"Nan Batawel Dowel" : An A'apo (Short Story for Children)

(What follows is fictitious tale during an Ifugao harvest.  It is first written in the Ifugao-Tuwali language.  An English translation follows.  The persons in the pictures are not related in anyway to the characters of the story.  These are photos taken one harvest season in Mompolia, Hingyon, Ifugao and are presented to illustrate the harvest season in Ifugao which is the setting of the story.)

Bundles of rice grains waiting to be transported to the home of the owner of the field

 NAN BATAWEL DOWEL

Umat hi udum an boble ad Ifugao, di-e ta ahiboto’ ‘ad Napolyawan ya bumaddang da di u’unga hinan aammodda.  Wada day e mi’boto’ ya wada day mi’tu’yud.  Taommay u’unga ya wada da damdamay mun-uubbu ya wada day bumo’la.  Mu hinuddum on wada nan timpun weyha on nangamung hi liniya’na.

Munbuto’ dah ad uwani hi payonda Dowel.  Dida i manongnan hi Dimmangna  ya abu di muntu’yud.  Ma’id ha inayagan nan a’ammodda hi bumaddang idida te adi met unay nidawwi hi baleda ya waluda ya abuy munboto’ ya magida.  Wadada di inubbudda hinadan kaay-ayyamda mu wayha on waday pangayanda te nadimag di munboto’ ad uwanin algo.

                “Munboto’ da anti,” alyon di oha.  “Bay-am ot dan ammuna’d uwani.  Munboto’ ayud Dayati ta ahiya’ mi’yali.”

                “Maphod nu hidi di pi’yaliyanmi te nidawwi,” inyunnud bon di oha.  “Udulna neh ad uwani ot nihnup ya oh-ohha day mamto’. Ten munboto’ da boy udum an immubu hi bahelna.”

                Hiya hi nunggawa ot makakdan hinagi.  Pinohonday batawelda ya linab-ing day aluwog.  Dinatngan day napalpag an bibto’ hinan banong ya loba.  Ya dakol pay di awalwalin hinan gawwa.  Te walwallu day nunibban inada mu’on annaminda ya onda bimmuwa.

                Tinigonnan munboto an hi Aida an hinaggonda di aluwog ya punayaganay Dimmangna.  Nauwo’y baket ta igawan  Dimmangna’y liting idiyen awadanda.  Kadwa nan imbabalenan hi Dona an ibban Dimmangna an mun-limay hiblona nan punihkulan hitun ad Napolyawan.

                “Duwa ayu ya ammunan muntu’yud?” bokon ta mundamag hi Dona mu athidiy nangapngana hinan ibbanan munihkul.

                “O udot numpe te,” tobal Dimmangna.  “Mu kaya mi!”

                “Tigon tau tuwali yah in paattu’yud ayu,” alyon bon Dona.  “Nungay humimbatangan ya na pay an numboto di mangiyanamut hi bot-onda?”

                Kalit i Dimmangna hidiyen imbagan nan klasmetna.  Isunga hidin dimaal ta tinigona hi ibbanan hi Dowel an tulu hi numbinnongwa di inha’adna ya inahhingana.

                “Hintutlu ya ammuna di kayam?” ay humonglal an nangibagan Dimmangna  “Mun-geledpol a on athina ya abu di kayam.  Ya den tigom ot dakol otbo teyya di nabto’”

                “Madamot hudot ya’” tobal Dowel.  “Bay-am ot bumaddang hi ama hi indani hin malpas nan iha’angna an anon di mumboto’.”

                Inidduman Dimmangna di nibatawel hi batawel Dowel mu mi’hannu tun ung-unga.  Kinaan Dowel di innidum ibbanaot pohona na ot di batawel ot mange.  Aggena mo hinnod hi ibbana an uwani pay an kargaanna di batawelna.

                Hinlilma di nahhun an inha’ad Dimmangna hi batawelna.  Intaggena ya mayapo pay hiyanan iniddumana pay ta munbalin an hinonnom.  Adi piiyye hi puolna hiyanan inyagana inana ta boddangana hiya.

                “Ngangalana tuwali on ilaput,” nangahing inada.

                “Ay kaya! Ammuna bo ha athitu ya!” alyon Dimmangna.  Nomnomona nganin ya mahuluk hi waluy dalan di mabto’ idiyen payo.  Mahuluk hi munpihimpulutlimada an mumbangngad hin adi umeh bahinti di iyanamutdah dan ohan anamut yaden umeh hin-olat di umayan ya pumbangngadan middum di pu-ibleyan.

                Madamtan hi Dimmangna mu intigona ya mangmangon Dona hiya.Initpolna nan damot an mangi-imi pay an mangan-andong an mange an ayhanan mayayahohan inggana hinan mali’od an nahawanan hiyana.  Ingkadkadoongna ot inggana akhupana hi Dowel an nunible hinan awadan di langtay hinan wa’el an numbattanan nadan papayo ya namuyungan.

                “Ammuna ha hintutlu hi inognam?” pinidwana bo an hannuwon hi ibbana.

                “Madamot udot ya,” impidwan bon Dowel an initbal.

                “Uddumam man te tun  inogna?” pilit an pangibagan Dimmangna.  “Ta galaanta de an ume.”

                “On ngay nangali tuwali i he’a hi ilaputmu?” intaggen ot Dowel di batawelna ot mange.

                Intaggen pibon Dimmangna di batawelna ta pudugona kuma hi Dowel.  Mu agge immeh puolna ya naphak di kayiw ta nun-aaga di binto’ hinan langtay.  Namaman bimmungot di Dimmangna. Pindugna hi ibbana ot pulhonay batawel.  Bangngadona di niwa’waannat an page ot uddumana hi hindudwa di hintutlun nibatawel ot pohononay batawel.”

                “Aktuwom ne nan nabati,” pamaalna I ibbana.  “Nangamung a man.”

                “He’a di naphak di batawelna ya ha’on pay di ibatim an mangaktu,” mi’hoddang hi Dowel I ibbana.

                “Onha tuwali ha dinakdakolmu di inognam ad uwanindi ta agge’ inlaput ot agge ot naphak di batawel u,” pumpabahul Dimmangna.  Intulud na hi ibbana, inhipagna pay di batawel ihiya ot punitagtagna an mange.

