Gulahalan 7

We will be translating some of the lessons from Gulahalan, a multimedia North Sami language course. You will need to visit the site in order to play the sound files, and you can use the English translations on this page as you listen to the dialogs. The Gulahalan website is only compatible with Internet Explorer.

Dialog 1
Ánne tells about herself

Hi! I’m Anne.
I’m 18 years old.
I’m a student of textile duodji.

I live in Suorssa.
It is 25 miles from here.
My mother and my brother also live there.

My mother and father are both Geagánvuomi Sami.
That’s where my father and relatives live.
Since my father’s business is reindeer,
I could easily go into this occupation.


Dialog 2 Ánne continues her story

My father’s mother is 76 and my father’s father is 82 years old. Even so they still do the daily Sami work.

My father’s mother is named Ántte Ánne and she teaches me duodji, even today. My father’s father’s name is Ánte and for his part, he can stretch out ten reindeer skins to dry inside of four hours. And when he collects bark he comes back from the woods with some ten sacks of bark in one trip.


Dialog 3 Ánne continues her story

I am thinking of living with my grandparents. Every Friday I drive to their house. There I get to speak Sami, do duodji, and eat Sami food. I will be back to school on Monday morning. So that’s a little bit about me.

Gulahalan 6

Dialog 1
At the elder care facility

-Good morning, aunt Risten!
-Good morning!
-How are you doing?
-I’m doing well. Anything new?
-Nothing to hear. Here is your medicine.
First take the medicine, I’ll get the water.
-Thanks a lot!


Dialog 2
At the elder care facility, part 2

-Today Jusse is coming. It’s time to get dressed.
Are you going to wear the dressy gákti?
- No, I’m not. I’m going to wear the lightweight green one.
-Here you go.
-What scarf will you wear?
-I’ll wear the yellow scarf, all sharp and well dressed.


Dialog 3
At the elder care facility, part 3

-Here are socks and shoes.
-Help me outside now!
-Right now I don’t have the time. I’m going to aunt Sire.
-Go ahead! I’ll manage fine.
-Bye! (lit: stay well)
-Bye! (lit: go well)


Dialog 4
In the car

-Are you driving home?
-No, I’m filling up the tank first.
-Buy the paper!
-Remember the ice cream!
-I remember, but I’m not buying the paper, read the paper at home!
-Do I need to wash the car?
-That you don’t need to do, but wash the windshield!
-Sire, can you wash the windshield?
-I can’t, you wash it yourself! Drive home now, mom!

Lule Sami language lessons - Sámásta dialog 1

Sámásta is an online Lule Sami (julevsáme) language course with dialogs and audio. Sámásta is produced by UR, a Swedish public broadcasting company, the same one that brings you Gulahalan, the North Sami lessons which we also translate here on our blog. The dialogs on the website are given in Lule Sami, in the left column, and Swedish on the right. For English speakers wishing to learn Lule Sami, translations are provided below. Click on a link below to see and hear the Lule Sami for each of the four parts of dialog 1.

dialog 1, part 1
– Would you like more cake?
– Yes, we would.
– Here come some guests

– The girls are driving.
– The boys are skiing.
– Cousin Márjjá is the driver.

– Here come the cousins.
– Which ones?
– Lássi, Nijlas, Risstin and Márjjá
– How are they getting here?
– The boys are skiing, and the girls are driving.
– Márjjá is the driver.

dialog 1, part 2
- Will you drink more coffee?
– Yes, we will.
– Will you eat more cake?
– Yes.

– Now kids, do you drink milk?
– Yes, is there any more cake?
– Yes.
– Thanks, we are going out now.

dialog 1, part 3
– How are they doing in Jokkmokk?
– They are doing well over there.
– How is it gong with the kids?
– The girls are going to school, Lássi, Máhttu Ámmá are working.
– Where do they work?
– Lássi is in business, Máhttu is a grammar school teacher, and Ámmá has reindeer. He’s a reindeer owner.

– Are you already living in the new house?
– We still live at the old house, but soon we will move into the new house.
– Who do you have as builders?
– I have my father’s brother Ánndaris and cousin Häjkka as builders.
– Yeah, so then it’s really going to be a house!
– Won’t you come and visit our place?
– Of course, we will come visit you after we move into the new house.

dialog 1, part 4
– Here come even more guests.
– Who is coming.
– Uncle Vuollá, his wife Ánni, and their child.

– Hi
– Hi
– So, how are you doing?
– We are well, and you?
– We are doing well.

Gulahalan 5

We will be translating some of the lessons from Gulahalan, a multimedia North Sami language course. You will need to visit the site in order to play the sound files, and you can use the English translations on this page as you listen to the dialogs. The Gulahalan website is only compatible with Internet Explorer.

