(World) record

Language / Langue Bambara/Jula-English
1

Hi,
Is there any specific world for “records” in Dioula? Speaking about (Guinness) world records, how should I put it?
Ex: “Who has the record for highest jump in the world?”
or “The world record for the most underpants worn is 266”

Thanks!

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2

Good question!

I don’t know of any specific Jula or Bambara term that I have heard used for “record” in this sense.

I checked a few of the dictionaries that I have on hand and I don’t see anything either.

I imagine that it has been translated in some way on radio broadcasts from RFI or VOA, but we’d need to tune in when they are discussing the Olympics :upside_down_face:

I had the idea of using “jatebɔ” (“count; calculation; counting”) and found it on some pages from VOA Bambara such as this one.

I don’t see it used for “record” in the way that you are describing, but you could try :person_shrugging:

Without a specific word that people would recognize, I would likely use a superlative construction and speak around the specific feet. Something like:

Jɔn bɛ se ka pan sanfɛ ka tɛmɛ mɔgɔ bɛɛ kan?

‘Who can jump into the sky (higher than) all other people?’

I’m going to ask around though and I will get back to you. Curious if others have ideas too :slight_smile:

3

Thanks, maybe I could add the fact that they won a prize being best at it.
Like “Who won a prize for highest jump in the world?” or “Who won the world contest for…”
makes it more official thant just saying that no one can jump into the sky higher than all other people (also because it’s probably not true, as we were not all in the contest :slight_smile: Maybe you could help me with that phrase?
Thanks!

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4

I ni ce! Yes, “prize” could be a good approach to getting there too.

I asked the question on TikTok though and there’s a TON of comments with suggestions.

The spelling that people use there is often not standard so I’m posting some rough take-away notes at the bottom of this.

Otherwise, why not use a construction like this if you want to talk about somebody “having the record”?

Duniya kɔnɔ, jɔnjɔn fɔlɔ bɛ jɔn bolo panni na?

Lit. “In the world, who has the first trophy in jumping?”

As for saying, “The world record is X”, how about…

Kulusi-don na, duniya san-fɛ-dan ye kulusi 266 ye.

Lit. “In short-wearing, the world’s upper limit is 266 shorts.”

I think one of the take-aways of thinking about this is that it’s a great example of something that is more or less natural and easy to say in English because of a particular institutionalized practice that is widely circulated and talked about in English-speaking places, but it’s less so in Manding-speaking places historically :slight_smile:

TikTok comment notes

Variations with “jɔnjɔn” (Literally, “Trophy”)

  • jɔnjɔn
  • jɔnjɔnba
  • jɔnjɔn fɔlɔ
  • diɲɛ jɔnjɔn fɔlɔ
  • jɔnjɔndan

Other Possibilities

  • jɔyɔrɔ fɔlɔ (Lit. “first standing-place”)
  • diɲɛ-kɔnɔ-jatebɔ-sɛbɛn
  • san-na-hakɛ (Lit. “sky-in-level”)
  • (duniya) ɲɛbagaya (proposed in various forms by multiple N’ko writers)
  • sɔrɔdan (Lit. “obtain-limit”)
  • kosɔkosɔya (I am not sure what the word/spelling of this expression is)
  • sebaaya/sebagaya (This refers to the state of being the victor/powerful one)
  • duniya kuntigiya

Others Using the Term for “Limit” or “Ceiling”

  • à dan = sa limite (“its limit”)
  • dan gɛlɛn
  • sanfɛ-dan = record; ceiling
  • sɔrɔ-dan

Others with something like “So Danso” (sic)

  • so dan so
  • duniya so danso

Talking Around It

  • min ɲɔgɔn tɛ yen
  • min ɲɔgɔn tɛ diɲɛ kɔnɔ
  • min ɲɔgɔn ma kɛ
5

Wauw! Thanks for all the effort put in my question :blush:
I got lots of ideas now to get there!
Thanks a lot!

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