The old man said if you would be free of a fear, walk straight toward it in the daylight with a friend at your side, and look at it plainly, for most fears are far larger in the dark of the mind than in the light of the world, and the walking toward is itself half the cure.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu yinilmuny kari janayka, yinil-mundu murni jilba wungara jawun nyungu ngundu, nyaji ngulkurr, yinil wubulku yalbay-baja milka wujurr-bunga bubu wungarmuny, yinil-mundu jilbal nyulu nganga ngulkurr-bungal buban.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu yinil-muny kari jana-y-ka, yinil-mundu murni jilba wungar-a jawun nyungu ngundu, nyaji ngulkurr, yinil wubul-ku yalbay-baja milka wujurr-bu-nga bubu wungar-muny, yinil-mundu jilba-l nyulu nganga ngulkurr-bunga-l buban | old man said: if you fear-from free be-DAT, fear-toward straight walk day-LOC friend your beside, look plainly, fears all larger mind dark-LOC world light-ABL, fear-toward walking it heals half | ...

kaki yinil jilbay wungar jawun nyajil milka wujurr

kaki (be free of fear); wujurr-bu-nga? (dark-LOC); walk-toward-the-fear


They should have listened when the old ones said the big fish come only if the small ones are left to grow, the old man said, but the young netted everything two seasons running, and the third season the water was empty, and now even the old good places give nothing, and it will take a lifetime to come back.

Jana wukurrinyaku mukul jana balkanya kuyu yalbay kaday nganga kaki buban jana bawal bunganka, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yambada warru wubulku makarrbu manin jambul wungar warri, kulur wungara bana yamba-kari, nyiku mukul bubu yukil baja kari yamba dajil, wawu wubulmuny nyunbanka.

jana wukurri-nyaku mukul jana balka-nya kuyu yalbay kada-y nganga kaki buban jana bawa-l bunga-nka, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yambada warru wubul-ku makarr-bu mani-ny jambul wungar warri, kulur wungar-a bana yamba-kari, nyiku mukul bubu yukil baja kari yamba daji-l, wawu wubul-muny nyunba-nka | they follow-IRR old they said fish big come only if small they leave grow-DAT, old man said, but young all net-INST took two season running, third season-LOC water empty, now old place good too NEG thing gives, lifetime-ABL return-DAT | ...

ngaral mukul kuyu bawal warru makarr bana nyunbay

ngara-nyaku IRR 'should have listened'; overfishing-empties-the-water-for-a-lifetime


The old woman said if you want your children to be honest, be honest with them even about hard things, for children believe what they see far more than what they are told, and a parent who lies to spare them will raise a child who lies to be spared, and the lie passes down like a family face.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu wawu nyungu karrkay-karrkay yukil janayka, yukil janay jananji yamba dandi baja, karrkay milmilbil nyaji jana wubul-baja jana milbinmuny, ngamu-nganjan nyulu warmbil jana bawanka nyulu karrkay bungal nyulu warmbil nyulu-nyulu bawanka, warmbil nganga badaka dungay yala jawun-karramu miyil.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu wawu nyungu karrkay-karrkay yukil jana-y-ka, yukil jana-y jana-nji yamba dandi baja, karrkay mililbi-l nyaji jana wubul-baja jana milbi-ny-muny, ngamu-nganjan nyulu warmbi-l jana bawa-nka nyulu karrkay bunga-l nyulu warmbi-l nyulu-nyulu bawa-nka, warmbi-l nganga bada-ka dunga-y yala jawun-karra-mu miyil | old.woman said: if you want your children honest be-DAT, honest be them-with thing hard too, children believe see they more they told-ABL, parent who lies them spare-DAT he child raises who lies himself spare-DAT, lie down passes like family-POSS face | ...

kaki karrkay yukil nyajil ngamu warmbil bawal miyil

kaki (honest children); children-believe-what-they-see; the-lie-passes-down-like-a-family-face


The old man said if you meet a person carrying a heavy grief, do not try to lift it off them with easy words, for grief is not a weight to be taken but a road to be walked, and the kindest thing is simply to walk beside them in silence until they are ready to speak, and then to listen.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu bama walu-jirrbu-jirrbu dandi jarrakulbal nyaji-wan, kari nyaji jana kuku bubanbu wangkar-manilka, walu-jirrbu-jirrbu kari dandi manilmu yambada baral jilbalmu, wawu-yukil bajaku nganga nyungu ngundu janka jilbanka nyulu wawu balkanka janaynya, yalada ngaranka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bama walu-jirrbu-jirrbu dandi jarrakulba-l nyaji-wa-ny, kari nyaji jana kuku buban-bu wangkar-ma-ni-nka, walu-jirrbu-jirrbu kari dandi mani-l-mu yambada baral jilba-l-mu, wawu-yukil bajaku nganga nyungu ngundu karra jilba-nka nyulu wawu balka-nka jana-y-nya, yala-da ngara-nka | old man said: if you person grief heavy carrying meet, NEG try them word easy-INST lift-DAT, grief NEG weight taken-POSS but road walked-POSS, kindest just him beside silent walk-DAT he ready speak-DAT is-SUB, then listen-DAT | ...

kaki walu-jirrbu-jirrbu dandi nyaji-way baral jilbay wawu-yukil ngaral

kaki (meeting grief); nyaji-wan RECIP; grief-is-a-road-walked-not-a-weight-lifted


The old woman said if you must correct someone older than you, do it as if you were reminding them of something they already know and had only briefly forgotten, never as if you were teaching them, for people can hear a reminder without shame but a lesson from the young cuts the old to the bone.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu bama mukul-baja yundumuny murni-bunga, bunga yala yundu nyulu yamba nyulu ngadiku binal buban milka-wulanmu milka-binal-bunga, kari yala yundu nyulu milbil, bama ngara milka-binal kari milka-murrujimuny yambada milbil warrumuny mukul kunkuji kaka-manil.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bama mukul-baja yundu-muny murni-bunga, bunga yala yundu nyulu yamba nyulu ngadiku binal buban milka-wula-ny-mu milka-binal-bunga, kari yala yundu nyulu milbi-l, bama ngara milka-binal kari milka-murruji-muny yambada milbi-l warru-muny mukul kunku-ji kaka-ma-ni-l | old.woman said: if you person older you-than correct, do as you him thing he before knew briefly forgot-POSS remind, NEG as you him teach, people hear reminder NEG shame-ABL but teaching young-ABL old bone-to cuts | ...

kaki mukul murni binal milka-wula milbil kunku kaka

kaki (correcting an elder); correct-as-a-reminder-not-a-lesson


The old man said if you would know whether you have truly forgiven someone, notice what happens in your chest when you hear their name spoken well by another, for if there is still a small hot stone there, the forgiving is not finished, and that is not a failure but only more road still to walk.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu binalka yundu yabarrka bama milka-wulanmu, nyaji wanya bungal nyungu jibanga yundu nyungu burri ngulkurr balkanya bama yindubu ngaranya, kaki kulji buban wangka yinya janay, milka-wula kari dumban, yinya kari mumbu yambada baral wubul-baja jilbanka.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu binal-ka yundu yabarrka bama milka-wula-ny-mu, nyaji wanya bunga-l nyungu jiba-nga yundu nyungu burri ngulkurr balka-nya bama yindu-bu ngara-nya, kaki kulji buban wangka yinya jana-y, milka-wula kari dumba-ny, yinya kari mumbu yambada baral wubul-baja jilba-nka | old man said: if you know-DAT you truly person forgiven-POSS, watch what happens your liver-LOC you their name well spoken-SUB person other-INST hear-SUB, if stone small hot there is, forgiving NEG finished, that NEG failure but road more walk-DAT | ...

kaki binal milka-wula nyajil jiba kulji dumbal baral

kaki x2; jiba-nga 'in the liver/chest' LOC(a); the-hot-stone-test-of-forgiveness


They should have kept one old canoe in the shed as a pattern, the old woman said, so the young could see how it was truly made, but the last one rotted while everyone was busy, and now the young make them from memory and picture, and each one is a little wrong, and the wrongness grows with every copy.

Jana marrakan mukul nyubun bayanba karrba-nyaku wari yala, wulbumanangka balkan, warru nyaji yala nyulu yukil bunganmu, yambada marrakan bada bajaku wula bama wubulku janayka, nyiku warru bungal milkamuny nyajilmuny, nyubun wubulku buban mumbu, mumbu ngaral wungar wubulku nyulu murni-manilba.

jana marrakan mukul nyubun bayan-ba karrba-nyaku wari yala, wulbuman-angka balka-ny, warru nyaji yala nyulu yukil bunga-ny-mu, yambada marrakan bada bajaku wula bama wubul-ku jana-y-ka, nyiku warru bunga-l milka-muny nyaji-l-muny, nyubun wubul-ku buban mumbu, mumbu ngara-l wungar wubul-ku nyulu murni-ma-ni-l-ba | they canoe old one shed-LOC keep-IRR pattern as, old.woman said, young see how it truly made-POSS, but canoe last rotted people all busy were-LOC, now young make memory-ABL picture-ABL, each all little wrong, wrong grows time all it copied-LOC | ...

marrakan bayan karrbal warru nyajil bungal milka mumbu

karrba-nyaku IRR 'should have kept [a pattern]'; error-compounds-with-every-copy


The old man said if you want a friendship to last a lifetime, do not lend large amounts and do not borrow them, for money owed sits between two people like a stone in a shoe, but share your food freely and your time and your grief, because those are the debts that bind rather than divide.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu jawun wawu wubulmuny janayka, kari yamba wubul daji kari yamba wubul mani, yamba jaba bama jambul dukurr-bu janji yala kulji jinanga, yambada nyungu mayi ngulkurr-bu daji nyungu wungar nyungu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu baja, yinya jaba nyulu kajil kari kaka-manil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu jawun wawu wubul-muny jana-y-ka, kari yamba wubul daji kari yamba wubul mani, yamba jaba bama jambul dukurr-bu karra yala kulji jina-nga, yambada nyungu mayi ngulkurr-bu daji nyungu wungar nyungu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu baja, yinya jaba nyulu kaji-l kari kaka-ma-ni-l | old man said: if you friendship life all-ABL last-DAT, NEG thing much give NEG thing much take, thing debt people two between sits like stone shoe-LOC, but your food freely give your time your grief too, that debt which binds NEG divides | ...

kaki jawun dajil manil dukurr kulji mayi kajil

kaki (lasting friendship); dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); money-debt-divides-shared-grief-binds


The old woman said if the old teach only what is easy and pleasant, they betray the young, for life will bring hard things whether we speak of them or not, and a child prepared for grief and loss and their own death meets these as an old friend expected, while the unprepared child meets them as an ambush.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki mukul milbil nyubun nyulu buban-buban wawu-mini, jana warru warmbil, wawu dandi yamba kadal ngana balka jananmu kariku, karrkay nyulu walu-jirrbu-jirrbunka kilbanka nyungu wulanka baja nyaji-wan yala jawun mukul milka-dandi, karrkay kilba-kari nyaji-wan yala kuni-jananmu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki mukul milbi-l nyubun nyulu buban-buban wawu-mini, jana warru warmbi-l, wawu dandi yamba kada-l ngana balka jana-ny-mu kariku, karrkay nyulu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu-nka kilba-nka nyungu wula-nka baja nyaji-wa-ny yala jawun mukul milka-dandi, karrkay kilba-kari nyaji-wa-ny yala kuni-jana-ny-mu | old.woman said: if old teach only which easy pleasant, they young betray, life hard things bring we speak them-POSS not, child who grief loss his death too meet.each.other like friend old expected-POSS, child unprepared meet.each.other like ambush-POSS | ...

kaki mukul milbil wawu-mini warru walu-jirrbu-jirrbu wulal nyaji-way

kaki (teaching only easy things); nyaji-wan RECIP 'meet'; prepare-the-child-for-the-hard-things


The old man said if you are given power over others, whether over a child or a camp or a whole people, remember it is a thing lent, not a thing owned, and you must give account of it, for the country watched how you used it, and the country has a long memory, and it tells your name to the ones who come after.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundunka junkurr bama yindu wangkar dajil, karrkay-anda bayanba bama nyubun wubulkungu baja, milka nyulu yamba dajinmu, kari yamba karrbalmu, yundu nyungu kuku dajil, bubu nyajin yala yundu nyulu manin, bubu milka kalbay karrbal, nyulu nyungu burri balkal bama jana nganga kadanmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu-nka junkurr bama yindu wangkar daji-l, karrkay-anda bayan-ba bama nyubun wubul-ku-ngu baja, milka nyulu yamba daji-ny-mu, kari yamba karrba-l-mu, yundu nyungu kuku daji-l, bubu nyaji-ny yala yundu nyulu mani-ny, bubu milka kalbay karrba-l, nyulu nyungu burri balka-l bama jana nganga kada-ny-mu | old man said: if you-to power people other over given, child-over camp-over people one whole-over too, remember it thing lent-POSS, NEG thing owned-POSS, you its account give, country watched how you it used, country memory long holds, it your name tells people who after came-POSS | ...

kaki junkurr dajil karrkay bayan bubu nyajil kalbay

kaki (given power); power-is-lent-not-owned; the-country-remembers-your-name


The old woman said if you would leave one thing to your grandchildren, do not leave them goods, which are stolen or spent or spoiled, but leave them a name kept clean, for a good name is the one inheritance that grows rather than shrinks in the passing, and it opens doors that no wealth could ever open.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu nyubun yamba nyungu jija-jijanka bawanka, kari jananka yamba bawa, nyulu warmbi-manil kilba-manil mumbu-manil, yambada jananka burri yukil karrbanmu bawa, burri yukil nyubun bawanmu nyulu jarray kari buban badanga jarakay-mba, nyulu jina kilba nyulu yamba-wubul kariku kilbalmu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu nyubun yamba nyungu jija-jija-nka bawa-nka, kari jana-nka yamba bawa, nyulu warmbi-ma-ni-l kilba-ma-ni-l mumbu-ma-ni-l, yambada jana-nka burri yukil karrba-ny-mu bawa, burri yukil nyubun bawa-ny-mu nyulu jarray kari buban bada-nga jaraka-y-mba, nyulu jina kilba nyulu yamba-wubul kariku kilba-l-mu | old.woman said: if you one thing your grandchildren-to leave-DAT, NEG them-to goods leave, it stolen spent spoiled, but them-to name clean kept leave, name good one inheritance which grows NEG small down-LOC passing-LOC, it door opens which wealth never open-POSS | ...

kaki jija bawal warmbil kilbal burri yukil jina

kaki (one inheritance); a-clean-name-grows-in-the-passing-and-opens-doors


They should have made peace with the neighbouring people while the quarrel was still only words, the old man said, but pride on both sides let it harden into spears, and by the time the elders wanted peace too many had died on each side, and grief demanded more grief, and it took three generations for the killing to stop.

