Sharqi: Difference between revisions

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III. Once done, try making sure everything is properly spelt so as to avoid unnecessary reader fatigue.
III. Once done, try making sure everything is properly spelt so as to avoid unnecessary reader fatigue.
-->
-->
{{Infobox language
|name = Sharqi
|nativename = Af Sharqi
|pronunciation = ǽf ʃɑ́rqɪ
|creator = [[User:Shariifka|Shariifka]]
|region = East Africa
<!--
|states =
|nation =
|speakers = -->
|date = 2022
|familycolor = Afro-Asiatic
|fam1 = [[w:Afro-Asiatic_languages|Afro-Asiatic]]
|fam2 = [[w:Semitic_languages|Semitic]]
|fam3 = [[w:South_Semitic_languages|South Semitic]]
|fam4 = [[w:Ethiopian_Semitic_languages|Ethiopian Semitic]]
<!--
|iso1 =
|iso2 =
|iso3 = -->
|script        = [[w:Latin script|Latin]]
<!--
|agency        = -->
}}
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Sharqi is an Ethiopian Semitic language heavily inspired by Somali.
Sharqi is an Ethiopian Semitic language heavily inspired by Somali.
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===Orthography===
===Orthography===
===Consonants===
===Consonants===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Af Sharqi consonant phonemes
! colspan="2" |
! Labial
! Dental/<br />Alveolar
! Postalveolar
! Palatal
! Velar
! Uvular
! Pharyngeal
! Glottal
|-
! colspan="2" | Nasal
| '''''m'''''
| '''''n'''''
| |
|('''''ny''''' /ɲ/)
| || || ||
|-
! rowspan="2" | Stop consonant
! voiceless
|
| '''''t''''' /t̪/
| ||
| '''''k'''''
| '''''q'''''
|
| ''''' ' '''''/ʔ/
|-
! voiced
| '''''b'''''
| '''''d''''' /d̪/
| '''''dh''''' /ɖ/
|
| '''''ɡ'''''
| || ||
|-
! rowspan="2" | Affricate
! voiceless
| ||
|
| || || || ||
|-
! voiced
| ||
| '''''j''''' /dʒ/
| || || || ||
|-
! colspan="2"|Fricative
| '''''f'''''
| '''''s'''''
| '''''sh''''' /ʃ/
|
|
| '''''kh''''' /x̠~χ/
| '''''x''''' /ħ/
| '''''h'''''
|-
! colspan="2" | Approximant
|
| '''''l'''''
|
| '''''y''''' /j/
| '''''w'''''
|
| '''''c''''' /ʕ/ ||
|-
! colspan="2" | Trill
|
| '''''r''''' /r~ɾ/
| || || || || ||
|}
===Vowels===
===Vowels===
===Prosody===
===Prosody===
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===Verbs===
===Verbs===
====Stem 1====
====Stem 1====
Stem 1 is the base form of a verb. The citation form is the 3rd person singular masculine perfect.
Stem 1 is the base form of a verb. <!--The citation form is the 3rd person singular masculine perfect.-->
*''F-C-L'' is used as the generic verb stem (with ''qadal'' "kill" as the example verb).
*''F-C-L'' is used as the generic verb stem (with ''qadal'' "kill" as the example verb).
**''F'': first root consonant
**''F'': first root consonant
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*Some verbs have ''aa'' after the first root consonant instead of ''a'' - e.g. ''baarag'' "bless". In this case, it is never dropped. Any high tones that would apply to ''a'' are applied to the second ''a'' of ''aa'' (i.e. ''aá'').
*Some verbs have ''aa'' after the first root consonant instead of ''a'' - e.g. ''baarag'' "bless". In this case, it is never dropped. Any high tones that would apply to ''a'' are applied to the second ''a'' of ''aa'' (i.e. ''aá'').
*The infinitive takes the form ''FáCL(i)'' if the cluster ''CL'' is not forbidden (with the ''-i'' inserted if ''C'' is not ''y'' or ''w''). If it is forbidden, the infinitive takes the form ''FáCaL''.
*The infinitive takes the form ''FáCL(i)'' if the cluster ''CL'' is not forbidden (with the ''-i'' inserted if ''C'' is not ''y'' or ''w''). If it is forbidden, the infinitive takes the form ''FáCaL''.
 
