Explanation
The word Ululogooli is read <u.ru.rogoor,i> to mean “The Language”.
Ululogooli is the language of Avalogooli (informal as Maragoli language).
Avalogooli is read as <a.va.rogoor.i> to mean “The People”.
The People (Valogooli), are descendants of Mulogooli.
Mulogooli, read as <Mu.rogoor.i> is the founder of Valogooli people and by extent, Lulogooli language.
Mulogooli means “A Seer” in the word format, Mu(a-)+logool(-see-)+i(-r).
The three word parts Mu+logool+i are essential in making us understand the nature of Lulogooli. That the language combines different dependent parts to form a (an independent) word. It is important therefore to learn what those different word parts are and how they affect word meaning/ interpretation.
Further Reading
The main part (seer) of the word, ‘-logool-‘, is sandwiched between affixes. Affixes are word parts added before and after the main part of word to communicate a specific meaning.
The former affix, ‘Mu-‘ is a prefix while the latter affix, -i, is a suffix. There are other prefixes and suffixes that can replace “Mu-” and “-i” respectively but there will be a change of meaning. For example, “A-logool-a” would imply “S/he is seeing/speaking” or “The one seeing/speaking”.
In other words, Ululogooli can be said to be the seer’s voicing, a medium of telling – seeing. Seeing in language learning can be said to have a different world view alongside other languages you know of. Mr. Rees is said to have found Lulogooli more beautiful while working as a Friends Africa Mission (FAM) missionary in early 1990’s.
As at 1940 when FAM printed the first Luragoli-English dictionary, the language was Luragoli. The main part of the word being, “-ragol-“ which is close to the verb, “lagul.a”, (crowing), of Lulogooli that means ‘to foretell”.
It is not in Lulogooli where the verb, “logool.a” is found. Why it was established so may not be well known. But other sources refer to Gusii word, “Omoragori” that means seer while others to Gikuyu, “Morogi” that means a witch. in Luganda "Mulokole" is "the one who has received grace". Which is more or less the same supernatural attributes.
A closer relook at the root, "logool > lo.goo.l" clearly gets the sound, <goo>. The sound "goo" is commonly used as a discourse marker in Lulogooli. Where people speaking often go, "goo... goo.." in between talking either to inquire more, to show understanding, or to keep the talk active.
More Reading
True, speakers of Lulogooli have learnt the whole language system by speech and writing all Lulogooli as spoken will be missing key learning points worth language espousing. Retracing language formation steps offers us a more clearer picture and pattern that increases what we know about Lulogooli. The key learning points are inscribed in the chart below:
1. Vitivuku [phonetics]
These are the smallest sound notes of Lulogooli and form Phonetical Lulogooli. They can be singular graphemes or double, consonants or vowels as in the charts:
2. Limoloma [Fonologi]
Secondly is when these sound notes are associated with a particular meaning - zimofiimu (morphemes). They are dependents as they only acquire meaning in agglutinating with others. Sometimes a particular letter or letters have more than one meaning. Lulogooli is a tonal language and sometimes a similar letter or letters acquire different pronunciations and vice versa. Example is;
zy+a = zya (go)
zi+ a = zia (of)
3. Mang'ana [Mofologi]
It is in the building up of words that Lulogooli as a language is realized. Often the different parts of a word (morphemes) are joined together for intended meanings. A little change in a part of a word changes meaning. And a word can be as long as care is taken in putting together several word building units. Example is;
zya (go now), zye (go later), zyi (went)
zia (of; noun class E-ZI plural), kia (of; noun class Ki-Vi)
4. Zivaaso [Sintakisi]
In forming sentences, we relate words to expand meaning and communicate clearly. A fault in word arrangement may not only alter meaning but would appear to block meaning. Where words of same pronunciations but different meaning are not differentiated, a meaning can come out same when it is not. Example is;
Zya ingo - Go home
Zia ingo - Of home (belonging to home)
5. Kivuni [Semantiki]
Sentence meaning can be expounded by the nature of words used. Here consideration is taken to make sure Lulogooli language lexicon features are observed. This includes knowing root words and affixes and writing them accordingly. Affixes include noun classes, tense, mood and conjugations. Example is;
Zing'oombe zizya ingo - The cows are going home
Zing'oombe zia ingo - The cows belonging to home
6. Livoola [Puragimatiki]
Above all, Lulogooli speakers often speak in contexts and where grammar is not observed, meaning is still communicated. This is discouraged in writing but can apply in direct speech or such other creative writing. And there is enormous Lulogooli content by pragmatics as the language is social and largely indirect. This is noted in the many phrases, proverbs and connotations that Luloggoli implies in speech. Example is;
Zya ingo - Die, cross to hades
Zia ingo - things (some diminutive) belonging to home
Ukolaa vulahi mwaaniitu
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