Sunday, March 21, 2021

Paiwan Every Day 379: semupu

nu izua a nia qaljaqalja a kemasi cadja, 
sipakikadja a nasanguaq a kakanen. 

In English
When there are our friends visiting from afar, 
we treat them with delicious food. 

Reading

From sinsi idis (18 March 2021). 

qalja is an interesting word. In singular form qalja, it means 'enemy'; in plural reduplication (RED) form qalja-qalja, it becomes 'friends'. What does this say about the Paiwan conception of hostility and kindness? Are there similar examples from other indigenous languages? I am indeed curious. 

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Paiwan Every Day 668: pai

pai, kinemnemanga tiamadju tu kemacu tua ljigim nua kakinan.   Free translation : Now, they decided to take their mother's sewing needle...