V

IV

SOKOTERI AND MAURI WORDS COLLECTED BY THEODORE BENT IN THE ISLAND OF SOKOTRA, HE ASKING THE QUESTIONS IN ARABIC

The transliteration of the second, fourth, and fifth columns is according to the system of the Royal Geographical Society.

English Dialect used in South Arabia but not in all instances confined to it Literary Arabic Mahri Sokoteri

Fort Ḥisn Ḥisn Hazn Husn

Spring-fountain ‘Ain ‘Ain Mayou Neshodehin

Pickaxe Kismah — Kasm Esher

Friend Ḥabīb Ḥabīb Mahabba sidi Mahabba habiba

Moon Kamar, Bedr Qamar, Badr Kubkob, Warra Kubkob, Ehri

Funeral Ghināzah Ganāzah Ghinozet Ghineza

Game (prey) S̤aid Ṣaid Nehàmel melbetzà Tahari

Give me At̤ini ‘At̤ini Zemi Endakhemu

Glass Kizāz Qazāz Logut Arashi

Glorious Galīl Galīl Anno Lubak

Hair Sha‘r Sha‘r Shuf Thlef

Half Niṣf or Nus Niṣf Nuss Nuss

Where Fein Fein Fein Fein

What Eish or Ei Esh Heshendi Inimdi

No matter Mal‘eish — Laktlela Bithiokhthi

Thank you Katterk̲h̲airak Kat̲h̲ark̲h̲airak Katerkhairak Tarmunkete

Stand here Stanni hinna — Sarbuhun Takozha‘a

Straight Dogri Dug̲h̲rī Hebkalazerom (or Hepka) Torrnà

Blessed Umbārrak or Mubārrak Mubārak Umbarrak Umbarak

Stop Wakkaf Waqqaf Solop Tzullebaha

Hammer Shākoush, Hafir — Efeie Taferra

Hang Shanak Shanaq Azab Khlanak

Hand Yad Yad Hed Ed

Anchorage Mèrsa Marsā Moïsi Moïsi

Headache Wagà er ras Waga‘-ar-rās Abkos erayhe Ellak ade

Often Ketiran-Tamèlli Kat̲h̲īran Yehoda mekin Denafakin

Oil Zeit Zait Shigar Shigar

Onion Baṣal — Bosalet Basahal

Water Moya Miyāh Hamou Diho Riho

Mountain Ghebel Gabal Ghebel Fèdehan

Milk Leben Laban Khlof Khlof

Stone Ḥagar Ḥagar Hoben Oben

Bread Khubs Khubz Khobs Eshere

Date Nakhl Nak̲h̲l Nakelet Tamari

Man Ragul Rajal Reigh Eik

True Shagara S̲h̲ajar Shighered Sherehom

Far Baïd Ba‘īd Dahak Sherehek

Near Garīb Qarīb Garib Sheiki

Well Bir Bir Bir Abahur

Sheep Ghanem Ghanam Kheoz Oz

Horse Khail Khail Ferehe Khail

Camel Gemel Gamal Berr Berr

Sea Bahar Baḥr Dorum Denhem

Sand Raml Raml Battar Shimeh

Garment Toub — Beraka Farak berekà

Move Shihl — Shilleil Tizàminha

Before Kabl Qabl Ksobba Goddam shei

Name Ism Ism Hemukōmn Mormùkshom

Bed Ferash Firāsh Juderi Gudere

