Sona - 7

We have now given a detailed explanation as to how radicals– with special reference to the 36 Indicators– are combined to form words and parts of speech. Our next enquiry will be: How does Sona construct its sentences? How are words combined to express thought?

The extreme conciseness of the language must have a paramount influence upon the structure of the sentence. It also requires a clear and deliberate pronounciation, for each syllable is significant. In the I.G. languages the variation in the form of a word– that is, its inflection serves the purpose of marking the part played by that word in the sentence in which it occurs. The difference between the subject and the object functions in the L. sentence ‘pater amant filium,’ or in R. ‘otyets lyubit syna,’ are clearly marked by inflection, while in E. ‘the father loves the son,’ the difference is marked solely by the word-order. This is also so in C. and in Sona.

The construction of the Sona sentence is based upon the logical sequence of ideas. Qualifying words precede the words they qualify; Cf. ‘icebreaker’ – isuyudeci – not as in I. ‘rompighiaccio.’ The subject precedes the verb; the object follows it; Cf. ‘I love you’ mi abu tu, not as in F. ‘ ‘je vous aime.’ There is no inversion of order for the interrogative; e.g. have I? mi imake = I have (?). The adverb, however, has no fixed position:– mi ziu sa, mi sa ziu ‘I really know.’ The verb is analytical as in English. Sona distinguishes two senses of ‘to be’, as in I. essere, stare; e.g. en zi = ‘it is,’ I e, en zia = there is, F. il y a. The Present Tense of the verb ‘to be,’ (zi), is omitted between two substantives, as in R. and A. Constant repetition of the same tense throughout the verbs of interrelated clauses is avoided by modifying the Japanese construction, so that the first, not the last verb, shall indicate the time of action. Constant repetition of the Personal Pronouns is avoided wherever possible by leaving them implicit as in telegraphic messages. The two isolating radicals ke (?) and ua have equivalents in Japanese. In short the construction of the Sona sentence must not be confined to European models. The ideas of both East and West are rendered, for instance, by the phrase o min ‘please come in,’ which combines the courteous. J. kochite e otore na sai, ‘here towards honourable passage deign,’ with a form more concise even than E.

Sona has no shifted tenses in indirect speech. The verb of the first clause indicates the time of action, and unless an alternation in time is expressed all folowing verbs remain in Infinitive form; e.g. mi zen ‘I (am) ill,’ mi to zen or mi zito zen ‘I was ill,’ on la ua mi zen ‘he says that I am ill,’ on la ua mi to zen ‘he says that I was ill,’ on lato ua mi zen ‘he said that I was ill,’ on lato ua mi to zen ‘he said that I was ill’ i.e. ‘had been ill’; ti kelatoyan keri ru ua arise parayan ‘they asked her when (she) had gone to visit her father,’ ti kelatoyan keri si ru ua arise parayan ‘they asked her when they had been to visit her father,’ ti kelatoyan keri ru ua arise parasi ‘they asked her when (she) would go to visit their father.’ In some cases the alteration in time is shown by the adverb:– mi nayari vadiri ‘I (shall) not come tomorrow,’ an ari zadiri ‘she came yesterday,’ on latomi ua ari li Roma vatori ‘he said to me that (he) will come to Rome next year,’ keri mi se tu ‘when shall I see you?’ keri mi seto tu ‘when did I see you?’

Thus in simple form are combined three methods of construction:– (i) English, French and most occidental languages in which the tense is shifted when there is an actual change in time, (ii) Russian, and many oriental languages in which the same tense is used in Indirect speech as would have been used in Direct speech, (iii) Japanese, which marks the time by means of one verb only in a series of clauses containing verbs in the same tense. Thus we say: mi ruto ua se borasi nukiri ge layon mi nali ari a karipa kin kiua siadani ‘I went to see my brother the other morning and told him I could not be come to lunch, as I was already engaged.’ The verbs la, ari, though ‘past’ in English, are here ‘Infinitive.’ The difference between the time indicators va and fa is that the former expresses probability, the latter possibility:– mi va to setu ken halami ‘I would have seen you if (you) had called out (to me),’ tu fa to semi ken na zia huvan ‘You might have seen me had there not been a fog.’