Jana wunbu-wan-nyaku bama ngundunji dukul-yamba kuku nganga janay-mba, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yambada wawu-yalbay jambul-mandanga nyulu kalka-manda bawan, mukul wunbu wawunya wubul-baja jambulmu wulan, walu-jirrbu-jirrbu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu babajin, wungar kulurmu kuni-way dumbanmu.

jana wunbu-wa-ny-nyaku bama ngundu-nji dukul-yamba kuku nganga jana-y-mba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yambada wawu-yalbay jambul-ma-nda-nga nyulu kalka-ma-nda bawa-ny, mukul wunbu wawu-nya wubul-baja jambul-mu wula-ny, walu-jirrbu-jirrbu walu-jirrbu-jirrbu babaji-ny, wungar kulur-mu kuni-way dumba-ny-mu | they make.peace-IRR people neighbour-with quarrel first word only was-LOC, old man said, but pride both.sides-LOC it spear-became let, elders peace wanted-SUB too.many both-POSS died, grief grief demanded, generations three-POSS fighting.each.other stop-POSS | ...

wunbu-way dukul kalka mukul wulal walu-jirrbu-jirrbu kuni-way dumbal

wunbu-wan-nyaku IRR 'should have made peace'; kuni-way RECIP; grief-demands-more-grief


The old man said if you are angry at the world, plant a tree, and if you are angry at a person, plant a tree with them, for the work of the hands quiets the noise of the heart, and something living grows out of what would otherwise have only burned, and years later the shade you sit in is the anger you did not act on.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu bubu wubulkunka dukul-wuri, juku jarra, kaki yundu bamanka dukul-wuri, juku jarra nyulunji, mara-kirraji janji-manil jiba-jangarrmu, yamba wawu-karrbal wandin yamba nyulu nganga waju-nyaku, wungar wubulmuny wabarr yundu bundanya nyulu dukul-wuri yundu kari bunganmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bubu wubul-ku-nka dukul-wuri, juku jarra, kaki yundu bama-nka dukul-wuri, juku jarra nyulu-nji, mara-kirraji kaja-l jiba-jangarr-mu, yamba wawu-karrba-l wandi-ny yamba nyulu nganga waju-nyaku, wungar wubul-muny wabarr yundu bunda-nya nyulu dukul-wuri yundu kari bunga-ny-mu | old man said: if you world-at angry, tree plant, if you person-at angry, tree plant them-with, hand-work quiets heart-noise-POSS, thing living grew thing it just burn-IRR, years-ABL shade you sit-SUB it anger you NEG acted-POSS | ...

kaki bubu dukul-wuri juku jarral mara wabarr waju

kaki x2; waju-nyaku IRR 'would have only burned'; the-shade-is-the-anger-you-didn't-act-on


The old woman said if you keep a secret for someone, keep it even after they have wronged you, even after they are dead, for a secret kept only while convenient was never truly kept at all, and the whole worth of your word is that it holds exactly when it would be easiest to let go.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu kuku-janka bamanka karrba, karrba nyulu yundu mumbu-bunganmuny baja, nyulu wulanmuny baja, kuku-janka nyulu nganga ngulkurr-wungara karrban kariku yabarrka karrbanmu, nyungu kuku wubul dandi nyulu karrbal yinya wungara nyulu buban-baja nganga bawanka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu kuku-janka bama-nka karrba, karrba nyulu yundu mumbu-bunga-ny-muny baja, nyulu wula-ny-muny baja, kuku-janka nyulu nganga ngulkurr-wungar-a karrba-ny kariku yabarrka karrba-ny-mu, nyungu kuku wubul dandi nyulu karrba-l yinya wungar-a nyulu buban-baja nganga bawa-nka | old.woman said: if you secret person-for keep, keep it you wronged-ABL too, they died-ABL too, secret which only convenient-LOC kept never truly kept-POSS, your word whole worth it holds that time-LOC it easiest just let.go-DAT | ...

kaki kuku karrbal mumbu wulal ngulkurr wungar bawal

kaki (keeping a secret); a-word-is-worth-holding-when-easiest-to-let-go


The old man said if a plan depends on everyone behaving perfectly, it is not a plan but a prayer, so build always for the tired, the careless, the frightened, and the merely human, and leave room for the mistake that will surely come, because the strong bridge is not the one never tested but the one that holds when a plank breaks.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki kuku-ngaral kajil bama wubulku yukil bajaku bungalba, nyulu kari kuku-ngaral yambada wawu-balkal, bunga yabarrka bama wawu-wula-ymu binal-karimu yinilmu bama-nyubunmu baja, wawu bawa mumbu nyulu yabarrka kadanka, juku-baral junkurr kari nyulu nganga kari nyajinmu yambada nyulu karrbal juku nyubun kaka-mandanya.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki kuku-ngara-l kaji-l bama wubul-ku yukil bajaku bunga-l-ba, nyulu kari kuku-ngara-l yambada wawu-balka-l, bunga yabarrka bama wawu-wula-y-mu binal-kari-mu yinil-mu bama-nyubun-mu baja, wawu bawa mumbu nyulu yabarrka kada-nka, juku-baral junkurr kari nyulu nganga kari nyaji-ny-mu yambada nyulu karrba-l juku nyubun kaka-ma-nda-nya | old man said: if plan depends people all perfectly behaving-LOC, it NEG plan but prayer, build always people tired-POSS careless-POSS frightened-POSS merely-human-POSS too, room leave mistake it surely come-DAT, bridge strong NEG which never tested-POSS but it holds plank one breaks-SUB | ...

kaki kajil bama yukil bunga binal yinil juku

kaki (a fragile plan); build-for-the-tired-and-careless; the-strong-bridge-holds-when-a-plank-breaks


The old woman said if you find yourself despising a whole people, stop and find one of them and sit and eat with them, for it is easy to hate a word — a name for a crowd — but very hard to hate a face that is passing you the salt, and every wall between peoples is built of names and torn down by faces.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu bama nyubun wubulku milka-mumbu, kalka nyubun jana manil bunda nuka nyulunji, kuku wawu-mumbu buban-buban, burri bama wubulmu, yambada miyil yundunka jalun dajilnya wawu-mumbu dandi-baja, bayan-junkurr bama jambulmu burribu bungan miyilbu kaka-manil.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu bama nyubun wubul-ku milka-mumbu, kalka nyubun jana mani-l bunda nuka nyulu-nji, kuku wawu-mumbu buban-buban, burri bama wubul-mu, yambada miyil yundu-nka jalun daji-l-nya wawu-mumbu dandi-baja, bayan-junkurr bama jambul-mu burri-bu bunga-ny miyil-bu kaka-ma-ni-l | old.woman said: if you people one whole despise, stop one them take sit eat them-with, word hate easy, name crowd-POSS, but face you-to salt gives-SUB hate harder, wall people two-POSS name-INST built face-INST torn.down | ...

kaki bama milka-mumbu kalkal nukal miyil jalun bayan

kaki (despising a people); walls-built-of-names-torn-down-by-faces


They should have written down the boundaries the old way, walking them together every few years and telling the stories that fixed them, the old man said, but they trusted memory alone, and memory bends toward the one who tells it, and now two families claim the same ridge, and no living person can say for certain who is right.

Jana bubu-jina milbi-nyaku ngadiku yala, jilba-wan nyubun-nyubunji wungar wubulmuny jangkar balkan jana bunganba, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yambada jana milka nganga karrban, milka nyulu janji bama nyulu balkalmu-mundu, nyiku jawun-karra jambul yumal nyubun babajil, bama nyubun murni kari balka wanyu yukil.

jana bubu-jina milbi-nyaku ngadiku yala, jilba-wa-ny nyubun-nyubun-ji wungar wubul-muny jangkar balka-ny jana bunga-ny-ba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yambada jana milka nganga karrba-ny, milka nyulu karra bama nyulu balka-l-mu-mundu, nyiku jawun-karra jambul yumal nyubun babaji-l, bama nyubun murni kari balka wanyu yukil | they boundary mark-IRR old way, walked.each.other each.other-with years-ABL stories told they fixed-LOC, old man said, but they memory alone held, memory it leans person who tells-toward, now families two ridge one claim, person one certain NEG say who right | ...

milbil bubu jina jilbay jangkar milka yumal babaji

milbi-nyaku IRR 'should have marked [the boundaries]'; jilba-wan RECIP; memory-bends-toward-the-teller


The old woman said if you would test a friendship before you trust it with something large, trust it first with something small and see whether it is carried carefully, for a person who is careless with a small trust will not suddenly become careful with a large one, and the small test spares you the large betrayal.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu jawun nyaji ngadiku yundu yamba yalbay wawu-karrbalka, yamba buban ngadiku wawu-karrba nyaji nyulu ngulkurr jarrakulbal, bama nyulu binal-kari yamba buban wawu-karrbanmuny nyulu kariku yabarrka binal yamba yalbaybu, buban nyajil yundu yalbay warmbilmuny bawal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu jawun nyaji ngadiku yundu yamba yalbay wawu-karrba-nka, yamba buban ngadiku wawu-karrba nyaji nyulu ngulkurr jarrakulba-l, bama nyulu binal-kari yamba buban wawu-karrba-ny-muny nyulu kariku yabarrka binal yamba yalbay-bu, buban nyaji-l yundu yalbay warmbi-l-muny bawa-l | old.woman said: if you friendship test before you thing large entrust-DAT, thing small first entrust see it carefully carried, person who careless thing small entrusting-with he never suddenly careful thing large-with, small test you large betrayal-from spares | ...

kaki jawun nyajil yamba jarrakulbal binal warmbil bawal

kaki (test a friendship); test-small-before-trusting-large


The old man said if you cannot say a hard thing to a person's face, you have no right to say it behind their back, and if you can say it to their face, you usually find you no longer need to say it behind their back, so let the face be the test of every word, and half your cruelty will die unspoken.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu murruji yamba dandi bamamu miyilba balka, yundu kari kuku nyungu dumbay-mba balkanka, kaki yundu miyilba balka, yundu yabarrka nyaji yundu kari wawu nyungu dumbay-mba balkanka, miyil yala kuku wubulku nyaji-manil, nyungu mumbu buban nganga balka-kari wulal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu murruji yamba dandi bama-mu miyil-ba balka, yundu kari kuku nyungu dumbay-mba balka-nka, kaki yundu miyil-ba balka, yundu yabarrka nyaji yundu kari wawu nyungu dumbay-mba balka-nka, miyil yala kuku wubul-ku nyaji-ma-ni-l, nyungu mumbu buban nganga balka-kari wula-l | old man said: if you unable thing hard person-POSS face-LOC say, you NEG word their behind say-DAT, if you face-LOC say, you always find you never want their behind say-DAT, face like word all test-makes, your cruelty half just unspoken dies | ...

kaki yamba dandi miyil balkal dumbay nyajil wulal

kaki x2; miyil-nga LOC(a); let-the-face-be-the-test-of-every-word


The old woman said if you would raise a brave child, do not remove every danger from their path, for courage is a muscle and it grows only against resistance, so let them climb the low rocks and fall and learn that a fall is survivable, and they will meet the high cliffs of their life already knowing they can climb.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu karrkay wawu-junkurr bunganka, kari dukul-yamba wubulku nyungu baralmuny manil, wawu-junkurr yala bangkarr-junkurr nyulu nganga dandi-mundu wandil, jana yumal buban daka bada janay binalka bada nyulu kilba-kari, jana yumal yalbay nyungu wawumu nyaji-wan ngadiku binalnya jana dakal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu karrkay wawu-junkurr bunga-nka, kari dukul-yamba wubul-ku nyungu baral-muny mani-l, wawu-junkurr yala bangkarr-junkurr nyulu nganga dandi-mundu wandi-l, jana yumal buban daka bada jana-y binal-ka bada nyulu kilba-kari, jana yumal yalbay nyungu wawu-mu nyaji-wa-ny ngadiku binal-nya jana daka-l | old.woman said: if you child brave raise-DAT, NEG danger all its path-from take, courage like muscle it only resistance-toward grows, they rock low climb fall be-DAT learn-DAT fall it survivable, they cliff big their life-POSS meet.each.other already knowing they climb | ...