Sun rises Sherug esh shems Sharūg-ush-shams Skerkot Nayoum Sherkot Nashom

Light Kafīf K̲h̲afif Dernekfif Manghena

Gold Dahàb Tahab Deheb Deheb

Iron Ḥadīd Ḥadīd Hadid Hadìd

Silver Fadda Faḍḍaḍ Derehem Derahin

Cloth Kamash Qumāsh Dizhid Shöd‘hem

Cloud Sahal Saḥābah? Afoùr Hehour

Judge Kadi Qādī Kadi Kaldi

Take Emsak or Emsik Imsāk Elkof Telö

Satan Shait̤ān Shait̤an Shaitan Markush

Difficult Sabi Sabi‘ Sabi Marhere

Evening meal Asher ‘Ashā Izhhè Teloimö

Midday Dohr D̲h̲uhr Tohr Vohr

Place Makan Makām Mèkon D‘half

Face Wagh Wajh Weggi Fenè

Faith Din Dīn Dīn Izalīhen

Family Ahl Ahl Oher Dehihkag‘-haiho

Fat Semen Samn Mahar Hammi

Feast Eid ‘̄Id Eid Ayed

Fever Humma Ḥummā Dighilo Ghiohör

Little Khalìl K̲h̲alīl Ihnil (or Eint) Herèrhen, or (Ererihen)

— Melane — Millè Millì

Finger Aṣbu‘ aṣabe‘ Uṣbu‘, Aṣba‘ Asba Esba asali

Flea Barghùt Bargauth Gheròse Gheroz

Fool Khailak Aḥmaq Khailak Diddo

Saddle Sarga Sarga Zmel Zmel

Dog Kelb Kalb Kelb Not known; no word

Sheep Kharūfa — Tiwit Te‘eh

Salt Melḥ Malḥ Milhoda Milh

Knife Sikkīn Sikkīn Ais Sari

Fish Semek Samak Seit Zode

It is necessary—you must Lāzim Lāzim Lazerom Na‘ah

Enough Bas Bas Bas Ta‘ad

One Wāḥad Wāḥad Tat Tat

Two Itnein It̲h̲naīn Tro Tra

Three Talāta T̲h̲alāt̲h̲a Saratit Talele

Four Arba‘ Arba‘ Arbote Arbaa

Five K̲h̲amsa K̲h̲amsa Khams Khamse

Six Sitta Sitta Itìt Sitta

Seven Saba‘ Saba‘ Ibeìt Saba

Eight Tamania T̲h̲amānia Timminè Tamania

Nine Tissa‘ Tisa‘ Zeit Testa

Ten ‘Ashera ‘Ashara Aserait Ashera

Twenty ‘Ishrin ‘Ishrīn Asherin Ishrin

One hundred Mia Miat Mieit Mia

Work Shugh Shaghl Fìsa Mahalèh

Wound, sore Gurrèh Garūh Sob Gourèh

Pain Waggà Waga‘ Debkhos Erlakh

Medicine Dàwa Dawā Dewar Tofin-i-dewar

Sun Shems Shams Hayoum Shehem

Ready T̤aīr T̤aīr Akabìt Souèdon

Butter Zùbda — Makozo Gotomìne

I Àna — Hèmukomòn Evumuksham

You Enta Antam Minesmuk Minmuksham

He Hū Hū Hou —

Rope Ḥabl Ḥabl Keit Enkhar

Son, boy Welèd Walad Aghiēn̄ Mukshin

Daughter Bint Bint Aghinot Fèrhin

Woman Horma Ḥurma Haremet Azhè

Wood Hattab Ḥaṭab Hatab Tirob

Strong Kawi Qavī Musireh Musirak

War Harb Ḥarb Harb shehen Harb shehen

More Kamàn Kam-min Lawa Ashishfisa, Fileh‘niciteh, Riàh Ta‘alt‘hefisa, Feleh‘ntodèh Dā

