Af Mexee: Difference between revisions

164 bytes added ,  24 May 2018
 
(7 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 247: Line 247:
===Phonotactics===
===Phonotactics===
<!-- Explain the consonant clusters and vowel clusters that are permissible for use in the language. For example, "st" is an allowed consonant cluster in English while onset "ng" isn't. -->
<!-- Explain the consonant clusters and vowel clusters that are permissible for use in the language. For example, "st" is an allowed consonant cluster in English while onset "ng" isn't. -->
Syllable structure is (C)V(C), where V is any vowel or diphthong.
Syllable structure is (C)V(C), where V is any vowel or polyphthong.


The consonants that can be geminated at syllable boundaries are: ''m, n, l,'' and ''r''.
The consonants that can be geminated at syllable boundaries are: ''m, n, l,'' and ''r''.


The consonants '' ', b, x, kh, d, r, s, sh, c, g, f, q, l, n,'' and ''h'' occur syllable-finally. The consonants ''p, ch, t, th, gh, k, m'' and ''ny'' cannot occur syllable-finally (although there are exceptions for ''t'', ''k'', and ''m''). They undergo the following neutralizations:
The consonants '' ', b, x, kh, d, r, s, sh, c, g, f, q, l, n,'' and ''h'' occur syllable-finally. The consonants ''p, ch, t, th, gh, k, m'' and ''ny'' cannot occur syllable-finally (although there are exceptions for ''t'', ''k'', and ''m''). They undergo the following neutralizations:
*''p'' → ''b'' (or, in some cases, ''w'')
*''p'' → ''b'', sometimes ''w''
*''t, th'' → ''d''
*''t, th'' → ''d''
*''k, gh'' → ''g''
*''k, gh'' → ''g''
*''ny'' → ''yn'', sometimes ''y''
*''ny'' → ''yn'', sometimes ''y''
*non-geminated ''m'' → ''n''
*''m'' → ''n'' (except before ''m, b'')
*''n, m'' → ''m'' (before ''b'')
*''n, m'' → ''m'' (before ''m, b'')
*any geminated consonant → degeminated


''J'' and ''dh'' may occur in coda in a loanwords, although they are usually replaced with ''sh'' and ''r'' respectively. For example, ''xaj'' "Hajj", ''ogsaydh'' "oxide". Coda ''t'', ''k'', and ''m'' may also occur in non-native words, mostly of Arabic origin. In many cases, variants with the expected ''d'',  ''g'', or ''n'' exist (but this applies less often for word-internal ''m''). For example, ''xikmad'' "wisdom" (also ''xigmad''), ''fitno'' "trial, temptation" (also ''fidno''), ''muslim'' "Muslim" (also ''muslin''), ''amni'' "safety, security" (NOT ''*anni'').
''J'' and ''dh'' may occur in coda in a loanwords, although they are usually replaced with ''sh'' and ''r'' respectively. For example, ''xaj'' "Hajj", ''ogsaydh'' "oxide". Coda ''t'', ''k'', and ''m'' may also occur in non-native words, mostly of Arabic origin. In many cases, variants with the expected ''d'',  ''g'', or ''n'' exist (but this applies less often for word-internal ''m''). For example, ''xikmad'' "wisdom" (also ''xigmad''), ''fitno'' "trial, temptation" (also ''fidno''), ''muslim'' "Muslim" (also ''muslin''), ''amni'' "safety, security" (NOT ''*anni'').


The consonants ''p'', ''th'', ''gh'', and ''ch'' do not occur word-initially in native words. They come from intervocalic ''-b/w-'', ''-d/t-'', ''-g/k-'', and ''-lt-'' respectively (the modern intervocalic ''b'', ''d/t'', and ''g/k'' come from originally geminated consonants). In loanwords, ''p'' and ''gh'' are pronounced /p/ and /ɣ̠~ʁ/ instead of the regular /β/ and /ɣ/.
The consonants ''p'', ''th'', ''gh'', and ''ch'' do not occur word-initially in native words. They come from intervocalic ''-b/w-'', ''-d/t-'', ''-g/k-'', and ''-lt-'' respectively (the modern intervocalic ''-b-'', ''-d/t-'', and ''-g/k-'' come from originally geminated consonants). In loanwords, initial ''p'' and ''gh'' are pronounced /p/ and /ɣ̠~ʁ/ (instead of the intervocalic /β/ and /ɣ/).


Vowels cannot occur in hiatus. Instead, epithetic consonants such as <i>'</i>, ''y'', and ''w'' are inserted.
Vowels cannot occur in hiatus. Instead, epenthetic consonants such as <i>'</i>, ''y'', and ''w'' are inserted.