                Kumkumga hi Dowel te  nahakitan hinan batawel ya nan holgan di page hi angana.  Punomnomana hi ngay mihnod hi atona ya inamong na di papage an niwaannat pay hinan langtay ot umeh nan banong an buluwana kumay angana ten mangiyaki da nan ugan di page an nikna ihiya.  Taynana kuma di naamung an page mu wada han dingngolna an hapit.

                “On nganun a kumkumga?” alyon nan hapit.  Muntibbo ya ma’id met ha udum hi tagu.  Timmakut hiyana mu alyon wada boy immali. “Iyuhdung mu!”

                Inyuhdungna ya ammuna han dolog hinan wa’el di natibona.  “On he’a nan himmapit?”

                “Om ha’on,” tinumbal nan dolog.

                “Impakgaha’ inali i iba’,” imbaganay humlun hi kumkumgaana.

                “On da’an mo hiyana?”

                “Tinaynana’ numpe ya den maid pay nga pangibatawela’ hitun page.”

                “Adi a madanagan ot boddangan daan ha’on.”

                “On ngay atom an bumaddang ya den dolog ah?”

                “Alana’ ya inhaadah hi puolmu ot mubalina’ hi batawel.”

                Waday kobkobkob Dowel mu gapu ta ma’id ha udum hi pangalana hi batawel ya ena inalay dolog ot iha’adna hi pu’ol.  Numbalin an batawel hiyana umat hinan imbagana, duke an batawel an mabalin an umeh himpupulu di mumbalin.  Inha’ad na nan hinoppat di boto’ ot ipabanggadna puolna mu ay ma’id ha damot nan inognana. Inyawigd na pay an nangiyanamut hinan on haot ot alyonan adina kaya.  Lina’uhana pay hi ibbana hinan way hoob di baleda.

                “Nangalam udot hinan batawelmu?” minahmahan Dimmangna hidin kaanonday binto’ an ihapeh nan lita’anganda.

                “Wada han gayyum uh an numboddang I ha’on,” hidiyey imbagan Dowel.

                “Wada man boy eka nangakawan,”  impalbut ibbana an punitkukna. “Teyya hi Dowel an nangako e he’a ihan batawel!”

                Mu ta ahi waha mangngol hinan itukottukod Dimmangna ya nalbi mo hi Dowel an numbanngad hi payo.  Nunible pay di namangpangullo te naege nan impilitna an ikad-kaddong an page.  Nangigadulanay bumoddang i amana an mangiha’ang hi anon nadan numboto’ ulay maid ha ibagbagan nan lakay ya wahdi da di maib-ibbun an mabalin an bumaddang.

                Agge immey hin-olat ya dimmatong bo hi Dowel an himpupulu din numbinnongwah nan batawelna.  Wayha nan tataguh nan litangan on namodwong hi nanigan dan hiya te teyya bo han unga an apputona di tu’yudon di makilog.  Pati hi Dimmangna ya nasdaaw hinan kinayan ibbana.

                “Wada man ayay namoddang hi makilog ihiya hinane,” waday ohan nangibaga ninomnomna.  “Hiya ya abuy nangidatong.”

                “O nin te on dan kayan ha unga mangilpuh diyye iha dandani hindalan,” nagiyunnud di dakol.

                “Athina tuwali din hi apun datuwen u’unga.  Di en hi apudan hi Pokok ya hidi-en aatmihitute ya immannung an hindalan di ognana,” alyon han ohan lakay an mi-ib-ibbun.  Wada niy naginomnomana hi nun-iibaan dah din kanaman.  Mu immannung man wennu bokon nan imbagana ya hidiyey nangipadinong hinadan tataggu an munhahhapit hinan kinayan Dowel.

                Gala-gala an binakantena di batawel ot mumbangngad.  Aggena inayagan hi Dimmangna mu hi amada di nangitudah’ hitun ongongngal an makakmo.  Nable pay mu mahapul an ume te adina kayan an eh-eheyan nadan tatagu an nanigo an pidwana mo an numbangngad hi Dowel on agge pay hiya nakak.

                Hi payo ya inakhupana hi ibbana an naha’aadaan bo hi himpupulu di batawelna.  Ipadasna an pulhon ta hidiye di kargawonna te nomnomona an nungay nan batawel di alpuwan nan bi-an Dowel.  Mu hidin ittaggenay batawel ya adi piittagge.  Munimi-imi hi Dowel mu opopya an maggot ittagge na di batawel ot mange.

                Hina’adan pibon Dimmangna hi hinoppat ya abu nan batawelna te inilana an hidiye ya abu di kayana.  Tinigon Dona hiyana ya alyonay, “Ekek mahan an dakdakkol di ognan adingna mu hiya!”

                Ngineet Dimmangna an nabayinan.  Natigon inan Dona ot umali, “Toomman aya hin adi ilaput ot miyanamut da man.”

                Alyona hin akhupana hi Dowel hinan dalan ta pakgawona bo mu agge nunnunnible hi ibbana.  Pimahhad hiya hinan bahhel di muyung an mala’uhan ya minangmangna hi ibbana an dimmatong mo hi hoob di baleda.  Ulay hi’on nable mo hiyana an ma’ali moy luwana hi binle on tagana hi eye ten pinhodna an adi teynan ibbana hi pumbangngadana.

                Hidin dimmatong ya bodboddangan Dowel hi amada an mangidadaan hi anon di mumboto’.  Natigon Dimmangnay batawel Dowel an nihandag hinan kapeh way pangngelna ot umehdi an hin-ib-iblayona.  Tinigon Dowel hi ibbana mu agge na pinagan-anu te ipaptoananay banawonah hinamal ya ihda nadan huhu-up.  Athidi bon inittunay hibul hinadan aluwog ya nan duduyu ya idu hinan bahket.

                Ipagpagongahan Dimmangnay mangitittibo ihiya ta hidin maid ya inalanay batawel Dowel ot igyangnah nan balu’na.  Nadngol nan nadaluhuduy kayiw an nundapuh nan naholoan an nundotal hi pu’una.  Nagibbun Dowel di at-attona ta itigonah awadan ibbana ya maid di batawel an ammunah Dimmangna an munihi’ihiw.

                “On daan nan batawel uh,” imme ot ena humlyaon hi ibbana.

                “Dan waday impadon mu I ha’on,” ma’ngohhe an nambal Dimmangna.

                “Ten niha’ad hitute ya  he’a ya abuy immali hitu.”

                “Nu ngay nunkabawan di nangiha’adam.”