Note: In the following selection of simple phrases and prose, ( ) includes a word which may be omitted, [ ] marks corresponding words in E. and S.

Am I too late?	mi uto azake.
Are the [servants] to be tipped?	[ubijie] ueke donxani.
Are (you) engaged to-day?	(tu) adanike indiri.
Are (you) going out?	(tu) furucike.
Are (we) going to Naples?	(mie) va ru li Napoli ke.
Are [dogs] allowed here?	[xen] aloni inya.
[As I'm known] here I can't go.	[hasanii] inya mi nali ru.

Being young I get up early.	zii jun mi akasi ki.
Bring me some shaving water.	innomi di mujali su.
Bring them up to my room.	inkati akali mi dia.

Can (you) change this note for me?	(tu) nike numi in danlena.
Can (you) give me a light?	(tu) nike zokami.
Can (you) meet me at —?	(tu) nike agemi a —.

Can (you) send them for me?	(tu) nike inkanotimi.
[Can] (you) speak Sona?	(tu) [sake] laba Sona.

Can (you) tell me where —?	(tu) nike lami a ci —.
Can (you) wait a bit?	(tu) nike mankosi.
Come early, if you can.	ari ki, ken ni.

Did (you) have a good journey?	(tu) to rutake xau.
Do not come too late.	na ari uto aza.
Do not encourage him.	na uzikayon.
Do (you) know where to go?	(tu) sake a ci da ru.
Do (you) [know] him? [(F.) connaitre]	(tu) [hasake] on.
Do (you) know the way?	(tu) sake via.
Do (you) not remember me?	(tu)nake zamemi.
Do (you) remember (her)?	(tu) zameke (an).

Do you remember (where)?	(tu) zameke a ci.
Do (you) want to —?	(tu) cuke da —.
Drive to the (Savoy) Hotel.	noru li (Savoi) Hotel.

Go and bring me some paper.	ru innomi di velen.

Have (you) been ill?	(tu) to zenke.
Have (you) any English books?	(tu) imake di Anglo gelen.
Have (you) anything to declare?	(tu) imake cina da fula.
Have (you) seen them?	(tu) to seketi.
Have (you) nothing cheaper?	(tu) na imake cina ekodan.
Here are the letters, Miss.	haua lenietu o hazannin.
How are you today?	kesantu indiri.
How far (is it) to —?	keuti li —.
How long (are) (you) staying?	(tu) keteri zia.

How many (miles) to —?	keye (Mail) li —
How many do (you) want?	(tu) keye cu.
How much (is) this?	in kedan.
How old (are) you?	ketoritu.
Have (you) got my letter?	(tu) to inte mi leni.

I am leaving to-morrow.	mi neruci vadiri.

I am quite well, [thanks].	[xan], mi ita san.
I do not know who he is.	mi na sa ci on.
I do not know what to do.	mi na sa ci da.
I don't know [anything].	mi na sa [heci].
I don't know [his father] at all.	mi na hasa [parayon] ita.
I do not want to —	mi na cu da —
I do not know whose it is.	mi na sa cisi en.

(I) did not hear what you said.	(mi) na useto ci tu la.
I have four small cases.	mi ima cana ko can.
I have never been in (Moscow).	mi nari to zia (Moskva).
I have forgotten (it).	mi to fime(yen).
I have some [registered] luggage.	mi ima di [celeni) nogi.
(I) have lost my [key].	(mi) to nefi mi [cebi].
(I) hope you feel better now.	(mi) ime inri tu sen esanyo.
I must go to the [Post Office].	mi uo ru li [lenocia].

