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27 [twenty-seven]

In the hotel – Arrival

27 [syvogtyve]	På hotellet – 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 I e_ l_d_g_ v_r_l_e_ Har I et ledigt værelse? H__ I e_ l_____ v_______ Har I et ledigt værelse? ___ _ __ ______ ________ Har I et ledigt værelse?
I have booked a room.	J_g h_r b_s_i_t e_ v_r_l_e_ Jeg har bestilt et værelse. J__ h__ b______ e_ v_______ Jeg har bestilt et værelse. ___ ___ _______ __ ________ Jeg har bestilt et værelse.
My name is Miller.	M_t n_v_ e_ M_l_e_. Mit navn er Müller. M__ n___ e_ M______ Mit navn er Müller. ___ ____ __ _______ Mit navn er Müller.

I need a single room.	J_g h_r b_u_ f_r e_ e_k_l_v_r_l_e_ Jeg har brug for et enkeltværelse. J__ h__ b___ f__ e_ e_____________ Jeg har brug for et enkeltværelse. ___ ___ ____ ___ __ ______________ Jeg har brug for et enkeltværelse.
I need a double room.	J_g h_r b_u_ f_r e_ d_b_e_t_æ_e_s_. Jeg har brug for et dobbeltværelse. J__ h__ b___ f__ e_ d______________ Jeg har brug for et dobbeltværelse. ___ ___ ____ ___ __ _______________ Jeg har brug for et dobbeltværelse.
What does the room cost per night?	H_a_ k_s_e_ v_r_l_e_ p_r n_t_ Hvad koster værelset per nat? H___ k_____ v_______ p__ n___ Hvad koster værelset per nat? ____ ______ ________ ___ ____ Hvad koster værelset per nat?

I would like a room with a bathroom.	J_g v_l g_r_e h_v_ e_ v_r_l_e m_d b_d_ Jeg vil gerne have et værelse med bad. J__ v__ g____ h___ e_ v______ m__ b___ Jeg vil gerne have et værelse med bad. ___ ___ _____ ____ __ _______ ___ ____ Jeg vil gerne have et værelse med bad.
I would like a room with a shower.	J_g v_l g_r_e h_v_ e_ v_r_l_e m_d b_u_e_a_. Jeg vil gerne have et værelse med brusebad. J__ v__ g____ h___ e_ v______ m__ b________ Jeg vil gerne have et værelse med brusebad. ___ ___ _____ ____ __ _______ ___ _________ Jeg vil gerne have et værelse med brusebad.
Can I see the room?	M_ j_g s_ v_r_l_e_? Må jeg se værelset? M_ j__ s_ v________ Må jeg se værelset? __ ___ __ _________ Må jeg se værelset?

Is there a garage here?	E_ d_r e_ g_r_g_? Er der en garage? E_ d__ e_ g______ Er der en garage? __ ___ __ _______ Er der en garage?
Is there a safe here?	E_ d_r e_ p_n_e_k_b_ Er der et pengeskab? E_ d__ e_ p_________ Er der et pengeskab? __ ___ __ __________ Er der et pengeskab?
Is there a fax machine here?	E_ d_r e_ f_x_ Er der en fax? E_ d__ e_ f___ Er der en fax? __ ___ __ ____ Er der en fax?

Fine, I’ll take the room.	G_d_, j_g t_g_r v_r_l_e_. Godt, jeg tager værelset. G____ j__ t____ v________ Godt, jeg tager værelset. _____ ___ _____ _________ Godt, jeg tager værelset.
Here are the keys.	H_r e_ n_g_e_n_. Her er nøglerne. H__ e_ n________ Her er nøglerne. ___ __ _________ Her er nøglerne.
Here is my luggage.	H_r e_ m_n b_g_g_. Her er min bagage. H__ e_ m__ b______ Her er min bagage. ___ __ ___ _______ Her er min bagage.

What time do you serve breakfast?	H_o_n_r e_ d_r m_r_e_m_d_ Hvornår er der morgenmad? H______ e_ d__ m_________ Hvornår er der morgenmad? _______ __ ___ __________ Hvornår er der morgenmad?
What time do you serve lunch?	H_o_n_r e_ d_r f_o_o_t_ Hvornår er der frokost? H______ e_ d__ f_______ Hvornår er der frokost? _______ __ ___ ________ Hvornår er der frokost?
What time do you serve dinner?	H_o_n_r e_ d_r m_d_a_s_a_? Hvornår er der middagsmad? H______ e_ d__ m__________ Hvornår er der middagsmad? _______ __ ___ ___________ Hvornår er der middagsmad?

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Grammar prevents lies!

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