kaki karrkay wawu-junkurr baral bangkarr yumal dakal nyaji-way

kaki (raising a brave child); nyaji-wan RECIP 'meet'; let-them-fall-on-the-low-rocks


The old man said if you would be remembered well, do not seek to be remembered, for the ones who grasp at being remembered are forgotten fastest, but pour yourself out freely into the lives around you, asking nothing back, and you will find yourself carried in a hundred memories you never bought and could never have earned by trying.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kaki yundu ngulkurr milka-binalka, kari nyaji milka-binalka, bama jana milka-binal karrbal jana kilba-manil warri-baja, yambada nyulu-nyulu ngulkurr-bu daji wawu ngunduka, kari yamba babaji, yundu yabarrka nyaji yundu milka wubulba karrbal yundu kariku manin kariku nyaji bungalmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu ngulkurr milka-binal-ka, kari nyaji milka-binal-ka, bama jana milka-binal karrba-l jana kilba-ma-ni-l warri-baja, yambada nyulu-nyulu ngulkurr-bu daji wawu ngundu-ka, kari yamba babaji, yundu yabarrka nyaji yundu milka wubul-ba karrba-l yundu kariku mani-ny kariku nyaji bunga-l-muny | old man said: if you well remembered-DAT, NEG seek remembered-DAT, people who remembered grasp they forgotten fastest, but yourself freely give life near-to, NEG thing ask, you always find you memory many-LOC carried you never bought never seek build-ABL | ...

kaki ngulkurr milka-binal nyajil karrbal dajil wawu milka

kaki (to be remembered); milka wubul-nga 'in many memories' LOC(a); grasping-at-memory-is-forgotten-fastest


The old woman said if the whole camp is angry at one person and you alone think that person may be right, it will cost you dearly to say so, and you must say so anyway, quietly and without heat, for a people that punishes the lone honest voice teaches everyone to be silent, and the silence is the beginning of every great wrong.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki bayan wubulku bama nyubunka dukul-wuri yundu nganga milka bama nyulu yukil, dandi-baja yundunka balkanka, yundu yabarrka balka, janka kari dukul-wuribu, bama nyulu bama nyubun yukil kuku kuni jana wubulku janji-manil, janji ngadiku mumbu yalbay wubulkumu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki bayan wubul-ku bama nyubun-ka dukul-wuri yundu nganga milka bama nyulu yukil, dandi-baja yundu-nka balka-nka, yundu yabarrka balka, karra kari dukul-wuri-bu, bama nyulu bama nyubun yukil kuku kuni jana wubul-ku kaja-l, karra ngadiku mumbu yalbay wubul-ku-mu | old.woman said: if camp whole person one-at angry you alone think person he right, costly you-to say-DAT, you anyway speak, quietly NEG heat-INST, people who person one honest voice punishes people all silent-makes, silence beginning wrong great all-POSS | ...

kaki bayan dukul-wuri milka yukil balkal janyji mumbu

kaki (the lone honest voice); silence-is-the-beginning-of-every-great-wrong


The old man said the whole of wisdom can be folded into one conditional: if you would know what to do, imagine the person you most respect is watching, and do what would make them nod, for we all carry such a person inside us, put there by those who raised us well, and to live rightly is only to stop and ask them before we act.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: wawu-binal wubulku kuku-ngaral nyubunba yijarril: kaki yundu binalka wanya bunganka, milka bama yundu ngulkurr-baja milkal nyaji, bunga yamba nyulu wawu-mini janji, ngana wubulku bama yinya dukurr-bu karrbal, bama jana ngana ngulkurr wandilman yijarrinmu, yukil janayka nyulu nganga mara-kunbay jana babajinka ngana bunga ngadiku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: wawu-binal wubul-ku kuku-ngara-l nyubun-ba yijarri-l: kaki yundu binal-ka wanya bunga-nka, milka bama yundu ngulkurr-baja milka-l nyaji, bunga yamba nyulu wawu-mini karra, ngana wubul-ku bama yinya dukurr-bu karrba-l, bama jana ngana ngulkurr wandi-l-ma-ny yijarri-ny-mu, yukil jana-y-ka nyulu nganga mara-kunba-y jana babaji-nka ngana bunga ngadiku | old man said: wisdom whole conditional one-LOC folds: if you know-DAT what do-DAT, imagine person you most.respect watching, do thing it happy makes, we all person that inside-LOC hold, people who us well raised put-POSS, rightly live-DAT it just stop them ask-DAT we do before | ...

kaki wawu-binal yijarril binal milka wawu-mini dukurr kalkal

kaki (the master conditional); nyubun-nga LOC(a); dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); carry-your-respected-one-inside-and-ask-before-acting


At first light, when the wood was damp with dew, the old man crouched over the fire-drill and spun it patiently between his palms until the first thread of smoke rose, and he fed it dry grass and bark until the flame took hold.

Muduwajungu, juku bana-jangkarrbu duna janay-mba, mukulungku dingkarangka jimal-murnil ngundu bundan mara jambulba kalbay dama-murnin dukul kubu ngadiku wandinya, nyulu daya kima janka wawun kiway-kiway wula manin.

muduwaju-ngu, juku bana-jangkarr-bu duna jana-y-mba, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka jimal-murnil ngundu bunda-ny mara jambul-ba kalbay dama-murni-ny dukul kubu ngadiku wandi-nya, nyulu daya kima karra wawun kiway-kiway wula mani-ny | dawn-LOC, wood dew-INST damp was-LOC, old man fire-drill over crouched hands two-LOC patiently twirled at.last smoke first rose-SUB, he fed grass dry bark dry flame took

muduwaju juku jimal dama-murnil kubu wandil wawun wula

muduwaju-ngu LOC(u); dama-murnil 'twirl fire-drill'; mara jambul-nga 'between two hands'


When the family moved camp, the old woman carried a live coal from the old fire wrapped in green bark and paperbark, feeding it a breath of air now and then, so that the new camp was lit from the same fire that had warmed her mother and her mother's mother.

Jawun-karra bayan murninya, wulbumanangka ngunjil wula baya mukulmuny jarrakulban wawun-jinbal kambi-jukubu buwun, daya nyulu wangar buban wungar wubulku, bayan jirakal wandin baya nyubunmuny nyulu ngamu ngamumu ngamu baja wumbul-maninmu.

jawun-karra bayan murni-nya, wulbuman-angka ngunjil wula baya mukul-muny jarrakulba-ny wawun-jinbal kambi-juku-bu buwu-ny, daya nyulu wangar buban wungar wubul-ku, bayan jirakal wandi-ny baya nyubun-muny nyulu ngamu ngamu-mu ngamu baja wumbul-ma-ni-ny-mu | family camp changed-SUB, old.woman coal flame fire old-ABL carried bark-paperbark cloth-tree-INST wrapped, gave it air little day all, camp new lit fire one-ABL she mother mother-POSS mother too warmed-POSS

jawun bayan ngunjil baya jarrakulbal wawun wandil wumbul

ngunjil 'coal'; carrying-the-living-coal; the-fire-that-warmed-three-generations


The old man said a fire is never allowed to die on its own: someone always tends it, feeding it small in the day and banking it under ash at night, for a dead fire means someone was careless, and in the old cold country carelessness with fire could cost a life.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: baya kariku nganga wula bawal: bama yabarrka nyulu kujil, daya buban wungara bajar bada wujurr, baya wula bama nyubun binal-kari, bubu kiway-kiway ngadikungu binal-kari bayabu wawu manilba.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: baya kariku nganga wula bawa-l: bama yabarrka nyulu kuji-l, daya buban wungar-a bajar bada wujurr, baya wula bama nyubun binal-kari, bubu kiway-kiway ngadiku-ngu binal-kari baya-bu wawu mani-l-nga | old man said: fire never itself die let: person always it tends, feeds little day-LOC ash under night, fire died person one careless, country cold old-LOC carelessness fire-INST life take-LOC

baya wulal kujil dayal bajar kunya binal kija

wungar-a LOC(r); bajar 'ash'; banking-the-fire; carelessness-with-fire-costs-a-life


The old woman taught the child to build a cooking fire the right way: clear the ground to bare earth, lay the small dry sticks first in a little heap, light them low, and add the bigger wood only when the small flame is strong, for a fire built greedy with big wood smothers before it lives.

Wulbumanangka karrkay milbin baya waju-bayan bunganka yukil yala: bubu karra janga-manda, juku buban marral ngadiku daya buban-manda, wula bada, juku yalbay daya nyubun wula buban junkurrbu, baya ngujanbu juku yalbaybu bungan nyulu wula-manda nyulu janayka ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka karrkay milbi-ny baya waju-bayan bunga-nka yukil yala: bubu karra janga-ma-nda, juku buban marral ngadiku daya buban-ma-nda, wula bada, juku yalbay daya nyubun wula buban junkurr-bu, baya ngujan-bu juku yalbay-bu bunga-ny nyulu wula-ma-nda nyulu jana-y-ka ngadiku | old.woman child taught fire cooking-fire build-DAT right way: ground clear bare-become, wood small dry first give heap-become, flame down, wood big give only flame little strong-LOC, fire greedy-INST wood big-INST built it die-becomes it lives-DAT before

baya milbil waju juku kija wula junkurr ngujan

waju-bayan 'cooking fire'; junkurr-nga LOC? junkurr trill+u->junkurr-bu FIX; small-first-then-big


The old man said a fire is a living thing like a dog: feed it and tend it and it will serve you faithfully, warming you and cooking your food and keeping the dark animals away, but neglect it or treat it carelessly and it will either die on you or turn and burn everything you have.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: baya yamba-mabi yala kaya: daya kuji nyulu yundunka kirraji yukil, wumbul-manil nyungu mayi wajul minya wujurr kala-kalbay karrbal, yambada bawa binal-karibu nyulu yundunka wula bawa yindu nyulu murni yundu yamba wubulku wajul.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: baya yamba-mabi yala kaya: daya kuji nyulu yundu-nka kirraji yukil, wumbul-ma-ni-l nyungu mayi waju-l minya wujurr kala-kalbay karrba-l, yambada bawa binal-kari-bu nyulu yundu-nka wula bawa yindu nyulu murni yundu yamba wubul-ku waju-l | old man said: fire living.thing like dog: feed tend it you-for serves well, warms your food cooks meat dark far.away keeps, but leave carelessness-INST it you-for die or it turns you thing all burns

baya kaya dayal kujil wumbul wajul minya wujurr


The old woman said different woods make different fires: the ironwood gives few flames but coals that last all night for the earth oven, the light dry wood flares fast and hot to boil water quickly, and the green wood gives smoke to signal or to keep the biting flies away, so a good fire-tender knows the trees.

Wulbumanangka balkan: juku yindu-yindu baya yindu-yindu bungal: jujubala buban wula daji ngunjil nyulu wujurr wubulku kurrmanka, juku kiway-kiway buban wula warri wumbul bana warri balamunka, juku duna kubu daji kubu-kukuka jibar kala-kalbay karrbanka baja, baya-bama yukil juku binal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: juku yindu-yindu baya yindu-yindu bunga-l: jujubala buban wula daji ngunjil nyulu wujurr wubul-ku kurrma-nka, juku kiway-kiway buban wula warri wumbul bana warri balamu-nka, juku duna kubu daji kubu-kuku-ka jibar kala-kalbay karrba-nka baja, baya-bama yukil juku binal | old.woman said: woods different fires different make: ironwood little flame gives coals it night all earth.oven-for, wood dry little flame fast hot water fast boil-for, wood wet(green) smoke gives signal-for sandfly far.away keep-for too, fire-tender good trees knows

juku baya wula ngunjil kurrma wumbul balamu kubu

jujubala ironwood?; different-woods-for-different-fires; kurrma-nka 'for the earth oven'


When they made a new camp the old man lit the first fire himself, in the center where all could reach it, and he spoke a few quiet words to the country as the smoke rose, thanking the place for having them, for a fire is the first word a people says to a new piece of ground.