*In the second person plural imperfect, sandhi applies to ''-k-''.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
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|-
|-
!2P
!2P
| '''''tiFaC(a)Lúun''''' || ''tiqadlúun''|| '''''tiF(i)CiLúun''''' || ''tiqdilúun''|| '''''FaC(a)Lagúun''''' || ''qadlagúun''||'''''FìC(á)Lo''''' || ''qídlo'' || '''''tiF(a)CaLúun''''' || ''tiqdalúun''
| '''''tiFaC(a)Lúun''''' || ''tiqadlúun''|| '''''tiF(i)CiLúun''''' || ''tiqdilúun''|| '''''FaCaLkúun''''' || ''qadalkúun''||'''''FìC(á)Lo''''' || ''qídlu'' || '''''tiF(a)CaLúun''''' || ''tiqdalúun''
|-
|-
!3P
!3P
| '''''yiFaC(a)Lúun''''' || ''yiqadlúun''|| '''''yiF(i)CiLúun''''' || ''yiqdilúun''|| '''''FaC(a)Lóon''''' ||''qadlóon''||'''''yiF(a)CaLúun''''' ||''yiqdalúun'' || '''''yiF(a)CaLúun''''' || ''yiqdalúun''
| '''''yiFaC(a)Lúun''''' || ''yiqadlúun''|| '''''yiF(i)CiLúun''''' || ''yiqdilúun''|| '''''FaC(a)Lúun''''' ||''qadlúun''||'''''yiF(a)CaLúun''''' ||''yiqdalúun'' || '''''yiF(a)CaLúun''''' || ''yiqdalúun''
|-
|-
|}
|}
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There are various modifications depending on the root consonants:
There are various modifications depending on the root consonants:
*If ''F'' is:-
*If ''F'' is:-
**w: ''i'' becomes ''u'' before ''w'', with ''uw'' becoming ''uu'' before a consonant - e.g. ''yuwadad'' "he loves" (from ''*yiwadad'').
**w:  
**y: ''iy'' becomes ''ii'' before a consonant - e.g. ''al tiibís'' "she/it does not dry" (from ''*tiybís'').
***''i'' becomes ''u'' before ''w'', with ''uw'' becoming ''uu'' before a consonant. If the following syllable has the vowel ''i'', it also becomes ''u'' - e.g. ''al yuudud'' "he does not love" (from ''*yiwdid'').
***The sequence ''uwa'' is further simplified to ''oo'' - e.g. ''yoodad'' "he loves" (from ''*yuwadad'' < ''*yiwadad'').
**y:  
***''iy'' becomes ''ii'' before a consonant - e.g. ''al tiibis'' "she/it does not dry" (from ''*tiybis'').
***The sequence ''iya'' is simplified to ''ee'' - e.g. ''teebas'' "she/it dries" (from ''*tiyabas'').
**Ø: preceding ''i'' becomes ''a'' in the imperfect and lengthened in the subjunctive/jussive - e.g. ''yaahal'' "it is enough" (from ''*yiØahal''), ''ay yiíhal'' "let it not be enough" (from *''yíØhal'').
**Ø: preceding ''i'' becomes ''a'' in the imperfect and lengthened in the subjunctive/jussive - e.g. ''yaahal'' "it is enough" (from ''*yiØahal''), ''ay yiíhal'' "let it not be enough" (from *''yíØhal'').
**A guttural letter (''G'': ', h, c, x): when intervocalic, preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel - e.g. ''yaxamal'' "he carries" (from ''*yixamal'')<!--, ''ay tácraf'' "don't rest" (from ''tícraf'')-->.
**A guttural letter (''G'': ', h, c, x): when intervocalic, a preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel - e.g. ''yaxamal'' "he carries" (from ''*yixamal'')<!--, ''ay tácraf'' "don't rest" (from ''tícraf'')-->.
*If ''C'' is:-
