tones

Monkolé is a tonal language with three tones (high, low and normal). Tonal language means that a word can have different meanings depending on the tone.

Sometimes it is really difficult because the three tones can be used. This is the case with the word kpã. kpã can be pronounced with three tones:

• kpã with a normal tone means to draw water
• kpã with a high tone means to sweep
• kpã with a low tone means to carry someone on one's back

Because when monkolé is written, tones are usually not indicated you can have this sentence:

Esther í kpã Benjamin n> í kpã inyi n> í kpã ile

It means Esther carried Benjamin on her back, drew water from the well et swept the floor.

PS: n> means 'and' and > replaces a letter that doesn't exist on our keyboard.