Jana bayan jirakal murninya mukulungku dingkarangka baya ngadiku nyulu-nyulu wandiman, dukurr-bu wanja bama wubulku manil, nyulu balkan kuku buban janka bubungu kubu wandinya, bubunka wawu-mini bama karrbanmuny, baya kuku ngadiku bama nyubun bubu jirakalnka balkalmu.

jana bayan jirakal murni-nya mukul-ungku dingkar-angka baya ngadiku nyulu-nyulu wandi-ma-ny, dukurr-bu wanja bama wubul-ku mani-l, nyulu balka-ny kuku buban karra bubu-ngu kubu wandi-nya, bubu-nka wawu-mini bama karrba-ny-muny, baya kuku ngadiku bama nyubun bubu jirakal-nka balka-l-mu | they camp new made-SUB old man fire first himself lit, center where people all reach, he said words few quiet country-to smoke rose-SUB, country-to thanks people held-ABL, fire word first people one ground new-to say-POSS

bayan baya wandil dukurr bama kubu bubu balkal

dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u) 'center'; bubu-ngu LOC(u); fire-is-the-first-word-to-new-ground


The old woman said if you must leave a fire and come back to it, do not put it out but bank it: rake the coals into a tight heap, cover them with a thick blanket of ash, and they will hold their heat under there through a whole day, and you will blow them back to flame in a moment when you return.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kaki yundu baya bawal nyunbanka baja, kari wula bunga yambada bajar bada karrba: ngunjil bangka buban-mandaku, bajar wubul junkurr bada wangkar-manil, jana wumbul karrbal bada wungar wubulku, yundu wangar daji wula-mundu nyunbanya buban-buban.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kaki yundu baya bawa-l nyunba-nka baja, kari wula bunga yambada bajar bada karrba: ngunjil bangka buban-manda-ku, bajar wubul junkurr bada wangkar-ma-ni-l, jana wumbul karrba-l bada wungar wubul-ku, yundu wangar daji wula-mundu nyunba-nya buban-buban | old.woman said: if you fire leave return-DAT too, NEG flame make.out but ash under bank: coals rake heap-DAT, ash thick tight down cover, they heat hold under day all, you air give flame-toward return-SUB in.a.moment

kaki baya nyunbay bajar ngunjil bangkal wumbul wangar

kaki (banking a fire); ngunjil coals; bank-under-ash-and-it-holds-a-day


The old man said the fire is the oldest tool of all, older than the spear and the net, for it changed everything: it made the hard root soft and the raw meat safe, it drove back the night and the cold, it drew the people into one circle to share the day, and a people without fire is only a clever animal.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: baya bangkarr ngadiku bajaku wubulmuny, kalka makarrmuny ngadiku, nyulu yamba wubulku murni-manin: nyulu jarra dandi buban-manin minya jangkar yukil-manin, nyulu wujurr kiway-kiway badaka warri-manin, nyulu bama nyubun-nyubunji dukurr-bu bangka wungar daji-wayka, bama baya-kari nyulu nganga minya binal.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: baya bangkarr ngadiku bajaku wubul-muny, kalka makarr-muny ngadiku, nyulu yamba wubul-ku murni-ma-ni-ny: nyulu jarra dandi buban-ma-ni-ny minya jangkar yukil-ma-ni-ny, nyulu wujurr kiway-kiway bada-ka warri-ma-ni-ny, nyulu bama nyubun-nyubun-ji dukurr-bu bangka wungar daji-way-ka, bama baya-kari nyulu nganga minya binal | old man said: fire tool oldest all-ABL, spear net-ABL older, it thing all changed: it root hard soft-made meat raw safe-made, it night cold away drove, it people together center gathered day share-DAT, people fire-less it just animal clever | ...

baya bangkarr kalka makarr jarra minya kunya daji-way

dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); daji-way RECIP; fire-is-the-oldest-tool-that-changed-everything


To make the earth oven the old woman first dug a pit as deep as her arm, then filled it with dry wood and a layer of stones, and lit the fire and let it burn down for a long time until the stones glowed and the wood was all red coals, for the stones must hold the heat, not the flame.

Kurrma bunganka wulbumanangka ngadiku bubu bakan bada mara kilba, yalada juku kiway-kiway kulji baja yijarrin, baya wandiman wula bada dungan kalbay dukul kulji ngala-ngala wula juku wubulku ngunjil mula-mula, kulji yabarrka wumbul karrbal, kari wula.

kurrma bunga-nka wulbuman-angka ngadiku bubu baka-ny bada mara kilba, yala-da juku kiway-kiway kulji baja yijarri-ny, baya wandi-ma-ny wula bada dunga-ny kalbay dukul kulji ngala-ngala wula juku wubul-ku ngunjil mula-mula, kulji yabarrka wumbul karrba-l, kari wula | earth.oven make-DAT old.woman first ground dug down arm deep, then wood dry stones too put, fire lit flame down went long at.last stones red glow wood all coals red, stones always heat hold, NEG flame | ...

kurrma bakal bubu kulji juku baya ngunjil wumbul


When the stones were hot she raked out the coals, laid down a thick bed of wet green leaves, put the food on top — the wrapped fish, the yams, the meat — covered it with more wet leaves and then a thick blanket of earth, and sealed it so no steam escaped, and left it to cook slowly in its own heat.

Kulji wumbul janay-mba nyulu ngunjil bangkan, birra duna junkurr bada yijarrin, mayi wangkar daya — kuyu buwun, juwal, minya baja — birra duna wubul baja wangkar-manin, bubu junkurr baja, karra nyulu bana-kubu kari dungay, bawan nyulu nganga wumbulba buban-buban wajunku.

kulji wumbul jana-y-mba nyulu ngunjil bangka-ny, birra duna junkurr bada yijarri-ny, mayi wangkar daya, kuyu buwu-ny, juwal, minya baja, birra duna wubul baja wangkar-ma-ni-ny, bubu junkurr baja, karra nyulu bana-kubu kari dunga-y, bawa-ny nyulu nganga wumbul-ba buban-buban waju-nku | stones hot were-LOC she coals raked, leaves wet thick down put, food on.top gave, fish wrapped, yams, meat too, leaves wet more too up put, earth thick too, sealed steam NEG go, left it its.own heat-LOC slowly cook-DAT | ...

kulji wumbul ngunjil bina mayi kuyu juwal minya

wumbul-nga LOC(l->? wumbul l-final->-ba) FIX wumbulba; layering-the-earth-oven


The old man said the earth oven teaches patience, for once it is sealed you cannot hurry it or check it without spoiling everything: you must simply trust the heat and the time and wait, and this is why the young find it hard, but the food that comes out at evening is worth every hour of the waiting.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kurrma milbil maku-janal, nyulu kajanya yundu murruji warri-manil nyaji nyamba wubulku mumbu-bunga: yundu nganga wumbulbu wungarbu wawu-karrba maku-jana, yinyabu warru dandi manil, mayi nyulu kunarangkalba wandinya nyulu yukil wungar wubulku maku-janalmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kurrma milbi-l maku-jana-l, nyulu kaja-nya yundu murruji warri-ma-ni-l nyaji yamba wubul-ku mumbu-bunga, yundu nganga wumbul-bu wungar-bu wawu-karrba maku-jana, yinya-bu warru dandi mani-l, mayi nyulu kunarangkal-ba wandi-nya nyulu yukil wungar wubul-ku maku-jana-l-muny | old man said: earth.oven teaches waiting, it sealed-SUB you unable hurry check thing all spoils, you just heat-INST time-INST trust wait, that-INST young hard find, food it evening-LOC comes it worth hours all waiting-ABL | ...

kurrma milbil maku-janay janyjil warri mumbu wawu-karrba mayi

wawu-karrba 'trust'; wumbul-bu INST 'by heat'; the-earth-oven-teaches-patience


When at last they opened the oven at evening, the old woman lifted the earth and the leaves carefully so the fragrant steam rose in a cloud, and the smell of the cooked meat and the soft yams filled the whole camp, and everyone gathered, and the children could hardly wait, and this was the best moment of the day.

Jana dukul kurrma kajan kunarangkalba, wulbumanangka bubu birra buban-buban wangkar-manin bana-kubu nganja-ngulkurr ngurrbanba wandinya, minya wajun juwal buban jani nyungu nganja bayan wubulku buwun, bama wubulku bangkan, karrkay-karrkay murruji maku-janay, yinya wungarmu yukil bajaku.

jana dukul kurrma kaja-ny kunarangkal-ba, wulbuman-angka bubu birra buban-buban wangkar-ma-ni-ny bana-kubu nganja-ngulkurr ngurrban-ba wandi-nya, minya waju-ny juwal buban jani nyungu nganja bayan wubul-ku buwu-ny, bama wubul-ku bangka-ny, karrkay-karrkay murruji maku-jana-y, yinya wungar-mu yukil bajaku | they at.last earth.oven opened evening-LOC, old.woman earth leaves carefully up lifted steam fragrant cloud-LOC rose-SUB, meat cooked yams soft cooked its smell camp all filled, people all gathered, children unable wait, that day-POSS best | ...

kurrma janyjil bina kubu nganja minya juwal jani

jani 'well cooked'; nganja 'taste/smell'; opening-the-oven-fills-the-camp


The old man said in the old days when they took a big animal, the whole thing went into a great earth oven and fed the whole camp for two days, and nothing was wasted — the fat, the liver, the marrow, the tail — for to waste any part of a creature that gave its life was the deepest kind of disrespect.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: ngadiku jana minya yalbay manin, yamba wubulku kurrma yalbay-mba dungan bayan wubulku daya jambul wungar, yamba nyubun kari kudamundu — wandul, jiba, kuku-mula, junkan — minya nyulu nyungu wawu dajinmu yamba nyubun kudamundu bawal mumbu bada bajaku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: ngadiku jana minya yalbay mani-ny, yamba wubul-ku kurrma yalbay-mba dunga-ny bayan wubul-ku daya jambul wungar, yamba nyubun kari kudamundu, wandul, jiba, kuku-mula, junkan, minya nyulu nyungu wawu daji-ny-mu yamba nyubun kudamundu bawa-l mumbu bada bajaku | old man said: old.days they animal big took, thing all earth.oven big-LOC went camp all fed two day, thing one NEG wasted, fat, liver, marrow, tail, animal which its life gave-POSS thing one waste deepest disrespect | ...

minya kurrma bayan dayal wandul jiba kudamundu bawal

kurrma yalbay-nga LOC(a); wasting-any-part-is-deep-disrespect


The old woman said one big earth oven feeds a whole camp better than twenty small cooking fires, not only because it saves wood and work, but because everyone eats from the one oven, and eating from the same oven makes people one, while twenty separate fires make twenty separate families who have forgotten they are one people.

Wulbumanangka balkan: kurrma yalbay nyubun bayan wubulku daya ngulkurr-baja waju-bayan buban wubulmuny, kari juku kirraji buban-manilmu nganga, yambada bama wubulku kurrma nyubunmuny nukal, kurrma nyubunmuny nukal bama nyubun-manil, waju-bayan wubul yindu-yindu jawun-karra wubul yindu-yindu bungal jana milka-wulan jana nyubun bama.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: kurrma yalbay nyubun bayan wubul-ku daya ngulkurr-baja waju-bayan buban wubul-muny, kari juku kirraji buban-ma-ni-l-mu nganga, yambada bama wubul-ku kurrma nyubun-muny nuka-l, kurrma nyubun-muny nuka-l bama nyubun-ma-ni-l, waju-bayan wubul yindu-yindu jawun-karra wubul yindu-yindu bunga-l jana milka-wula-ny jana nyubun bama | old.woman said: earth.oven big one camp all feeds better cooking.fires small many-ABL, NEG wood work little-makes only, but people all oven one-from eat, oven one-from eat people one-makes, cooking.fires many separate families many separate makes they forgotten they one people | ...

kurrma bayan dayal waju juku nukal nyubun milka-wula


The old man said the flame cooks the outside and leaves the inside raw, but the earth oven cooks slowly from every side at once and cooks the food all the way through, and this is a lesson about people too: quick heat only scorches the surface, but patient warmth changes a person all the way to the middle.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: wula ngalanga wajul dukurr-bu nganja bawal, kurrma buban-buban wubulku ngundumuny nyubunku wajul mayi wubulku dukurr-mundu jani-manil, yinya milbil bamamu baja: wumbul warri ngalanga nganja jirra-manil, wumbul maku-janal bama murni-manil dukurr-bu bajaku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: wula ngala-nga waju-l dukurr-bu nganja bawa-l, kurrma buban-buban wubul-ku ngundu-muny nyubun-ku waju-l mayi wubul-ku dukurr-mundu jani-ma-ni-l, yinya milbi-l bama-mu baja: wumbul warri ngala-nga nganja jirra-ma-ni-l, wumbul maku-jana-l bama murni-ma-ni-l dukurr-bu bajaku | old man said: flame outside-LOC cooks inside raw leaves, earth.oven slowly all sides-from one-DAT cooks food all through cooks, that lesson people-POSS too: heat fast outside-LOC surface scorches, warmth patient person changes middle-to very | ...

wula wajul dukurr nganja kurrma mayi jani wumbul

dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); ngala-nga 'outside' LOC(a); patient-warmth-changes-all-the-way-through


The old woman took the children out at the right season with their digging sticks and showed them how to read the dry vine on the surface that tells where a yam sleeps below, and how to dig around it carefully and lift it whole, for a yam broken in the digging cannot be stored and half of it is lost.