*If ''C'' is:-
**y, yC, or Cy:  
**y, yC, or Cy:  
***''ay(a)/ya'' becomes ''ee'' - e.g. ''keed'' "he walked/went" (from ''*kayad'').
***''ay(a)/ya'' becomes ''ee'' - e.g. ''keedaw'' "he walked/went" (from ''*kaydaw'').
***''yi(i)'' becomes ''ii'' - e.g. ''al tikiíd'' "you do not walk/go" (from ''*tikyíd'').
***''yi(i)'' becomes ''ii'' - e.g. ''al tikiid'' "you do not walk/go" (from ''*tikyid'').
***''ayii'' becomes ''ey'' - e.g. ''kéydaw'' "him walking/going" (from ''*kayíidaw'').
<!--***''ayii'' becomes ''ey'' - e.g. ''kéydaw'' "him walking/going" (from ''*kayíidaw'').-->
**w, wC, or Cw:  
**w, wC, or Cw:  
***''aw(a)/wa'' becomes ''oo'' - e.g. ''koon'' "he was/became" (from ''*kawan'').
***''aw(a)/wa'' becomes ''oo'' - e.g. ''koonaw'' "he was/became" (from ''*kawnaw'').
***''wi(i)'' becomes ''uu'' (and makes preceding ''i'' into ''u'') - e.g. ''al tukuún'' "she does not become" (from ''*tikwín'').
***''wi(i)'' becomes ''uu'' (and makes preceding ''i'' into ''u'') - e.g. ''al tukuun'' "she does not become" (from ''*tikwin'').
***''awii'' becomes ''oy'' - e.g. ''kóynaw'' "him being" (from ''*kawíinaw'').
<!--
***Expected ''awii'' becomes ''oy'' - e.g. ''kóynaw'' "him being" (from ''*kawíinaw'').
-->
**Ø, ØC, or CØ:
**Ø, ØC, or CØ:
***''aØ(a)/Øa'' becomes ''aa'' - e.g. ''laag'' "he sent" (from ''*laØag'').
***''aØ(a)/Øa'' becomes ''aa'' - e.g. ''laagay'' "I sent" (from ''*laØgay'').
***''Øi(i)'' becomes ''ii''<!--or aa?''--> - e.g. ''al tiliíg'' "she doesn't send" (from ''*tilØíg'').
***''Øi(i)'' becomes ''ii''<!--or aa?''--> - e.g. ''al tiliig'' "she doesn't send" (from ''*tilØig'').
***''aØii'' becomes ''ay'' - e.g. ''láygaw'' "him sending" (from ''*laØíigaw'').
<!--
***''aØii'' becomes ''ay'' - e.g. ''láygaw'' "him sending" (from ''*laØíigaw'').-->
<!--
**G:
**G:
***''aGii'' in gerundive becomes ''iGii'' - e.g. ''mixíiraw'' "him being kind/merciful"
***''aGii'' in gerundive becomes ''iGii'' - e.g. ''mixíiraw'' "him being kind/merciful"-->
***When intervocalic, preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel.
***When intervocalic, a preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel.
*If ''L'' is:-
*If ''L'' is:-
**y:  
**y:  
***''(a)ya'' becomes ''ay'' - e.g. ''sallayd'' "she prayed" (from ''*sallayad'').
***''(a)ya(y)'' becomes ''ay'' - e.g. ''sallayd'' "she prayed" (from ''*sallayad'')
***''(a)yaw'' becomes ''aw'' - e.g. ''sallaw'' "he prayed" (from ''*sallayaw'').
***Final ''iy'' becomes ''i'' (''ii'' before a consonant) - e.g. ''silli'' "pray" (from ''*silliy'').
***Final ''iy'' becomes ''i'' (''ii'' before a consonant) - e.g. ''silli'' "pray" (from ''*silliy'').
***''yuu'' becomes ''uu'' after a consonant - e.g. ''yinasúun'' "they forget" (from ''*yinasyúun'').
***''yu(u)'' becomes ''u(u)'' after a consonant - e.g. ''yinasúun'' "they forget" (from ''*yinasyúun'').
<!--
<!--
