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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_r_ e_ l_d_g r_m_ Har dere et ledig rom? H__ d___ e_ l____ r___ Har dere et ledig rom? ___ ____ __ _____ ____ Har dere et ledig rom?
I have booked a room.	J_g h_r b_s_i_t r_m_ Jeg har bestilt rom. J__ h__ b______ r___ Jeg har bestilt rom. ___ ___ _______ ____ Jeg har bestilt rom.
My name is Miller.	J_g h_t_r ._. M_l_e_. Jeg heter ... Müller. J__ h____ .__ M______ Jeg heter ... Müller. ___ _____ ___ _______ Jeg heter ... Müller.

I need a single room.	J_g t_e_g_r e_ e_k_l_r_m_ Jeg trenger et enkeltrom. J__ t______ e_ e_________ Jeg trenger et enkeltrom. ___ _______ __ __________ Jeg trenger et enkeltrom.
I need a double room.	J_g t_e_g_r e_ d_b_e_t_o_. Jeg trenger et dobbeltrom. J__ t______ e_ d__________ Jeg trenger et dobbeltrom. ___ _______ __ ___________ Jeg trenger et dobbeltrom.
What does the room cost per night?	H_a k_s_e_ r_m_e_ p_r n_t_? Hva koster rommet per natt? H__ k_____ r_____ p__ n____ Hva koster rommet per natt? ___ ______ ______ ___ _____ Hva koster rommet per natt?

I would like a room with a bathroom.	J_g ø_s_e_ e_ r_m m_d b_d_ Jeg ønsker et rom med bad. J__ ø_____ e_ r__ m__ b___ Jeg ønsker et rom med bad. ___ ______ __ ___ ___ ____ Jeg ønsker et rom med bad.
I would like a room with a shower.	J_g ø_s_e_ e_ r_m m_d d_s_. Jeg ønsker et rom med dusj. J__ ø_____ e_ r__ m__ d____ Jeg ønsker et rom med dusj. ___ ______ __ ___ ___ _____ Jeg ønsker et rom med dusj.
Can I see the room?	K_n j_g f_ s_ p_ r_m_e_? Kan jeg få se på rommet? K__ j__ f_ s_ p_ r______ Kan jeg få se på rommet? ___ ___ __ __ __ _______ Kan jeg få se på rommet?

Is there a garage here?	F_n_e_ d_t e_ g_r_s_e_ Finnes det en garasje? F_____ d__ e_ g_______ Finnes det en garasje? ______ ___ __ ________ Finnes det en garasje?
Is there a safe here?	F_n_e_ d_t e_ s_f_? Finnes det en safe? F_____ d__ e_ s____ Finnes det en safe? ______ ___ __ _____ Finnes det en safe?
Is there a fax machine here?	F_n_e_ d_t e_ f_k_? Finnes det en faks? F_____ d__ e_ f____ Finnes det en faks? ______ ___ __ _____ Finnes det en faks?

Fine, I’ll take the room.	F_o_t_ j_g t_r r_m_e_. Flott, jeg tar rommet. F_____ j__ t__ r______ Flott, jeg tar rommet. ______ ___ ___ _______ Flott, jeg tar rommet.
Here are the keys.	H_r e_ n_k_e_e_ Her er nøklene. H__ e_ n_______ Her er nøklene. ___ __ ________ Her er nøklene.
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_o_o_t_ Når er det frokost? N__ e_ d__ f_______ Når er det frokost? ___ __ ___ ________ Når er det frokost?
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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