Lyr Add: Philological Waltz (Flanders & Swan)

Subject: Lyr Add: PHILOLOGICAL WALTZ (Flanders & Swan)
From: Genie
Date: 17 Jun 08 - 06:37 PM

I pretty much know all the lyrics to Flanders & Swan's song "Tonga" except for the, well, rather lengthy Tongan word(s) they use for "yes."

Oh, it's hard to say "Hoolima kittiluca cheecheechee" but in Tonga that means "No."
If I ever have the money it's to Tonga I shall go,
For each lovely Tongan maiden there will gladly make a date,
And by the time she's said "Hoolima kittiluca cheecheechee" it is usually too late!

Anyone know how to say "No" in Tongan?

Genie

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 04:11 AM

You wil find it here... BLICKY!
And a load of other Flanders and Swann lyrics plus transcription of the banter between the songs.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 06:45 AM

They made it up. There is no "ch" sound or doubled T in any Polynesian language.

I would expect the Tongan to be similar to Maori: "kaore".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 06:52 AM

It's offline at the moment but there is a translator for 400 Austronesian languages at http://folksong.org.nz/dict.html - Tongan will be in there.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Genie
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 01:07 AM

Well, I'm not surprised they made it up, Jack. LOL
(I can't imagine any language not having an ultra simple sound for the word "no." It wouldn't serve its purpose very well -- as Flanders & Swan's song so hilariously illustrates.)

But I wanted their actual lyric, so thanks, Geoff, for leading me to it:
'Hoolima Kittiluca Cheecheechee'

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: pavane
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:17 AM

I am led to believe that Welsh doesn't have a specific word for NO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: cyder_drinker
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 04:32 AM

>I am led to believe that Welsh doesn't have a specific word for NO

That's why there's so many girls pushing prams in Swansea?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 05:32 AM

Gaelic doesn't either. You have the equivalent of "Do you want to?" - "I do not want to".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Genie
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:18 PM

Really? If your Irish mom asks you if you're the one who got into the cookie jar, how do you lie to her and say you did not?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Genie
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:50 PM

Taking this further onto the linguistic tangent, here's something I just recently noticed about Latin.
Having studied it for 2 years in high school, I was befuddled when a few months ago I could not for the life of me remember the Latin word for "yes."   I searched and searched online too, but could not find it.   I finally came to the conclusion -- correct me if I'm wong -- that Latin had no word for "yes" as such. You could say "True," or "I agree," or indicate agreement in various ways but not "yes."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Def Shepard
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:57 PM

>I am led to believe that Welsh doesn't have a specific word for NO<

you are? Oh Dear!

Welsh (Wales) [no]                            Na
Welsh (Wales) [no I didn't]                Naddo
Welsh (Wales) [no I didn't]                Nage
Welsh (Wales) [no I don't want]            Nagoes
Welsh (Wales) [no I am not]                Nac ydw

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Tonga (Flanders & Swan)
From: Def Shepard
Date: 19 Jun 08 - 03:59 PM

and in Tongan: 'Ikai