ABANYALA BA KAKAMEGA: Language 7: Olunyala exclamations and interjections

The following are interjections and exclamations found in Olunyala (K). The Olunyala (K) is a sub-dialect of Luhya language spoken by the Abanyala in Kakamega. Olunyala (K) is internationally coded as ISO 939-3 nle.

Interjections and exclamations in Olunyala (K) are used to add emotions and meaning to ideas during communication.

A] List of Olunyala interjection and exclamations.

1. Aa! [à:] (a) Used for surprise. Aa, so you are the winner? (b) Used for despise. Aa, this share is too small for us to share. (c) Used for disgust or dismisal. Aa, this smells bad. d) Used to express pleasure.
2. Aaa! [á:] To show dismay. Aaa, did you do it by yourself really?
3. A-a! [āà] a) Used for excruciating tingling pain. Aa-a, the pain is coming in waves. (a) Used to show refusal. Aa-a, it is not true.
4. A-bayee! [á:βàˌje:] Contempt. A-bayee, why are you moving close to me yet there is space there.
5. A-po! [áˈpo] To show contempt towards ones ignorancpe or innocence or too much. Aa-po, the girl is above twenty-three- let her get married.
6. A-poo! [āˈpó:] Used to exonorate oneself as not part of an issue. A-poo, I was not informed.
7. A-wa! [áwà] Used to stress refutal. Aa-wa, better do that from elsewhere; not here.
8. Abayee!  /ɑ:βɑˈje:/ Used to regret a situation that could have been salvaged if efforts to correct were made early. Abayee, my dog has died of hunger.
9. Ache!  /ɑʧe:/Used for contempt laced feelings that create surprise. Ache, this has bored me beyond measure. Banyala do not use atse!
10. Ah! /ɑh:/ Said with rising intonation to express doubt. Ah, he gave all that money?
11. Aha! /ɑˈhɑ/ (a) Used to denote positive emotions like relief or delight (generally, pronounced with a long a). Aha, you are right.  (b) Used to signals triumph or surprise, or perhaps derision. (c) Strange discovery you are sure of. When said with falling intonation, it is similar to, 'You see.' Aha, you stole my husband. 
    