                “Ay hiya po an hituy nangihada’.”

                “Ot towan.  Nu ngay dinallana ot ipluyna balu’na.”

                Muni-imih Dimmangna an immadawwi hi awadan ibbana.  Hiya mohpe boh diyey punayagan amada hi pinnangan ta adi mapto’ an waday punhanhannuwanda an hinagi.  Mangmangnganda nan naamung an tagu ya den hinumluk hinan balu’na hi Dowel an ena hamaon di batawel.

                Annamin di naholoan ya natabbunan hi tubu ya galut on ena pinu’iyan ingganah din dimmatong hinan nundotal hi pu’un nan naboblayan.  Dingngolna han hapit an ay malmalpuh nan awadan di muntupattupa’ an nuwang.  Guyudonay nuwang ta ipae’elena ya wahdi tattawa nan dolog an hiyanan umali-alih baddang.

                “Alana’ pe! Alana’ pe ten pitpitona’ hinan nuwang,” alyon nan dolog.

                “Agge’ attog inatta te hi ibba’ nin nan nangibalatno’ ihe’a hitu,” imbaganah nan dolog hidin piniditna.

                “Ipabangngada’ ot hi wa’el te aggem met inilan mangipapto’ iha’on.”

                “Pangaahim ta boddangan da’mi ni’an an mangiyanamut hinan page te duwduwwa ami ya abu.”

                “Kaahiyan da’a te ipanakga daah nan ibam mu pangaahim ta ipaptoanana’.”

                Insapatan Dowel an halipodpodana hiyana.  Athidi bo hinan dolog an pinhodnan mumbalin bo hi batawel mu imbagana bo an di’et midapa hiyana ngandiye man an awadan di liting an ulay umat hinan tupa’ ya mumbangngad hiyana hi dolog.  Ya di’et midangdang hiyana hi apuy ya mabalin an malutu an mihda.  Hiya hidiye nan nunnawud di nangibilinna an ad-addi ih-ihnup Dowel hiyana hi liting wennu apuy.

                Inha’ad Dowel hi puolna ya numbalin bo an batawel.  Damuna hi hima’yatana hi baleda ya nagibbuda an nangan di tatagu.  Hi Dimmangna ya nundadaan mo an makak.  Linab-ingna di aluwog an nihadan di hibul an munokokak. 

                “Ot nganun mu adi ognan di ohah tun hu’up?” alyon amana.

                “Nebo an ognan yu iDowel,” nambalna.

                “Ognan yu ni ta ahiya’ mitnud ta mangana’ ni,” alyon Dowel.

                “On nangayam tuwalih din pinnangan ta makak ta e mohpe ya ahi’a mangan?,” panumang amada.

                Inawawwahot Dimmangna ta alyona on ta mapilitan hi Dowel an agge nangan.  Hay wahdi nomnomna ya di’et na’gangan hi Dowel ya adimo paaddon hinan bahintiy boto’.

                “Ot agam ta mangan ah mo ya nitnud an dagus te ognam te tun ohan huup,” alyon mon amana an pinohona nan batawelna ya ena kuma agamlahon di batawel Dowel.

                “Ay ot etamo,” napilitan hi Dowel an impudongna di bongwan nan batawel an agamlahon kuman amana.  Agge na pinhod an ipadon hi udum nan batawel te lummu nan imbilin nan dolog.  Ena itali nan duwan huup hi numbinnongwah nan batawelna.  Pohononay batawel an punihapudut nah nan hinamal ya han nabatin bagang di manu’ hinan ligawuh nan litangan ot mangeh an manamedamel hinan dalan.  Masdaaw damdama hi amana an munitnud an ha pibo nan batawelna ya nan bahket an nihadan di duyu ya idu di inognana mu agge na mo inalaliyyan nan imbabalena te tibtibbona ya adi met maligatan.

                Dimmatong da ot ayagan da nan numpunboto’ hinan awadan di ababbung hinan nundotal hinan loba.  Eh-eheyan bon Dona hi Dimmangna te hi Dowel di nangdon hinan madmadammot an huhuup ya den ammuna han aluwog an napnuh hibul di inognana.  Adi makasongbat hi Dimmangna an namammamaot di boholna iibbana.

                Kinalgaanda di batawelda an hinaamma.  Namangulu hi amada an hinhihiyam ya abu di imbatawelna.  Nihnod hi Dimmangna an hiya hidiye an hinoppat ya abu di ognana.  Nu himpupulu di ognan Dowel ya wada pay di mabati an opat di boto’ ta ipadas nan hulditon ta mumbalin an hin-hihimpulotduway numbinnongwa.  Munyabyabod hidin impohona mu hiyahdiye an adi midamtan.

                Namangulu hi Dimmangnah an nange te agge na pinhod an alina bo ya eh-eheyan Dona.  Hinan way langtay ya nunible hiyana.  Ninomnomnan haddon hi ibbana ta ituludna kuma ta magay binatawelna.  Mu handin dimmatongda ya maid ha naatna te wahdi amada.  Ni’yible hi amada mu agge nundapdapu hi Dowel an agge nable.

                “Adim amohan hi ibbam te nu ngay hidiye pibon bika ha binoltana pibo at umat hinan imbagannan lakay,” tugun amada I Dimmangna.

                “Mu lummu mannot ta eh-eheyana’ hinan ibba’ an u’unga,” nuntobalna.

                “Udum hi algo ya wada pibo di mahama’ mu hi pumpigsaam ngem nan ibam.”

                “Pinhod un inilaon hin ngay al-alpuwannan pigsan Dowel ta ala’.”

                “Adi numpe aton hidi te hay bagin Dowel ya bagin Dowel.  Hay bagim ya bagim.”

                Nunible da ni hidin dimmatongdah balena ta damunah boy a waha mabto’ hi eda tu’yudon.  Nibakilang hi Dowel hinan nahiduman an bantag an inilo’ nay batawelna.  Hinnod Dimmangna an mauyung ot umena guyudon di batawel.  Ma’id ha manmanibo ihiya te nagawid damoy dakol hinan naamung hidin nawi’it hidin nalpas da an nangan ya ammunada han nun-ahabiyan an mun-abul hinan nihape an niha’yat an page.