Wulbumanangka karrkay-karrkay wangan wungar yukilba jana jaba baja milbin yala nganja jarra bubu ngalanga nyajil nyulu juwal wanja bada wunay, yala nyulu ngundu buban-buban bakal wangkar-manilka wubulku, juwal kaka-manda bakalba murruji karrbal buban kilba-baja.

wulbuman-angka karrkay-karrkay wanga-ny wungar yukil-ba jana jaba baja milbi-ny yala nganja jarra bubu ngala-nga nyaji-l nyulu juwal wanja bada wuna-y, yala nyulu ngundu buban-buban baka-l wangkar-ma-ni-nka wubul-ku, juwal kaka-ma-nda baka-l-ba murruji karrba-l buban kilba-baja | old.woman children took season right-LOC they digging.stick(jaba) too showed how vine dry ground surface-LOC read which yam where below sleeps, how it around carefully dig lift-DAT whole, yam broken-becomes digging-LOC unable store half lost | ...

karrkay wungar kunku-jina milbil juwal bakal kaka kilbal

kunku-jina digging.stick; yukil-nga LOC(l->? yukil->yukilba) FIX; read-the-vine-to-find-the-yam


The old man said there is a yam for every season and every kind of country: the long yam of the sandy ground, the round yam of the vine scrub, the bitter yam that must be soaked and soaked before it is safe, and a person who knows all the yams and their seasons and their places need never go hungry, whatever else fails.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: juwal nyubun wungar wubulku bubu yindu-yindu wubulku: juwal kalbay jukarmu, juwal jirakal majajimu, juwal ngambuy nyulu bananga wunay wunay ngadiku nyulu yukil, bama nyulu juwal wubulku wungar bubu baja binal nyulu kariku dakwuy, yamba yindu wubulku wulanya baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: juwal nyubun wungar wubul-ku bubu yindu-yindu wubul-ku: juwal kalbay jukar-mu, juwal jirakal majaji-mu, juwal ngambuy nyulu bana-nga wuna-y wuna-y ngadiku nyulu yukil, bama nyulu juwal wubul-ku wungar bubu baja binal nyulu kariku dakwuy, yamba yindu wubul-ku wula-nya baja | old man said: yam one season all country different all: yam long sand-POSS, yam round rainforest-POSS, yam bitter it water-LOC soaks soaks first it safe, person who yams all seasons places too knows he never hungry, thing other all fails-SUB too | ...

juwal wungar bubu janyul ngambuy bana binal dakwuy

bana-nga LOC(a) 'soak in water'; ngambuy 'bitter/strong taste'; know-all-yams-never-go-hungry


The old woman said the bitter yam that would kill you raw becomes good food if you know the way: slice it thin, soak it in the running water of the creek for a day and a night so the water carries the poison away, then roast it, and this is old knowledge, hard-won, and a young person who scorns the old ways may learn it again the hard way, in pain.

Wulbumanangka balkan: juwal ngambuy nyulu yundu jangkarbu wulanmanil nyulu mayi yukil-manda kaki yundu yala binal: buban-buban dakal, bana warri kuljinga wungar wujurr baja wunay bana ngambuy kala-kalbay jarrakulbanka, yalada dinda, yinya binal ngadiku, dandibu maninmu, warru nyulu ngadiku milka-mumbu nyulu binalka baja dandibu, buyunba.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: juwal ngambuy nyulu yundu jangkar-bu wula-n-ma-ni-l nyulu mayi yukil-ma-nda kaki yundu yala binal: buban-buban daka-l, bana warri kulji-nga wungar wujurr baja wuna-y bana ngambuy kala-kalbay jarrakulba-nka, yala-da dinda, yinya binal ngadiku, dandi-bu mani-ny-mu, warru nyulu ngadiku milka-mumbu nyulu binal-ka baja dandi-bu, buyun-ba | old.woman said: yam bitter it you raw-INST kills it food safe-becomes if you way know: thinly slice, water running creek-LOC day night too soaks water poison far.away carry-PURP, then roast, that knowledge old, hard-INST won-POSS, young who old.ways scorns he learn again hard-INST, pain-LOC | ...

juwal ngambuy mayi kaki bana kulji dindal binal

kaki (leaching the yam); leaching-the-poison; hard-won-old-knowledge


The old man showed the young how to grind the hard seeds and nuts between two stones, the big flat stone below and the round stone above, working with the weight of the whole body, not just the arm, until the seed becomes a fine flour that can be mixed with water and baked into bread on the coals.

Mukulungku dingkarangka warru milbin yala jarra-buyun kulji jambulba nyurrbanka, kulji yalbay yaral bada kulji jirakal wangkar, kirraji bangkarr wubulkubu, kari mara nyubunku, dukul jarra buban-buban buban-manda nyulu bananji buwal kawar bunganka ngunjilba.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka warru milbi-ny yala jarra-buyun kulji jambul-ba nyurrba-nka, kulji yalbay yaral bada kulji jirakal wangkar, kirraji bangkarr wubul-ku-bu, kari mara nyubun-ku, dukul jarra buban-buban buban-ma-nda nyulu bana-nji buwa-l kawar bunga-nka ngunjil-ba | old man young showed how seed-hard stones two-LOC grind, stone big flat below stone round above, work body whole-INST, NEG arm one-DAT, at.last seed fine(small) flour-becomes it water-with mix bread make-DAT coals-LOC | ...

warru kulji nyurrbal jarra bana kawar bungal ngunjil

kulji jambul-nga 'between two stones' LOC(a); nyurrbal grind; ngunjil-nga LOC(l->? ngunjil->ngunjilba) FIX; grinding-seed-into-flour


The old woman made the damper the old way, mixing the ground flour with a little water into a stiff dough, shaping it into a flat round, raking a clean bed in the hot ashes, laying the damper in and covering it with more hot ash, and turning it once, and the smell of it baking made every child hover close.

Wulbumanangka damba bungan ngadiku yala, jarra-nyurrban bana buban baja murni-manin jarray-manda, jirakal-manda buban-buban, bajar wumbulba birra karra, damba bada daya bajar wumbul wubul baja wangkar-manin, murni-manin nyubun, nyungu nganja wajulba karrkay wubulku ngunduka wandiman.

wulbuman-angka damba bunga-ny ngadiku yala, jarra-nyurrba-ny bana buban baja murni-ma-ni-ny jarray-ma-nda, jirakal-ma-nda buban-buban, bajar wumbul-ba birra karra, damba bada daya bajar wumbul wubul baja wangkar-ma-ni-ny, murni-ma-ni-ny nyubun, nyungu nganja waju-l-ba karrkay wubul-ku ngundu-ka wandi-ma-ny | old.woman damper made old way, ground.flour water little too dough-made stiff-become, flat-become carefully, ash hot-LOC bed cleared, damper down gave ash hot more too up put, turned once, its smell baking-LOC children all near drew | ...

damba jarra nyurrbal bana bajar wumbul nganja wajul

damba damper; bajar wumbul-nga 'in the hot ash' LOC(l->? wumbulba) FIX; baking-damper-in-the-ashes


The old man followed the honey-bird to the hollow tree and read the small dark bees going in and out, then made a smoky fire below to quiet them, climbed to the hollow, and took out the dark wild honey and the wax comb, leaving some behind so the nest would live and give again another season.

Mukulungku dingkarangka wunba-jujubala wukurrin juku dimbirr-mundu nyajin minya-buban wujurr dandi walanya dunganya, yalada baya kubu bada bungan jana janka-bungalka, dimbirr-mundu dakan, wunba wujurr mandi-mandi baja manin, buban bawan juku-bayan wula nyulu daji baja wungar yindungu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka wunba-jujubala wukurri-ny juku dimbirr-mundu nyaji-ny minya-buban wujurr dandi wala-nya dunga-nya, yala-da baya kubu bada bunga-ny jana janka-bunga-nka, dimbirr-mundu daka-ny, wunba wujurr mandi-mandi baja mani-ny, buban bawa-ny juku-bayan wula nyulu daji baja wungar yindu-ngu | old man honey-bird followed tree hollow-toward watched bees dark in.and.out go-SUB, then fire smoke down made them quiet-make-DAT, hollow-toward climbed, honey dark honeycomb too took, little left nest live it give again season other | ...

wunba jujubala wukurril dimbirr kubu dakal mandi-mandi dajil

wunba honey; leaving-some-so-the-nest-lives; yindu-nga? yindu u->yindungu FIX


The old woman said everyone brings food to the fire according to what they can do: the strong hunters bring the big meat, the sharp-eyed women bring the yams and the fruit and the honey, the children bring the small lizards and the eggs, and the very old bring the stories, and all of it goes into the one meal, and all of it is honoured equally.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama wubulku mayi bayangu daya yala nyulu wanya bungal: balbibama junkurr minya yalbay daya, jalbu miyil-warri juwal mayi wunba baja daya, karrkay-karrkay jarba buban diburr baja daya, mukul bajaku jangkar daya, yamba wubulku nyubun mayingu dungay, yamba wubulku nyubun yukil-bungal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama wubul-ku mayi baya-ngu daya yala nyulu wanya bunga-l: balbi-bama junkurr minya yalbay daya, jalbu miyil-warri juwal mayi wunba baja daya, karrkay-karrkay jarba buban diburr baja daya, mukul bajaku jangkar daya, yamba wubul-ku nyubun mayi-ngu dunga-y, yamba wubul-ku nyubun yukil-bunga-l | old.woman said: people all food fire-to give as he what does: hunters strong meat big give, women sharp-eyed yams food honey too give, children lizards small eggs too give, old most stories give, thing all one meal-to goes, thing all equally honoured | ...

mayi baya dayal balbi minya jalbu juwal jangkar

baya-ngu LOC(a->? baya a-final -> baya-nga) FIX baya-nga; everyone-brings-what-they-can


The old man said you learn to read ripeness with all the senses at once: the color deepening, the give of the flesh under a gentle thumb, the smell that sweetens, the ease with which the fruit leaves the stem, and a person who picks too early wastes the fruit and a person who picks too late loses it to the birds, so timing is the whole art of the gatherer.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: yundu binalka kulbul nyajinka bangkarr wubulkubu nyubunku: nganja-jarray badanya, minya janka marabu jilbanya, nganja jiba-wulaymanda, mayi juku-muny buban-buban dungay, bama nyulu ngadiku-baja manil mayi kudamundu bama nyulu dumbay-baja manil jujubalangu kilban, wungar-yukil bangkal-bamamu kirraji wubulku.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: yundu binal-ka kulbul nyaji-nka bangkarr wubul-ku-bu nyubun-ku: nganja-jarray bada-nya, minya janka mara-bu jilba-nya, nganja jiba-wulay-ma-nda, mayi juku-muny buban-buban dunga-y, bama nyulu ngadiku-baja mani-l mayi kudamundu bama nyulu dumbay-baja mani-l jujubala-ngu kilba-ny, wungar-yukil bangka-l-bama-mu kirraji wubul-ku | old man said: you learn ripeness read-DAT senses all-INST one-DAT: color deepening, flesh give thumb-INST presses-SUB, smell sweetens, fruit stem-ABL easily comes, person who too.early takes fruit wastes person who too.late takes birds-to loses, timing gatherer-POSS art whole | ...

kulbul nyajil bangkarr nganja jiba-wulay mayi jujubala bangkal

kulbul 'ripe'; jiba-wulay 'sweet'; read-ripeness-with-all-the-senses


The old woman said when you gather, never take the last one and never take the mother plant: leave the biggest yam to make the seed, leave enough fruit for the birds who plant tomorrow's trees, and take only from the middle, for the gatherer who empties a place will find it empty forever, and the gatherer who leaves enough will find it full every year of a long life.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yundu bangkanya, kari nganga bada bajaku mani kari ngamu-mayi mani: juwal yalbay bawa jarra-kuka bunganka, mayi wubul bawa jujubalanka jana wungar-kadalmu juku jarranmu, dukurr-bu nganga mani, bangkal-bama nyulu bubu yamba-kari-manil nyulu nyaji yamba-kari yabarrka, bangkal-bama nyulu wubul bawal nyulu nyaji buwun wungar wubulku wawu kalbaymuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu bangka-nya, kari nganga bada bajaku mani kari ngamu-mayi mani: juwal yalbay bawa jarra-kuka bunga-nka, mayi wubul bawa jujubala-nka jana wungar-kada-l-mu juku jarra-ny-mu, dukurr-bu nganga mani, bangka-l-bama nyulu bubu yamba-kari-ma-ni-l nyulu nyaji yamba-kari yabarrka, bangka-l-bama nyulu wubul bawa-l nyulu nyaji buwu-ny wungar wubul-ku wawu kalbay-muny | old.woman said: you gather-SUB, NEG just last take NEG mother-plant take: yam big leave seed make-DAT, fruit enough leave birds-for they tomorrow's trees plant-POSS, middle-from only take, gatherer who place empty-makes he finds empty always, gatherer who enough leaves he finds full year all life long-ABL | ...

bangkal juwal ngamu mayi jujubala dukurr bubu yamba-kari


The old man laid the fish straight on the red coals without any wrapping, turning it once when the skin blackened and lifted, and he said this is the oldest cooking of all and the best for a fresh fish, for the coals seal the outside in a moment and the flesh steams in its own skin, and nothing is sweeter eaten by the water where it was caught.