12. Aho! /ɑhɔ/ Aho, today I am satisfied. It is used to show satisfaction.
13. Ahoo! /ɑhɔ:/ To stress consensus or general agreement. Ahoo, you have said it.
14. Akha!  /ɑ:xɑ/ Used to despise or belittle. Akha, this is not worth our efforts.
15. Akhanu! /ˈɑ:xɑˌnu/ Used as swear word for 'today and no other day.' Akhanu, alikhukawona! Akhanu, he will face the music!
16. Ako-si! /ɑkɔˈsi:/ Expected success. Ako-si, this is a good dance.
17. Asu! /ˈɑ:su/ Used for complete disgust. Asu, tell it to the wind!
18. Akha! /ɑx/It is often drawn out with additional h’s, is all about disgust and frustration. Akha, the milk is spilled.
19. Akho! /ɑxɔ:/Used for expressing fear and impending danger towards another person. Akho, you will bear the consequences alone.
20. Akhokhokho! [āxò:xóxò:] Stressed form of akho. Akhokhokho, I have seen you steal.
21. Amaraba! /ɑmɑrɑβɑˈ/ To express surprise towards an accident. Amaraba, the bicycle has rammed into the lorry!
22. Ala! /'ɑlɑ/ To express surprise or shock about an abrupt turn of events. Ala, you have already arrived.
23. Arikichikichi! /ɑrikiʧikiʧi/ Akhirikichikichi, ekondi libayire okhukhupa esikuli. Akhirikichikichi, the sheep has moved back to prepare itself for attack.
24. Asa! /'ɑsɑ/Used to show complete despise or disgust. Asa, you thought I was to marry you?
25. Aseno! /'ase:no/ Stressed form disgust similar to aasa  Aaseno, that can happen only over dead body.
26. Ashi! /aʃi/ Used to express empathy and sympathy toward another person's or self pain. Same to ouch. Ash, don't insert the whole needle.
27. Atabaye! [ˈɑ:tɑβɑˌje ] To show contempt and despise towards a persoyn of low status. Ata-baye, wesi wenya okhuserera liguru?
28. Atiti! /ɑtiti/ Show contentment towards an appreciation of being told thank you. Atiti, my visitor for the little food.
29. Awo! /ɑwo:/To mark contentment. Awo, go ahead like that. 
30. Awene! /ɑwene/ Same to awo to show contentment
31. Aya! /'ɑ:jɑ/ To express attempts to give up or give in. Aya, do what you want then.
32. Aya! /a'ja:/ To express an ironical surprise. Aya, Navakholo yichisisye Arsenal?
33. Ayaya! /a'ja:ja/ (a) Used to stress feeling of loss or desperateness. Ayaya, the cow has killed its calf. (b) To express sorrow towards breaking relation, unity or friendship. Aa-yaya, forgive me please. 
34. Ayaya koye (ko)! /ɑjɑjɑ'ko:je/  (a) Used to stress desperateness. Ayaya koye, what will do? (b) To express sorrow towards a breaking relation, unity or friendship. Aa-yaya, forgive me please. (c) Used to show complete despise and to belittle the little efforts by others. Aa-yayakoo, kho wesi wenya okhema owubunge?
35. Ayi! /ɑi:/Used to show pain or anguish. Aayi, you have stepped on my toes.
36. Baane! /'βɑ:ne/To show dismay an annoying pestering issue. Baane, leave that girl alone.
37. Basiani! /βɑ'siɑni/Basiani, what are you saying. It is used to despise or belittle or show dismay toward something small and annoying.
38. Baasi! /βɑ:si/ Used to express satisfaction. Baasi, that is what I wanted.
39. Baasie! /βɑ:'sie/ To esxpress disgust and mild shocked reprof in ones approach to the other. Baasie, why are you pestering me?
40. Bakheba! /βɑxe'βɑ/ Swear word used by circumcised men. It comes from the image of circumcision as short form of bakheba khabiri (If I do that, then it is like accepting them to circumcise me twice). Bakheba, come what may, I cannot give you.
41. Balebe! /βɑle'βe/ Used to express empathy, friendship, sympathy and unity. Balebe, let us unite.
42. Basolili! /βɑ'solili/:To show dismay and indignation toward the young.
43. Basosochole!  /βɑ'soso:ʧole/ Used to express impending compulsion or authoritative decision to fellow men. Basosochole, this woman has to be punished.
44. Befwe! /βefwe/ To show surprised and humourous call to fellow citizenship. Befwe, why can't this child play away from my hair.
45. Chiabuyabuya! /ʧiaβujɑβujɑ/ To expresses excitement towards many cattle coming into the home. Chiabuyabuya, may the boys come out and help to manage them.
46. Chalu! /ʧɑlu/Uses to mean 'never again.' Chalu, you will never see me going there.
47. Chia mumbo!   /ʧiɑ:mumbo/ Used to register disgust and wish away bad omen. Chia mumbo, I can't agree to what you have said.
48. Chiandia!  /ʧiandiɑ/ Interjection for total anguish in need of help. Chiadia, help me please.
49. Chikhulia! /ʧixuliɑ/Beware. Chikhulia, bees have been let loose.
50. Chieyo! /'ʧieyo/ To express disgust and tell other to go away. Chieyo, you want to claim you are also ripe for marriage. 
