The Lak language(lakku maz) is spoken in Dagestan, North Caucasus, Russia. It is the language of the Lak people. It is an endangered language that has about 100,000 native speakers[1] and is in danger of dying out. It belongs to the Nakh-Dagestan language family, which is isolated, with no relatives beyond the North Eastern Caucasus. The Lak language was written using the Arabic alphabet until 1928. From 1928 to 1938, it was written using the Latin alphabet. Since 1938, it has been written using the Cyrillic alphabet. It is one of the indigenous written mountain languages of Dagestan.
Table of Contents
edit
Pronunciation guide
editConsonants | Vowels | Diacritics |
---|---|---|
Б b
- b [b] |
А ah
- a, ā [ə, aː] |
Ъ
hard sign - ʾ [ʔ] |
В v
- w [w] |
Аь aeh
- a̱ [æˁ] |
Ь
soft sign |
Г g
- g [ɡ] |
Е yeh
- ǝ̱ [eˁ] |
|
Гъ gkhr
- ġ [ʁ] |
Ё yoh | |
Гь hae
- h [h] |
И ee
- i [i] |
|
Д d
- d [d] |
О oh | |
Ж zh
- ž [ʒ |
Оь eu
- o̱ [ɵˁ] |
|
З z
- z [z] |
У oo
- u [u] |
|
Й y
j [j] |
Ы yh | |
К k
- k [kʻ] |
Э eh
- ǝ̱ [eˁ] |
|
Кк gk
- k [kʻ] |
Ю yoo
- o̱ [ɵˁ] |
|
Къ kh
- q̄ [qː |
Я yah
- a̱ [æˁ] |
|
Кь gkh
- q̇ [qʼ] |
||
КI gkheh
- ḳ [kʼ] |
||
Л l
- l [l] |
||
М m
- m [m] |
||
Н n
- n [n] |
||
П p
- p [pʻ] |
||
Пп pp
- p̄ [pː] |
||
ПI bh
- ṗ [pʼ] |
||
Р r
- r [r] |
||
С s
- s [s] |
||
Сс ss
- s̄ [sː] |
||
Т t
- t [tʻ] |
||
Тт dtkh
- t̄ [tː] |
||
ТI tkh
- ṭ [tʼ] |
||
Ф f | ||
Х kh
- x [x] |
||
Хх kgh
- χ̄ [χː] |
||
Хъ ghh
- q [qʻ] |
||
Хь khh
- x [x] |
||
ХьХь ghgh
- x̄ [xː] |
||
ХI h
- ḥ [ħ] |
||
Ц ts
- c [tsʻ] |
||
Цц dts
- c̄ [tsː] |
||
ЦI dtskh
- [tsʼ] |
||
Ч ch
- č [tʃʻ] |
||
Чч chch
- č̄ [tʃː] |
||
ЧI chkh
- č̣ [tʃʼ] |
||
Ш sh
- š [ʃ] |
||
Щ sch
- š̄ [ʃː |
Audio of the alphabet
editPhrase list
editBasics
edit
Common foods
|
- Hello (in the morning).
- Израв - to men (IZ-rov)
Дизрав - to women (DIZ-rov)
Бизрав - to girls (BIZ-rov)
Бизрув - to multiple people (BIZ-roov)
- Hello. (other times of the day)
- салам алейкум (sa-LAM a-LEI-koom)
- Hello. (in response to the previous)
- ва алейкум ассалам (va a-LEI-koom a-sa-LAM )
- How are you?
- Цукун урав? - to men (tsoo-KOON oo-RAV)
Цукун дурав? - to women (tsoo-KOON doo-RAV)
Цукун бурав? - to girls (tsoo-KOON boo-RAV)
Цукун бурув? - to multiple people (tsoo-KOON boo-ROOV) - What is your name?
- Вил цIа цири? (VIL TSA tsi-RI)
- My name is ______ .
- Ттул цIa __. (too-ll ts ahh)
- Nice to meet you.
- КIулширия Ххарира (khool-shi-ri-ah khwa-ri-ra)
- Please.
- Миннатри (min-na-tri)
- Thank you.
- Барчаллагь (bar-cha-lagkhh)
- You're welcome.
- За бакъар (ZA bak-gkarr)
- Yes.
- Да (DA)
- No.
- Акъар - to men (ak-GKAR)
Дакъар - to women (dak-GKAR)
Бакъар - to girls (bak-GKAR) - I'm sorry.