I think it will rain.	mi me hu va su.
I think we [know each other].	(mi) me ua mie [hasaisi].
I want a [single room].	mi cu [engidia].
I want a [return ticket] to —	mi cu [iritolen] li —
I want to be called [at 8 a.m.].	mi cu kihalani [atu ori].
I want an extra blanket.	mi bezi ado mukupona.


Please bring some [coal].	o inno di [zoje].
Put my things on the rack.	ma cigimi apo reten.
Put it on the [writing table].	mayeb apo [lemadu].

Ring the bell please.	o ilaba.
Ring for the page boy.	inyila bikora.

Send the barber to shave me.	inruka muci da jami.
She can't speak any Russian.	an na sa laba ci Ruso.

Take the next [turn] to the right.	nukasi en uli [gun] ureli.
Take this to the [hall porter].	untein li [kaminci].
Taking my hat (I) went out.	tekai mi kapo (mi) ruto fu.
That (is) all I have.	un mipandi.
That (is) much too dear.	un ta uto dan.

That way to the [hall], madam.	unli en [kaminya], o hazan.
The sheets are quite damp.	ginca ita suki.
The [window cord] is broken.	[seloren] udeni.
There is no toilet paper.	na zia bivelen.
This change (is) not right.	in dannu na ure.
This meat is not cooked.	in bona na kipani.
This [tea] is quite cold.	in [Cai or Te] ita isuni.
This (is) the way, sir.	inha via, o hara.
[Those who went] never returned.	[rutocie] nari iresi.

What (is) your name?	kehanitu.
What did (you) say?	(tu) kena lato.
What (is) [that] called (in —)?	[un] kehani (po —).
What (are) your charges?	ke tu akedan.
What (is) the charge for —?	ke akedan po —

What time (is it)?	ke ori.
What time is dinner?	po ke ori si pata.

What sort of road (is it)?	kevi rua.
What (is) the single fare?	po ke engio rudan.
What time (do) we arrive?	po ke ori mie ariva.
What a piece of luck!	keha xafadi.
What ought (one) to say to them?	ke (si) ue lati.
What (is) the matter (with you)?	ke fa (tu).
What (is) the date to-day?	ke inyodiri.
What time do the shops close?	po ke ori apakanye cenni.
We must ask them to dinner.	mie uo aluti da pata.
We want a [double] room.	ie cu dia [jidoli].
Wait here for me.	mansi mi inya.
Where (is) the toilet?	keya bidia.

Where (is) the [passport office]?	keya [jitolencia].
Where are (you) going?	(tu) keli.
Where do (you) live?	(tu) kezia.

When (shall) I come again?	keri mi inyire.
When can (you) be there?	keri (tu) ni unzia.
When will (you) be in paris?	keri (tu) zia Paris.
When does the train start?	po ke ori toreno ruki.
Where have (you) come from?	(tu) nekeli.
When (is) the last [post]?	po ke ori ito [leno].
When (you) come in [shut the door].	(tu) minrui [cenba dulo].
Will you come to [tea]?	tu cuke inpa [Cai or Te].
Which is the best [of these]?	[ne inye] keci xa.
Whoever told [you] that?	kejihe lato un [li tu].
Whose [umbrella] is this?	in kesi [sutepona].

Why did (you) say that?	(tu) keua lato un.
Why don't (you) answer?	(tu) keua na irila.
Why didn't (you) send it?	(tu) keua na rukatoyen.

Your good health, sir!	santu, o hara.
You have not given me enough.	tu na to donmi ipana.

Passengers who do not desire to	torugi ci na cu da
present in person their passports	injidon jitolensi
or other identity papers to the	nu inu jilen li
[Authorities] charged with the	[kinyara] uenitoci po
[examination] thereof on the passage at	[ukeseda] viua a toruda vi
frontiers, [are informed] that the	valinye, [kasani] ua imigiumadio
International [Sleeping Car Company]	[kunogiada] kinyalo
authorises [its conductors] to	[dakaciesi] da inte ne torugi
receive from the passengers [the above	[kivacilani] lengi
mentioned] documents and to present	ge da undonti, samenitoi
them, it being clearly understood, however,	xoyu, naui, ua [dai]
that [by doing so] they will be acting	ti va daka asi jibici
as the personal agents of the passenger.	dili toruji.