51. Chiokho! /'ʧioxo/Chiokho, you want to claim you are also ripe for marriage. Chiokho is short for of chia okholere eyo for 'do that elsewhere and not here.'
52. Chwi! /ʧwi/Chwi, I am going to smash your shoulders now.
53. Chwi-chwi! /ʧwi'ʧwi/Chwi-chwi, dare me and I will return you to prison.
54. Ebiembuti! /eβieᵐbuti/ Total contempt similar to shouting the word 'shit.'
55. E-e! /'e:e/ To express envious feelings when said in rise-fall intonation. E-e, I see you are not badly off from the way you are dressed.
56. Eeee! /e:/  Express surprise at a given relvelation. Eeee, so this is your father?
57. Eiye! /ei'je/ Eiye, you have come with policemen? It indicates an unpleasant surprise.
58. Eh! /e/ Eh, what did you say you want? It is used with a question mark, is a request for repetition or confirmation of what was just said; without, it is dismissive.
59. Ehe! /e:'he/ Ehe, khane obaye okisise amakesi. Ehe, so you were only cunning? 
60. Ekhabi! /exɑβi/ For God gracious.
61. Embuka! /eᵐbukɑ/ To state a suprise. Embuka, who took my cow.
62. Embukanga! /eᵐbukɑ'ngɑ/ Embukanga, why do yo hate me?
63. Ese! /e'se/ Said with stress of last syllable to mean damn. Ese, you have eaten my food!
64. Esipoli! /esipoli/ To state disgust toward a useless deed done by a person.
65. Enywe! /eɲwe/ Enywe, khani endi okhumukhupa. Enywe, I will now beat you.
66. Eishi! /eiʃ/ Eishi, nchusekho esiyingwa. Eishi, stop mudslinging me.
67. Ensi! /ˈeⁿsi/ To mean 'In this world.' Ensi, go slow in deciding.
68. Ewe! /'e:we/ /'e:we/ Same to wow. Ewe, omukhana esipichu! Ewe, look at that beatiful girl. It can be dismissive or indicative of disappointment, or, when drawn out, expressive of sympathy or adoration.
69. Ewe! /ewe/ Ewe, nchekerese. Ewe, listen to me. It is employed to gain attention.
70. Eweewe! /e'we:we/ To express feelings of great excitment. Eweewe, this is exciting.
71. Fyuu /fiu/ express completeness. Usually said in accompaniment of a gesture of fingure waving across the mouth from left to right.
72. Ha! /hɑ/ Ha, khuchisisie. Ha, we have won. Used to expresses joy or surprise, or perhaps triumph.
73. Ha-ha! /hɑ:hɑ/ Ha-ha, lekha okhunjekhesia. Ha-ha, stop killing me with laughter.  It is used (with possible redoubling) to communicates laughter or derision.
74. Hee-hee! /he'he:/  Hee-hee, kho ono nje omukhasi wuwe? Hee-hee, is this his wife? It is a mischievous laugh, while its variants heh and heh-heh (and so on) can have a more derisive connotation.
75. Hera! /'herɑ:/ Stressed on second syllable to mean beware. Hera, okenda nuli makesi. Hera, walk coutiously. 
76. Heyi! /'heji/ Heyi, lengera hano. Heyi, look here. It can express surprise or exultation, or can be used to request repetition or call for attention.
77. Kafumbo! /kɑfuᵐbo/ Goodbye. Kafumbo, ese embwawo. Kafumbo, I am going home. It can be used to mean goodbye.
78. Kakhunyala! /kaxuɲala/ Used to mean 'woe unto you.' Kakhunyala, if you do not heed advise from elders.
79. Kakhunyale! /kaxuɲale/ Used to give resignation in an activity and telling the other to bear consequences alone. Kakhunyale, who told you to throw stones in the hive.
80. Kalaha! /kɑlɑ:'hɑ/ Used to express sorrowfulness and call for calmness. Kalaha, God will guide you through.
81. Kalaha mu-mumabeka! Used to say sorry to a person who was warned but adamantly never heeded the advise. You have been bitten by bees, kalaha mu mabeka.
82. Khaba! /xɑ'βɑ/Used for comptemptous refusal laced with disbelief. Khaba, awange hano si otekhaho ta. Khaba, you cannot get married in my home. At times it is said as khaba ta.
83. Khane! /'xane/. Used to show a feeling of late regretful dicovery. Khanee, you were cheating me.
84. Khanee! /xɑ'ne:/ Khane, I thought you are a friend.
85. Kho! /xɔ/ Used in initial positions of sentences to register disgust about what is being said as you try to solicit ones opinion. Kho, what you want from me?
86. Kho olikho! /'xɔ:lixɔ/Used to express sarcasm toward somebody's spirited yet futile efforts. Kho olikho, you are determined to plant rice on the rock?
87. Kibi! /kiβi/Kibi, ekondi limukhupire esikuli.
88. Kongo! /kɔ:ˈᵑɡɔ/ Stress absolute denial. Kongo, I was not with him as he stole.
89. Koo. /kɔ:/ It is an interjection that signals politeness, desperate feeling and calling for attention. Koo, you will help me to look after cattle.
90. Kuchukuchukuchu! /kuʧukuʧukuʧu/Used to express extreme satisfaction in an ongoing activity. Kuchukuchukuchu, let us sing on.