                Nanginkakaynit hi Dowel hi nangigiboonan maid nan hina’wel nan batawel.  Nangimbaba’unut ya tinibonan punhapudan Dimmangna di balah nan nunhangandah nan panngelna an enaot idutnguy batawel.  Ipatnan ibbana an pohakon mu adi paaphak.  Nalanigwat ot tatagona an e nangihabilak I ibbana.  Niwalaan di batawel an nitamol di ohan udduna hinan palyo’ an nunha’angan dah hinamal an nahadan hi liting ta maupol di dalandang.  Ya na’en bongwana ya nitunguh nan bala.

                Namaid di batawel mu agge nadlaw Dimmangna te naulaw an nuntallu’bub hinan litangan.  Tinigon Dowel an numbalin bo hi dolog nan batawel an muntikku-tikku hinan awadan di dapul an nihagab moy ikulnah nan bala.  Alan Dowel di dolog an punitagtagna nan awadan di dakol an liting hinan payo.  Waday liting an napnuh na aaluwog mu ninomnomnan mahapul an iyadawwi nay dolog I ibbana.

                “On neyya udot han dolog an nganunmu adi ihongba ta ihda tau,” alyon di ohah nadan nun-ahabiyan an nanigo ihiya an namngol hinan dolog an punitagtagnah nan awadan di payo.

                “Dimpap ud uwanindi muden alyonyu bo di adi mabalin an munhida tah dolog hinan athitun ahiboto’,” nanongbatna idida pamogpogna ta adida munnomnom pay hi udum uray adi aggena inila hin immanung nan imbagana te dingngolna ya abu.

                Imbulusnay dolog hinan nalitngan hidin dimmatong hinan payo.  Munkakapsut nan dolog mu immamlong hidin wahdi hiyanah nan nalitngan.

                “Alyo’ piboy ipaptoa’ hin numbalina’ hi batawel,” punhingilna iDowel.  “Agge inila di ma’maat hin batawela’.”

                “Inoognan daa mu ginuyud ibba’ hidin nauyunga’ an nibakilang,” inalin Dowel.

                “Agge’ mo pinhod an mumbalin hi batawelmu.”

                “Pangaahim ta ulay ad uwani lang an algo te maid ha kadwa min mangiha’yat hinan page.”

                “Oha pay ya nakiliman di ikul uh. Ta mumbalina’ e hi batawel ya tiktikkeya.”

                “Taomman on tiktikke mu ta mayapo an iyanamut di page.”

                “Maminghan pay mu di-e ta adiya’ ipaptoanan ya mate ta an duwa.”

                Kimmobkob hi Dowel hinan naudi an imbagan nan dolog mu nomnomonay mangiha’yat hinan bonto’ da inana hiyanan inowana di imbagan.  Inha’ad na di dolog hi puolna boy a numbalin an batawel.  Idappuna an umeh nan numbot-anda ya dakolboy binto hi napalpag hinan banong.  Hi amana ya abuy nitnud an ma’id hi Dimmangna.

                “Dan inawwit mu bo hi manongmu?” minahmahan amana.

                “Pulhona pibo inali tun batawel u an ena itunguh nan bala,” imbaganay immannung.

                “Ya ngangngalan ihutak mut’ inggana maulaw?”

                “Agge’ attog inatta.  Hiyana di mangatatta.”

                “Pidwana ya adi aton hidi.  Ibagam iha’on ta ha’on di mangihingal ihya.  Te nu ngay nan inatmu ya bokon ya ammuna ha ulaw di naat ihiya?”

                Ma’mauley nangibagan amana ihiya.  Maggot iyangodna an nan ibataweldan hinamay hinalipodpodana.  Athidin didan duwa ya abuy numpidwa idiyen himbatangan.  Hi Dimmangna ya binum-on an agge mo ni’ye.  Usto damdaman alyon amada ta hiyamo di mumbantay hinan nihapehnan litangan.

                Mu hidin kinyom nay langit ya pinilin amada an umohnong hinan boble ta waday mangihiggup ya mangiponpon hinan page.  Ayagana hi Dimmangna an bumaddang ihiya an mangihiggup hinan page mu adi.  Wada bo gayam han ninomnomma nan nilaho.  Alyona onta hi Dowel di ayagan amada ta wan iwalaan ibbana nan batawelna.  Wahdi da udum an tumulong mu kadakolan ya nahabian hiyanan pinhod kuman amada ya waday oha ididad hi mi’baddang an mangihiggup ta gagala.

                “Maamo aya Dowel ta baddangan da’mi ni’.”

                Iwalaan Dowel di batawel ta mi’papahiggup hinan papage.  Hidin tinigon Dimmangna di nipullang an batawel ot paspasana an e agamlahon.  Inawawwahna an imme payo.   Inwalaan Dowel di at-attona ot pudugonah ibbana.

                “Pangaahim ta ibangngad mu hinae,” pangihapit nan ibbana.

                “Ipatna’ pibo an ha’on di manguhal,” initkuk Dimmangna an puntagtagna an mange.

                “Impatnam met ad uwanindi ya adi a piitagge,” inhungbatna.

                Adi dongdonglon Dimmangna hi ibbana an tagana ot pay hi eye.  Munipdog hi Dowel te takut nay udum hinan numhapitandah nan dolog an mate pati hiyana hin adina ipaptoanan nan batawel.  Wahdi nan awadan di langtay ya inhadotna ibbana mu adina iwalaan di batawel.  Inhuybung Dowel di batawel hi kamihhita ot atawwona an nun-ogga hinan lobong.  Naguyud nan batawel ya hi Dimmangna.  Numbalin an dolog boy batawel mu naha’mut hi lubung Dowel.  Adallom gayam nan niptoan nan langtay ta amod da on malting.  Kineken Dimmangna an umeh nan pinngit di iniggid nan wa’el mu inattan Dowel an immigid hinan winawwan ta way atona an mi’hapit hinan dolog.

                “Gayyum, ibuan daamo hitun wa’el te adi da ate maipapto’ hitun iba’,” inkutyamnah nan dolog.  “Mu pangaahim ta adim ituluy nan alyom an atayanta an duwa.”

                “Oha a an maphod an unga.  Maphod di nomnommu,” alyon nan dolog.  “Binoddangan daah te mahapul muy baddang.  Mu mahapul bon adalom an mamati hinan kayam.”

                Mangimimi nan dolog an nibuan hinan lubung Dowel.  Inattan pibon di unga an linumtop ta hi unig di liting ya umatda iha nabayag an mungayyum an numpanudpuddugan.  Hi Dimmangna an dimmaal hinan pinngitna ya madanagan hidin mabayag on ma’id ha lumotwa’ ibbana.  Hidin ena ipidwan lumtop ya ahi mohpe lumotwa’ hi Dowel.