Price Tamàn T̲h̲aman Soueh Tetenà

Meat Laḥm Laḥm Tiwë Tà

Leg Rigl Rijl Serein Thlaub

Blood Dam Dam Douri Durr

Allah Allah Allah Allah Allah

Deaf Toursh Ṭursh Yehomallah Doufé

Houses Bouyoūt Buyūt Bouyout Keke

Seaweed, grass Ḥashīsh Has̲h̲īs̲h̲ Mareh Röd

Servant ‘Abd ‘Abd Hoyur Embaha

Slave Gulam G̲h̲ulam Gulma B‘thlekum

Tall, long T̤awīl T̤awīl Tawīl Ep

(Plural) Atwàl At̤wāl Tawil Dihom

Stars Nagoùm Nagūm Negoun Kabkap

Lesson Dars Dars Kerì Mukerè

Truth Hak Ḥaqq Hak Hak

Without truth Bidùn hak Bidūn haqq Hammuk hak Ekmunk hak

In the house fi‘l beit fi‘l bait be beit Tofok, diè min kar

In the night fi‘l leil fi‘l lail be leil billeilhe

In the road fi‘l tarīk fi‘l tarīq be haron orun

Heal Shāfī Shāfī Bekhairgh Bekhaeraghe

Heart Kalb Qalb Kalb Elbi

Heaven Samā Samā Simma Simma

Heavy Takil Tḥaqil Takil Eddak

Heel Akab ‘Aqīb Akonosh Konosh

Pig Khansir — Khansir Khansir

Horn Karn Qurn Kon Kon

Ready Ḥadir Ḥad̲h̲ir Hader Hader

Imperfect Nākis Nāqis Nakuss Biziankazank bidinya

Impossible G̲h̲air mumkin G̲h̲air mumkin Ghair numkin Ghair numkin

Possible Yimkin Imkān Yumkin Yumkin

Indigo Nīl ṇedal Nīl Nihl Nil

Infant T̤ifl (it̤fāl pl.) T̤ifl, It̤fâl Atfal Atfal

Infidel Kāfir — Koffer Keffer

Ink Hibr Hibr Indud Medad

Intellect Akl ‘Aql Okul Akal

Interpreter Tergumàn Targumān Makaddam Dehane makaddam

Island Gezīra Gazīrah Gezeira Gezeira

Jew Zahoūdi Yahūdī Yahoude Yahoude

Kick Rafos — Erkella Taràkad

Intelligent Fahīhm Fahīm Fehemdi Fehem

Kill Katal Qatal Ilbedda Talata

Kind Lat̤īf Lat̤īf Altehf Altuiphin

Arms Sillah Silāḥ Shki Shko

Soldier ‘Askar ‘Askar Aske̤r Asker

King Malik Malik Moli D‘hemmel

Arrive Waṣsala Waṣala Wassel Gidda

Matting-bag Zambīl — Zạṃbil Zambil

Wise ‘Alamah ‘Ālim Alamah dimondi Dimondish alemah

Cut Ightsal — Hanmel kosorn Nerdober

Journey Safar Safar Nehassol Insofar

Tired Ta‘b, Ta‘ban Ta‘b-Ta‘bān Ketlak Resak

Tribe Kabīla Qabīlah Kabila Kabela

Now Dilwakhti D̲h̲i‘l waqti Leasar Leasar

Learn Ta‘alem — Mollum Ma‘alem

Tent K̲h̲īmah, Kheim K̲h̲īmah Arzhlìt Stirìht

Sword Seif Saif Keit Keòttaha

Summer Shitta — Kazem Kébhor

Right, South Yemèn Yamīn Gezĕmhine Tiozeminhah

Left, North Shemàl Shamāl Shemīn Shemin

East Shark Sharq Shurakot haioum Shom

West Garbis G̲h̲arb Ghizote Attabon

Late evening Mogreb Mug̲h̲rib Mogareb Mogareb

How are you Kheifalak — Besherhelt Alghiorg

To walk Masha — Mehèklazerom Entòholnà

