Hi,
My maternal grandparents always identified themselves as Slovak, but I've been getting the impression that they are Carpatho-Rusyn. I'd appreciate feedback.
They referred to their language as "Ponasomu" (to me, somewhat phonetically "Pinoshimoo"). I always thought it just meant "Our language" in Slovak. When I listen to this "Slovak Lesson 1" video, the pronunciation is rather different: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gFTfjA4nHk
When growing up, I learned some basic "Ponasomu" and I could often get a rough idea at least from conversation.
I uploaded a sound file here where I say words or phrases I remember in Ponasomu, followed by English (Canadian) : http://d-h.st/yoj . Please excuse my nasal congestion last night.
Here are the words, with Ponasomu spelled in a pseudo-phonetic style. I've never written the language.
Mishko - Michael
Pinoshimoo - Our language
Dobra - Good
Duza Dobra - Very good
Dobra ronow - Good morning
Dobra dayn - Good day
Dobra vicher - Good evening
Dobra nuwch - Good night
Yok sumias ? - How are you ?
Tok, tok - Yes, yes
Boja, boja ! - My oh my ! (Exclamation)
Boja moi ! - Oh my god ! (Exclamation)
Hochis Milako - Do you want milk ?
Mias Milako - I have milk / Do you have milk ?
Yyko - Eggs
Pettuhe - Cooked dough with a filling (?)
Hulotee, Hulotee - Fun / Vacation / Celebrating / Drinking ?
Pevo - Beer
Veeno - Wine
Sleevaveets - Potato vodka ?
Cigaretkee - Cigarettes
Nozdrovyu - Bless you (sneeze) / To your health (drinking greeting)
Jokiyu - Thank you
Yeden - 1
Diva - 2
T'ree - 3
Chiteri - 4
Pyot - 5
Shees - 6
Seem - 7
? - 8
? - 9
Daysich - 10
Further info in the next post.
Thanks for any thoughts !