Diving & Water Sports

1. Bëgg naa dem ci plongée sous-marine.

   I'd like to go scuba diving.

   Usage

   Requesting a scuba diving trip

   Grammar Note

   "Bëgg naa dem" = "I want to go"

2. Ndax war naa am certificat?

   Is a diving certification required?

   Usage

   Asking if a diving certification is required

   Grammar Note

   "Ndax war naa am" = "must I have?" ("war" marks obligation, the same frame as "Ndax war naa soppi kaar?")

3. Fan laa mën luye combinaison de plongée?

   Where can I rent a wetsuit?

   Usage

   Finding a wetsuit rental

   Grammar Note

   "Luye" is "to rent". A native Wolof term is uncertain, so the French "combinaison de plongée", the term used by Senegalese dive retailers and the maritime museum, is borrowed, like "plongée sous-marine"

4. Ñaata la barab bu plongée bi xóot?

   How deep is this dive site?

   Usage

   Asking about the dive site depth

   Grammar Note

   "To be deep" is the verb "xóot" (also spelled "xéét") and "place" is "barab". The pattern is "Ñaata" + "la" + subject + verb. Note: "jot" means "to be the time / to receive", not "to reach a depth", and "dëkk" means "town / to live", not "site"

5. Am na jën yu mel ni requin walla mala yu soxor ci géej bi?

   Are there sharks or dangerous marine animals here?

   Usage

   Asking about sharks or dangerous marine life

   Grammar Note

   "géej bi" = "the sea"

6. Dafa baax conditions bi ngir plongée tey?

   Are conditions good for diving today?

   Usage

   Checking diving conditions

   Grammar Note

   "Dafa baax" = "it is good"

7. Bëgg naa def snorkeling.

   I'd like to try snorkeling.

   Usage

   Requesting to try snorkeling

   Grammar Note

   "Bëgg naa def" = "I want to do" ("def" is "to do / make"; "sàmm" means "to herd / look after animals", not "to try")

8. Mën naa book plongée ci gaal?

   Can I book a boat dive?

   Usage

   Booking a boat dive

   Grammar Note

   "Mën naa" = "can I?"

9. Fan la récif bi nekk?

   Where is the coral reef?

   Usage

   Asking about the coral reef location

   Grammar Note

   "Fan la … nekk?" = "where is…?"

10. Maa ngi am certificat PADI Open Water.

    I'm a certified diver — PADI Open Water.

    Usage

    Stating your PADI certification

    Grammar Note

    "Maa ngi am" = "I have"

11. Bëgg naa leçon bu surf.

    I'd like a surfing lesson.

    Usage

    Requesting a surfing lesson

    Grammar Note

    "Bëgg naa" = "I want"

12. Ana courant ak marée bi ci géej gi tey?

    What are the current / tide conditions?

    Usage

    Asking about sea current and tide conditions

    Grammar Note

    "Ana ...?" is the frame for asking about a state ("ana nan la xarala gu wiki di doxe" = "how does the wiki technology work"). "Géej" (sea), "tey" (today). A Wolof word for "sea current" or "tide" is uncertain, so the card borrows the French "courant" / "marée" that Senegalese dive operators actually use. Note: "dëkk" ("to live / village, town") is not a current, and "dem" ("to go") is not a tide; "tay" is a misspelling of "tey".

13. Lan moo jëfandikoo ngir ndimbal ci suuf géej?

    What is the emergency signal underwater?

    Usage

    Asking about underwater emergency signals

    Grammar Note

    "Lan moo jëfandikoo" = "what is used …?". "Help / assistance" is the noun "ndimbal" (same root as the verb "dimbali"; "ki ci yayoo ndimbal" = "one who deserves help")

14. Bëgg naa luye planche de surf.

    I'd like to rent a surfboard.

    Usage

    Requesting a surfboard rental

    Grammar Note

    "Bëgg naa" = "I want" and "luye" = "to rent". A native Wolof term is uncertain, so the French "planche de surf", the term used by Senegalese retailers, is borrowed

15. Ban barab moo gëna baax ngir aji-door yi?

    What's the best spot for beginners?

    Usage

    Asking for the best beginner diving/surf spot

    Grammar Note

    "Ban barab moo" = "which place is it that …?". "Aji-door" is the word for débutant (beginner)

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