Tosaben Grammar

   Although people in Kochi usually use Tosaben in casual spoken language, it has its own grammar. Let’s study some points comparing it with standard Japanese.

                               Standard Japanese     Tosaben

Present progressive    ～teiru                      ～yuu
Condition/result         ～teiru                      ～chuu
Negative                    ～nai                         ～n
Reason                       ～kara                       ～ki
Question                    ～no?                         ～ga?
Emphasis                   ～ndesu (～nda)        ～ga

   If they are used in conversation, it becomes the following:

Mother: Nani shiyuu ga? (What are you doing?)
              Nani shiteru no? (Standard Japanese)
Son: Manga yomiyuu. (I’m reading comics.)
        Manga yonderu. (Standard Japanese)
Mother: Shukudai owatta ga? (Did you finish your homework?)
              Shukudai owatta no? (Standard Japanese)
Son: Un, owatta ki yomiyuu gayo (Yeah. I finished, so I’m reading.)
        Un, owatta kara yonderun dayo (Standard Japanese)
Mother: Nee, okaimono ittekite kuren? (Hey, can you go shopping for me?)
              Nee, okaimono ittekite kurenai? (Standard Japanese)
Son: Ame furiyuu ki…(But, it’s raining…)
        Ame futteru kara…(Standard Japanese)
Mother: Bangohan iran ga? (Don’t you want dinner?)
              Bangohan iranai no? (Standard Japanese)
Son: Haai (Yes, mom)
        Haai (Standard Japanese)

 

Taken from vol.35 PDF