Dialog 1
Ánne on a school trip, part 1

-Hello, my girl! Where are you calling from?
-I’m calling from Guovdageainnu.
-How’s the trip going?
-It’s going well. Can you call back?
-Sure, I can do that. I see you are not on your cell phone.
-No, I’m not, I’m at this number...

Dialog 2
Ánne on a school trip, part 2

-Hi again. How’s it going at home?
-It’s going well. What are you doing in Guovdageainnu.
-I just got back from the store.
-Where will you be tomorrow?
-I’ll be in Kárášjohka. I’m going to a concert.
-What’s the weather like there?
-It’s very warm here. I could fall asleep just like that.

Dialog 3
Ánne on a school trip, part 3

-Where are you staying?
-I’m staying at the hotel. Are you home alone?
-No, I’m not. Nephew is home too.
-Is dad out with the reindeer?
-No, he’s not. He is in Giron (Kiruna.) Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Dialog 4
Sami flag day

-Today is Sami flag day. So I’m going to fly the Sami flag.
-What colors does the Sami flag have?
-Blue, red, yellow, and green.
-Do you have a gákti?
-I do! I have three gáktis. One is grey, one is black, and one is white.

Learn basic Sami - Gulahalan, chapter 4

We will be translating some of the lessons from Gulahalan, a multimedia North Sami language course. You will need to visit the site in order to play the sound files, and you can use the English translations on this page as you listen to the dialogs. The Gulahalan website is only compatible with Internet Explorer.

Dialog 1
Elle Risten ja Máret ságasteaba
Elle Risten and Maret have a conversation

Gii dovle vuodjá?
Who’s driving over there?

Lea mu viellja Johánas.
That’s my brother, Johánas.

Já, du viellja dat lea ge. Maid son bargá?
Oh I see, that’s your brother. What does he do?

Son lea dihtorčeahppi. Mus lea vel viellja, Ándde.
He’s a data expert. I have another brother, Ándde.

Maid Ándde bargá?
What does Ándde do?

Ándde lea skuvlavázzi. Son lea logi jagi boaris.
Ándde is a student. He is ten years old.

Mus lea oabbá.
I have a sister.

Leat go dus bohccot?
Do you have reindeer?

Leat.
I do.


Dialog 2
Vuođđologut
Counting

Okta giehta ja okta giehta leat guokte gieđa. Galle gieđa mus leat?
One hand plus one hand makes two hands. How many hands do I have?

Dus leat guokte gieđa.
You have two hands.

Okta čuvdi, guokte čuvddi, golbma čuvddi, njeallje čuvddi, ja vihtta čuvddi. Galle čuvddi mus leat de gieđas?
One finger, two fingers, three fingers, four fingers, and five fingers. How many fingers do I have on my hand?

Dus leat vihtta čuvddi gieđas.
You have five fingers on your hand.


Dialog 3
Vuođđologut
Counting

Man olu lea vihtta eret guokte?
How much is five minus two?

Oiannán golbma čuvddi.
I see three fingers.

Dus lea njuolga. De lasihan guhtta čuvddi. Galle čuvddi mus dalle leat ?
You are right. Now I’m putting up six fingers. How many fingers do I have now?

Dus leat golbma ja lasihat guhtta... njeallje, vihtta, guhtta, čieža, gávcci, ja ovcci.
Dus leat ovcci čuvddi.
You have three and put up six... four, five, six, seven, eight, and nine.
You have nine fingers.

Learn basic Sami - Gulahalan , chapter 3

We will be translating some of the lessons from Gulahalan, a multimedia North Sami language course. You will need to visit the site in order to play the sound files, and you can use the English translations on this page as you listen to the dialogs. The Gulahalan website is only compatible with Internet Explorer.

Dialog 1
Boradanbáikkis
At the restaurant

Buorre eahket!
Good evening!

Buorre eahket!
Good evening!

Maid don siđat?
What would you like?

Mon siđan márffi.
I’d like a sausage.

Maid don jugat?
What would you like to drink? (lit: What are you drinking?)

Mon jugan čázi.
I’ll have water. (lit: I’m drinking water.)


Dialog 2
Beavdebiigá buktá biepmu
The server brings the meal

Leage buorre!
Enjoy!

Giitu.
Thank you.


Dialog 3
Maid áiggut borrat?
What would you like to eat?

Buorre eahket, Mihkkal!
Good evening, Mihkkal!

Buorre eahket fal!
Good evening to you!

Maid don borat?
What will you have? (lit: What are you eating?)

Mon boran vuostáláibbi.
I’d like some cheese bread. (lit: I’m eating cheese bread.)

Maid don siđat?
Which would you like?

Mon siđan luossaláibbi.
I’d like the salmon cheese bread.

Maid don jugat?
What would you like to drink? (lit: What are you drinking?)

Mon jugan deaja.
I’ll have tea. (lit: I’m drinking tea.)


Dialog 4
Buorre eahket!
Good evening!

Mon mávssán biepmu
I’d like to pay for the meal. (lit: I’m paying for the meal.)

