[6] Where the vowels AI or OI stand together, they represent sounds approximating the "i" in bite [ai̯] and "oy" [oi̯] in annoy respectively.
There are sixteen consonants and one semi-vowel in Ateso, pronounced approximately as follows: Semi vowel: (vi) In words of foreign origin introduced into Teso the missing sound F is replaced by P and the missing sound V by B or P. Z is replaced by S. It is an invariable rule that two consonants can never stand together in the same word.
E.g. (Omission of one consonant) (Insertion of "shadow" vowel) **Due to the introduction of typesetting & word processing machines, ŋ is now almost entirely written NG.
The semi-vowel W, however, can and frequently does follow a consonant: The Teso language board's alphabet uses NG in place of ŋ, and also uses ɛ, ɨ, ɔ, and ʉ, as well as the modifier letters ⟨ᵃ, ᵉ, ᵋ, ⁱ, ᶤ, ᵒ, ᵓ, ᵘ, ᶶ⟩.
For example: Voiceless vowel sounds are present, strictly occurring in word-final position before a pause, at the end of sentences or when standing alone.
[10] It was then accepted as a general principle that all words should be written in full even though normally contracted in speech.
--- Eyalama ewanyun (also: Eyalama aanyun) See you again --- Awanyunos bobo Book – Eitabo Because – Naarai The first sentence in the bible can be translated as Ageunet, abu Edeke Kosub akwap keda akuj ("In the beginning God made the earth and the heavens" lit.
For grammatical purposes all nouns in Ateso are divided into three classes or genders:(a) masculine, (b) feminine and (c) neuter.
etelepatboy→ itelepaiboysetelepat → itelepaiboy {} boysapesegirl→ apesurgirlsapese → apesurgirl {} girlsikokuchild→ idwechildrenikoku → idwechild {} childrenThe only exception to the above rule are certain nouns denoting relationships and directions.
e.g. toto ----- mother; papa ----- father; mamai ----- uncle; inac ----- sister ; ija ----- aunt It should, however, be noted that the noun prefix is always dropped when the noun comes after the following pronouns or adjectives and their feminine, neuter or plural forms: ngol (m) or ngin (f,n) – every edio (m), adio (f), idio (n) – any, some ediope (m), adiope (f) – one icetunganan -another person; icetunga -other people etunganan – a man; ngolitunganan (or nginitunganan) -every man; aberu – a woman; nginiberu – every woman ediotunganan -any man; adiopese -any girl; idiokoku – any child adiopeberu – one woman; ediope kiliokit bon -only one man The following is a general classification of most nouns.
(ii) Names of diminutive objects: e.g. ikiŋok ----- puppy (i) To form the plural the ending of the noun is changed.
(iii) These changes in the endings of nouns are so irregular that it is not worth while trying to formulate rules for the formation of plurals.
(iv) Certain nouns, however, which are derived from verbs, form their plurals according to rules; (a) Nouns denoting an agent of action (a person who does the action of the verb) form a singular ending in -an or -on and a plural ending in -ak or -ok: ekamejanhunter→ ikamejakhuntersekamejan → ikamejakhunter {} huntersekecokonherdsman→ ikecokokherdsmenekecokon → ikecokokherdsman {} herdsmenekadukona builder→ ikadukokbuildersekadukon → ikadukok{a builder} {} buildersekatubonjudge→ ikatubokjudgesekatubon → ikatubokjudge {} judges(b) Nouns denoting something which does or, is done, form a singular ending in -et or -etait and a plural ending in -eta: elacetkey→ ilacetakeys(a thing which loosens) elacet → ilacetakey {} keysarapetaitcover→ arapetacoversarapetait → arapetacover {} covers(v) Some nouns have no singular and exist only in the plural: e.g. akipi—-water; ajony – local brew; asinge – sand; ajo – sleep; ileic – shame
Other nouns have no plural and exist only in the singular; e.g. ekuron – ashes; akoloŋ—sun; adam – brain; eduan – weeds
Nelwana/ne alwanan =far off Eyapye/eyapiei/eyapie = near Toma =inside Kiding =in the middle/between Kau = behind Ngaren (na) = in front (of) Osiep = near/on the side of/beside Diye = very close teten = (to the) right Kediany = left Kide = East Too = West Nyakoi = North Agolitomei / Ongalakimak = South Ateso numerals are from ones place to hundredth place.
e.g. edioperot (or erot ediope) one road/way; adiopeberu one woman; ††The word for zero, esupur, is no longer used in the spoken language.
e.g. akany five, nakikanyet fifth (feminine singular) ‡ a majority of Iteso (especially those in the Ugandan districts of Soroti, Kumi, Amuria, Bukedea, Serere_District and Kaberamaido) do not pronounce some ks in speech.