- Багьишла ити - to men (ba-GHI-shla ih-TI)
Багьишла дити - to women (ba-GHI-shla dih-TI)
Багьишла бити - to girls (ba-GHI-shla bih-TI) - Goodbye
- Цалсса (TSAL-ssa)
- See you later
- Хьуна бакьиннин (KHOO-na bakh-IN-nin)
- left
- Хъюччайнмай (gkhuh-CHA-in-maai)
- right
- УрчIайнмай (oor-CHA-in-maai)
- Help!
- Кумаг барa (KOO-mag BAA-ra)
- Look out!
- Мугъаятну (moo-GHA-yeth-noo)
- Good
- Ххуйну (khooi-NOO)
- Bad
- Оьккину (ou-ki-noo)
- Good night.
- Хьхьу хъинну (KHOO gki-NOO)
- I don't understand.
- Ттун къабучIлай бур (DTOON ga-BOO-ch-lai BOOR)
- Where is the toilet?
- Туалет чу бури (tua-LYEHT CHOO boo-RI)
Problems
edit- Leave me alone.
- На паракьатну итира/битира/дитира. [to men/to women/to girls] (NA pa-RAkhh-tnoo ee-TEE-ra / bee-TEE-ra / dee-TEEra)
- Don't touch me!
- ттуйн ка мащару. (TOO-in ka ma-SHAA-roo)
- I'll call the police.
- на полициялийн оьв чинна. (NA po-li-tsi-ya-LIN eurv chin-NA)
- Police!
- Полиция! (po-LI-tsi-ya)
- Stop! Thief!
- ацIу! цуркуй! (ATTS-oo! tsoor-KOOIY)
- I need your help.
- Ттун кумаг аьркинни. (dtoon KOO-mag arkh-IN-eh)
- It's an emergency.
- Ва анаварну аьркинссар. (VA ah-na-VAR-noo ar-KIN-sarr)
- I'm lost.
- на аьйкьура/бяйкьура/дяйкьура. [to men/to women/to girls] (NA aik-OO-ra / baik-OO-ra / daik-OO-ra)
- I lost my bag.
- Ттул сумка бакъа хьунни. (dtool SOOM-ka BAK-ka KHOO-ni)
- I lost my wallet.
- Ттул кошелек бакъа хьунни. (dtool ka-sheh-LYOK BAK-ka KHOO-ni)
- I'm sick.
- На къашабай ура. (NA ka-sha-BAI OO-ra)
- I've been injured.
- Ттуйн щабу динни. (DTOOIN SCHA-boo DINN-nee)
- I need a doctor.
- Ттун доктор аьркинни. (DTOON DOHK-tohr ar-KINN-nee)
- Can I use your phone?
- Вил телефонналиба оьв чин бучIирив? (VILL teh-leh-FOHN-na-lee-ba EUV CHIN boo-chi-RIV)
Numbers
edit- 1
- Ца (TSA)
- 2
- кIий (KHEE)
- 3
- шан (SHEN)
- 4
- мукь (MOOKH)
- 5
- ххюв (KHHOOE)
- 6
- рях (RAEKH)
- 7
- арул (AER-ool)
- 8
- мяй (MAE-ee)
- 9
- урчl (OORCH)
- 10
- ацI (AETS)
- 11
- ацIния ца (aets-NI-ya TSA)
- 12
- ацIния кIий (aets-NI-ya KHEE)
- 13
- ацIния шан (aets-NI-ya SHEN)
- 14
- ацIния мукь (aets-NI-ya MOOKH)
- 15
- ацIния ххюв (aets-NI-ya KHHOOE)
- 16
- ацIния рях (aets-NI-ya RAEKH)
- 17
- ацIния арул (aets-NI-ya AER-ool)
- 18
- ацIния мяй (aets-NI-ya MAE-ee)
- 19
- ацIния урчI (aets-NI-ya OORCH)
- 20
- кьу (KHOO)
- 21
- кьуния ца (khoo-NI-ya TSA)
- 22
- кьуния кIий (khoo-NI-ya KHEE)
- 23
- кьуния шан (khoo-NI-ya SHEN)
- 30
- зуби (ZOO-bi)
- 31
- зубилли ца (zoo-bee-LEE TSA)
- 40
- мукьчIал (MOOKH-chel)
- 41
- мукьчIалли ца (mookh-chel-LEE TSA)
- 50
- ххюцIал (KHOE-tsaell)
- 51
- ххюцIалли ца (khow-tsaell-LEE TSA)
- 60
- ряхцIал (RAEKH-tsaell)
- 61
- ряхцIалли ца (raekh-tsaell-LEE TSA)
- 70
- арулцIал (AER-ool-tsaell)
- 80
- мяйцIал (MAE-ee-tsaell)
- 90
- урчIал (OORCH-aell)
- 100
- ттурш (TOORSH)
- 101
- ттуршли ца (toorsh-LEE tsa)
- 200
- кIиттурш (kheet-TOORSH)
- 300
- шанттурш (shen-TOORSH)
- 400
- мукьттурш (mookh-TOORSH)
- 1000
- азар (AH-zar)
- 1001
- азарлий ца (ah-zar-LEE TSA)
- half
