Nokali Words
As they appear in the novel (and grouped with relevant words.)
Note: every letter makes a noise. There are no silent letters.
Generally, the vowels sound like this: (I created the language, so not always)
ae = hard "a" as in say.
ai = hard i "eye" as in sky.
ao = "ow" as in cow.
au = "ow" but held longer as in flout.
ie = "ee-eh" as in yeah.
oe = "oh-eh" as in noel.
ou = "oh-oo" as in noooo (held out).
ua = "oo-ah" as in tuna w/out the n.
Y is never a vowel; it's "yuh" as in yes.
(never sounds like "ee" or "eye")
a = "ah" as in father.
e = "eh" as in get.
i = "ee" as in bee.
o = "oh" as in go.
u = "oo" as in root.
​ei has two pronunciations.
At the start of a word, it's "eye" (an alternative to ai, which also sounds like sky).
At the end of a word (and very rarely in the middle) ei = "eh-ee" like in pay.
Kiburkonai - kee-bur-KOH-neye
A circle of five to six women; usually chosen from the mother's closest friends and relatives. They help during the birth to calm and comfort the mother.
Typically, one is lactating and ready to help feed the baby.
Kaota mi - kah -OH-tah mee
My son
Kaita - KY-tah
Daugter
Tama - tah-MAH
Child
Nao / Nai - now / neye
He. Him. His. / She. Her. Hers.
Unei - ooo-NAY / Uni - 000-NEE
They. Them. Theirs. / We
Ni / Mi - nee / mee
I . Me / My
Na / Nami / Nei / Ne - nah / nah-mee / neye / neh
You / Our / You all / It
Kerokeni Okofa - keh-roh-KEN-ee oh-KOH-fah
The naming ceremony.
Parents present their child to their ancestors.
Fanao - fah-NOW
Husband
Fanai - fah-NEYE
Wife
Fana - fah-NAH
Spouse
Danu eipo tama pova vul brenu.
​
Literal translation: House without children holds cold souls.
Colloquial meaning: A house with no children carried ghosts.
This phrase reflects the importance the Nokala culture puts on legacy and family.
A Nokali proverb.
Amai - ah-MY
Mother
Amao - ah-MOW
Father
Ama / Amanei - ah-MAH / ah-MAH-nay
Parent / Parents
Kosola - koh-SOH-lah
Literal Translation: Trust-bond
​
This is the driving force of the book. Before Kiol, Hana, Adebayo, and Noa were born, their parents agreed that the four of them would share a family bond where the guys marry Hana.
​
This is deeper than an arranged marriage. A kosola is a vow rooted in honor and family legacy.
Uye - ooo-YEH / Ufabe - ooo-FAH-beh
Yes / Sure
No / Nopo / No-opo - noh-POH / noh-OH-poh
No / Not / Absolutely not!
Zefe / Pogsefe - ZEH-feh / POG-zeh-feh
Maybe / (it's) Possible
Kotakaita - koh-tah-KEYE-tah
The first daughter.
She is the child who will inherit the family home, any land, and any assets.
Namito - nah-MEE-toh
Brother
Namiti - nah-MEE-tee
Sister
Tafena/Tafenei - tah-FEH-nah / tah-FEH-neye
Sibling / Siblings
Noko gesa fa jeharu.*
A Nokali proverb.
Literal translation: Duty won’t bind the heart.
Colloquial meaning: You can’t force love.
Used to acknowledge that obligation and affection don’t always align. A person can honor their duty in action without using their heart.
*Some versions may have zimarei.
I changed the words for heart and forgot to change it in the e-book.
Kaiyamara - KY-yuh-mar-AH
Beloved daughter; a term of endearment
Kaosoma - KOW-soh-mah
Honorable, beloved son; a term of pride and affection.
Kojotamari - KOH-joh-tah-MAH-ree
My happy, beloved child; a gender-neutral term of endearment
Novukenai - noh-VOO-keh-neye
The spirit of the home.
​
The Nokala culture is matriarchal. When men marry, they join their wife’s family, ancestral line, and home. Whether wife, mother, or elder, the novukenai is the emotional glue and spiritual authority in the home.
Nao / Nai - now / neye
He. Him. His. / She. Her. Hers.
Unei - ooo-NAY / Uni - 000-NEE
They. Them. Theirs. / We
Ni / Mi - nee / mee
I . Me / My
Na / Nami / Nei / Ne - nah / nah-mee / neye / neh
You / Our / You all / It