Yerp A Fünkenorvoll Family Tale

By Lindi Smith

As a matter of fact no other person on the planet, or perhaps throughout the universe, spoke Darbarfaruhfahr... The language consisted entirely of “Yerps.” Some short “Yerps,” some long “Yerps,” loud and soft “Yerps,” and occasional “Yerp” screams.

Vera, Herb, and Rockett Fünkenorvoll are a bit different from most children. Vera is a polyglot. Herb is a banjo proficient. And Rockett has invented his own language, called Darbarfaruhfahr. It just so happens that this is the story of their most exciting day. It is a story of letters, teapots, capes, bullies, apples, fire alarms, and broom closets (among other things). And, through it all, these three siblings pull together to rescue themselves from an all-too precarious situation.

Purchase on Amazon Download Prologue

Vera's Guide to Pronunciation

Our last name is almost always mispronounced. So, I have decided to help everyone learn how to say it correctly.

Fünkenorvoll: f-yoon-ken-or-vol. The "yoo" sound comes from the dots above the "u," which together are called an umlaut in German.
Darbarfaruhfahr: dar-bar-far-ooh-far. The word is spelled funny and difficult to say because it was created by my youngest brother, Rockett, and he is only five.
Herb: Pronounced with the "H" sound, not like basil or rosemary, which are often pronounced "erbs".

Darbarfaruhfahr

As a matter of fact, no other person on the planet, or perhaps throughout the universe, spoke Darbarfaruhfahr... The language consisted entirely of “Yerps.” Some short “Yerps,” some long “Yerps,” loud and soft “Yerps,” and occasional “Yerp” screams.

Darbarfaruhfahr is a language I made up when I was three years old. Now I am five, and I've gotten pretty good at using it. Basically, you just say "Yerp" and make it mean what you would mean if you used an English word.

Rockett Fünkenorvoll

Rockett's guide to Darbarfaruhfahr

If I said, "Yerrp!" to you first thing in the morning, you would know I was saying, "Good Morning!"
I accidentally knock over a vase in the living room, and I say, "Yerp." That means "Oops."
I get a special ice cream because it is summertime, and I say, "Yeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp!" That means "Yummmmmmmmmmmm!"
I am playing inside the house. Vera tells me to stop, and I say, "Yerrrppppppppp?" But really, I meant, "Ah, do I have to?"

Herb's Dictionary & Thesaurus

Hello, my name is Herb Fünkenorvoll, and I have compiled a list of words into my handy Dictionary and Thesaurus. The first few words you might want to learn are from the book, Yerp. which is a story about my brother, sister and me.

Polyglot: A person who speaks many languages. My sister Vera is a Polyglot. She speaks lots of languages, especially German.
Darbarfaruhfahr: A silly and fake language made up by my brother, Rockett, who is still a child. It is also called "Yerping."
Magnanimous: Generous, forgiving, and even noble. Our school's Headmaster is magnanimous. So is Ms. Maxine from daycare.
Immeasurable: Too much to be measured. Some people say I have an immeasurable amount of personality, whatever that means.
Elucidate: To explain. When Rockett does not understand something, Vera elucidates the information.
Stringent: Strict. The rules at Cashew Hall are often stringent.
Pertinent: Relevant or fitting. Sometimes it is hard to understand what is pertinent in things Rockett says.
Redoubt: The enclosure around a castle or fort. One time I dreamed about a castle with redoubts.
Portcullis: A big, metal castle gate. There was also a portcullis in my castle dream.

About the Author

Lindi Smith

Lindi Smith is a writer living in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her husband and two twin boys. She can almost always be found with her face in a book. When not reading or writing, she likes to spend her time outside.
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