- дачIи (ххячча) (da-TCHI [GKHAE-cha])
- less
- чIибиму (tchee-bee-MOO)
- more
- хъунму (kho-noo-MOO)
Time
edit- now
- цIана (TSEH-na)
- later
- махъ (MAUKH)
- before
- хьхьичI (KHXEECH)
- morning
- кIюрх (GKYOORX)
- afternoon
- ахттая махъ (AKH-taa-ya MAUKH)
- evening
- гьанттайнмай (GHHAN-tai-yin-mai
- night
- хьхьу (GKHOO)
Clock time
edit- one o'clock AM
- хьхьунил ссят (GKHOO-neel SIAT)
- two o'clock AM
- хьхьунил кIира ссят (GKHOO-neel KGHEE-ra SIAT)
- noon
- ахттайн чIун (AKH-tay-in TCHOON)
- one o'clock PM
- кьинилул ссят (kghee-nee-LOOL SIAT)
- two o'clock PM
- кьинилул кIира ссят (kghee-nee-LOOL KGHEE-ra SIAT)
- midnight
- хьхьудяризу (khoo-DAE-ree-zoo)
Duration
edit- _____ minute(s)
- минута(минутIру) (mee-NOO-ta [mee-NOO-troo])
- _____ hour(s)
- ссят (ссятру) (SIAT [SAIT-troo])
- _____ day(s)
- кьини(кьинирду) (KHEE-nee [KHEE-neer-doo])
- _____ week(s)
- нюжмар (нюжмарду) (nyoozh-MAR [nyoozh-MAR-doo])
- _____ month(s)
- барз (барзру) (BARZ [BARZ-roo])
- _____ year(s)
- шин (шинну) (SHEEN [SHEEN-noo])
Days
edit- today
- хIакьину (khgakh-EE-noo)
- yesterday
- лахьхьу (laekhgh-KHOO)
- tomorrow
- гьун тий (GOON TEEY)
- this week
- ва нюжмардий (VA nyoozh-MAER-diiy)
- last week
- лавгумур нюжмардий (lav-GOO-moor nyoozh-MAER-diiy)
- next week
- хъиримур нюжмардий (khee-REE-moor nyoozh-MAER-diiy)
- Sunday
- ххуллун (kkhoo-LOON)
- Monday
- иттни (EET-nee)
- Tuesday
- тталат (dtaa-LATT)
- Wednesday
- аьрвяхI (aer-VYAHGH)
- Thursday
- ххамисс (KHAA-miss)
- Friday
- нюжмар (nyoozh-MAER)
- Saturday
- аьлхIат (ael-KHAET)
Months
editThe months in Lak are said the same way as months are said in Russian.
Colors
edit- black
- люхIисса (lyoo-HEE-sa)
- white
- кIяласса (gk-a-LAA-sa)
- gray
- оьрусса (oe-ROO-sa)
- red
- ятIулсса (ya-TTOOL-sa)
- blue
- някIсса (NYAGK-sa)
- yellow
- хъахъисса (khka-KHKEE-sa)
- green
- щюллисса (schyoo-LEE-sa)
- orange
- наранжийсса (na-ran-ZHEE-sa)
- purple
- банавшасса (ba-NAV-sha-sa)
- brown
- михакIсса (mee-XAGKH-sa)
Transportation
editDirections
edit- How do I get to _____ ?
- Цукун гьабав? (TSOO-koon gha-BAV)
- house
- Къатлубун (gkat-LOO-boon)
- bathroom
- Туалетрайн (too-a-LET-ra-een)
- shop
- Тучанналийн (too-CHA-na-lee-in)
- Can you show me on the map?
- Карталий ккаккан баннав? (kar-ta-LEE ka-KAN ba-NAV)
- street
- КIичIира (gkh-ee-CHEE-ra)
- Turn
- КIура аю (to men)(GKOO-ra a-YOO) КIура баю (to women)(GKOO-ra ba-YOO) КIура даю (to girls)(GKOO-ra da-YOO)
- left
- Куяйнай (koo-YAI-naiy)
- right
- УрчIайнай (oorch-AIY-naiy)
- straight ahead
- ТIайлану (TAIY-la-noo)
- towards the _____
- ____ танил чулинмай (__ ta-NEEL choo-LEEN-maiy)
- past the _____
- ЧIарах (tcha-RAHH)
- before the _____
- Махъ (MAGKH)
- north
- Ух ссав (OOH SAVV)
- south
- Кьибла (KEEB-la)
- east
- Баргъ буккай чул (BARGKH boo-KAI CHOOL)
- west
- Баргъ лагай чул (BARGKH la-KAI CHOOL)
- uphill
- Ялун лахъан (YA-loon LAH-han)
- downhill
- Лув учIан (LOOV oo-CHAEN)
Money
edit- Note: Russian rubles are used in Dagestan.