Yes Ewa Ayyawā Herrì Herrì

No Lā Lā — Deh

Key Mifta Miftāh Mìftàh Miftàh

To tie Urbut Yarbut̤ Urbut —

Come here Ta‘al hinna — Assab Tazùm

Give me Gibli, atini — Inkalbo, Atini Tadidbo Habondishoelae

Take hold Khod — Shelùs Tza

Kneel down (to a camel) Baraka Baraka Hebrekaber Terburuk

To-morrow Bukara Bukara Bukarèd, Bukerade Elli

Afterwards Badèn Ba‘den M‘gori Enzat

Before Goddam Quddām Fenouni Adminlefeni

Inside Dak̲h̲l Dāk̲h̲il Keb Dakhl or Turko

Outside Barra Barrān Khareg or Barrān Sheraga or Tcherogehte

Door Bāb Bāb Bob Terr

Year Sanna Sannah Senate Ehno

Week Shahr Shahr Warrakh Tadkleher

Drunk Sherab Sharib Hamontikè Nerou

Road Tarìk T̤arīq Haurim Haurim

Dead Mut Mat Maut Zami

To-day El yom Al Yaum Imor Hair

Day after to-morrow B‘ad Bukra Ba‘d bakarah Bad gehìn Dishinzomen

Yesterday Ems Ams Imshi Imshi

Mosque Mesjid Masjid Masjid Masjid

Priest Mollah Mullā Ma‘alim Ma‘alim

Friday Gumma Gama‘ Ghimata Gumma

Cross Salìb Mīsān Mison Mison

Happy Mahsŏud Maḥsûd Laef Halut

Together Sawā Sawā Nehanakafakhari Entafakhari

Buy Ishteri Ishtarạ̄ Hamilthtòr Intergyer

Above Fok Fauq Hàkala Minali

Below Tak̲h̲t Taḥt Hamenkerat Inkodediemen

Everything Kul shei Kull shai Haltikalla —

Evening Asser ‘Aṣar — Dinofari

Wild beast Waḥsh Waḥsh Deshìt Shodhìhm

How much Kam Kam B‘kam Binemshuon

Dom-tree Nebek Naba‘ Dom Firehem

Good Tayib T̤aiyab Ghet Dìa

Bad Battal Bat̤l Khiob Dià

Nice Zein Zain Ghit Shikèro

Great Kebir Kabīr Aghus Shibìb

Greatest Akbar Akbar Aghusa Shibìhb

White Abaid Abyaḍ Lebanèd Lebìne

Black Asoud Aswad Hawa Khalak Ha-he

Old Kadīm Qadīm Dewìl Tahan

New Ghedid Gadīd Hidin Gedìd

Cold Bard Bard Gazùn Habahur

Hot { Har Ḥarr Hehen Shehem

or { Hami Ḥummạ̄ Hanan Hark Dio denarher

Red Ahmar Aḥmar Ufer Afer

Green Akdar Akdar — —

Yellow Asfar Aṣfar Hat‘hor Shedhor

Much Ghali G̲h̲alī Zeboun Ghali

Cheap Rakīs — Rakis Rakis

Rich Ghani G̲h̲anī Togìr Tag

Poor Fakir Faqīr Faker Faker

Wretched Meskin Miskīn Meskin Meskin

Father Abū Abū Hebe Bebe

Mother Om Umm Hamme Beo

Eat Akul Akal Hamkout Gebenganeo

Fear K̲h̲āf — Linkhaf Sherboton

Angry Nehm — Shuhkof Daime

Sick Ayyan — Bithell Giore

Broken, Injured Maksūr Maksūr Tiber Sheteghen

News Kabar K̲h̲abar Kobber Kabr

Early Bèdri, Subba Sabāh Ksobba Kasaibeya

Peace Salaan Salām Subbaellah Alburr

Dirty Wasakh Wasak̲h̲ Mithkal Haidek

Clean Nodīf Nad̲h̲d̲h̲af Ghihdi Nodeif

Boat Merkab Markab Merkab Merkab

