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27 [twenty-seven]

In the hotel – Arrival

27 [tjuesju]	På hotell – ankomst

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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?	H_r d_ e_t l_d_g r_m_ Har de eit ledig rom? H__ d_ e__ l____ r___ Har de eit ledig rom? ___ __ ___ _____ ____ Har de eit ledig rom?
I have booked a room.	E_ h_r r_s_r_e_t r_m_ Eg har reservert rom. E_ h__ r________ r___ Eg har reservert rom. __ ___ _________ ____ Eg har reservert rom.
My name is Miller.	E_ h_i_e_ M_l_e_. Eg heiter Møller. E_ h_____ M______ Eg heiter Møller. __ ______ _______ Eg heiter Møller.

I need a single room.	E_ t_e_g e_t e_k_l_r_m_ Eg treng eit enkeltrom. E_ t____ e__ e_________ Eg treng eit enkeltrom. __ _____ ___ __________ Eg treng eit enkeltrom.
I need a double room.	E_ t_e_g e_t d_b_e_t_o_. Eg treng eit dobbeltrom. E_ t____ e__ d__________ Eg treng eit dobbeltrom. __ _____ ___ ___________ Eg treng eit dobbeltrom.
What does the room cost per night?	K_a k_s_a_ r_m_e_ p_r n_t_? Kva kostar rommet per natt? K__ k_____ r_____ p__ n____ Kva kostar rommet per natt? ___ ______ ______ ___ _____ Kva kostar rommet per natt?

I would like a room with a bathroom.	E_ v_l g_e_n_ h_ e_t r_m m_d b_d_ Eg vil gjerne ha eit rom med bad. E_ v__ g_____ h_ e__ r__ m__ b___ Eg vil gjerne ha eit rom med bad. __ ___ ______ __ ___ ___ ___ ____ Eg vil gjerne ha eit rom med bad.
I would like a room with a shower.	E_ v_l g_e_n_ h_ e_t r_m m_d d_s_. Eg vil gjerne ha eit rom med dusj. E_ v__ g_____ h_ e__ r__ m__ d____ Eg vil gjerne ha eit rom med dusj. __ ___ ______ __ ___ ___ ___ _____ Eg vil gjerne ha eit rom med dusj.
Can I see the room?	K_n e_ f_ s_å p_ r_m_e_? Kan eg få sjå på rommet? K__ e_ f_ s__ p_ r______ Kan eg få sjå på rommet? ___ __ __ ___ __ _______ Kan eg få sjå på rommet?

Is there a garage here?	E_ d_t e_n g_r_s_e h_r_ Er det ein garasje her? E_ d__ e__ g______ h___ Er det ein garasje her? __ ___ ___ _______ ____ Er det ein garasje her?
Is there a safe here?	E_ d_t e_n s_f_ h_r_ Er det ein safe her? E_ d__ e__ s___ h___ Er det ein safe her? __ ___ ___ ____ ____ Er det ein safe her?
Is there a fax machine here?	E_ d_t e_n f_k_ h_r_ Er det ein faks her? E_ d__ e__ f___ h___ Er det ein faks her? __ ___ ___ ____ ____ Er det ein faks her?

Fine, I’ll take the room.	F_o_t_ e_ t_k r_m_e_. Flott, eg tek rommet. F_____ e_ t__ r______ Flott, eg tek rommet. ______ __ ___ _______ Flott, eg tek rommet.
Here are the keys.	H_r e_ n_k_a_e_ Her er nøklane. H__ e_ n_______ Her er nøklane. ___ __ ________ Her er nøklane.
Here is my luggage.	H_r e_ b_g_s_e_ m_n_ Her er bagasjen min. H__ e_ b_______ m___ Her er bagasjen min. ___ __ ________ ____ Her er bagasjen min.

What time do you serve breakfast?	N_r e_ d_t f_u_o_t_ Når er det frukost? N__ e_ d__ f_______ Når er det frukost? ___ __ ___ ________ Når er det frukost?
What time do you serve lunch?	N_r e_ d_t m_d_a_? Når er det middag? N__ e_ d__ m______ Når er det middag? ___ __ ___ _______ Når er det middag?
What time do you serve dinner?	N_r e_ d_t k_e_d_m_t_ Når er det kveldsmat? N__ e_ d__ k_________ Når er det kveldsmat? ___ __ ___ __________ Når er det kveldsmat?

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Grammar prevents lies!

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