**''ayuu'' becomes ''aw'' - e.g. ''yisallaẃn'' "they pray" (from ''*yisallayuún'')
**''ayu(u)'' becomes ''aw'' - e.g. ''yisalláwn'' "they pray" (from ''*yisallayúun'')
**''iyuu'' becomes ''uu'' - e.g. ''al tisillúun'' "you ''(pl.)'' do not pray" (from ''*tisilliyuún'')
**''iyuu'' becomes ''uu'' - e.g. ''al tisillúun'' "you ''(pl.)'' do not pray" (from ''*tisilliyúun'')
-->
-->
***The gerundive takes the base ''FaCíy-'' (''FaCíi-'' before a consonant).
<!--
***The gerundive takes the base ''FaCíy-'' (''FaCíi-'' before a consonant).-->
**w:
**w:
***''(a)wa'' becomes ''aw'' - e.g. ''cafawd'' "she forgave" (from ''*cafwad'').
***''(a)wa(w)'' becomes ''aw'' - e.g. ''cafawd'' "she forgave" (from ''*cafwad'').
***''(a)way'' becomes ''oy'' - e.g. ''cafoy'' "I forgave" (from ''*cafway'').
***Final ''iw'' becomes ''u'' (''uu'' before a consonant) and makes preceding ''i'' into ''u'' - e.g. ''cufu'' "forgive" (from ''*cifiw'').
***Final ''iw'' becomes ''u'' (''uu'' before a consonant) and makes preceding ''i'' into ''u'' - e.g. ''cufu'' "forgive" (from ''*cifiw'').
***''wuu'' becomes ''uu'' after a consonant - e.g. ''yacafúun'' "they forgive" (from ''*yicafwúun'').
***''wu(u)'' becomes ''u(u)'' after a consonant - e.g. ''yacafúun'' "they forgive" (from ''*yicafwúun'').
***''awuu'' becomes ''ow'' - e.g. ''yiqandhówn'' "they get a fever" (from ''*yiqandhawúun'').
***''awu(u)'' becomes ''ow'' - e.g. ''yiqandhówn'' "they get a fever" (from ''*yiqandhawúun'').
***''iwuu'' becomes ''uu''  e.g. ''ay ticfúun'' "do not forgive ''(pl.)''" (from ''*ticfiwúun'')
***''iwuu'' becomes ''uu''  e.g. ''ay ticfúun'' "do not forgive ''(pl.)''" (from ''*ticfiwúun'')
***The gerundive takes the base ''FaCúw-'' (''FaCúu-'' before a consonant).
<!--
***The gerundive takes the base ''FaCúw-'' (''FaCúu-'' before a consonant).-->
**Ø:  
**Ø:  
***''aØ(a)/Øa'' becomes ''aa'' - e.g. ''nashaad'' "she took/lifted" (from ''*nashaØad'').
***''aØ(a)/Øa'' becomes ''aa'' - e.g. ''nashaad'' "she took/lifted" (from ''*nashaØad'').
***Final ''iØ'' becomes ''i'' (''ii'' before a consonant) - e.g. ''nishi'' "take/lift" (from ''*nishiØ'').
***Final ''iØ'' becomes ''i'' (''ii'' before a consonant) - e.g. ''níshi'' "take/lift" (from ''*níshiØ'').
***''Øuu'' becomes ''uu'' after a consonant - e.g. ''yinashúun'' "they take/lift" (from ''*yinashØúun'').
***''Øu(u)'' becomes ''u(u)'' after a consonant - e.g. ''yinashúun'' "they take/lift" (from ''*yinashØúun'').
***''aØuu'' becomes ''ow'' - e.g. ''yuwaddówn'' "they finish" (from ''*yiwaddaØúun'')
***''aØu(u)'' becomes ''ow'' - e.g. ''yooddówn'' "they finish" (from ''*yiwaddaØúun'')
***''iØuu'' becomes ''uu''  e.g. ''al tinshúun'' "you ''(pl.)'' do not take/lift" (from ''*tinshiØúun'')
***''iØuu'' becomes ''uu''  e.g. ''al tinshúun'' "you ''(pl.)'' do not take/lift" (from ''*tinshiØúun'')
***The gerundive takes the base ''FaCíy-'' (''FaCíi-'' before a consonant).
<!--