                “On ngangalan on a nabayag hi unig nan liting ya de umipadanag ah,” hingalna i Dowel.

                “Ume’ hamaon nan batawel  te nganu on nama’id,” insungbat ibbana an munimimi hi amlongna hi danag ibbana ihiya.

                “Ay oh.  Nungay naanud mot e he’a met ngamin an ngon a nun-oga.”

                “Naanud ne nga imannung.  Pasensiya te he’a met ngamin an iplom an mangala.”

                “Pasensiya bo te umamoha’ ngamin hinan kayam.”

                Nunhimpapakawan dan hinagi.  Indani ya ninomnomdan umeda gayam munbatawel an maid hinognandah batawel.  Tinigo da han ay huhu’ud an imbatin nin di mangayiw hinan pingit di dalan nihnup hinan muyung ot hidiyey eda alan.  Nipadi bo an immudan ta munpasalamatda te adidamo kasapulan an munnomnom hi lummu hi eda na’potan.

                “Nganun dan hina di batawelyu ya nganun agge ayu nunhidum?” minahmahan inada hidin dimmatongda hi payo ya den inugona mo.

                “Impatna mi an munhidum hi siluk nan langtay ya niyanud ot bo nan batawelmi,” namangulun himmapit hi Dowel ot itibona iDimmangna an himmuliyap.

                “Hiyate nan han kakakaiw an inagamla mih nan muyung di hiya moy punbatawelmi,” inyunnud Dimmangna di a’apo hidin naawatana nan senyas di matan Dowel.

                “Ot aganyu ne ta ibatawelyu doha ta umanamut tau.,” alyon mon inada.  Nidaal mo tuwali namin nan nabto’ hinan naabungan.  Immanamut da mo nan udum an nunibbada an numboto’ ammunada da hinaggonda anda Aida an hinina di nabati.

                Hinnoppat di imbatawel Dimmangna hinan inognana an kayiw.  Hintutlu nan inognan Dowel.  Tulu nan inyaktun inan Dona.  Oha i Dona.  Wada pay di nabati.

                “On mabalin an uddumanta pay nan ognam Dimmangna,” minahmahan inada.

                “Ammunah tuwe te madamot ya binumle.”

                “Uddumanta ihe’a Dowel,” minahmahan bon inada.

                “Ammunah tuwe te madamot ya binumle.”

                “Tigom pibo Dona an nuningngo ami hi ognan I Dowel,” dinumlig hi hinaggon nan klasmetna hi Dimmangna on ikutyam.  Imih di initbal Dona ihiya.  Athidi bon umimi hi Dowel idida. 

Inkalganmon inada nan nabati an umeh himpuluy boto’ hinan tudungna, aktuwonna ot matutunnud an umanamut.Impangulun da Dowel i Dimmangna mu gapu ta mahahinu di nangibatawelan da te bumanalillin di batawel ya ingkiwwanganda nan bibinabai an mahhun.  Mahapul an ulayonda te hohodlon dah ustu nan batawel ta adi mikidung ta adi maga di page.  Hidin duwduwwada na mangmangnge ya aggeda himhimmapit hi hinohha.  Wayha on nomnomonda ngay atonda bo an munbinnoddang hitun pumbot-andah ad Dayati an nidawdawwi mu nan binto’ dah ad uwani.

Harvesters at a certain field 

A 'muntu'yud' loading his batawel, that piece of wood where the bundles would be 'hanged' for transport to the abode.

English Translation

THE BATAWEL OF DOWEL

Like other villages in Ifugao, when it is harvest time in Napolyawan children are helping their parents.  There are those who join the harvesting and others will help carry the harvest to the homes.  Even the kids practice uubbu (an indigenous system of cooperative endeavor) and others go to work for pay.  But there are times when families take care of each their own work.

They will be harvesting now the field owned by Dowel’s family.  He and his older brother Dimmangna will be the only ones to bring home the harvest.  There is no one else sought by their parents to help them as the place of harvest is near their home and there would only be eight people harvesting and chore is finished.  Some of their playmates owe some labor to them because of their ubbu but they are going somewhere else because a lot are scheduled to do harvest today.

“The family of our aunty is harvesting too,” one said.  “Don’t worry for it won’t only be now that you would need help.  When you will harvest in Dayati, we will come with you.”

“It would be good if it’s there that we will do our labor for you because it is farther,” another agreed.  “It is easier now for the place of your harvest is nearer to your home.  Someone else will doing harvest at the other end of the village where we will go an help.”

As soon as the sun is up, the brothers went to work.  They carried on their shoulder their batawel (a wooden used to carry bundled rice) and held in their hands water containers.  When they arrived at the fields, bundles of rice panicles are already lined up on the dikes and on the slopes at the side.  And there are a lot of bundles at the middle field.  There are only eight who accompanied their mother at the harvest but everyone certainly went to work before the sunrise.

One of harvesters, their neighbor Aida, saw the water containers and he called on Dimmangna.  The woman was thirsty and so Dimmangna went onto wet field to bring her water.  The woman was with her daughter Dona who is the classmate when they will be going to Grade V at the elementary school of Napolyawan.

“Would it be only the two of you to bring home the harvest?” it is not that Dona wanted to ask but it’s a way to greet his classmate.

“Yes, if only I could wish some more help!”  responded Dimmangna.  “But we can.”

“We’ll see of you can carry all the load,” said Dona.  “It might be that when the sun is setting, the harvesters will be one to carry the harvest to your home?”

That statement of his classmate was a challenge to him.  So when he went to dry area again and saw that his brother Dowel was carrying three bundles on each side of his batawel, he admonished him.

“Is three on each side your utmost capacity?” madly said by Dimmangna.  “You’re now going to Grade IV yet you carry only such?  And you see that there are a lot more to carry.”

“It is already too heavy,” responds Dowel.  “Let’s not bother for father will be coming to help us once is finished cooking lunch for the harvesters.”

Dimmangna added more bundles to the batawel of Dowel but the younger one angrily objected.  Dowel took off what his brother added, carried his batawel and went off.  He no longer waited for his brother as he is yet to fill the load of his own batawel.

Dimmangna first placed five bundles on each side of the batawel.  He lifted it and felt that it was light so he added two more to make six on each side.  But he cannot carry the load onto his shoulder so he called on his mother to help him.

