joyful

In Gbaya, the notion of joy in these verses is emphasized with nyɛŋɛ, an ideophone that conveys a sense of relief, a state of mind resulting from good news.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

fainted and fell

In Gbaya, the notion of fainting and falling in Greek Esther 5:15 is emphasized with mbɔɔfɔɔ, an ideophone that refers to the movement of sliding slowly or the act of declining.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

lifting his face / ablaze / falter

In Gbaya, the notion of the imposing actions of the king in Greek Esther 5:7 is emphasized with mgbɛkɛkɛ, an ideophone that refers to the solemn and imposing manner in which an important figure carries themselves.

“Ablaze” is emphasized with the ideophone kpóróró which conveys intense heat, like a fire, or emotions, such as a menacing glare or a passionate heart.

And lastly, the faltering of the queen is emphasized with the ideophone gbɛlɛsuɛɛ which refers to something that lacks strength, such as a tree leaf that has become limp.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

upon my head / not wear it

In Gbaya, the notion of having something heavy to carry is emphasized in Greek Esther 1:29 with kús, an ideophone that refers to the way someone walks when carrying something very heavy. The “not wear it” in the second part of the verse is affirmed with the ideophone ndo-ndo-ndo which makes a negation or an affirmation true.

The faltering of the queen is emphasized with the ideophone gbɛlɛsuɛɛ which refers to something that lacks strength, such as a tree leaf that has become limp.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

destroy

In Gbaya, the notion of destruction is emphasized in Greek Esther 4:25 with zɛk-zɛk, an ideophone that expresses the sensation of burning.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

furious

In Gbaya, the notion of being furious is emphasized in Greek Esther 1:29 with kús, an ideophone that expresses irritation or an immediate reaction.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

curtains / purple fabric

In Gbaya, the notion of the light curtains is emphasized in Greek Esther 1:23 with yɛm-yɛm, an ideophone to describe something light. The “purple fabric” is emphasized with the ideophone zóŋ-zóŋ that refers to a bright red, scarlet color.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)

ready (prepared)

In Gbaya, the notion of getting ready for something is emphasized in these verses with gɛɗɛ-gɛɗɛ, an ideophone that describes someone’s or something’s eagerness to take action.

Ideophones are a class of sound symbolic words expressing human sensation that are used as literary devices in many African languages. (Source: Philip Noss)