Mukulungku dingkarangka kuyu murni ngunjil mula-mula-nga daya kari buwunbu, murni-manin nyubun jindi wujurr-manda wangkar-mandanya, nyulu balkan yinya waju ngadiku bajaku wubulmuny yukil bajaku kuyu jirakalmu, ngunjil ngalanga karra buban-buban minya nyungu jindinga bana-kubu, yamba nyubun kari jiba-wulay-baja nukal bana ngundu nyulu maninba.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka kuyu murni ngunjil mula-mula-nga daya kari buwun-bu, murni-ma-ni-ny nyubun jindi wujurr-ma-nda wangkar-ma-nda-nya, nyulu balka-ny yinya waju ngadiku bajaku wubul-muny yukil bajaku kuyu jirakal-mu, ngunjil ngala-nga karra buban-buban minya nyungu jindi-nga bana-kubu, yamba nyubun kari jiba-wulay-baja nuka-l bana ngundu nyulu mani-ny-ba | old man fish straight coals red-LOC gave NEG wrapping-INST, turned once skin blackens lifts-SUB, he said this cooking oldest all-ABL best fish fresh-POSS, coals outside-LOC seal flesh its skin-LOC steam, thing one NEG sweeter eaten water near it caught-LOC | ...

kuyu ngunjil dalku jindi waju minya jiba-wulay nukal

ngunjil dalku-nga 'on the red coals' LOC(u); jindi 'fish scale/skin'; roasting-fish-on-coals


For the toughest cuts the old woman boiled the meat in water heated by dropping fire-hot stones into a bark trough, changing the stones as they cooled, and the long slow boiling made even the toughest old meat soft enough for a person with no teeth, and the broth that was left was saved and given to the sick and the very old.

Minya junkurr bajakunku wulbumanangka minya balamun bananga kulji baya-wumbulbu warrur-bana-yaralba yijarrin, kulji murni-manin jana kiway-mandanya, balamu kalbay maku-janal minya mukul junkurr baja buban-manin bama dirra-karinka, wuynkurr nyulu bawan karrban daya buyun-bamanka mukul bajakunka baja.

minya junkurr bajaku-nka wulbuman-angka minya balamu-ny bana-nga kulji baya-wumbul-bu bina-bana-yaral-ba yijarri-ny, kulji murni-ma-ni-ny jana kiway-ma-nda-nya, balamu kalbay maku-jana-l minya mukul junkurr baja buban-ma-ni-ny bama dirra-kari-nka, wuynkurr nyulu bawa-ny karrba-ny daya buyun-bama-nka mukul bajaku-nka baja | meat tough most-for old.woman meat boiled water-LOC stones fire-hot-INST bark-water-trough-LOC dropped, stones changed they cool-become-SUB, boiling long patient meat old tough too soft-made person tooth-less-for, broth it left kept gave sick-people-for old most-for too | ...

minya balamu bana kulji baya wumbul daga wuynkurr

bana-nga LOC(a); baya-wumbul-bu 'fire-hot' INST; wuynkurr 'meat juice/broth'; stone-boiling-the-tough-meat


The old man said the leaf is the oldest cooking pot: wrap the small fish or the shellfish or the soft yam in a thick green leaf, tie it with a strip of bark, lay it in the coals, and the leaf holds the juices in and gives its own faint flavor to the food, and when you unwrap it the steam and the smell are the reward for the patience.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: birra waju-yamba ngadiku bajaku: kuyu buban wurrul juwal buban baja birra junkurr jirakalbu buwu, wawun-bubanda kaja, ngunjilba daya, birra wuynkurr dukurr-bu karrbal nyungu nganja buban mayingu daji, yundu kajanya bana-kubu nganja baja maku-janalmu yukil.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: birra waju-yamba ngadiku bajaku: kuyu buban wurrul juwal buban baja birra junkurr jirakal-bu buwu, wawun-buban-da kaja, ngunjil-ba daya, birra wuynkurr dukurr-bu karrba-l nyungu nganja buban mayi-ngu daji, yundu kaja-nya bana-kubu nganja baja maku-jana-l-mu yukil | old man said: leaf cooking-vessel oldest very: fish small shellfish yam soft too leaf thick green-INST wrap, bark-strip tie, coals-LOC lay, leaf juices inside holds its flavor little food-to gives, you unwrap-SUB steam smell too patience-POSS reward | ...

bina waju kuyu wurrul juwal wawun ngunjil wuynkurr

bina 'leaf'; dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); ngunjil-nga LOC(l->? ngunjilba) FIX; the-leaf-is-the-oldest-cooking-pot


The old woman said watch the fire, not the food, when you cook, for the fire tells you everything: too much flame and the outside burns before the inside cooks, too little and the food sits raw and cold, but a steady bed of coals with no flame at all is the secret of good cooking, and learning to make and hold that bed is half the skill.

Wulbumanangka balkan: baya nyaji, kari mayi, yundu wajunya, baya yundunka yamba wubulku milbil: wula wubul ngalanga jirra dukurr-bu wajul ngadiku, wula buban mayi nganja kiway-kiway janji, ngunjil birra wula-kari junkurr nyulu waju-yukilmu kuku, birra yinya bunganka karrbanka baja kirraji buban.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: baya nyaji, kari mayi, yundu waju-nya, baya yundu-nka yamba wubul-ku milbi-l: wula wubul ngala-nga jirra dukurr-bu waju-l ngadiku, wula buban mayi nganja kiway-kiway karra, ngunjil birra wula-kari junkurr nyulu waju-yukil-mu kuku, birra yinya bunga-nka karrba-nka baja kirraji buban | old.woman said: fire watch, NEG food, you cook-SUB, fire you-to thing all tells: flame much outside-LOC burns inside cooks before, flame little food raw cold sits, coal-bed flame-less steady it good-cooking-POSS secret, bed that make-DAT hold-DAT too skill half | ...

baya mayi wajul wula jirra dukurr ngunjil kija

dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); ngala-nga LOC(a); watch-the-fire-not-the-food


The old man said nothing on a creature is wasted, and the fat most of all: the fat of the goanna and the possum and the fish is the richest food of the lean time, rendered slowly over gentle heat and stored, and a spoon of it in the cold months does more than a whole meal of lean meat, so the fat is guarded and shared with the old first.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: minyanga yamba nyubun kari kudamundu, wandul wubulku bajaku: jadi kambi-mabi kuyu baja wandul mayi jiba-wulay bajaku dakwuy wungarmu, wumbul buban-bu buban-buban balamu-manin karrban, wandul buban kiway-kiway wungara ngulkurr-baja minya jiba-kari wubulmuny, wandul yabarrka kujil mukulnka ngadiku daji-way.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: minya-nga yamba nyubun kari kudamundu, wandul wubul-ku bajaku: jadi-y kambi-mabi kuyu baja wandul mayi jiba-wulay bajaku dakwuy wungar-mu, wumbul buban-bu buban-buban balamu-ma-ni-ny karrba-ny, wandul buban kiway-kiway wungar-a ngulkurr-baja minya jiba-kari wubul-muny, wandul yabarrka kuji-l mukul-nka ngadiku daji-way | old man said: creature-on thing one NEG wasted, fat most very: goanna possum fish too fat food richest hunger season-POSS, heat gentle-INST slowly rendered kept, fat little cold season-LOC better meat lean whole-ABL, fat always guarded old-for first share | ...

minya wandul jarukay kuyu jiba-wulay dakwuy balamu daji-way

wungar-nga LOC(r->? wungara) FIX wungara; daji-way RECIP; the-fat-is-the-richest-lean-time-food


The old woman said a good cook tastes as she goes, adjusting by memory and by feel, adding a little of this and a little of that, for cooking is not a fixed law but a conversation between the cook and the food, and the same dish is never quite the same twice, and this is not a flaw but the whole living pleasure of it.

Wulbumanangka balkan: waju-bama yukil nganja-kangal nyulu dungalba, murni-manil milkabu marabu, buban yinyamu daya buban yindumu baja, waju kari kuku-yukil janji yambada kuku-daji waju-bama mayi baja dukurr-bu, mayi nyubun kariku nyubun jambulmu, yinya kari mumbu yambada wawu-mini wula wubulku nyungu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: waju-bama yukil nganja-kangal nyulu dunga-l-ba, murni-ma-ni-l milka-bu mara-bu, buban yinya-mu daya buban yindu-mu baja, waju kari kuku-yukil karra yambada kuku-daji waju-bama mayi baja dukurr-bu, mayi nyubun kariku nyubun jambul-mu, yinya kari mumbu yambada wawu-mini wula wubul-ku nyungu | old.woman said: cook good tastes she going-LOC, adjusts memory-INST feel-INST, little this-POSS gives little that-POSS too, cooking NEG fixed.law stands but conversation cook food too between, dish one never one twice-POSS, that NEG flaw but pleasure living all its | ...

waju nganja dungay milka mara mayi dukurr wawu-mini

dungal-nga LOC(l->? dungalba) FIX; nganja-kangal 'taste'; cooking-is-a-conversation-with-the-food


When someone was sick the old woman cooked differently, making the food soft and easy and warm: the yam mashed with fat, the broth of the long-boiled meat, small pieces easy to swallow, nothing burnt or bitter, for the body fighting an illness has little strength to spare for hard chewing, and warm soft food is itself a kind of medicine.

Bama buyun janay-mba wulbumanangka yindu-baja wajun, mayi buban kima wumbul bungan: juwal wandulbu duda-manin, minya kalbay balamunmu wuynkurr, buban-buban karra-yukil, yamba nyubun kari jirra ngambuy, bangkarr nyulu buyunji kuni-way junkurr buban maja-nka, mayi wumbul kima nyulu nganga yala kalbal.

bama buyun jana-y-mba wulbuman-angka yindu-baja waju-ny, mayi buban kima wumbul bunga-ny: juwal wandul-bu duda-ma-ni-ny, minya kalbay balamu-ny-mu wuynkurr, buban-buban karra-yukil, yamba nyubun kari jirra ngambuy, bangkarr nyulu buyun-ji kuni-way junkurr buban maja-nka, mayi wumbul kima nyulu nganga yala kalbal | person sick was-LOC old.woman differently cooked, food soft easy warm made: yam fat-INST mashed, meat long boiled-POSS broth, small.pieces swallow-easy, thing one NEG burnt bitter, body it illness-with fights strength little hard.chewing-for, food warm soft it just like medicine | ...

buyun wajun mayi wumbul juwal wandul balamu kalbal

buyun 'sick'; kuni-way RECIP 'fights'; warm-soft-food-is-medicine


The old man said the burnt meal is the great teacher of the young cook, for you cannot learn the fire from words, only from the smell of your own carelessness, and the one who has never burnt anything has never cooked anything either, so do not shame the child whose damper is black on one side, only ask them what the fire was telling them that they did not hear.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: mayi jirra milbi-bama yalbay waju-bama warrumu, yundu murruji baya binal kukumuny, nyungu binal-karimu nganjamuny nganga, bama nyulu kariku yamba jirra-manin nyulu kariku yamba wajun baja, kari karrkay milka-murruji-bunga nyungu damba wujurr nyubunku, nganga babaji jana wanya baya jananka balkan jana kari ngaranmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: mayi jirra milbi-bama yalbay waju-bama warru-mu, yundu murruji baya binal kuku-muny, nyungu binal-kari-mu nganja-muny nganga, bama nyulu kariku yamba jirra-ma-ni-ny nyulu kariku yamba waju-ny baja, kari karrkay milka-murruji-bunga nyungu damba wujurr nyubun-ku, nganga babaji jana wanya baya jana-nka balka-ny jana kari ngara-ny-mu | old man said: food burnt teacher big cook young-POSS, you unable fire learn word-ABL, your carelessness-POSS smell-ABL only, person who never thing burnt he never thing cooked too, NEG child shame his damper black one-side, just ask them what fire them-to said they NEG heard-POSS | ...

mayi jirra milbil waju baya binal damba milka-murruji


The old woman said the fire is where the day comes to rest: the hunting done, the food cooking, the people drawing in from the edges of the country to the one warm center, and it is here, in the good tiredness after the meal, that the stories are told and the children learn who they are and where they come from.

Wulbumanangka balkan: baya wanja wungar mara-kunbanka kaday: balbil dumban, mayi wajunya, bama bubu wular-muny ngundu-mundu dukurr-bu wumbul nyubunku kadan, yinya, mayimuny wawu-wula-y yukilba, jangkar balkan karrkay-karrkay binal jana wanyu jana wanjamuny kadanmu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: baya wanja wungar mara-kunba-nka kada-y: balbi-l dumba-ny, mayi waju-nya, bama bubu wular-muny ngundu-mundu dukurr-bu wumbul nyubun-ku kada-ny, yinya, mayi-muny wawu-wula-y yukil-ba, jangkar balka-ny karrkay-karrkay binal jana wanyu jana wanja-muny kada-ny-mu | old.woman said: fire where day rest-DAT comes: hunting finished, food cooking, people country edges-from near-toward center warm one-DAT came, here, meal-ABL tiredness good-LOC, stories told children learn they who they where-from came-POSS | ...

baya wungar kalkal balbil mayi wajul dukurr jangkar


When a hunter came back with a big catch, the old man said, the first thing done was not to eat but to divide: the best portions to the old and the sick who could not hunt, the working shares to the hunters and their families, and the hunter who killed it often ate last and least, for the honor was in the giving, and a stingy hunter soon found no one glad to see him return.