Ride Yerkab Yarkab Hamle rekhob Nirerkab

Rain Matar Maṭar Lehamed Messer

Crooked Awwaz ‘Awwaj Nehanellom Netògher

Finished Khalas K̲h̲alaṣ Burneghessen Tettin

Thus Kidda Kaḍā — —

Go { Yemshi Yamshī Suè Toïke

{ Rua Rāḥ Ghenī Toher

Prison Habs Ḥabs Habs Habs

Present Bakhshis Bakhs̲h̲īs̲h̲ Bakhshesh Bakhshish

Prophet Nebi Nabī Nebe Nebe

Open Maftūh Maftūḥ Bob fitàh Ghinatten

Orphan Yatīm Yatīm Aytìm Esmediafore

Bucket Dalu Dalū Dolu M‘l‘hia

To paint Lauwan, Laun Lawwan Laun Sourah

Palm branches Saóuf nakhl — Safe Hes el timeri

Parents Walidein Wālidain Hebe wahami Bebe wavubeyah

Fowl Dakika — Karoun Ent

Liver Kabid Kabid Kabid Kabid

Thirsty At̤chan ‘At̤shān Hailuk Toimek

Hungry Goàn Gī‘ān Göak Sottak

Praise Ḥamd Ḥamd Hamd Hamd

Slow Ba‘ati — Aden abatayah Aden nau

Christian Nàzari Naṣārī Nazari Nazari

Immediately Hàlan Ḥālan Lazerom Na‘ah

Myrrh gum Lobàn Lubān Tlahas Tlahas

Myrrh tree Leben — Mogherate Emiïdu

Knee Rukbah — Bark Berk

Lame A‘rag ‘Arag Tibere Gushel

To laugh Ḍaḥik Qaḥqaḥ Istahalk N‘dlahak

Laughter Ḍiḥk Ḍiḥk Ethelhalk Entlahak

Leg Saḳ Sāq Tharem Ihlop

Leper Abraṣ Ibrāṣ B‘hohg Behehok

Lift Urfa — Urfah Dza(minha)

Like (same as) Mitl-shibh Mit̲h̲l Izdah Toàha

Lion Asād; plural, usoŭd Asad Gailar (No word, because they say 'we none in Sokotra')

To dwell Sakan Sakan Nehamel Entowelboum N‘zohn henna

Lungs Riah Ri, ah Gil‘t‘hori Geha

Mad Magnūn Magnūn Haiwāl Mankaina

Mankind Beni Adam Banī Ādam Beni Adam Makuloka (cf. Makalaka, South Africa)

Magic Sihr Siḥr Saghir Sahire

Naked ‘Aryán ‘Uryān Harket el binad Esoufai libineben

Napkin Fòut̤a or Fūt̤ah Faut̤h Foutah Fotere

Neck ‘Unk-Raḳabah ‘Unq Raqabah Ghoti Rokoba

Needle Ibrah; plural, ubàr Ibrah Makaite Makite

Noble Sharìf S̲h̲arìf Sharif Sharìf

Noise Ṣaut Ṣaut Aroumekin or Saut Metdelhin or Ta‘ad‘hin

None Lâ aḥad Lā aḥad Hadelabun Balheh

Nose Anf, manakhìr, khoshim Anf Nakarinya Nahare

Hurry Ishtagil — Deghodum Denofer

A quarter Rub‘ Rub‘ Erbeit Töman

Bone ‘Azm ‘Azm Athail Sahilla

Feather Rīshah — Thluf Nefereri

Quilt Lahàf Liḥāf Guderi Miskal

Lamb Arnab or Erneb — Arnab (They have no word)

Rat Gard‘hom Gurd̲h̲um Gihreit Zadahin

Ruined Kharàb K̲h̲arāb Khaiob Kharbeni

Purse, bag, pocket Gaib or Kies Gaib, jaib Kies Kies

Idle Keslān Kaslān Fohsel Aghizdè

Do your work, or Mind your own business Amel Shuglak ‘Aml shug̲h̲lak Amal hagil de felene Tenofar dishberi

