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Kola: Difference between revisions
→Noun classes
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<small><sup>1</sup></small> Subject and object concords are used for the subject and object of a verb respectively, and adjective concords are used with adjectives. Most other words use pronominal concords. The extended pronominal concords are used to form pronouns (see [[Kola#Pronouns|pronouns]]) and with quantifiers - e.g. ዎቸ ''wócä'' "all (animate pl.)" (stem: ''-cä'') <!-- maybe low -->. | <small><sup>1</sup></small> Subject and object concords are used for the subject and object of a verb respectively, and adjective concords are used with adjectives. Most other words use pronominal concords. The extended pronominal concords are used to form pronouns (see [[Kola#Pronouns|pronouns]]) and with quantifiers - e.g. ዎቸ ''wócä'' "all (animate pl.)" (stem: ''-cä'') <!-- maybe low -->. | ||
Using the full set of concord prefixes is considered formal and old-fashioned, and they are normally replaced with animacy-based concords. Words agreeing with animate nouns use classes 1/2, while those agreeing with inanimate nouns use classes 9/10 (most common), 5/6, or some combination (e.g. 9/6). When a modifier is used with a noun, the concord prefix may be omitted in colloquial contexts.<!-- With verbs, class 16-18 prefixes are used even in informal language; others are replaced with animacy concords.--> | |||
The locative classes (classes 16-18) most often behave as prepositions, with the prefix appearing at the beginning of the noun phrase. However, there are some nouns inherently in these classes; these behave as nouns in any other class - e.g. በት ''bä́tt'' "place", ግት ''gḯtt'' "direction", ሙት ''mútt'' "interior"<!-- were low -->. | The locative classes (classes 16-18) most often behave as prepositions, with the prefix appearing at the beginning of the noun phrase. However, there are some nouns inherently in these classes; these behave as nouns in any other class - e.g. በት ''bä́tt'' "place", ግት ''gḯtt'' "direction", ሙት ''mútt'' "interior"<!-- were low -->. | ||
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::''bä-'' + ''zíchä'' → በዚጨ ''bäzíchä'' (NOT *ቤጨ ''béchä'') "in (an) eye" | ::''bä-'' + ''zíchä'' → በዚጨ ''bäzíchä'' (NOT *ቤጨ ''béchä'') "in (an) eye" | ||
::''bä-'' + ''lä-'' "the" + inanimate concord + ''-ngólä'' "red" + ''zíchä'' → በለጎለ ዚጨ ''bälägólä zíchä'' "in the red eye" <!-- ngola were low --> | ::''bä-'' + ''lä-'' "the" + inanimate concord + ''-ngólä'' "red" + ''zíchä'' → በለጎለ ዚጨ ''bälägólä zíchä'' "in the red eye" <!-- ngola were low --> | ||
==== | ====Case marking==== | ||
Case is marked on nouns and pronouns. It is also marked on adjectives when they are used nominally. | |||
*'''Absolutive''': Unmarked. Used as the citation form, for nominal complements, for objects of adpositions, for the direct object of verbs, and for focused nominals. | |||
Dative: Class 17 prefix | *'''Nominative''': Marked with ''-(ï)n''. Used for the subject of verbs and the copula (even when dropped) except when focused. | ||
Ablative: Class 16 prefix | *'''Genitive''': Formed with the possessive prefix ''-ä-'' (with the appropriate concord prefix). | ||
Locative: Class 16/17/18 | *'''Dative''': Class 17 prefix. Used for indirect object, destination, "to/for", "to the benefit of". | ||
*'''Ablative''': Class 16 prefix. Used for source, "against", "to the detriment of". | |||
*'''Locative''': Class 16/17/18 prefix. Used for location. | |||
===Articles=== | ===Articles=== | ||