Write Your First SL.O Sentence in Five Minutes

You can write real SL.O after learning just a handful of words and endings. Here is a five-minute path from zero to your first sentences.

1. Learn four pronouns

mi (I), tu (you), ho (he), sha (she). There is no difference between “I” and “me”, or between “he” and “him”.

2. Learn two words

naru means water and pit means drink.

3. Put the verb last

English says “I drink water”. SL.O says Mi naru pit. (I water drink.) Say it aloud: mee NAH-roo pit. The stress is on the second-to-last syllable.

4. Change the time

Add -ta for the past and -va for the future:

• Mi naru pit-ta. = I drank water.
• Mi naru pit-va. = I will drink water.

5. Say no and ask questions

• Mi naru ba pit. = I do not drink water.
• Tu naru pit ka? = Do you drink water?

6. Give a command

Add -ku to the verb: Naru pit-ku! = Drink water!

Practise

Open the translator and try your own sentences, for example “We eat the bread” or “She will go.” Look at the Roman SL.O and then at the symbols. When you are ready for more, read the grammar guide and the alphabet guide.