- How much?
- Багьа цирив? (BA-gha tsi-REEV)
- cheap
- Кьювкьюну (khoev-KHOE-noo)
- expensive
- Ххирану (KHEE-ra-noo)
Eating
edit- I'm a vegetarian.
- На дикI къадукара (NA DIGK gka-doo-KA-ra)
- I don't eat ___
- На къадукара/къадукайссар (na gka-doo-KA-ra/ na gka-doo-dka-EE-sar)
- pork
- Дунгъузрал дикI (doon-GOOS-ral DIGK)
- beef
- Жакьлул дикI (zhakh-LOOL DIGK)
- I only eat kosher food.
- На хIалалсса дакъа дукра къадукара (NA kha-LAL-sa DAK-ga DOOK-ra kad-oo-KAR-a)
- breakfast
- КIюрххилсса (kyoor-HEEL-sa)
- lunch
- Ахттайнсса (ah-ta-YIN-sa)
- supper
- Гьанттайнсса (gan-tai-YIN-sa)
- I want _____.
- Ттун ___ ччай дур. (TOON ___ CHAI DOOR)
- I want chicken.
- Ттун аьнакIи ччай бур (TOON an-na-KEE CHAI DOOR)
- I want meat.
- Ттун дикI ччай дур (TOON DIGK CHAI DOOR)
- I want fish.
- Ттун хIава ччай бур (TOON GKHA-va CHAI DOOR)
- ham
- Ветчина (bet-chin-NA)
- sausage
- Сосискарду (soh-sis-kar-DOO)
- cheese
- Нис (NEES)
- eggs
- Ккунукру (koon-noo-KROO)
- salad
- Салат (sa-LAT)
- vegetables
- Ахънилсса (agk-NEEL-sa)
- fruit
- Ахъулсса (agk-KOOL-sa)
- bread
- ЧчатI (chatt)
- noodles
- Лапша (lap-SHA)
- rice
- Ппиринж (pee-REENZH)
- beans
- Хъюру (heu-ROO)
- bottle of water
- Щинал шюша (SCHI-nal SHYOO-sha0
- tea (drink)
- Чяйрал чашка (chae-RAL CHASH-ka)
- salt
- цIу (ch-OO)
- black pepper
- Перец (pey-RETS)
- butter
- Нагь (NAGHH)
- I'm finished.
- На дукав (NA DOO-kav
- It was delicious.
- НяхIусса дия (na-HOO-sa di-YA)
Shopping
edit- Can I have a bag?
- Сумка бучIирив? (SOOM-ka boo-chi-REEV)
- I need...
- Ттун аьркинни (TOON ar-ki-NEE)
- ...toothpaste.
- Ккарччал паста (kar-CHAL PAS-ta)
- ...a toothbrush.
- Ккарччал щётка (kar-CHAL SCHYOT-ka)
- ...soap.
- СсяхIбан (SAEH-ban)
- ...shampoo.
- Шампунь (sham-POON-yh)
- ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
- ЦIуцIаву паракьат дайсса (TSOO-tsa-voo pa-RA-kat DAI-ee-sa)
- ...cold medicine.
- Дякъил цIуцIаврия (DYA-kil TSOO-tsa-vree-ya)
- medicine
- Дарув (da-ROOV)
- ...a razor.
- Бритва (BREET-va)
- ...an umbrella.
- Ххют/зонт (KHOET/ZONT)
- ...writing paper.
- Чагъар (CHA-ghar)
- ...a pen.
- Ручка (ROOCH-ka)
Further Reading
editThe Lak Language - Лакку маз. A Quick Reference
The Oxford Handbook of Languages of the Caucasus[dead link]
Peoples and Languages of the Caucasus. A Synopsis.[dead link]
Introduction to the Study of the Languages of the Caucasus[dead link]
Endangered Languages of the Caucasus and Beyond[dead link]
The Semantics of Verbal Categories in Nakh-Daghestanian Languages[dead link]
Additional Resources
editReferences
edit- ↑ Schulze, Wolgang (2007). The Lak Language – Лакку маз. A Quick Reference.[dead link] second (augmented and corrected) version. Munich: LMU Munich. p. 26