Book Kitāb Kitāb Nektib Inkotub

Writing Mektūb Maktūb Berklub Berklub

Honey ‘Asal ‘Asal Assal Assal

Behind Wàra Warā Manghirek Minherrin

Bitter Murr Murra Hermet Ajhi

Wielding Arouz ‘Urs Arouz Arouz

But Lākin Lākin Lakin Yakaïta

Caravan Kàfila Qāfilah Shikfilèla Beghishekfil

Load Huml Ḥaml Hamul Hamul

Begin Ibtida ‘Ibtidā Bedihn Bedehn

Kitchen Mūt̤būkh Mat̤bak̲h̲ Mutabukh Mulbakt

Bird Dik — Dik Dik

Dig Hafar — Nehamel hafere Nehafar

Rest Rahah — Rahah Tareharhinnaha

Doctor Ḥakim Ḥakīm — —

Cup Finjān Kūbayet Finjān Finjan Kūbàyet Finjan Kūbàyet

Skin Gild Gild, jild Geld Geld

Eggs Beid̤, Degade Baid̤ Degaghe Degaghe

Never Abadan — Abadàn Abadàn

Stream Ghail — Dihib Thlab

Paper Warak Waraq Werkart Warraka

Sit Ghisel Gitez — Towel Tsalleh

Dry Nashif Nas̲h̲s̲h̲af Dehar Terahat

Read Karà Qarā Ktub Kteb

Scarce Nādir Nādir Kalèd Khlahrohb

Roast Shawa Shawa Hamtiwi Tè

Rob Sarak Saraq Hirrik Seirek

Room Oḍa Oḍah Hod Hod

Round Ḥaul Ḥaul Hagìr Haghia

Root Aṣl Aṣl Asali Asl

Run Rakaḍ Rakaḍ Houeh Tshà

Ripe Mustawi Mustawi Mushtawi Mushlawi

Seal K̲h̲atīm K̲h̲atam Khatini Houleh

Riches Mal — Molshè Inoshinia

Reap Ḥaṣad Ḥaṣad Hazad Hazd

Beat D̤araba D̤araba L‘bedi Toghì

Nut Brandouk — Brandouk Brandouk

Obey At̤a At̤a‘ Atawa Naddub

Order Amr Amr Amr Amar

Old woman ‘Agouz ‘Agūzah Agouz Khlibip

Ornament Zena Zīnat Git Tchera

Owl Boum Būm Tlarhitin Tlarhiten

Castle or palace Kaṣr Qasr Ḥazạr ed Dowlet Hăzar Sādahan

Palm of the hand Kaf-fusa Kaff Dehòte Dehò

Pardon G̲h̲afar G̲h̲afar Netur min el habs Beligiter min el habs

A little Shwaya Shuwaiyah Musted Einoshedèhe

Where is the town Fein el Beled Fi ain al balad Hoddehabed del Felani Hodde belad

People Nās Nās Haboa Hohafon

Head Rās Rās Ras Ras

Blood Dam — — Musailo

Disordered blood Dam Kholeil — Douri Durr

Pen Kalam Qalam Kalam Kalam

Anger G̲h̲adab G̲h̲adab Ghatitali Hetterhinhi

Pay Waffa Wafạ̄ Woffehinki Waffie

Pepper Filfil Filfil Filfil Tiflfarlo

Perfume ‘It̤r ‘It̤r Attar Hal

Perspire Arak ‘Ariq Deanghalen Ikimen

Pin Dabbūs Dabbūs Dabous Dabous

Plague Ta‘ūn T̤ā‘ūn Duinhaufal Eikeo Eiked Ouìhafel

Ugly Ba‘in — Behimet Behimah

Plant Nabāt Nabat Nebhat Nebout

English Arabic Mahri Sokoteri

What is she doing Eish yamèlhu Tum ul aisin Inempt shüyet

I drink water Ana sherab moye Nehamel el tikhe Ithkellare

You are very kind Enta latif ketir Meshiri meikin Latif beyne

Do you know Mehri? Enta taraf el Meheri Arebuk Meheri Ahruh Mehri

We talk Sokotri Nahn natàllem el Sokoteri Nahan natallùm Sokoteriote Ik n‘atalam Sokoteria

Give me another Gibli waḥad t̲h̲āna Hateli tadrhaa Abouli beladàtis

How many days from here to the sea? Kam ayo‘om min hinna illa el bahr Kam yom m‘boun ta heik Kam yom menha afta‘a

Near the water Garīb el moya — Lal diho