***The gerundive takes the base ''FaCíy-'' (''FaCíi-'' before a consonant).-->
**G: Preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel.
**G: Preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel.
*Normal sandhi rules apply - e.g. ''sallaygu'' "I prayed" (from ''*sallay-ku'').
*Normal sandhi rules apply - e.g. ''sallaygúun'' "you (pl.) prayed" (from ''*sallay-kúun'').
*For quinquiliteral verbs, replace ''C'' with ''CaCC''/''CiCC'' (with the vowel corresponding to the bracketed one) - e.g. ''dhamastar'', ''yidhamastar'', ''yidhimistír'' "complete". If one of the consonants is ''w'' or ''y'', the aforementioned simplifications apply and the unnecessary ''a''/''i'' is not added - e.g. ''targoon'', ''yitargoon'', ''yuturguún'', ''targúumaw'' "translate" (from ''*taragwam'', ''*yitaragwam'', ''*yitirigwím'', ''*taragwíimaw''). In forms where no simplifications can take place, however, the extra vowel is added - e.g. ''tar<b>a</b>gwaámi'' "translator".
*For quinquiliteral verbs, replace ''C'' with ''CaCC''/''CiCC'' (with the vowel corresponding to the bracketed one) - e.g. ''dhamastar'', ''yidhamastar'', ''yidhimistir'' "complete". If one of the consonants is ''w'' or ''y'', the aforementioned simplifications apply and the unnecessary ''a''/''i'' is not added - e.g. ''targoon'', ''yitargoon'', ''yuturguun'', ''targoomaw'' "translate" (from ''*taragwam'', ''*yitaragwam'', ''*yitirigwim'', ''*taragwamaw''). In forms where no simplifications can take place, however, the extra vowel is added - e.g. ''tar<b>a</b>gwaámi'' "translator".
<!-- Might change this to ''wa/ya'' becoming ''o/e'', ''wi/yi'' becoming ''u/i'', and ''waa/yaa'' becoming ''oo''/''ee'' -->
<!-- Might change this to ''wa/ya'' becoming ''o/e'', ''wi/yi'' becoming ''u/i'', and ''waa/yaa'' becoming ''oo''/''ee'' -->
<!--- Some ideas:
<!--- Some ideas:
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=====Simple tenses=====
=====Simple tenses=====
=====Compound tenses=====
=====Compound tenses=====
*Present progressive: Imperfect (minus suffixes) + Perfect of ''-(ah)alaw'' - e.g. ''yikeed(ah)alaw'' "he is walking/going".
*Present progressive: Imperfect (minus suffixes and with final accent) + Perfect of ''-(ah)alaw'' - e.g. ''yikeéd(ah)alaw'' "he is walking/going".
**This is derived from the defective verb ''halaw'' "he is present" (notice that it has present meaning despite the perfect form)
**This is derived from the defective verb ''halaw'' "he is present".
*Past progressive: Imperfect (minus suffixes) + Perfect of ''nabar'' "he was present" - e.g. ''yikeed nabarúun'' "they were walking/going".
**''Halaw'' (stem: ''h-l-w'') is conjugated as a perfect verb, but has present meaning. Its past equivalent is ''nabraw'' (stem: ''n-b-r'').
*Past progressive: Imperfect (minus suffixes and with final accent) + Perfect of ''nabraw'' "he was present" - e.g. ''yikeéd nabrúun'' "they were walking/going".


