A while ago Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Beth figured out that “Hnh” was Lily’s main affirmative word, like “yeah” or “uh-huh.” The interesting thing to me is that Beren used to say the same syllable. Their language development has been so different it’s surprising they both settled on that one.
We miss those early idiosyncratic grunts and words so here’s a partial list for nostalgia’s sake:
Beren:
- MMMmmmMMMmmmMMMmmmMMM = enthusiastic affirmative
- Djeuah. = mild or serious affirmative
- GrrrDADA, GrrrMAMA = Grandpa and Grandma
- Hah, hah, HAH! = “hot!” or “candle!”
- Dump, dump, DUMP DUMP! = heavy machinery
- Ooh Na Vwuh Sa Tee = university
Liliana:
- Beebee = baby
- Baba = Beren/brother
- BLESSED BE YOURS NAME! = favorite church song
Lately I’ve been noticing more of Lily’s distinctive logical grammar, like “We goed back to ours house.”
Also they both say “Yoe-gwert”