Leage buorre, dále lea rehket.
Ok, here’s your check.

Buorre eahket!
Good evening!

Buorre eahket fal!
Good evening to you!

Learn basic Sami - Gulahalan , chapters 1 &2

We will be translating some of the lessons from Gulahalan, a multimedia North Sami language course. You will need to visit the site in order to play the sound files, and you can use the English translations on this page as you listen to the dialogs. The Gulahalan website is only compatible with Internet Explorer.

Chapter 1

Dialog 1
Mu namma lea...
My name is

-Buorre Beavi!
Good day/hello!

-Buorre Beavi fal!
Good day/hello!

-Mu namma lea Elle Risten, Mii Du namma lea?
My name is Elle Risten, what is your name?

-Mu namma lea Máret.
My name is Máret.

-Ja, Máret don leat.
Ah, you are Máret.

Dialog 2
Mon lean...
I am...

-Mon lean Oahpaheaddji.
I am a teacher.

-Mon lean oahppi.
I am a student.

-Gii dovle lea?
Who’s that over there?

-Su namma lea Mihkkal.
His name is Mihkkal.

-Já, Mihkkal son lea.
Oh, he’s Mihkkal.



Chapter 2

Dialog 1
Gos don orut?
Where do you live?

-Buorre iđit!
Good morning!

-Ipmel atti!
Good morning! (lit: god gives)

-Gos don orut, Elle Risten?
Where do you live, Elle Risten?

-Mon orun Suarssas.
I live in Suarssa.


Dialog 2
Gos Elle Risten orru?
Where does Elle Risten live?

-Buorre iđit, Máret!
Good morning, Máret!

-Buorre iđit fal!
Gos Elle Risten orru?
Good morning to you.
Where does Elle Risten live?

-Son orru Suarssas.
She lives in Suarssa.

Dialog 3
Elle Risten boahtá Máreha lusa
Elle Risten comes up to Máret

-Buorre iđit, Máret!
Good morning, Máret!

-Buorre iđit fal!
Don orrut Suarssas.
Good morning.
You live in Suarssas.

-Orun, mon orun dál Suarssas.
Gos don orut?
Yes, right now I’m living in Suarssa.
Where do you live?

-Mon orun Uppsalas.
I live in Uppsalas.

-Gos Mihkkal orru?
Where does Mihkkal live?

-Son orru Jåhkåhmåhkis.
He lives in Jåhkåhmåhkke.

Sami phrases

There are several resources for learning Sami online, most of them are not directed at English speakers. We will translate and feature some of the lessons from time to time. All other web resources for learning Sami from English are found on our Sami language page.

Infonuorra (Sami youth organization in Norway) has now made available a handy glossary of phrases, including sound files, in three of the Sami languages. However, this is aimed at Norwegian speakers, below are the English phrases with their Sami counterparts- click on a phrase to hear the Sami.

Language key:

N- North Sami (Davvisámegiella)

S- South Sami (Åarjel saemie giele)

L- Lule Sami (Julevsámegiella)

Good day

N- Buorre Beaivvi

S- Buerie biejjie

L- Buoris

My name is...

N- Mu namma lea…

S- Mov nomme…

L- Muv namma l…

Where are you from?

N- Gos leat eret?

S- Gubpede datne båatah?

L- Gåsstå la?

How old are you?

N- Man boaris don leat?

S- Man båeries datne?

L- Man vuoras la (dån)?

I love you
N- Mun ráhkistan du

S- Manne datnem eahtsam
L- Mån æhtsáv duv

See you later

N- Oaidnaleapmái

S- Råekien (to one person), råekebe (to more than one person)

L- Vuojnnalin (to one person), vuojnnalip (to more than one person)

Bye/Take care

N- Báze dearvan(Stay well - to those who are staying) or Mana dearvan (Go well - to those who are leaving)

S- Nåå nåå

L- Hivás

Davvisámegiela bustávat ja muhtin sánit (North Sami alphabet and a few phrases)

Buorre beaivi (Hello) – Ipmel attii (answer: Hello)
Bures (Hello when shaking hands) – Bures, bures (answer)
Mii gullo? (What's up?) – Giitu buorre. (Not much.)
Mo manná? (How are you doing?) – Giitu bures manná. (Fine, thanks.)

Read more

More on Sami languages

Sami language selections

Language:
- A language to catch birds with, an article on Sami language and duodji by Harald Gaski
- Alphabets of major Sami dialects, includes Anár, North, Kildin, Skolt, and South Sami alphabets, with pronunciation guide for North Sami.
- Sami in Sápmi, an extensive, up to date article on the Sami language group
- North Sami pronunciation guide - hundreds of North Sami audio samples

Organizations:

- Giellagas Institute
- Nordic Council for Reindeer Husbandry Research
- Reindeer Herders' Association
- Sámi Network Connectivity