==Syntax==
==Syntax==
===Constituent order===
===Constituent order===
Primarily SOV
Primarily SOV. However, clitic object pronouns follow the verb.


===Noun phrase===
===Noun phrase===
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<!-- etc. etc. -->
<!-- etc. etc. -->
==Example texts==
==Example texts==
<!--===Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 1)===
===Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 1)===
Beni aadanka kulligaw -->
<!--Beni aadanka kulligaw WAXA aw yitoolad nusuga OO xor AH KANA SIMAN XAGGA sharafta IYO xuquuqda. WAXA Ilaahay SIIYAY WACYI IYO damiir, WAANA IN QOF WALBA QOFKA KALE ULA DHAQMAA SI WALAALTINIMO AH.-->


==Other resources==
==Other resources==

Latest revision as of 20:00, 16 December 2023

Sharqi (native: Af Sharqi) is an Ethio-Semitic language.

Sharqi
Af Sharqi
Pronunciation[ǽf ʃɑ́rqɪ]
Created byShariifka

Introduction

Sharqi is an Ethiopian Semitic language heavily inspired by Somali.

Phonology

Orthography

Consonants

Af Sharqi consonant phonemes
Labial Dental/
Alveolar
Postalveolar Palatal Velar Uvular Pharyngeal Glottal
Nasal m n (ny /ɲ/)
Stop consonant voiceless t /t̪/ k q ' /ʔ/
voiced b d /d̪/ dh /ɖ/ ɡ
Affricate voiceless
voiced j /dʒ/
Fricative f s sh /ʃ/ kh /x̠~χ/ x /ħ/ h
Approximant l y /j/ w c /ʕ/
Trill r /r~ɾ/

Vowels

Prosody

Stress

Intonation

Phonotactics

Morphophonology

Morphology

Pronouns

Personal Pronouns

Af Sharqi personal pronouns
Independent Clitic Possessive
Stressed Unstressed Subject Object
1S aní(ga) an(i) aan ni káy(ga)/táy(da)
2S adí(ga) ad(i) aad ki kaág(a)/taág(a)
3SM nusú(ga) nus(u) aw kaẃ(ga)/taẃ(da)
3SF nisá(da) nis(a) ay kaád(a)/taád(a)
1P inná(ga) inna ayna/aan na kaán(a)/taán(a)
2P idín(ka) idin aydin/aad kin kiín(a)/tiín(a)
3P nisín(ka) nisin awn/aw kuún(a)/tuún(a)

Additionally, there is an impersonal subject pronoun sow used to form the pseudopassive, and a reflexive object pronoun nis used to form the reflexive and reciprocal.

Nis can also be used emphatically, in which case it takes possessive suffixes - e.g. niskayga "myself".

Verbs

Stem 1

Stem 1 is the base form of a verb.