“Why are you trying too much,” his mother criticized him.

“Well I can!  Just this!,” said Dimmangna.  It was because he was thinking that more than eight dalan (I dalan = twenty five bundles) will be harvested from that field.  They will be coming back more than fifteen time if they won’t carry at least twenty bundles in one trip and it takes about an hour to in coming to and fro including time for rest.

Dimmangna was feeling the weight but when he glanced, Dona was looking at him.  He put off his mind the weight, walked smiling and paced straight as if the burden was light until he reached a curve covered from anyone’s gaze.  He tried so hard to carry the heavy burden until he caught up with Dowel who was resting at a footbridge at the stream separating the rice fields and the forest land.

“You carried just three on each side?” he repeated picking fight with his brother.

“It is very heavy if you only know,” Dowel reiterated his previous response.

“Add some up from my load?” forceful was how Dimmangna said.  “So we can go off faster.”

“Who told you anyway to try carrying too hard,” Dowel carried his load an went off.

Dimmangna also tried to carry his load to run after Dowel.  But before something could reach his shoulder, the wooden rod broke such that the load of rice bundles were scattered on the bridge.  He ran after his brother, he forced him to give up his batawel, went back and added two on each side of the load and carried the load.

“You carry those that are left onto you head,” he ordered his younger brother.  “It is up to you how you would do it.”

“It is you who broke his batawel yet you depend on me how to remedy carrying what was left,” Dowel tried to grapple with his older brother.

“If only you carried more load a while ago, I wouldn’t have been force to carry more load and my batawel wouldn’t have broke off,” Dimmangna accused his brother.  He pushed him off, hit him with the load batawel and ran away.

Dowel was crying from the pain of the batawel and the prick of the rice panicles onto his face.  While deciding on what to do, he went to gather the scattered bundles on the bridge and went to a dike to wash his itchy face from a pond field.  He was about to leave the rice grains on the bridge when he heard a voice.

“Why are you crying?” said the voice.  He looked around but saw no person.  He was frightened but someone called out again.  “You look down.”

He looked down and saw only a mudfish in the stream.  “Are you the one speaking?’

“Yes I am,” responded the mudfish.

“My brother made me cry,” he told the reason why he cried.

“And where is he?”

“He left me and I have nothing to carry my load of rice bundles here.”

“Don’t worry and I will help you.”

“How can you help when you are a fish?”

“Take me out and place me on your shoulder and I will become a batawel.”

He felt the pumping of his heart but because he had no other resort, he took the fish and placed it onto his shoulder.  Just as he was told, the fish became a batawe, a long batawel that one can place up to ten bundles on each side.  He placed four bundles on each side and brought it back to his shoulder but felt no weight of his load.  He went fast as he could carrying the load that he assumed earlier to be too heavy for him.  He even overtook his brother near the entry to their yard.

“Where did you get your batawel?” Dimmangna asked as they take off their load to let them be sun dried on their front yard.

“I had a friend who held me,” was what Dowel said.

“You must have stolen that,”his brother assumed and shouted.  “Here is Dowel who have stolen a batawel.”

But before anyone could hear Dimmangna shouting, Dowel has already run off to the field.  The older brother took a rest because of extreme tiredness in carrying an overload.  He reasoned that he would be helping their father in cooking lunch for the harvesters even if their elder was not asking for his and also, a lot of people who came to sit with them were around ready to help.

Not an hour has passed and Dowel came with load of ten bundles on each side of the batawel.  Everyone on the ground is astonished when they saw him for here is a child who can beat what an adult can carry.  Dimmangna too was surprised with what his brother can do.

“There must be an adult who have helped him carry the load somewhere,” someone told an opinion.  “he was the only one who carried it when they arrived.”

“It must be that way for how can a child carry almost one dalan,”  another agreed.

“That is the character of the grandfather of these kids.  Their grandfather Pokok, when we were children, can truly carry one dalan,” an old man in the crowd of sit-bys said.  He must have thought of some company in the past.  But whether what he told is true or not, it was what silenced the people who were talking about the load of Dowel.

He hurriedly emptied his batawel and went back to the field again.  He did not call Dimmangna but their father sent the older child to follow.  The later was still tired but he is compelled to because people might tease him that Dowel went back twice yet he did not move.

At the field, he came upon his brother whose batawel was filled with ten bundles on each side.  He tried to carry it for his load thinking that it must be the batawel giving  strength to Dowel.  But when he tried to lift, he cannot.  Dowel was smiling but kept silent, just lifting his load and went away.

Dimmangna loaded his with four on each side for he knew that it is only weight he can carry. Dona saw him and said teasingly, “you’re little brother had more load than you.”

Dimmangna had a humiliated facial expression.  Dona’s mother sensed it so she spoke, “Do not bother, anyway, the harvest will soon be brought home.”

He thought of catching up with his brother to make him cry again but his brother never rested along the waya.  As he went over to the other side of the forest, he saw from afar that his brother has already reach the entrance to their yard.  And so even if he felt tired and his tears were about to come off, he went fast hoping that his brother will not leave him coming back to the field.

When he finally arrived home, he saw Dowel helping his father prepare the lunch of the harvesters.  He also saw that the batawel was placed near the coffee tree on one side and so he went there as if to rest.  Dowel saw his brother but he did not bother for he was busy taking care of placing the cooked rice and the broiled chicken onto the huup (a rattan container).  He also placed the soup into water containers and the plates and spoons in a basket.

Meanwhile, Dimmangna was looking around and when he sensed none, he got Dowel’s batawel and threw it away beyond the yard.  He heard that the wooden rod slid down into a grassy land at the foot of the hill.  When Dowel was finished with his chore and looked at the direction of his brother, he saw the batawel was gone, just his brother whistling.

“Where is my batawel,” he went near and demanded from his brother.

“Did you let me carry one,” Dimmangna replied sarcastically.

“It was placed here and only you came near.”

“You must have forgotten where you placed it.”

“I am sure I placed it here.”

“Then I don’t know.  It must have walked off and went to the edges of this yard.”

Dimmangna was smiling and went away from his brother.   Incidentally it was time that their father was calling for lunch that nobody noticed their quarrel.  The crowd that has gathered went to eat while Dowel went looking for his batawel.

He turned every grassy portion and dirt-covered ground until he reached the foot of the hill.  He heard a voice coming from where a a carabao was swaddling in mud.  He pulled the carabao away from the mud hole and saw the mudfish crying for help.