91. Kulusia! /'kulusia/ Used after an abrupt sneeze to express remoarse that it wasn't ones deliberate wish.
92. Kuroonya! /kurɔ:ɲa/ Happy call for unity, togetherness and common enjoyment. Kuronya, come one come all.
93. Kusu! /kusu/Kusu, engokho chimala amatumwa. Used to send away birds such as chicken.
94. Lwembo! /lweᵐbo/ Call for encouragement at a time a a task becomes hard.
95. Malamalama! /mɑ:lɑ'mɑlɑmɑ/ Malamalama, khuchisisie. Malamalama, we  have triumphed. Malamalama is equivalent to bravo. It is ansered by saying Kosikosi /kɔsi'kɔ:si/ 
96. Ma! /mɑ/ Used to expess shock, surprise and hate for something bad existing in excess. Ma, there is a lot of bedbugs on the bed.
97. Mako! /mɑkɔ/  (a) When said with rising intonation then it is used to show pride or awe in something good. Mako, you look smart. b) Used to register disappointment and annoyance when said with falling intonation Mako, so we are not part of those to receive money.
98. Mayiwee! /mɑji'we:/ Mayiwee, muliye amapwoni kosi? Mayiwee, you have eaten all the potatoes. It is used to indicate unexpected regret.
99. Mbanga! /ᵐbɑˈᵑɡɑ/ Mbanga, embwa yinyala yewula ekondi? Mbanga, a dog can give birth to a sheep?
100. Mbula! /ᵐbula/ To express final consent same to 'of course.'
101. Mbuliramo! /ᵐbulirɑmɔ/ To express happiness in an event. Embuliramo, this is a nice song.
102. Mbwekho! /ᵐbwexɔ/ Used to admonish and hatefull tell another person to stop involving you in issues. Mbwekho, I was not part of your plan to pay Ksh. 40000.
103. Mwaa!  /ᶬwɑ:/Mwaa, ofunikha emosi mu simwero? Used to express feelings of irony or contrary to expression.
104. Mhm! /ᶬhm/ Mhm, khanu opara mbo ese endi omuyingwa.
105. Mhu! /ˈᶬhu/ Mhu, obaranga ochi niwe weng'ene. Also used to form tag questions. You went home, mhu?
106. Mm-hmm! /ᶬh'mh/ It is variously spelled, is an affirmative or corroborating response.
107. Mmm! /ˈᶬm:/It can be extended as needed, conveys palatable or palpable pleasure.
108. Ngako! /ᵑɡɑkɔ/ Used to stress satisfaction with an activity. Ngako, this game is interesting. At times it is released as 'Ngako ta!'
109. Nchekule! /ᵑʧekule/ Used to register surprise of expecting more news. Njekule, what did he do this time?
110. Ng'o! /ˈŋɔ:/ Ng'o, si womomire. Ng'o, you have got nothing.
111. Ng'we!  /ˈŋwe:/ Used as a dare word full of hate and contempt. Ngwe, I will beat you right now.
112. Nimayi! /nimɑji/ Swear in ones mother's name. Nimayi, si ewufuka walia tawe. Nimayi, I won't cook for you to eat.
113. Nono! /'nɔnɔ/ Interjection at word level used to stress consensus building when giving better alternative. Nono, can you give me some money.
114. Nyasaye! /ɲasaje/ Nyasaye, Pikichi afwiye? Nyasaye, Pikichi is dead. It means same to 'oh my God.'
115. Ochio!  /oʧiɔ:/ Used for thank you. Ochio, okoneho khabiri.
116. Oh! /ɔ:/ It is among the most versatile of interjections. Use it to indicate comprehension or acknowledgment (or, with a question mark, a request for verification), to preface direct address (“Oh, sir!”), as a sign of approximation or example (“Oh, about three days”), or to express emotion or serves as a response to a pain or pleasure. (Ooh is a variant useful for the last two purposes.)
117. Obyioo!  /'ɔβjiɔ:/ Used to satirise and stress sarcasm. Obyioo, lirakho wusa emoni; si ekhuwa tawe.
118. Ochio! /ɔʧiɔ/ Used for saying thank you. Ochio, may God bless you with more.
119. Omusango!  /ɔmu'sɑˈᵑɡɔ:/ Used to register disgust toward temptations. Omusango, why are you lifting up your skirt before me! 
120. Oo!  /ɔ:/ Oo, Lukorito afwiye?
121. Owange! /ɔwaˈᵑɡe/ To express bewilderment. Same to,'Oh my goodness!' Owange, niwe mwene mutoka kuno!
122. Paka. /pɑkɑ/ Used to give feeling of finality, compulsion or stressing the action in what is said. Paka, I will beat him.
123. Pebe! /pe'βe/ Used for confusion and amazement. Pebe, I wish I had powers.
124. Perepere! /pere'pere/ Used to show disgust toward the talkalking nature of another person. Perepere, when will you learn to shut up!
125. Ptho!  /p˭θɔ/ Ptho, wesi wachusinyire nende okhusabasaba.
126. Pthoo!  /p˭θɔ:/ Used to express satisfaction upon completion of a task. Ptsoo, I can now rest.
127. Po! /pɔ:/ Po, chia mukholere esiyingwa eyo.
128. Poera! /pɔéra:/ Poera, ese embayekho nende owubi ni naye tawe.
129. Poo! /pɔ:/It is a contemptuous exclamation or dismissive.