Balbi-bama minya yalbaybu kadanya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yamba ngadiku kari nukal yambada buban-manda: minya yukil mukulnka buyun-bamanka jana murruji balbil, kirraji-minya balbi-bamanka jawun-karranka baja, balbi-bama nyulu kunin yabarrka dumbay-mba nukal buban baja, wawu-junkurr dajilba, balbi-bama kulun buban-buban bama nyubun kari wawu-mini nyulu nyunbanya nyajinka.

balbi-bama minya yalbay-bu kada-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yamba ngadiku kari nuka-l yambada buban-ma-nda: minya yukil mukul-nka buyun-bama-nka jana murruji balbi-l, kirraji-minya balbi-bama-nka jawun-karra-nka baja, balbi-bama nyulu kuni-ny yabarrka dumbay-mba nuka-l buban baja, wawu-junkurr daji-l-ba, balbi-bama kulun buban-buban bama nyubun kari wawu-mini nyulu nyunba-nya nyaji-nka | hunter meat big-INST comes-SUB, old man said, thing first NEG eat but divide: meat good old-for sick-people-for who unable hunt, working-meat hunters-for families-for too, hunter who killed always last-LOC eats little too, honor giving-LOC, hunter stingy soon people one NEG glad he return-SUB see-DAT | ...

balbi minya nukal buban mukul buyun wawu-junkurr kulun


The old woman said the guest is always fed first and fed the best, even if it means the family goes a little short, for a person who arrives at your fire hungry is under your care until they leave, and how a people treats the stranger at its fire is the truest measure of what that people is, better than any words they say about themselves.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama-yindu yabarrka ngadiku daya yukil bajaku daya, kaki jawun-karra buban dakwuy janayka baja, bama nyulu nyungu bayangu dakwuy kaday nyulu yundu kujilba nyulu dungay baja, bama nyubun bama-yindu nyungu bayangu yala ngaral yinya murni bajaku bama nyubun wanya, ngulkurr-baja kuku wubulmuny jana nyulu-nyulunka balkalmu.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama-yindu yabarrka ngadiku daya yukil bajaku daya, kaki jawun-karra buban dakwuy jana-y-ka baja, bama nyulu nyungu baya-ngu dakwuy kada-y nyulu yundu kuji-l-ba nyulu dunga-y baja, bama nyubun bama-yindu nyungu baya-ngu yala ngara-l yinya murni bajaku bama nyubun wanya, ngulkurr-baja kuku wubul-muny jana nyulu-nyulu-nka balka-l-mu | old.woman said: guest always first fed best fed, if family little short is too, person who your fire-to hungry comes he your care-in he leaves before, people how guest its fire-to treats that measure truest people one what, better words all-ABL they themselves-about say-POSS | ...

bama dayal kaki jawun dakwuy baya kujil ngaral

kaki (guest fed first); baya-ngu LOC(a->? baya-nga) FIX; the-guest-is-fed-first-and-best


The old man said the children learn more at the fireside than anywhere else, watching how the meat is shared and who is served first and how the guest is treated and how the story of a hard day is told without complaint, and by the time they are grown they have learned the whole law of their people without a single lesson ever being named as such.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: karrkay-karrkay binalman baya ngunduka wubul-baja bubu yindu wubulmuny, nyajil yala minya daji-way wanyu ngadiku daya bama-yindu yala ngaral jangkar wungar dandimu yala balkan kari kuku-mumbubu, jana warru-mandanya jana binalman kuku wubulku bamamu nyubun milbil kari nyubun burri-bunganmu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: karrkay-karrkay binal-ma-ny baya ngundu-ka wubul-baja bubu yindu wubul-muny, nyaji-l yala minya daji-way wanyu ngadiku daya bama-yindu yala ngara-l jangkar wungar dandi-mu yala balka-ny kari kuku-mumbu-bu, jana warru-ma-nda-nya jana binal-ma-ny kuku wubul-ku bama-mu nyubun milbi-l kari nyubun burri-bunga-ny-mu | old man said: children learn fire near-LOC more place other all-ABL, watch how meat shared who first served guest how treated story day hard-POSS how told NEG complaint-INST, they grown-become-SUB they learned law all people-POSS one teaching NEG one named-POSS | ...

karrkay binal baya minya daji-way ngaral jangkar milbil


The old ones sat closest to the fire, the old man said, and this was right, for their thin old blood felt the cold most, and the warm place by the fire was theirs by long custom, and a young person who took the warm place from an elder without thinking would be quietly moved, and would learn without shame that some places belong to those who have earned them by living long.

Mukul jana baya ngunduku bundan, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, yinya yukil, nyungu mula mukul jinbal kiway-kiway milkabu baykan wubulku, bubu wumbul baya ngunduku jananka ngadiku-kukubu, warru nyulu wumbul-bubu mukulmuny manin milka-mundu nyulu janka murni-manil, nyulu binalka kari milka-murrujibu bubu nyubun jananka jana nyulu manin wawu kalbay janaymuny.

mukul jana baya ngundu-ku bunda-ny, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, yinya yukil, nyungu mula mukul jinbal kiway-kiway milka-bu bayka-ny wubul-ku, bubu wumbul baya ngundu-ku jana-nka ngadiku-kuku-bu, warru nyulu wumbul-bubu mukul-muny mani-ny milka-mundu nyulu karra murni-ma-ni-l, nyulu binal-ka kari milka-murruji-bu bubu nyubun jana-nka jana nyulu mani-ny wawu kalbay jana-y-muny | old they fire near-DAT sat, old man said, that right, their blood old thin cold felt most, place warm fire near-DAT them-for old-custom-INST, young who warm-place elder-from took NEG thinking-INST he quietly moved, he learns NEG shame-INST place one them-for they it earned life long being-ABL | ...

mukul baya bunday mula wumbul bubu warru binal


The old woman said the oldest law of the fire is this: no one eats while another watches hungry, so if a stranger walks up while you are eating, you make room and share, even if there is little, for a full belly beside an empty one is a shame that spoils the taste, and the meal shared with a hungry stranger always tastes better than the meal eaten alone.

Wulbumanangka balkan: baya kuku ngadiku bajaku yinya: bama nyubun kari nukal bama yindu dakwuy nyajinya, kaki bama-yindu jilban yundu nukalnya, yundu bubu daji daji-way, kaki buban janayka baja, jiba yajin dakwuy ngunduka nyulu milka-murruji nganja mumbu-manil, mayi bama-yindu dakwuyji daji-wan yabarrka jiba-wulay-baja nukal mayi nganga nukalmuny.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: baya kuku ngadiku bajaku yinya: bama nyubun kari nuka-l bama yindu dakwuy nyaji-nya, kaki bama-yindu jilba-ny yundu nuka-l-nya, yundu bubu daji daji-way, kaki buban jana-y-ka baja, jiba yajin dakwuy ngundu-ka nyulu milka-murruji nganja mumbu-ma-ni-l, mayi bama-yindu dakwuy-ji daji-wa-ny yabarrka jiba-wulay-baja nuka-l mayi nganga nuka-l-muny | old.woman said: fire law oldest very this: person one NEG eats person other hungry watches-SUB, if stranger walks you eat-SUB, you room give share, if little is too, belly full hungry near-LOC it shame taste spoils, food stranger hungry-with shared always sweeter eaten food alone eaten-ABL | ...

baya nukal dakwuy kaki daji-way jiba yajin jiba-wulay

kaki (sharing with a stranger); daji-wan RECIP; no-one-eats-while-another-watches-hungry


The old man said a fire is never refused to a traveller in the cold, not even to an enemy, for the night and the cold are older enemies than any quarrel between people, and to let a person freeze within sight of your flames when you could have shared them is a wrong so deep that the country itself would remember it against you.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: baya kariku bawal jilba-bamanka kiwaymba, kari bama-kunika baja, wujurr kiway-kiway ngadiku-kuni bama jambulmu kuni-waymuny, bama kiway-wulal nyungu wula nyajilba yundu daji-nyaku yinya mumbu bada bajaku bubu nyulu-nyulu milkal yundumuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: baya kariku bawa-l jilba-bama-nka kiway-mba, kari bama-kuni-ka baja, wujurr kiway-kiway ngadiku-kuni bama jambul-mu kuni-way-muny, bama kiway-wula-l nyungu wula nyaji-l-ba yundu daji-nyaku yinya mumbu bada bajaku bubu nyulu-nyulu milka-l yundu-muny | old man said: fire never refused traveller-to cold-LOC, NEG enemy-to too, night cold old-enemy people two-POSS fight.each.other-ABL, person cold-dies your flame see-LOC you share-IRR that wrong deepest country itself remembers you-against | ...

baya bawal jilba kija kuni-way wula daji bubu

daji-nyaku IRR 'could have shared'; kija-nga LOC(a); never-refuse-a-traveller-a-fire


The old woman said a taste can carry you back across forty years in a single breath: the smell of a certain root roasting, the sweetness of a particular honey, the way her own mother cooked the fish, and this is one way the dead stay with us, in the food we still cook the way they taught us, so cook the old dishes, and they are there at the fire with you.

Wulbumanangka balkan: nganja yundu nyunbanmanil wungar wubulmuny nyubun wangarnga: jarra nyubun wajulmu nganja, wunba nyubunmu jiba-wulay, ngamu nyulu-nyulu yala kuyu wajunmu, yinya nyubun yala bama wula ngananji janji, mayinga ngana yabarrka wajul yala jana milbinmu, waju mayi ngadiku, jana yinya baya ngunduka yundunji.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: nganja yundu nyunba-n-ma-ni-l wungar wubul-muny nyubun wangar-nga: jarra nyubun waju-l-mu nganja, wunba nyubun-mu jiba-wulay, ngamu nyulu-nyulu yala kuyu waju-ny-mu, yinya nyubun yala bama wula ngana-nji karra, mayi-nga ngana yabarrka waju-l yala jana milbi-ny-mu, waju mayi ngadiku, jana yinya baya ngundu-ka yundu-nji | old.woman said: taste you carries.back years many-ABL one breath-LOC: root one roasting-POSS smell, honey one-POSS sweetness, mother herself how fish cooked-POSS, that one way dead us-with stay, food-LOC we still cook as they taught-POSS, cook food old, they there fire near-LOC you-with | ...

nganja nyunbay wungar jarra wunba jiba-wulay kuyu wajul

wangar-nga LOC(r->? wangara) FIX wangara; ngana-nji 'with us' COMIT; taste-carries-back-the-dead


When someone was leaving on a long and dangerous journey, the old man said, the family cooked them a special meal the night before, all their favorite foods, and everyone ate together and told the good old stories, for whatever happened out on the road, the traveller would carry the warmth of that fire and that meal inside them, and it would be a light in dark places.

Bama jilbanka kalbay dandinga baja dunganya, mukulungku dingkarangka balkan, jawun-karra jananka mayi yukil wajun kunarangkal ngadiku, nyungu mayi wawu-mini wubulku, bama wubulku nyubunji nukan jangkar ngadiku yukil balkan, yamba wanya baral yaralba bungal, jilba-bama baya yinya mayi yinya wumbul dukurr-bu jarrakulbal, nyulu wula janayka bubu wujurrbu.

bama jilba-nka kalbay dandi-nga baja dunga-nya, mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny, jawun-karra jana-nka mayi yukil waju-ny kunarangkal ngadiku, nyungu mayi wawu-mini wubul-ku, bama wubul-ku nyubun-ji nuka-ny jangkar ngadiku yukil balka-ny, yamba wanya baral yaral-ba bunga-l, jilba-bama baya yinya mayi yinya wumbul dukurr-bu jarrakulba-l, nyulu wula jana-y-ka bubu wujurr-bu | person journey long hard too goes-SUB, old man said, family them-for food good cooked night before, their food happy all, people all together ate stories old good told, thing what road open-LOC happens, traveller fire that food that warmth inside carries, it light be-DAT country dark-LOC | ...

jilbay kalbay dandi jawun mayi wajul dukurr baya

dukurr-bu LOC(rr,u); wujurr-bu-nga? 'in the dark country'; the-farewell-meal-is-a-light-on-the-road


The old woman said the worst thing you can do at the fire is waste food, for every piece of food is a life given and a work done — the animal that died, the plant that grew a whole season, the hunter's day, the gatherer's aching back, the cook's care — and to throw any of it away carelessly is to spit on all of that giving, so the child who wastes is corrected gently but always.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yamba mumbu bajaku baya ngunduka yundu bunganka mayi kudamundu, mayi nyubun wubulku wawu dajinmu kirraji bunganmu — minya nyulu wulanmu, mayi nyulu wungar wubulku jarranmu, balbi-bamamu wungar, bangkal-bamamu muku dandi, waju-bamamu kuji — yamba nyubun binal-karibu kudamundu bawal nyulu wawu-daji wubulkungu bikirr-manilmu, karrkay nyulu kudamundu murni-bunga buban-buban yambada yabarrka.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yamba mumbu bajaku baya ngundu-ka yundu bunga-nka mayi kudamundu, mayi nyubun wubul-ku wawu daji-ny-mu kirraji bunga-ny-mu, minya nyulu wula-ny-mu, mayi nyulu wungar wubul-ku jarra-ny-mu, balbi-bama-mu wungar, bangka-l-bama-mu muku dandi, waju-bama-mu kuji, yamba nyubun binal-kari-bu kudamundu bawa-l nyulu wawu-daji wubul-ku-ngu bikirr-ma-ni-l-mu, karrkay nyulu kudamundu murni-bunga buban-buban yambada yabarrka | old.woman said: thing worst fire near-LOC you do-DAT food waste, food one all life given-POSS work done-POSS, animal which died-POSS, plant which season all grew-POSS, hunter-POSS day, gatherer-POSS back aching, cook-POSS care, thing one carelessly waste it giving all-on spit-POSS, child who wastes corrected gently but always | ...

