
hampata iqoka autiha airi vaiitivano  aahara veva (n) ► arrow without paint r
kaakahira varaavo. Tuesday, when the and barbs cf: veva
Obura and Mukau-Ori people were fighting, • Huru teqakero viraqohairo aahara veva  s
many men were injured. autiro. He cut down the black palm and
• Quaravano naahoqi ni vaivaro oru  made unpainted arrows from it. t
tavaivaro nai vakaara quara vaivaro  aahara veva huru kaavu (n) ► arrows
viva kia arukaraitiro, kaakahira aiquana  (best) Lit: ‘dry arrow bow club’. cf: veva u
arutaivaro qaqi viro. The pig was in the • Te aahara veva huru kaavu vate kia vo 
garden, and he saw that it was his older vaiiti ho amirera. I will not give my best v
brother’s so he did not kill it but just arrows to another man.
x
wounded its leg, and it ran away. aaharaiqi ► become dry cf: aharaiqi
aahaaqi1 (v) ► sexual play between animals aaharauqama vi1 ► menstruate y
• Qora quaravano qarareraro aahaaqi  cf: aahara ara vi
vairo. The pig wanted to have coition so aaharauqama vi (v)
2 z
engaged in sexual play with the sow. • Ihavano ukau uhuhama kaivaro 
aahaaqi2 (v) ► pant for breath aaharauqama viro. The fire scorched the
• Are taverae? Ari ruqutirera vara  grass, and it dried up.
kaurara are kantera aahaaqirae? aahavaa ► wedge cf: mamiqa
Look! You knew I was going to hit you so aahiri ► tree in the bush used in healing and
you ran away panting for breath, eh? for decoration cf: kohuru
aahara ► dry cf: ahara aaho ► wedge cf: mamiqa
aahara ara vi ▪ aaharauqama vi (v) aahomankaiqama ke Suw: oqoka
aahoqura 2 aaka
mauruqama te (v) ► put a notch in the qutiro. When the man was dying he did not
end of a bamboo length thrash about but died peacefully.
• Kaivu irataivaro mpeqa vaimanta taqu  aahuva (adj) ► different, strange
teqake aahomankaiqama ke viraqohai  • Ike, aahuva haika vo haika kia tavauna 
ranteqa kauraro kaivu hiqirimanta  haikava qovarama vivo. Oh, a strange
vare. The pandanus fruit was mature so I thing appeared that I never saw before.
cut a length of bamboo and notched it and • Nenara aahuva kata naavu kaqaane. 
speared the pandanus fruit with it and, when Kia ti aumanto kaqaane. You build your
the pandanus fruit fell down, I picked it up. house at a different spot. Do not build close
• Kaivu irataira mpeqaiqivera te taqu  to me.
tuquke oqoka mauruqama ke viraqohai  aahuva aiho (n) ► Holy Spirit
vera vate toqa kauraro hiqintivera  Lit: ‘different spirit’. Note: Expression
varake nutake ne. The pandanus fruit used by Lutheran denomination. cf: Kotira
was ripe so I cut a length of bamboo and Maraqura
put a notch in the end of it and hooked the aahuva kaiqa (n) ► miracle
pandanus fruit with it, and it fell down and I Lit: ‘different work’.
picked it up, cooked it and ate it. • Ihuva aahuva kaiqa varero. Jesus
aahoqura ► star cf: vaahoqura performed miracles.
aahoqura qata ▪ aahoqura aahuvaiqi1 (v) ► have an abundance
Suw: vaahoqura qata (n) ► Mercury • Vira naahoqi etave kaaqave qamaave 
• Aahoqura vakaava naane uritaraivaro  vo kara vo karavano aahuvaiqiroma 
qatavano naatiara uru ntaivaro aatitero. vairo. Her garden had an abundance of
Venus (elder brother) comes up first and bananas, sugar cane, sweet potatoes and all
later Mercury (younger brother) comes up sorts of food.
and then it is dawn. cf: aahoqura vakaava • Vira naavuqi vo haika vo haikavano 
aahoqura vakaava ▪ aahoqura aahuvaiqiro vairo. There was an
Suw: vaahoqura vakaava (n) ► Venus, abundance of things in his house.
morning star cf: aahoqura qata aahuvaiqi2 (v) ► persist
• Aahoqura vakaava naane uritaraivaro  • Viva vira aru kareraro aahuvaiqiroma 
qatavano naatiara uru ntaivaro aatitero. vira arukero. The man was out to kill him
Venus (elder brother) comes up first and so he persisted and killed him.
later Mercury (younger brother) comes up • Noruqara vaiitivano varaata varareraro 
and then it is dawn. aahuvaiqi vaivarovata iasivano tiharo, 
aahuqaa nti ▪ haahuqaa nti (v) ► act Kia varaane tivaroma qaqira kero.
stupidly, fool around, pester, thrash about The older man wanted to marry the young
• Vaitiruvano rateharo aahuqaa ntiro. woman and was persistent but, because the
When the child was crying it thrashed about. judge said, “Don’t marry her,” he forgot
• Airi vaiiti maaqi variavo; kia aahuqaa  about it.
ntuane. Many men are in here so don’t fool aahuvaiqi3 (v) ► shine strongly (of sun)
around. cf: tariqaiqama ke
• Ti vataake naavuqi variamanta ti  • Kuarivano aahuvaiqama keroma 
maaqutanta aahuqaari variavera te tiha,  itero. The sun shone strongly [making it
Tiremake variate. All the people were in extremely hot].
my house, and my two sons were acting aaka Suw: aaka, aaqa (n) ► armpit, axilla
stupidly so I said, “Be quiet.” • Vaiintivano aakaini uta hiritero.
• Vaiintivano qutire iharo kia  The man hung his netbag across his body
haahuqaariraitiro, viva ihaaqama kero  under his armpit.