===Morphophonology===
===Morphophonology===
Line 284: Line 285:
* ''k → h'' after final ''-a, e, o'' (which then assimilate to the following vowel)
* ''k → h'' after final ''-a, e, o'' (which then assimilate to the following vowel)
*''k → gh'' after ''-aa, ee, oo''
*''k → gh'' after ''-aa, ee, oo''
'''sh (causative)'''
* ''sh + t → s''
* ''sh + n → nn'' (simplified to ''-n'' word-finally)


'''s (middle causative)'''
'''s (middle causative)'''
Line 431: Line 436:
====Negation Particles====
====Negation Particles====
The negation particles are ''mâ, an, hâ,'' and ''yâa''. Each of these serves a different function.
The negation particles are ''mâ, an, hâ,'' and ''yâa''. Each of these serves a different function.
*''mâ'' is the default negation particle in main clauses and is used with the indicative. e.g. ''má qapi'' "I do not have". It can combine to clitic subject pronouns:
*''mâ'' is the default negation particle in main clauses and is used with the indicative. e.g. ''má qapo'' "I do not have". It can combine to clitic subject pronouns:
**''mâ'' + ''an(an)'' → ''mâan(an)'' (for ''(an)'', see the next point)
**''mâ'' + ''an(an)'' → ''mâan(an)'' (for ''(an)'', see the next point)
**''mâ'' + ''ad/athan'' → ''mâad/máathan''
**''mâ'' + ''ad/athan'' → ''mâad/máathan''
Line 447: Line 452:
**''an'' is also used as the sole negation particle in subordinate clauses. Since negation is shown on the verb, it is also optional here. e.g. ''ninkii (an) af soomaali aqiin'' "the man who does not know Somali". Note that in this usage, ''an'' prefers clause-initial position (although something like ''ninkii af soomaali <b>an</b> aqiin'' would not be incorrect).
**''an'' is also used as the sole negation particle in subordinate clauses. Since negation is shown on the verb, it is also optional here. e.g. ''ninkii (an) af soomaali aqiin'' "the man who does not know Somali". Note that in this usage, ''an'' prefers clause-initial position (although something like ''ninkii af soomaali <b>an</b> aqiin'' would not be incorrect).
*''hâ'' is used in the negative imperative. e.g. ''ha bíxin'' "don't leave".
*''hâ'' is used in the negative imperative. e.g. ''ha bíxin'' "don't leave".
*''yâa'' is used to negate the jussive. e.g. ''yá usan bíxin'' "don't let him leave". Like ''mâ'', ''yâa'' can combine with clitic subjects (it does so in the same manner as ''wâa''). e.g. ''yoosan bíxin''.
*''yâa'' is used to negate the jussive. e.g. ''yá usan bíxin'' "don't let him leave". Like ''mâ'', ''yâa'' can combine with clitic subjects (it does so in the same manner as ''wâa''). e.g. ''yóosan bíxin''.


====Focus Particles====
====Focus Particles====
Focus particles are used with main clause verbs. They are ''wâa'', ''wixi'', ''yaá'', ''âa'' and their interrogative equivalents (more may be added later).
Focus particles are used with main clause verbs. They are ''wâa'', ''wixi'', ''yaa'', ''âa'' and their interrogative equivalents (more may be added later).
*''wâa'' optionally precedes a main affirmative verb. It puts emphasis on the verb.
*''wâa'' optionally precedes a main affirmative verb. It puts emphasis on the verb.
:e.g. ''ninki bixi'' "the man left"; ''ninki <b>wáa</b> bixi'' "the man ''left''"
:e.g. ''ninki bixi'' "the man left"; ''ninki <b>wáa</b> bixi'' "the man ''left''"
Line 484: Line 489:
*''yaa'' (not to be confused with the negative particle ''yâa'') put emphasis on a noun (either subject or object). It follows the noun being emphasized. Unlike the negative particle ''yâa'', the following verb is in the indicative.
*''yaa'' (not to be confused with the negative particle ''yâa'') put emphasis on a noun (either subject or object). It follows the noun being emphasized. Unlike the negative particle ''yâa'', the following verb is in the indicative.
:e.g. ''ninki <b>yaa</b> qálinki qaathi''/''qálinki ninki <b>yaa</b> qaathi'' "''the man'' took the pen"
:e.g. ''ninki <b>yaa</b> qálinki qaathi''/''qálinki ninki <b>yaa</b> qaathi'' "''the man'' took the pen"
:*The interrogative equivalent of ''yaa'' is ''mâ'' - ''yaá'' (i.e. ''yaá'' is kept and the noun is preceded by ''ma'').
:*The interrogative equivalent of ''yaa'' is ''mâ'' - ''yaa'' (i.e. ''yaa'' is kept and the noun is preceded by ''ma'').
::e.g. ''<b>ma</b> nínki <b>yaa</b> qálinki qaathi?'' "did ''the man'' take the pen?" (or "did the pen take ''the man''?)
::e.g. ''<b>ma</b> nínki <b>yaa</b> qálinki qaathi?'' "did ''the man'' take the pen?" (or "did the pen take ''the man''?)
:*''yaa'' can combine to clitic subjects in the same way as ''wâa''.
:*''yaa'' can combine to clitic subjects in the same way as ''wâa''.
7,066

edits