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Dikranagerdsi Vernacular Handbook Released
07/12/2013 21:48:00 Oratert News
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[image: Dikranagerdsi Vernacular Handbook Released]
After years of compilation, a new dictionary of words and expressions
from the Dikranagerd-Armenian dialect is now available. Titled, `Inch
g'usis': A Dikranagerdtsi Vernacular Handbook,' the term `Inch g'usis'
literally means `What do you say?' in the dialect of Dikranagerd.
Authored by Charles Kasbarian, `Inch g'usis': A Dikranagerdtsi
Vernacular Handbookshowcases the earthy and humorous dialect of
Dikranagerd, presented in English transliteration. Kasbarian is also
known as `C.K. Garabed,' the columnist behind `Uncle Garabed's
Notebook,' which has appeared in The Armenian Weekly for almost 25
years.
No one knows how many Armenian Genocide survivors were integrated into
Turkish society, nor how many native Armenians may remain, though hidden
away. In either case, there are few, if any Armenians in the Diarbekr
region of Western Armenia (present-day Turkey) who still speak the native
dialect. As a result, it is likely that the dialect of Dikranagerd will
become extinct in our lifetime. Aside from this obvious fact, Kasbarian
explained his reasoning for creating `Inch g'usis?': `The Dikranagerd
dialect is my native language. In my childhood, while trying to converse
with non-Dikranagerdtsi Armenians, I would get laughed at for what they
perceived to be a queer way of speaking. But in my maturity, I realized
that there was a lot to be said for dialects - the one of Dikranagerd in
particular.'
As such, Kasbarian took on the task of trying, in some small way, to
document elements of the Dikranagerd dialect for posterity. And so, he
began to note Dikranagerdtsi words and phrases, which grew into the present
collection. `And far from being laughed at,' Kasbarian continued,
`linguistic scholars have consulted me on the virtues of the dialect which
they feel is worthy of preservation.'
To make the work widely accessible, Kasbarian decided to put the handbook
online. The work can be freely accessed on Kasbarian's Armeniapedia page:
http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Dikranagerdtsi_Vernacular_Handbook_In_English_Tran sliteration
Included are words and terms `A' through `Z', a section on
Dikranagerdtsi nicknames, and an Armenian alphabet mnemonic. Arranged
alphabetically and containing a pronunciation key, the handbook offers
many colorful phrases, interjections and exclamations such `Kher
eghnah' (`May it be useful or good,' often said when somebody
sneezes); `Leghin badri' (`May his gall bladder burst,' meaning `May
he drop dead.'); `Jivit godreh, doun nusdi' (`Break your leg, stay at
home,' meaning `Stop gadding about.'); and `Kna kni' (`Go to sleep,'
meaning `Get out of here.'). Parents of young children are cautioned
that there are many ribald entries.
Kasbarian grew up, during the Great Depression, in Union City, New Jersey
-- which was once heavily populated by Dikranagerdtsi Armenians. Over the
years, he has presented folk tales and skits in the Dikranagerdtsi dialect
at cultural evenings held in the New Jersey area. Also in progress on his
Armeniapedia page are his The Dikranagerd Mystique Armenian Cookbook; a
number of articles about growing up Dikranagerdtsi; Oyin Mi Tavli, a
one-act play in the Dikranagerd dialect; and The Dictionary of Armenian
Surnames.
Says Kasbarian of `Inch g'usis?', `like everything else, there are
bound to be missing words and phrases and even mistakes, in which case
readers should feel free to bring them to the attention of the
author.' Kasbarian can be reached at [email protected]
http://www.oratert.com/news/armenia/armenian-diaspora/58872.html
07/12/2013 21:48:00 Oratert News
Font size: [image: Decrease font] [image: Enlarge font]
[image: Dikranagerdsi Vernacular Handbook Released]
After years of compilation, a new dictionary of words and expressions
from the Dikranagerd-Armenian dialect is now available. Titled, `Inch
g'usis': A Dikranagerdtsi Vernacular Handbook,' the term `Inch g'usis'
literally means `What do you say?' in the dialect of Dikranagerd.
Authored by Charles Kasbarian, `Inch g'usis': A Dikranagerdtsi
Vernacular Handbookshowcases the earthy and humorous dialect of
Dikranagerd, presented in English transliteration. Kasbarian is also
known as `C.K. Garabed,' the columnist behind `Uncle Garabed's
Notebook,' which has appeared in The Armenian Weekly for almost 25
years.
No one knows how many Armenian Genocide survivors were integrated into
Turkish society, nor how many native Armenians may remain, though hidden
away. In either case, there are few, if any Armenians in the Diarbekr
region of Western Armenia (present-day Turkey) who still speak the native
dialect. As a result, it is likely that the dialect of Dikranagerd will
become extinct in our lifetime. Aside from this obvious fact, Kasbarian
explained his reasoning for creating `Inch g'usis?': `The Dikranagerd
dialect is my native language. In my childhood, while trying to converse
with non-Dikranagerdtsi Armenians, I would get laughed at for what they
perceived to be a queer way of speaking. But in my maturity, I realized
that there was a lot to be said for dialects - the one of Dikranagerd in
particular.'
As such, Kasbarian took on the task of trying, in some small way, to
document elements of the Dikranagerd dialect for posterity. And so, he
began to note Dikranagerdtsi words and phrases, which grew into the present
collection. `And far from being laughed at,' Kasbarian continued,
`linguistic scholars have consulted me on the virtues of the dialect which
they feel is worthy of preservation.'
To make the work widely accessible, Kasbarian decided to put the handbook
online. The work can be freely accessed on Kasbarian's Armeniapedia page:
http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Dikranagerdtsi_Vernacular_Handbook_In_English_Tran sliteration
Included are words and terms `A' through `Z', a section on
Dikranagerdtsi nicknames, and an Armenian alphabet mnemonic. Arranged
alphabetically and containing a pronunciation key, the handbook offers
many colorful phrases, interjections and exclamations such `Kher
eghnah' (`May it be useful or good,' often said when somebody
sneezes); `Leghin badri' (`May his gall bladder burst,' meaning `May
he drop dead.'); `Jivit godreh, doun nusdi' (`Break your leg, stay at
home,' meaning `Stop gadding about.'); and `Kna kni' (`Go to sleep,'
meaning `Get out of here.'). Parents of young children are cautioned
that there are many ribald entries.
Kasbarian grew up, during the Great Depression, in Union City, New Jersey
-- which was once heavily populated by Dikranagerdtsi Armenians. Over the
years, he has presented folk tales and skits in the Dikranagerdtsi dialect
at cultural evenings held in the New Jersey area. Also in progress on his
Armeniapedia page are his The Dikranagerd Mystique Armenian Cookbook; a
number of articles about growing up Dikranagerdtsi; Oyin Mi Tavli, a
one-act play in the Dikranagerd dialect; and The Dictionary of Armenian
Surnames.
Says Kasbarian of `Inch g'usis?', `like everything else, there are
bound to be missing words and phrases and even mistakes, in which case
readers should feel free to bring them to the attention of the
author.' Kasbarian can be reached at [email protected]
http://www.oratert.com/news/armenia/armenian-diaspora/58872.html