Language/Wolof/Grammar/Time-and-Dates
Welcome, dear learners! Today, we embark on an exciting journey through the fascinating world of time and dates in the Wolof language. Understanding how to express time is crucial for daily conversations, planning events, and connecting with others. Whether you’re scheduling a meeting, planning a trip, or simply chatting with friends, mastering this topic will empower you to communicate more effectively.
In this lesson, we’ll cover:
- Days of the week
- Months of the year
- How to express years
- Framing questions about time
- Practical exercises to solidify your learning
By the end of this lesson, you will feel confident discussing time and dates in Wolof, enriching your conversations and deepening your understanding of the culture. So, let’s dive in!
Days of the Week
Understanding the days of the week is essential for organizing your schedule and making plans. In Wolof, the days are straightforward and often inspired by cultural practices. Here’s a breakdown of the days of the week:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Àjjuma | /aʒˈʒumɑ/ | Monday |
| Tëmmë | /tɛmˈme/ | Tuesday |
| Dëkk | /dɛk/ | Wednesday |
| Aŋor | /aŋɔr/ | Thursday |
| Gème | /ɡɛmɛ/ | Friday |
| Sàmba | /sɑ̃ˈbɑ/ | Saturday |
| Dimanche | /diˈmɑ̃ʃ/ | Sunday |
== Examples of Usage:
1. Àjjuma la (It is Monday).
2. Tëmmë la (It is Tuesday).
3. Dëkk la (It is Wednesday).
4. Aŋor la (It is Thursday).
5. Gème la (It is Friday).
6. Sàmba la (It is Saturday).
7. Dimanche la (It is Sunday).
Months of the Year
Just like days, months play a vital role in our lives. In Wolof, the months are also relatively simple to learn. Here’s how they are expressed:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Janweer | /dʒɑ̃ˈweːr/ | January |
| Février | /feˈvʁie/ | February |
| Mars | /maʁs/ | March |
| Avril | /aˈvʁil/ | April |
| Me | /me/ | May |
| Juin | /ʒɥɛ̃/ | June |
| Juillet | /ʒɥiˈje/ | July |
| Août | /uːt/ | August |
| Septembre | /sɛpˈtɑ̃bʁ/ | September |
| Octobre | /ɔkˈtɔbʁ/ | October |
| Novembre | /nɔvˈɑ̃bʁ/ | November |
| Décembre | /deˈsɑ̃bʁ/ | December |
== Examples of Usage:
1. Janweer la (It is January).
2. Février la (It is February).
3. Mars la (It is March).
4. Avril la (It is April).
5. Me la (It is May).
6. Juin la (It is June).
7. Juillet la (It is July).
8. Août la (It is August).
9. Septembre la (It is September).
10. Octobre la (It is October).
11. Novembre la (It is November).
12. Décembre la (It is December).
Years
When discussing years, the structure is quite similar to English. Here’s how to express years in Wolof:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | /døːz/ | 2020 |
| 2021 | /døːz/ | 2021 |
| 2022 | /døːz/ | 2022 |
| 2023 | /døːz/ | 2023 |
| 2024 | /døːz/ | 2024 |
== Examples of Usage:
1. Nanu ci 2020 (We are in 2020).
2. Nanu ci 2021 (We are in 2021).
3. Nanu ci 2022 (We are in 2022).
4. Nanu ci 2023 (We are in 2023).
5. Nanu ci 2024 (We are in 2024).
Asking About Time
Being able to ask questions about time is just as important as stating it. Here are some useful phrases for inquiring about days, months, and years:
| Wolof | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kan la? | /kɑ̃ lɑ/ | What day is it? |
| Naka ji? | /nɑːkɑ dʒi/ | What month is it? |
| Naka at? | /nɑːkɑ ɑt/ | What year is it? |
== Examples of Usage:
1. Kan la? (What day is it?)
2. Naka ji? (What month is it?)
3. Naka at? (What year is it?)
Practical Exercises
Now that we’ve covered the essential vocabulary for days, months, and years, let’s put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises to help you practice.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct day or month in Wolof.
1. ___ la (It is Wednesday).
2. ___ la (It is August).
3. Nanu ci ___ (We are in 2023).
Answers:
1. Dëkk
2. Août
3. 2023
Exercise 2: Matching
Match the Wolof terms with their English equivalents.
| Wolof | English |
|----------------|--------------|
| Àjjuma | Monday |
| Tëmmë | Tuesday |
| Dimanche | Sunday |
| Août | August |
Answers:
1. Àjjuma - Monday
2. Tëmmë - Tuesday
3. Dimanche - Sunday
4. Août - August
Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences
Translate the following sentences from English to Wolof.
1. It is Friday.
2. What month is it?
3. We are in 2022.
Answers:
1. Gème la.
2. Naka ji?
3. Nanu ci 2022.
Exercise 4: Create Your Own Sentences
Using the vocabulary from this lesson, create sentences for the following prompts.
1. Say what day it is today.
2. Mention your favorite month.
Sample Answers:
1. Gème la (It is Friday).
2. Février la (February is my favorite month).
Exercise 5: Role Play
Imagine you are at a market in Senegal. Practice asking a vendor about the date and responding with the current day.
Example Dialogue:
- You: Kan la? (What day is it?)
- Vendor: Àjjuma la. (It is Monday.)
Exercise 6: Listening Practice
Listen to a Wolof speaker talk about their week. Write down the days mentioned.
Expected Result:
- Àjjuma, Tëmmë, Dëkk, Aŋor, Gème, Sàmba, Dimanche.
Exercise 7: Time Quiz
Answer the following questions in Wolof.
1. What day is it today?
2. What year are we in?
Sample Answers:
1. Kan la?
2. Naka at?
Exercise 8: Sentence Reordering
Rearrange the words to form correct sentences in Wolof.
1. la / Dimanche / It is
2. 2024 / Nanu / ci
Answers:
1. Dimanche la (It is Sunday).
2. Nanu ci 2024. (We are in 2024).
Exercise 9: Calendar Creation
Create a simple calendar for the current month, labeling each day in Wolof.
Expected Result:
- Label each day (e.g., Àjjuma, Tëmmë, Dëkk, etc.)
Exercise 10: Write a Short Paragraph
Write a short paragraph in Wolof about your favorite month, including reasons why you like it.
Sample Answer:
Me la. Ndax gëm na ci jëfandikoo ak samay dorong. (May is my favorite month because it is warm and I enjoy the outdoors.)
Congratulations on completing this lesson! Remember, practice makes perfect. Keep using these terms in your daily conversations to solidify your understanding. Enjoy your journey in learning Wolof!
Sources
- Wolof Numbers, Time & Dates – Janga Wolof
- Wolof language - Wikipedia
- Class Roster - Fall 2022 - WOLOF 2118
Other Lessons
- Simple negation
- Nouns
- Adjectives
- Future Tense
- Pronouns and How to ask questions
- Conditional Mood
- Notable characteristics
- Indirect Object Pronouns
- Possessive pronouns
- Regular Verbs