IPA ŋaʔbekːan

As for some of the previous posts, this verb -bekkan is given with the first person prefix 'I' nga- This velar nasal sound is difficult for native English speakers in this position because we do not have this sound at the start of words or syllables.

Note that in IPA the kː marks a long velar stop where the kk sound straddles the syllable boundary- bek-kan.

nga- 'first person singular pronominal prefix' i.e. 'I'

-h- the glottal stop marks the immediate, happening right now (it's not part of the verb stem, but rather it is a verbal prefix)

-bekkan 'the verb to hear, listen or feel'

Other verb forms:

-bekka 'imperative/command'
-bekkang 'past tense'
-bekkani 'past imperfective, continuous past'
-bekkayi 'irrealis (should have, might have, did not, some dialects say -bekkayinj)
-bekkarren 'reciprocal/reflexive'

The form -bekkarren literally 'listen to self' and also 'listen to each other' has a distinct sense in the reflexive of 'consider, weigh up a matter, reflect on something'

Med nga-bekkarren.
Hang on, I'll have a think about it.

Ngarri-bekkarren wanjh ngarri-kodjkurlumarnburren.
We'll consider it and then make a decision.

Ma, yi-bekka! OK, listen!

Kan-bekka! Listen to me!

Wurdurd minj kabirri-bekkan!
The children are not listening (or taking notice).

Here's one for teachers:
Wurdurd, kandi-bekka!
Children, listen to me/pay attention!

Wardi yi-bekkan, bale kayime?
Have a feel, what's it like?

Minj bekkayi. Yi-yawoyhyimen.
I didn't hear you. Say it again.

Bekkabekkan!
I'm listening to you.