In this episode we find out that 19 letters are used in the Meriam alphabet, we hear the vowel sounds and the sound of the letter “R”. Words used in this episode: Vowels - A sound: abara = his, hers or its; ka and kaka = I; ma = you; E sound: emeret = old, ancient; debe = good: I sound: ipiti = striking, hitting or beating; idim = morning: O sound: ogog = dirty, unclean; omasker = children; parkoparko = imperfect: U sound: umele = know, know how, can or be able to; urut = year; nalu = what, which or why.   Letter R sound:    Meriam Mir;  gerger = day;  perper = lightning;  girgir = thunder.

Ep3. I Learn Meriam This Way: Salutations, Greetings and Closings

I Learn Meriam This Way is a personal discovery of my journey on how I am teaching myself the ancient language of Meriam Mir. It is the native language of the Meriam people of the eastern islands of the Torres Strait. Our language is critically endangered and is under threat from disappearing in coming decades. This podcast is my call to action to try and prevent that from happening. I am not a native speaker, linguist, or educator in language of any capacity. I just had an idea to do something meaningful, and want to share my ideas and passion for my language. Au esuau, Sydeeboy73!