Simple Conjunction Phrases

In this chapter, we will cover how you can string together simple sentences with simple conjunction words in a way similar to how in English we say, "I am Coleman. And I'm a teacher."

"And" and "also" in English and Bambara

When speaking in English, we frequently we often string together sentences by using "and" or "also" as conjunctions.

For instance:

I'm tall. And I'm a woman.

Or:

I am a Western. Also, I'm a woman.

Bambara, of course, also has words that can be used to express "and" (ni) and "also" (fana).

They can be used within a single sentence just like in English.

For instance, imagine that you get a phone call and your friend that you are with asks you who it is. You could say:

N ba ni n fa don

"It's my mom and dad"

And now let's imagine that you have met someone while visiting Mali and you find out that you are both American:

– N ye Amerikika ye
– N fana ye Amerikika ye

– I am an American
– I'm also an American

(NOTE: You can also place fana in other positions within the sentence. For instance, N ye Amerikika ye fana [Lit. "I am an American also"].)

Conjunction Phrases for "And" and "Also" in Bambara

The difference is that in Bambara, you can't start a sentence with either of these words.

For instance with ni, you can't say something like this:

N ka jan. Ni n ye muso ye

"I am tall. And I'm a woman."

Similarly, with fana, you can't say something like the following:

N ka jan. Fana n ye muso ye

"I am tall. Also, I'm a woman"

Instead, you would want to connect the two sentences/clauses together using one of two expressions:

• wa = a general conjunction which can be used to express "and" (but depending on the context, it can also express other values like "yet", "however", "but, etc). You can optionally add fana onto to it. For instance:

  N ka jan. Wa (fana), n ye muso ye

  "I am tall. And (also), I am a woman"

• ani fana = Lit. "And.it also". Note that people don't say ni fana even if ani comes from the combination of ni ("and") and à ("it"). For example:

  N ka jan. Ani fana, n ye muso ye

  "I am tall. And also, I am a woman"

Try out either of these conjunction expressions the next that you want to connect two sentences!