“Get me!  Get me for I am being squashed by the carabao,”  said the fish.

“I did not intend to hurt you for it was my brother who threw you down here,” he said to the fish as he held it.

“Bring me back to the stream for you don’t know how to take care of me.”

“Please help us first bring the load of rice bundles to our home for you see it is just the two of us.”

“I pity you because your brother is making you cry but please do take care of me too.”

Dowel swore to take care of the fish.  Also, the fish wanted to become a batawel again but told that it should not touch water or anything that is watered for it will again turn back into fish.  Neither should it be brought near a fire place for when heated, it might be cooked.  That is why he sternly ordered Dowel to bring it away from water or fire.

Dowel placed the fish on his shoulder and it turned to batawel again.  Soon when he got to their frontyard again, the people were finished eating.  Dimmangna was already ready to move off to the field.  He carried the container with the soup and started off.

“Why won’t you carry one of these huup?” his father asked.

“You and Dowel can carry it,” he responded.

“Carry it for I have yet to follow as I will eat first,” said Dowel.

“Where did you go while we were eating that you only eat now that we are about to go off the field?” their father asked.

Dimmangna ran off hoping that Dowel will be compelled to go even without eating.  He was thinking that if Dowel will go hungry, he won’t carry anymore twenty bundles.

“Then go eat and follow immediately for you will have to carry one of these huup,” said his father who carried on his shoulder his own batawel and about to pick Dowel’s.

“Then let’s go,” Dowel was compelled who held the other end of his batawel that his father was about to get.  He does not like anyone to hold the batawel thinking of the fish’s orders.  He tied the two huup one on each of the wooden rood.  He carried while grabbing some rice and the neck of cooked chicken and went off then placing some to his mouth.  He was followed by his startled carrying now his own batawel and the basket of spoons and plate but remained silent observing that his son can carry the load.

When they arrived at the field, they called the harvesters to where the shed is at a flat terrain on the side slopes of the field.  Dona annoyed Dimmangna by pointing out that it was Dowel who carried the heavier two containers while he only carried the soup container.  Dimmangna was not able to respond only that he was more enraged toward his brother.

The father and sons loaded their batawels.  The father did it first loading his batawel with nine bundles on each side.  Dimmangna followed suit loading it with the same load as he could carry, four bundles on each side.  If Dowel were to load his with ten on each side, four bundles will be left so he compressed his load to accommodate everything making it twelve on each side of the batawel.  The wood was bending up and down when he lifted it to his shoulder but still it was not a heavy burden to him.

Dimmangna already went ahead as he does not like anymore teasing from Dona.  At the bridge he rested.  He thought of waiting for Dowel and carry out his previous plan of pushing his brother to let the load fall.  But he was not able to do anything because their father was there.  His father rested with him while the younger brother went ahead.

“Don’t be envious with what your brother can as perhaps it was a power inherited from your grandpa as what has been told by the old man,” stressed his father to him in a tender disciplining tone.

“But it was the reason why other children tease me,” he responded.

“Time will come that you soon find other strengths that your brother does not have.”

“I like to know where his power is coming from so that I will get it.”

“It is not the right thing to do because what is for Dowel is for Dowel.  What is for you is for you.”

They rested when they reached home until they are able to approximate that the harvesters had enough load for them.  Doel lied down in a shaded portion where some planks were arranged into makeshift seats.  Dimmangna waited for him to doze off then went to pull away the batawel.  Nobody was looking at him as most of the people gathered this morning went home after having lunch and only a few who are already tipsy remained to help guard the sun drying of the rice bundles from fowls.

Dowel was moved when he felt that the batawel he was holding to was gone.  He immediately woke and saw that his brother was blowing the live charcoal in this morning’s cooking area and was about to put to fire the batawel.  He tried to break off the wooden rod but was not able.  He stood up and pushed off his brother knocking him down to the ground.  The batawel slipped from the hands and accidentally one end was soaked on a vat at the side which was filled with water to loosen up the burned rice from the cooking this morning.  The other end was on top of the charcoal.

The batawel disappeared but Dimmangna was not able to see it because he is still dizzy on the ground.  Dowel saw that the batawel became again a fish wiggling where the ashes are and the tail was about to touch the hot charcoal.  Dowel grabbed the fish and run towards where water is abundant, at the rice pond field.  There were water placed in the water containers at home but he felt that he need to protect the fish away from his brother.

                “What is that fish that you don’t gonna roast it so we’ll have a good food,” one of the people who were tipsy asked when they saw him rush towards the rice pond fields.

                “I caught it a while back but realized eating fish is prohibited during harvest time,” he responded so as not to arouse suspicion even if he was not sure of what he said.

                He released the fish to the water immediately upon reaching the nearest field.  The fish was getting weak but it was happy to be in the waters.

                “I told you to protect me whenever I become a batawel,” he reprimanded Dowel.  “I do not know what is happening when I am a batawel.”

                “I had been always holding you but my brother took you from me when I dozed off.”

                “I don’t want any more to be your batawel.”

                “Please but even just for today for we don’t have anyone to help us bring the harvest home.”

                “One thing more is that my tail got hurt from the heat.  When I become a batawel, I will be shorter.”

                “I don’t bother about a short batawel as long as I can bring lightly the harvest home.”

                “I give you one more chance but if you don’t protect me, both of us will die.”

                Dowel’s heart pounded faster with what the fish has said but thinking about the bundles of harvest to bring home, he agreed to the condition of the fish.  He placed the fish again on his shoulder and it became once more a batawel.  He then went straight to their field and realized that there is already lots of bundles to carry.  It was only their father who followed him and Dimmangna did not.

                “Did you have a fight with your brother again?” the father asked.

                “It’s because he grabbed my batawel to put to the fire,” he told the truth.

                “But why do you need to knock him off to the ground until he feels woozy?”

                “I did not intend that.  It was him who always provoke a fight.”

                “Next time it should not be like that.  Tell me and I’ll be the one to scold him.  For don’t you think the next time you do that, it might not be dizziness that he gets?”

                His father spoke to him tenderly.  He just nodded to him concentrating more on loading his batawel.  It happened that way that only their father and him who came back twice that afternoon.  Dimmangna resented that he no longer joined.  It was good that way as their father assigned him to guard the sun drying of the rice harvest.