baya mayi kudamundu wula jarral balbi bangkal waju


The old man said hunger is a hard teacher but a true one: the child who has never been hungry does not know the worth of a full belly, so a season of scarcity, hard as it is, teaches the young what no full-bellied lecture ever could, and the old who lived through the great hungers valued every mouthful for the rest of their long lives.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: dakwuy milbi-bama dandi yambada yukil: karrkay nyulu kariku dakwuy nyulu murruji binal jiba yajinmu dandi, wungar mayi-karimu, dandi nyulu janay, milbil warru yamba jiba-yajin balkalmu kariku milbilmu, mukul jana dakwuy yalbaymuny janay jana kujin mayi nyubun-nyubun wawu kalbay wubulmuny.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: dakwuy milbi-bama dandi yambada yukil: karrkay nyulu kariku dakwuy nyulu murruji binal jiba yajin-mu dandi, wungar mayi-kari-mu, dandi nyulu jana-y, milbi-l warru yamba jiba-yajin balka-l-mu kariku milbi-l-mu, mukul jana dakwuy yalbay-muny jana-y jana kuji-ny mayi nyubun-nyubun wawu kalbay wubul-muny | old man said: hunger teacher hard but true: child who never hungry he unable knows belly full-POSS worth, season food-less-POSS, hard it is, teaches young thing full-belly lecture never teach-POSS, old they hunger big-ABL lived they valued food each life long all-ABL | ...

dakwuy milbil karrkay binal jiba yajin mayi mukul


The old woman said the best cook feeds more than the belly: a meal cooked with love and served with a glad face nourishes the spirit as much as the body, and a person can go to sleep full of good food yet still hungry in the heart if it was thrown at them coldly, so cook and serve as if the eater were the most welcome person in the world, because at your fire they are.

Wulbumanangka balkan: waju-bama yukil bajaku daya wubul-baja jibamuny: mayi wawu-jirraybu wajun miyil-wawu-minibu dayanmu bangkarr yala wawu daya, bama nyulu wuna jiba yajin mayi yukilbu yambada jiba dakwuy nyungunga kaki nyulu kiway-manda jananka yilbanmu, waju daya yala nuka-bama nyulu bama wawu-mini bajaku bubu wubulkungu, nyulu nyungu bayangu yala.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: waju-bama yukil bajaku daya wubul-baja jiba-muny: mayi wawu-jirray-bu waju-ny miyil-wawu-mini-bu daya-ny-mu bangkarr yala wawu daya, bama nyulu wuna jiba yajin mayi yukil-bu yambada jiba dakwuy nyungu-nga kaki nyulu kiway-ma-nda jana-nka yilba-ny-mu, waju daya yala nuka-bama nyulu bama wawu-mini bajaku bubu wubul-ku-ngu, nyulu nyungu baya-ngu yala | old.woman said: cook good best feeds more belly-ABL: food love-INST cooked face-glad-INST served-POSS body like spirit feeds, person he sleeps belly full food good-INST but liver hungry his-LOC if it coldly them-to thrown-POSS, cook serve as eater he person welcome most world all-LOC, he your fire-to as | ...

waju dayal jiba mayi wawu yajin dakwuy wawu-mini

baya-ngu LOC(a->? baya-nga) FIX; the-best-cook-feeds-the-spirit-too


The old man said taste is a map of the country: a person who knows their food knows the land, for each plant grows only in its own place and season and tells you where you are and what time it is, and a traveller far from home who tastes a familiar food knows a piece of their own country has reached out to meet them in a strange place.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: nganja bubumu jina-yukil: bama nyulu nyungu mayi binal nyulu bubu binal, mayi nyubun wubulku nyulu-nyulu bubungu wungara nganga jarra yundunka balkal wanja yundu janay wanya wungar, jilba-bama bayanmuny kala-kalbay nyulu mayi binalbu nganja-kangal nyulu binal nyungu bubu buban nyulu ngundu-mundu nyaji-wa-nka bubu yindungu.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: nganja bubu-mu jina-yukil: bama nyulu nyungu mayi binal nyulu bubu binal, mayi nyubun wubul-ku nyulu-nyulu bubu-ngu wungar-a nganga jarra yundu-nka balka-l wanja yundu jana-y wanya wungar, jilba-bama bayan-muny kala-kalbay nyulu mayi binal-bu nganja-kangal nyulu binal nyungu bubu buban nyulu ngundu-mundu nyaji-wa-nka bubu yindu-ngu | old man said: taste country-POSS map: person who his food knows he country knows, plant each all itself place-LOC season-LOC only grows you-to tells where you are what time, traveller home-from far he food familiar-INST tastes he knows his country piece it near-toward meet.each.other-DAT place other-LOC | ...

nganja bubu mayi binal jarral jilba nyaji-way wungar

bubu-nga LOC(a); wungar-a LOC(r); nyaji-wanka RECIP; taste-is-a-map-of-the-country


The old woman said when you teach a child to cook you are teaching them far more than food: you are teaching them to plan ahead, to be patient, to pay attention, to work with fire and knife without fear or carelessness, and above all to take pleasure in feeding others, and a child who learns to love the feeding of others has learned the beginning of every other kindness there is.

Wulbumanangka balkan: yundu karrkay waju milbilnya yundu jananka wubul-baja mayimuny milbil: yundu jananka milbil ngadiku ngaranka, maku-janalka, milka dajinka, baya jikanji kari yinilbu kari binal-karibu kirrajinka, wubul bajaku bama yindu dayalba wawu-mini karrbanka, karrkay nyulu binalman bama yindu dayal wawu-jirrayka nyulu binalman wawu-yukil yindu wubulku ngadiku.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: yundu karrkay waju milbi-l-nya yundu jana-nka wubul-baja mayi-muny milbi-l: yundu jana-nka milbi-l ngadiku ngara-nka, maku-jana-nka, milka daji-nka, baya jikan-ji kari yinil-bu kari binal-kari-bu kirraji-nka, wubul bajaku bama yindu daya-l-ba wawu-mini karrba-nka, karrkay nyulu binal-ma-ny bama yindu daya-l wawu-jirray-ka nyulu binal-ma-ny wawu-yukil yindu wubul-ku ngadiku | old.woman said: you child cook teach-SUB you them more food-ABL teach: you them teach first plan-DAT, wait-DAT, attention give-DAT, fire knife-with NEG fear-INST NEG carelessness-INST work-DAT, most people other feed-LOC joy hold-DAT, child who learned people other feed love-DAT he learned kindness other all first | ...

karrkay waju milbil mayi ngaral maku-janay baya wawu-jirray


The old man said the fire outlives the cook, and this is the comfort of the old: the fire I light tonight my grandchildren will feed when I am gone, the recipes I cook they will cook, the place at the fire I sit will hold another old one after me, and so a person does not really end but passes their place at the fire to the next, and the fire itself never goes out.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: baya waju-bama ngangan-baja janay, yinya mukulmu wawu-mini: baya ngayu nyiku kunarangkal wandiman ngayku jija-jija daya ngayu dunganya, mayi ngayu wajul jana wajul, bubu baya ngunduku ngayu bundal mukul yindu karrbal ngaymuny, yinyabu bama kari nganga dumban yambada nyungu bubu baya ngunduku nyubunku daji, baya nyulu-nyulu kariku wula.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: baya waju-bama nganga-ny-baja jana-y, yinya mukul-mu wawu-mini: baya ngayu nyiku kunarangkal wandi-ma-ny ngayku jija-jija daya ngayu dunga-nya, mayi ngayu waju-l jana waju-l, bubu baya ngundu-ku ngayu bunda-l mukul yindu karrba-l ngay-muny, yinya-bu bama kari nganga dumba-ny yambada nyungu bubu baya ngundu-ku nyubun-ku daji, baya nyulu-nyulu kariku wula | old man said: fire cook outlives, that old-POSS comfort: fire I tonight light my grandchildren feed I gone-SUB, food I cook they cook, place fire near-DAT I sit old other holds me-after, that-INST person NEG really ends but his place fire near-DAT next-DAT gives, fire itself never dies | ...

baya waju mukul wandil jija mayi bunday wulal


The old woman said feeding people is the oldest love and the plainest, older than any word for love: before a mother can say she loves her child she has already fed it a thousand times, and long after fine words are forgotten the body remembers who fed it when it was small and helpless, so if you would show love and do not have the words, cook, and serve, and that is a language everyone understands.

Wulbumanangka balkan: bama dayal wawu-jirray ngadiku bajaku yukil bajaku, kuku wawu-jirraymuny ngadiku: ngamu nyulu balka nyulu nyungu karrkay wawu jirray ngadiku nyulu yabarrka daya wubulku, kuku yukil milka-wulanmuny dumbay-mba bangkarr binalku wanyu nyulu daya nyulu buban junkurr-kari janay-mba, kaki yundu wawu-jirray milbinka yundu kuku murruji, waju, daya, yinya kuku bama wubulku binal.

wulbuman-angka balka-ny: bama daya-l wawu-jirray ngadiku bajaku yukil bajaku, kuku wawu-jirray-muny ngadiku: ngamu nyulu balka nyulu nyungu karrkay wawu jirray ngadiku nyulu yabarrka daya wubul-ku, kuku yukil milka-wula-ny-muny dumbay-mba bangkarr binalku wanyu nyulu daya nyulu buban junkurr-kari jana-y-mba, kaki yundu wawu-jirray milbi-nka yundu kuku murruji, waju, daya, yinya kuku bama wubul-ku binal | old.woman said: people feed love oldest best, word love-ABL older: mother she says she her child love before she already feeds many, word fine forgotten-ABL after body remembers who it fed it small helpless was-LOC, if you love show-DAT you word unable, cook, serve, that language people all understand | ...

dayal wawu-jirray kuku ngamu karrkay milka-wula kaki waju

kaki (showing love); feeding-is-the-oldest-language-of-love


The old man said the whole of the law can be cooked down like fat over a slow fire until only the pure thing is left, and the pure thing is this: keep the fire, feed the people, waste nothing, share with the stranger, honor the old, teach the young, and remember the dead by cooking their dishes — do these, and you have done everything, and the fire your grandchildren light will still be warm from yours.

Mukulungku dingkarangka balkan: kuku wubulku wandul yala baya buban-buban wajul dukul yamba-yukil nganga karrbal, yamba-yukil yinya: baya kuji, bama daya, yamba nyubun kari kudamundu, bama-yindu daji-way, mukul yukil-bunga, warru milbi, bama wula milkal jana mayi wajulbu — yinya bunga, yundu yamba wubulku bungan, baya nyungu jija-jija wandiman nyungumuny wumbul baja.

mukul-ungku dingkar-angka balka-ny: kuku wubul-ku wandul yala baya buban-buban waju-l dukul yamba-yukil nganga karrba-l, yamba-yukil yinya: baya kuji, bama daya, yamba nyubun kari kudamundu, bama-yindu daji-way, mukul yukil-bunga, warru milbi, bama wula milka-l jana mayi waju-l-bu, yinya bunga, yundu yamba wubul-ku bunga-ny, baya nyungu jija-jija wandi-ma-ny nyungu-muny wumbul baja | old man said: law all fat like fire slowly cooks at.last thing-pure only holds, thing-pure this: fire keep, people feed, thing one NEG waste, stranger share, old honor, young teach, dead remember they food cook-INST, that do, you thing all did, fire your grandchildren light yours-from warm too | ...

kuku wandul baya kujil daya daji-way mukul milbil


Early in the morning the men went down to the river, built a weir of stones across the shallow channel, drove the fish into it, speared them one by one, and then carried the whole catch back up to the camp.

Muduwajungu dingkar-dingkar wawubaja-mundu badan, kulji-makarr bungan bana buban naka-naka, kuyu dukurr-bu yijarrin, nyubun nyubun daman, yalada kuyu wubulku bayan-mundu wangkar jarrakulbanda.

muduwaju-ngu dingkar-dingkar wawubaja-mundu bada-ny, kulji-makarr bunga-ny bana buban naka-naka, kuyu dukurr-bu yijarri-ny, nyubun nyubun dama-ny, yala-da kuyu wubul-ku bayan-mundu wangkar jarrakulba-ny-da | dawn-LOC men river-toward went.down, stone-weir made water small across, fish inside drove, one one speared, then fish all camp-toward up carried-TEMP1

muduwaju dingkar wawubaja bunga kuyu daman jarrakulbal

TEMP1 -da on jarrakulbanda (final); dukurr-bu LOC; sequential chain