I Learn Meriam This Way

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.

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

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

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.

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”.

I Learn Meriam Mir is my first ever podcast and may be the first ever dedicated to the ancient language of Meriam Mir. Meriam Mir is the language of the Meriam people of Torres Strait. Our language is classified as critically endangered and is facing extinction in less than a few decades unless something is done. This is my call to action to help preserve and maintain it’s survival by providing my learning tips and methods that I use in my personal journey of wanting to learn my native language while living and use it in a modern society.