[Notice] (It is) dangerous to lean	[xolen] foli da agusi
out of the window.	fu selo.

(It is) forbidden to use [the W.C.]	ubani da bi [sucandia] ri
while the train is in a station.	toreno zia makan.

[Alarm.] In case of danger pull the	[foyale] po fa foline aru
cord [handle]. Penalty for im-	ren [or tebi]. abadan vi
proper use not less than £5.	fen bida na ko ne pen Sterlin.

An official letter.	kindileni.
Sir, I have the honour to inform	o hara, mi han da kasatu
you that [the Secretary of State] for	ua [hakaidaleci] vi
[Foreign Affairs] regrets that he is	[fuada] vosi ua
unable to consider your offer in the	nali meka aketu po
sense suggested. I am, however, to	same ikeni. mi uo, naui,
point out that, in the opinion of	da alete ua, po unume di
the Secretary of State, your peculiar	hakaidaleci, tu hojio
qualifications would seem to justify	vie fa seru da
a personal application by	udaxo jidi akeda bi
you to the Home Office, and he has	tu li minyadaya, ge on to
instructed me accordingly to forward	kalami usiu da vaka
your name to that department,	hanitu li un idadi, [so]
[together with] your letter and	tu leni ge
[record of personal services].	[jidiubizamelen].
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant.	o tu.

A business letter.	adaleni.
Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your	o hara, mi ima tu leni
letter of the 10th inst. and have	vi dicio ge to
taken [due] note of your esteemed	mele [ueyu] vi ameni
instructions [with regard to] the	kalatu [po]
shipment of 14 cases of dried fruit.	sunoda vi cadici ducan subeni
As stated in previous communications	mo. asi zilani po kiva sokasaye
[the terms of payment] are cash against	[udoyusone] zi dangi ana
documents, 3% discount, or Bill at	len, tin po son didan, nu
30 days sight, net.	adolen po tinyedi diri, Net.
Trusting that the consignment will	imei ua rukanina va
reach you safely, and in good condi-	aritu ceu, ge po san zine,
tion, and that I shall be favoured	ge ua mi fa xadonni
with your further orders,	so ire kalani,
I am, Yours faithfully.	o tu.

Maxim.	savilana.
One being asked what a learned man	ji akelanii ci isara be
without practice resembled, replied:– “A bee	ukida to asi, irila:– “api
without honey. Say, to the rude and unkind	be xuga. laka izu ge naxame
bee ‘At least forbear to sting, if	api:– ‘po ko netensi da ika,
thou givest no honey.’”	ken tu na don xuga.’”

The Universal Language.	panyunadi lasin.
In their search for members of the	po ukedasi vi socie di
international gang of terrorists	imigiumadi gina di kafoci
concerned in the Marseilles assassinations	geni po Marseilles hakacoda
the Continental police are being	hayagadio ceka sokanici,
assisted, or hindered, by many amateur detec-	nu azani, bi e isafi ukecekaci.
tives. Yesterday a woman rushed into police	zadiri zan akibasi min ceka-
headquarters saying she had heard	dikaya, lai ua useto
three men talking a barbaric tongue	tin ra labaci zuvi lasin
plotting in a cafe. [Investigation] showed	anaxunci min Kafeya. [ukesada]
that the suspects were students	xokato ua kennie zi kisara
discussing a knotty point in the	dilakaci jelio keni min
previous day's lecture at the University.	kivadirio lenda a kayosakan.
One was a Portuguese, another was	enna to Portogali, inu
a Frenchman, and the third was	Fransi, ge tinyo
an Italian. The ‘ barbaric tongue ’	Itali. ‘ zuvi lasin ’
was English, the only language	to Anglo, unayo (lasin)
common (to them).	heisili.

Chapter 7

VII. SYNTAX