                But when the sky became gloomy, the father chose to stay behind so that they will bring and pile in the shed the harvest.  He called on Dimmangna to help him but the later refused.  Dimmangnawas plotting something else.  He wished their father would call Dowel so that Dowel will free himself of the batawel.  There are other people around but are tipsy and their father wanted one of them to help to make the work faster.

                “So can you come then Dowel to help.”

                Dowel placed somewhere his batawel and helped his father.  When Dimmangna saw that the batawel is not in Dowel’s hands, he hurriedly went to get it.  He ran fast to the fields.  Dowel left what he was doing and ran after his brother.

                “Kindly return that one,” he pleaded to his brother.

                “Let me also try using it,” Dimmangna shouted back still running away.

                “You already tried a while back yet you still can’t lift the load,” he answered.

                Dimmangna was not listening to his brother and still continued running away.  Dowel was following much more that he feared what the fish told him that he too would die if don’t protect the batawel.  At the bridge, he subdued his brother but Dimmangna won’t let go with the batawel.  Dowel grabbed one end, wrapped it into his shirt and deliberately plummeted into the water.  The batawel with Dimmangna were pulled into the waters.  The batawel turned into once agin but caught inside Dowel’s shirt.  They didn’t know that the water beneath the bridge was deep that they were almost drowning.  Dimmangna swam away to the left side of the stream but Dowel on purpose swam to the right side in order to talk to the fish.

                “Friend, I will let you go into the stream because I can’t protect you from my brother,” he whispered to the fish.  “But please don’t continue with the curse of death for both of us.”

                “Yu are a good child.  You have a clean mind,” said the fish.  “I helped you because you needed one.  But learn to trust in your own capacity.”

                The fish was smiling as it was released from Dowel’s shirt.  The child purposely followed it into the deep water and therein they were like friends running after each other.  Dimmangna who was already on the side was worried because he cannot see Dowel surfacing.  He was about to dive into the water when Dowel rose up.

                “Why did it took you time surface when it creates worry,” he scolded Dowel.

                “I was finding the batawel because why did it vanish,” he responded smiling happy at the concern of his brother.

                “Ohhh!  Perhaps it was carried downstream, your fault because you intentionally dropped down.”

                “I really think it had been carried downstream.  Forgive me but you been seizing it from me.”

                “Forgive me too because I have been envious of what you can do.”

                The brothers forgave each other.  Then it came to them that they are going to field without having any batawel.  They saw what seemed to be some cane that perhaps were left by woodcutters near the pathway to the forest and so they went to get it.  While they were talking, the rain fell which was fortunate for them for they need not think of a reason why they were wet.

                “Where are your batawel and why didn’t you take shelter when it was raining,” their mother asked when they reached the field and the rain had already stopped.

                “We took shelter beneath the bridge but our batawel got carried away,” Dowel was first to speak and raised an eyebrow to Dimmangna.

                “This is why we took this pieces of rod at the forest to use for this load,” Dimmangna agreed taking the cue from Dowel.

                “Then go on and load your batawel so we can go home,” the mother ordered.  The bundles of rice panicles were already on the shed.  The harvesters have already gone home except for their neighbor Aida and her child Dona.

                Dimmangna placed four bundles on each side of his tool.  Dowel placed three on each side.  The mother piled three bundles over her head.  Dona had one.  And a lot is still left on the floor.

                “Can we add some more to your load, Dimmangna,” their mother asked.

                “Enough of it for it is heavy and I am tired.”

                “And how about you Dowel,” their mother also asked.

                “This is enough because it already heany and I am tired.  Besides, the path must be slippery.”

                “Can you see now Dona that Dowel and I carry the same load,” Dimmangna got near Dona and whispered this to her.  Dona simply smiled.  Dowel also smiled at them.

                Their mother placed all that is left into his tudung, around ten bundles, placed it onto and they walked home.   Dowel and Dimmangna were first but because their batawel were plain round wood that need to handled well so as not to overturn, they gave way to the women.  When it was only the two of them walking, they simply kept silent.  Each one is thinking how they could help each other when the time comes that they will harvest in Dayati which is farther than the place of harvest today.  Perhaps it would be more fun as their playmates would join them.

Piling of the rice harvest beneath the house after the initial drying.  After some days, the harvest will be brought out again for second and third sun drying before finally stored inside the house.

The muntu'yud bringing the home the harvests.

________
Some notes:

          A’apo refers to tales that Ifugao elders usually tell to kids especially before bedtime.  My grandma used to tell me about “Kamma i Kungnga”, “Binnilag i Pinnihiw” and some others.  And still they are the ones that people would tell if you ask them of a’apo.  New children stories are written in other languages say in English or Filipino but new ones are usually scarce in other local languages such as the Ifugao-Tuwali language.  The above tale is an attempt to start up a body of new tales in the mentioned language.

After writing it, I really find it crude (well, including the other pieces in this blog) especially after translating it to English.  But still, I find it worthwhile to write stories about my “hometown” (or should I say  hearttown) and in the language of that hometown if this can help add to a body of contemporary Ifugao literature (or at least if this can not be added to that body, it can become a good example of a bad example).

        One problems, I believe, many writers encounter in the area of writing in the not-so-much-written languages say my own Ifugao-Tuwali, the Kan-kanaey, Ibaloi, and other local languages in the Philippines is on what “rules” of the language are to be followed, e.g. morphology, orthology.  In the course of the writing of this piece, I had problem such as which one can stand as one unit of word, or how should some words be spelled.  For example the word miibto’ (to join harvest) –it is written as it is pronounced in one locality and the apostrophe is there to indicate a glothal stop (did I use the term glothal stop in the right sense?).  But this is not how it is pronounced in other localities but rather they say mikibtok.  A friend suggested that the later (mikibtok) should be adopted.  But how about for the word he’a which means you – it is not pronounced hekka in any other place in the Tuwali language community.  So if the use of apostrophe is acceptable for he’a I thought that it should follow with miibto’ and so I used it though others may not be comfortable with it.  Another example – the group of words imme hi nan payo (went to the field).  What is more comfortable for a some speakers is immeh nan payo.  We note  the missing letter ‘i' in the later version but how should that be indicated in a written version.  Would a symbol be necessary to indicate the missing unit?  These are just illustrations of possible problems to a writer.

 

        I believe that when the language is continually written and read, this can help in defining certain conventions to be applied for these not-so-much-written languages.  As for the above piece, it is part of the author's learning process, including re-learning his own language.