130. Ptsu!  /p˭θu/ Ptsu, ese endi okhupongola omuntu elino. Ptsu, I will kick in somebody's teeth. Swear interjection.
131. Omanye! /ɔmaɲe/ Used as a discourse marker interjection to give warning or advice full of affection. Close to the translation 'you know.' Omanye, I will go away if you do that.
132. Owona! /ɔwɔna/Used to express feeling of finality. Same to 'you can now see,' or 'I told you.' Owona, he is now pregnant.
133. Pirashi! /pirɑʃi/ Used for ecstatic excitment. This is a wonderful dance, pirashi!
134. Riii! /r:/ Riii, ekondi libayire. Used to goad sheep fight.
135. Riswa! /ris'wa/ Used to implore high powers in a disgusting and overwelming situation. Riswa, may the devil be defeated. Riswa, chia Mumbo ewa Nambweke, ewa Namukoma, ewa Luwero! Curse word for evils to go away.
136. Saaa! /sɑ:/ Saaa, esimba lino! It means sending off.
137. Shii!ˈ / ˈʃi:/ A call for quietness.
138. Siabinda! /siɑ'βindɑ/ Siabinda, ano sienya pmukayi. Siabinda, there is need for peacemaker. It is used to mean things are haywire.
139. Siachia omunyukhe! /siʧia:'ɔmuɲuxe/ Used to express excitment coupled with apprehension and fear. Siachia omunyukhe, will our bull win this fight?
140. Sianyonya! /siaɲɔɲa/ fight Used to express emotions sorounding a free-for-all scenarior towards a good cause.
141. Siaumaa!  /siauma:/ Used to signal start of a hard task or things turning haywire. Siauma, the referee is almost blowing the start whistle!
142. Siauny'emuka!  /siauɲaemka/ Signal war, fight of attack. Siawunya emuka, go abd hide for the police are here!
143. Silia nyuni silia swa! Silia enyuni silia eswa, khuwone anamenukha. Siria enyuni silia eswa, let us wait for the end. Used to exclaim that the one expected to win may not win.
144. Ta! /tɑ/ Used to say no. Ta, am not accepting your request. 
145. Taa /tɑ/ (a) Used to indicate request for consensus. It is the general interjection for forming tag questions. It is also realised as yitaa. He beat him, taa?
146. Te! /tɑ/Used to express happiness and goodwill towards gentle slow actions of greeting, child walking or raining. Mulembe te or kenda te te 
147. Tho!  /θɔ/ To dismiss or send away with contempt. Tso, go and sit where your fellow children are. The only word with ~ts~in Olunyala.
148. Tyeri! To express happiness towards that which is true.
149. Uh! It is an expression of skepticism or a delaying tactic.
150. Uh-huh! It indicates affirmation or agreement.
151. Uh-um! Hu-um, manyanga yichanga enyuma. Uh-um, I wish I knew. Used to indicates regret.
152. Uh-oh! It signals concern or dismay.
153. Uh-uh! Uh-uh, endobire. Uh-hu, I have refused. It is the sound of negation or refusal.
154. Um! It is a placeholder for a pause but also denotes skepticism.
155. Wa! /wɑ/ (a) Said with no vowel lengthening to express shock towards given bad news. Wa, she is a thief? (b) Said with rising tone tone to express doubt. Wa, has he got married to a relative? (c) It is said with flat intonation to bring out satisfaction or liking. Wa, you are a good man.
156. Wale! /wɑle/ Sudden unexpected surprise. Wale, ewuyu lilimo akhaminywi aukhala wa emunge. Wale, this egg has a chick in place of a yolk.
157. Wakhera! /wɑ'xerɑ/ Used to give good wishes in the evening. Same to saying good evening. Wakhera, my friends.
158. Wase! /wɑ'se/ Used to call for consensus, brotherhood and appealing to informal relation. Wase, let us not be tortured like this.
159. Woa! Used to communicates boredom or disappointment.
160. Wololo! /wɔlɔlɔ/ Used to register suprise towards something in excess. Wololo, those animals are very many.
161. Wonakho! /wɔnɑxɔ/ Used to appeal to others to share on ones contempt. Wonakho, isn't this total madness.
162. Woi! /wɔi/ Used to express embarassment. Wow, wind has blown up my skirt.
163. Wayo! /wayɔ/ Used to despise a given suggestion that looks below expectation and tell the speaker to go away or suggest no more.
164. Woowe! /wɔ:we/ To express wonder or awe. Woowe, he has eaten a basinful of ugali?
165. Wo-wo! /wɔ:wɔ/, /wɔwɔ:/ To express wonder. Wo-wo-wo, all the money is mine?
166. Wusieye! /wusie'je/ Used to say good morning. Wusieye, my mother.
167. Wushwa! It is an exclamation to provoke fright.
168. Wuuwi! /wu:wi/ To j highlight desperation and pain. Wuuwi, what can I do now.
169. Yaya koo! /jaja'kɔ:/ Used to show sympathy. Yaya koo, this baby's mother is dead.
170. Yee! /je:/ Yee, mberese. Yee, give me. It denotes agreement.
171. Yita! /jita/ Terminal interjection  in polar question to confirm. He beat her, yitaa?

