Foundations of Speech

Léyoní — Lesson 1: Being, Feeling, Asking

Goal: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to introduce yourself, say where you are, describe basic feelings, and ask simple yes/no questions in Léyoní.

1) Personal Pronouns

Professor tip: If you are unsure which “you” to use, use é. Use éi only for closeness (romantic, deep trust, intimacy).

2) “To be / exist” — ilé

In Léyoní, ilé means to be / to exist. It does not mean “to be here” by itself. To express location (“here/there”), you add a locative word.

Pattern: pronoun + ilé

1. Mi ilé. — I am / I exist.
2. Ó ilé. — They are / they exist.

3) Location / presence — ilé + há / tå

Léyoní expresses “I’m here / I’m there” by combining existence with a locative.

Pattern: pronoun + ilé + locative

1. Mi ilé há. — I’m here. (literally: I exist here.)
2. Mi ilé tå. — I’m there.
3. É ilé há? — Are you here?
4. É ilé tå? — Are you there?

4) Feelings and basic states (no ilé)

In Léyoní, feelings and basic states are said directly. You do not use ilé for “I’m happy / I’m tired / I’m calm.”

Pattern: pronoun + state

• Mi sáya. — I’m happy.
• Mi såni. — I’m tired.
• Mi yåmi. — I’m calm / I’m resting.
• Mi kåmi. — I’m sad.
• Mi måra. — I’m comfortable / I feel safe.

Common mistake to avoid:

• Mi ilé sáya. — Incorrect
• Mi sáya. — Correct

5) Asking yes/no questions

Léyoní does not change word order to form yes/no questions. You ask a question by using question intonation in speech and a question mark in writing.

1. É yåmi. — You are calm.
2. É yåmi? — Are you calm?
3. Eh… é yåmi? — Um… are you calm? (softened)

6) Saying “yes” and “no”

no means “not / no.” Léyoní does not use a single word that equals English “yes.” Instead, you answer by repeating the verb or the state in a full response.

Note:mạ̊ is an acknowledgment (“okay / I hear you”), not “yes.” You can say Må after an answer, but it does not replace answering.

7) Mini dialogue (practice)

A: Eh… é ilé há?

B: Mi ilé há.

A: É såni?

B: Mi såni.

A: Mọ́.

8) Practice: respond in Léyoní

Write your answers in Léyoní. Try to avoid translating word-for-word from English; focus on using Léyoní patterns.

1. Say: “I exist.”
2. Say: “I’m here.”
3. Ask (neutral): “Are you tired?”
4. Ask (intimate): “Are you calm?”
5. Answer: “Yes, I’m calm.”
6. Answer: “No, I’m not here.”

Lesson 1 summary

• ilé = to be / exist
• Location = ilé + há (here) or tå (there)
• Feelings/states do not use ilé
• Yes/no questions keep the same word order
• No direct “yes” word: repeat the verb/state to confirm

Next lesson: Lesson 2 will introduce core action verbs (go, arrive, stay, want, need) and how to speak in short, natural sentences.