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27 [twenty-seven]

In the hotel – Arrival

27 [twenty-seven]	In the hotel – Arrival

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Grammar prevents lies!

Every language has particular features. But some also have characteristics that are unique worldwide. Among these languages is Trio. Trio is a Native American language in South America. Around 2,000 people in Brazil and Suriname speak it. What makes Trio special is its grammar. Because it forces its speakers to always tell the truth. The so-called frustrative ending is responsible for this. This ending is added to verbs in Trio. It indicates how true a sentence is. A simple example explains how exactly it works. Let's take the sentence The child went to school. In Trio, the speaker has to add a certain ending onto the verb. Through the ending he is able to communicate whether he saw the child himself. But he can also express that he only knows it from speaking to others. Or he says through the ending that he knows it's a lie. So the speaker has to commit to what he is saying. Meaning, he must communicate how true a statement is. In this way he cannot keep anything a secret or sugarcoat anything. If a Trio speaker leaves the ending off, he is deemed a liar. In Suriname the official language is Dutch. Translations from Dutch into Trio are often problematic. Because most languages are much less precise. They make it possible for the speakers to be vague. Therefore, interpreters don't always commit to what they are saying. The communication with Trio speakers is thereby difficult. Perhaps the frustrative ending would be helpful in other languages too!? Not only in the language of politics…

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Do you have a vacant room?	D_ y_u h_v_ a v_c_n_ r_o_? Do you have a vacant room? D_ y__ h___ a v_____ r____ Do you have a vacant room? __ ___ ____ _ ______ _____ Do you have a vacant room?
I have booked a room.	I h_v_ b_o_e_ a r_o_. I have booked a room. I h___ b_____ a r____ I have booked a room. _ ____ ______ _ _____ I have booked a room.
My name is Miller.	M_ n_m_ i_ M_l_e_. My name is Miller. M_ n___ i_ M______ My name is Miller. __ ____ __ _______ My name is Miller.

I need a single room.	I n_e_ a s_n_l_ r_o_. I need a single room. I n___ a s_____ r____ I need a single room. _ ____ _ ______ _____ I need a single room.
I need a double room.	I n_e_ a d_u_l_ r_o_. I need a double room. I n___ a d_____ r____ I need a double room. _ ____ _ ______ _____ I need a double room.
What does the room cost per night?	W_a_ d_e_ t_e r_o_ c_s_ p_r n_g_t_ What does the room cost per night? W___ d___ t__ r___ c___ p__ n_____ What does the room cost per night? ____ ____ ___ ____ ____ ___ ______ What does the room cost per night?

I would like a room with a bathroom.	I w_u_d l_k_ a r_o_ w_t_ a b_t_r_o_. I would like a room with a bathroom. I w____ l___ a r___ w___ a b________ I would like a room with a bathroom. _ _____ ____ _ ____ ____ _ _________ I would like a room with a bathroom.
I would like a room with a shower.	I w_u_d l_k_ a r_o_ w_t_ a s_o_e_. I would like a room with a shower. I w____ l___ a r___ w___ a s______ I would like a room with a shower. _ _____ ____ _ ____ ____ _ _______ I would like a room with a shower.
Can I see the room?	C_n I s_e t_e r_o_? Can I see the room? C__ I s__ t__ r____ Can I see the room? ___ _ ___ ___ _____ Can I see the room?

Is there a garage here?	I_ t_e_e a g_r_g_ h_r_? Is there a garage here? I_ t____ a g_____ h____ Is there a garage here? __ _____ _ ______ _____ Is there a garage here?
Is there a safe here?	I_ t_e_e a s_f_ h_r_? Is there a safe here? I_ t____ a s___ h____ Is there a safe here? __ _____ _ ____ _____ Is there a safe here?
Is there a fax machine here?	I_ t_e_e a f_x m_c_i_e h_r_? Is there a fax machine here? I_ t____ a f__ m______ h____ Is there a fax machine here? __ _____ _ ___ _______ _____ Is there a fax machine here?

Fine, I’ll take the room.	F_n_, I_l_ t_k_ t_e r_o_. Fine, I’ll take the room. F____ I___ t___ t__ r____ Fine, I’ll take the room. _____ ____ ____ ___ _____ Fine, I’ll take the room.
Here are the keys.	H_r_ a_e t_e k_y_. Here are the keys. H___ a__ t__ k____ Here are the keys. ____ ___ ___ _____ Here are the keys.
Here is my luggage.	H_r_ i_ m_ l_g_a_e_ Here is my luggage. H___ i_ m_ l_______ Here is my luggage. ____ __ __ ________ Here is my luggage.

What time do you serve breakfast?	W_a_ t_m_ d_ y_u s_r_e b_e_k_a_t_ What time do you serve breakfast? W___ t___ d_ y__ s____ b_________ What time do you serve breakfast? ____ ____ __ ___ _____ __________ What time do you serve breakfast?
What time do you serve lunch?	W_a_ t_m_ d_ y_u s_r_e l_n_h_ What time do you serve lunch? W___ t___ d_ y__ s____ l_____ What time do you serve lunch? ____ ____ __ ___ _____ ______ What time do you serve lunch?
What time do you serve dinner?	W_a_ t_m_ d_ y_u s_r_e d_n_e_? What time do you serve dinner? W___ t___ d_ y__ s____ d______ What time do you serve dinner? ____ ____ __ ___ _____ _______ What time do you serve dinner?

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Grammar prevents lies!

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