B] USING INTERJECTION AND EXCLAMATIONS IN OLUNYALA (K)

Some interjection and exclamations can have several meanings basing on the intonation use, stress placement and tone shift. For example, 

1. Aha, you have got it.
2. Aha, I have got you red handed.
3. Aha, I see what you mean.
4. Aha, you cannot do it.
5. Aha, can you tell me more?

Interjections and exclamations can be combined to enhance emotions

1. Yee ptso, niwe omanyire.
2. Akha asa, owolera anu?
3. Aai poera, wukule muchie mulekhe okhuchusandia.

Interjections and exclamations can occur on their own, at start of sentence and at the end.

1. Aasa!
2. Aasa, obara ochi ndi okhukhuwa!
3. Obara ochi endi okhukhuwa, aasa!

Interjections and exclamations can be personalized within a cultural setting- some disgust towards unexpected outcome of events are expressed using customised but culturally accepted interjections done by mentioning specific things: clans, clan praise phrase, a dead relative in the community and object of choice.

1. Abakwangachi! The eagle has taken my meat. (Clan)
2. Mama Namusia! You are taking her away. (Dead relative)
3. Nasenya Namuwo, you mean my son is dead. (Clan praise phrase)
4. Embwa mu'mbusi, my milk is spilled. (Strange context bound mixed emotions can elicit use of objects within the emediate environment. At times they may turn out to be vulgarities among some people.)

Some interjection and exclamation accept redoubling to help create stress.

1. Mako mako, you are a beauty.
2. Hera hera, take care of it.
3. Wa wa wa wa, you have spilled the milk.
4. Ako-si ako-si, that is what we wanted.
5. Wololo wololo, there are many clots in ugali.

Types of interjections- some interjection are noise like, others are primary interjection word-like while others make use a word with another semantic meaning.

1. Ptso, you are boring me. (Sound interjection)
2. Aseeno, I cannot give it to you. (Interjectory word)
3. Embukanga, what is wrong with Abaluhya leaders? (Interjection from other word class)