Takisi | Taxi

Trial
Image
Yellow taxi with a passenger getting in or out
sofɛri
driver (< Fr. chaffeur)
ka jɔ/lɔ
to stop; to stand
sugu
market
suguba
the central market [< Fr. grand marché]
ka don
to enter; to get in (of a vehicle)
ka fara
here, 'to turn' [Lit. 'to split']
ka jigin
to descend; to go down; to get out (of a vehicle)
X fan fɛ
in the direction of X [Lit. "by the side of X"]
k'à fɔ mɔgɔ ye
to say sth to sb
Audio file

SITUATION: Abi hails a taxi so that she can run an errand.

ABI: Takisi! Jɔ! Jɔ!
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: [The taxi stops] I bɛ tagala min? [1]
ABI: N b'à fɛ ka taa suguba la. [2]
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Don.
ABI: Joli don?
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Bi naani.
ABI: An ka taa. [She gets in the taxi and then head towards the market]
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Ka fara min? [3]
ABI: Fara i kinibolo fɛ sisan.
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: I bɛ jigin min?
ABI: Taa ɲɛfɛ. An mana se sugu fan fɛ, n bɛn'à fɔ i ye. [4]
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: N y'à mɛn.
ABI: An sera. Wari filɛ. Ala ka sira diya.
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Amiiina!

ABI: Taxi! Stop! Stop!
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: [The taxi stops] Where are you going? [1]
ABI: I want to go to the central market. [2]
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Get in.
ABI: How much is it?
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: 200 CFA.
ABI: Let's go. [She gets in the taxi and then head towards the market]
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: (You want me) to turn where? [3]
ABI: Turn right now.
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Where are you getting "down"?
ABI: Go straight. When we arrive near the market, I will tell (it to) you. [4]
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: I got (lit. "heard") it.
ABI: We have arrived. Here's the money. May God make the road pleasing.
CHAFFEUR-KƐ: Amen!

Grammar Points

  • 1) Progressives with -la/na
  • 2) Modal verb constructions
  • 3) Naked infinitives as a potential order
  • 4) Conditionals with mana

[Video coming soon!]