  • F-C-L is used as the generic verb stem (with qadal "kill" as the example verb).
    • F: first root consonant
    • C: second root consonant (for geminated or quadriliteral verbs, this represents the middle two consonants)
    • L: third root consonant
    • (vowel): vowel that is usually dropped unless it violates phonotactics. Sometimes unpredictable.
  • The (a/i) after F is dropped if possible, even if phonotactics require the F to be changed - e.g. katab "he wrote", ay tigtib "do not write". On the other hand, the (a/i) or [a] after C is generally dropped only if that will lead to no consonant changes - e.g. yikatabúun "they write" (not *yikadbúun).
  • If the vowel in the bracket has an acute accent, that means it takes the accent if it is present, otherwise the preceding vowel (indicated with a grave accent) takes the accent.
  • Some verbs have aa after the first root consonant instead of a - e.g. baarag "bless". In this case, it is never dropped. Any high tones that would apply to a are applied to the second a of aa (i.e. ).
  • The infinitive takes the form FáCL(i) if the cluster CL is not forbidden (with the -i inserted if C is not y or w). If it is forbidden, the infinitive takes the form FáCaL.
  • In the second person plural imperfect, sandhi applies to -k-.
Stem 1
Infinitive (m.)
FáC(a)L(i)
qádli
Verbal Noun (f.)
màF(á)CaL/FaCLíd
máqdal/qadlíd
Agent (m.)
FaCaáli
qadaáli
Agent (f.)
FaCaalíd
qadaalíd
Imperfect Subjunctive Perfect affirm. Perfect neg. Imperative Jussive
1S iFaCaL iqadal iF(i)CiL iqdil FaC(a)Lay qadlay FaC(a)Lan qadlan ìF(á)CaL íqdal ìF(á)CaL íqdal
2S tiFaCaL tiqadal tiF(i)CiL tiqdil FaC(a)Lag qadlag FíCaL qídal tìF(á)CaL tíqdal
3SM yiFaCaL yiqadal yiF(i)CiL yiqdil FaC(a)Law qadlaw yìF(á)CaL yíqdal yìF(á)CaL yíqdal
3SF tiFaCaL tiqadal tiF(i)CiL tiqdil FaC(a)Lad qadlad tìF(á)CaL tíqdal tìF(á)CaL tíqdal
1P niFaCaL niqadal niF(i)CiL niqdil FaC(a)Lan qadlan nìF(á)CaL níqdal nìF(á)CaL níqdal
2P tiFaC(a)Lúun tiqadlúun tiF(i)CiLúun tiqdilúun FaCaLkúun qadalkúun FìC(á)Lo qídlu tiF(a)CaLúun tiqdalúun
3P yiFaC(a)Lúun yiqadlúun yiF(i)CiLúun yiqdilúun FaC(a)Lúun qadlúun yiF(a)CaLúun yiqdalúun yiF(a)CaLúun yiqdalúun

There are various modifications depending on the root consonants:

  • If F is:-
    • w:
      • i becomes u before w, with uw becoming uu before a consonant. If the following syllable has the vowel i, it also becomes u - e.g. al yuudud "he does not love" (from *yiwdid).
      • The sequence uwa is further simplified to oo - e.g. yoodad "he loves" (from *yuwadad < *yiwadad).
    • y:
      • iy becomes ii before a consonant - e.g. al tiibis "she/it does not dry" (from *tiybis).
      • The sequence iya is simplified to ee - e.g. teebas "she/it dries" (from *tiyabas).
    • Ø: preceding i becomes a in the imperfect and lengthened in the subjunctive/jussive - e.g. yaahal "it is enough" (from *yiØahal), ay yiíhal "let it not be enough" (from *yíØhal).
    • A guttural letter (G: ', h, c, x): when intervocalic, a preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel - e.g. yaxamal "he carries" (from *yixamal).
  • If C is:-
    • y, yC, or Cy:
      • ay(a)/ya becomes ee - e.g. keedaw "he walked/went" (from *kaydaw).
      • yi(i) becomes ii - e.g. al tikiid "you do not walk/go" (from *tikyid).
    • w, wC, or Cw:
      • aw(a)/wa becomes oo - e.g. koonaw "he was/became" (from *kawnaw).
      • wi(i) becomes uu (and makes preceding i into u) - e.g. al tukuun "she does not become" (from *tikwin).
    • Ø, ØC, or CØ:
      • aØ(a)/Øa becomes aa - e.g. laagay "I sent" (from *laØgay).
      • Øi(i) becomes ii - e.g. al tiliig "she doesn't send" (from *tilØig).
      • When intervocalic, a preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel.
  • If L is:-
    • y:
      • (a)ya(y) becomes ay - e.g. sallayd "she prayed" (from *sallayad)
      • (a)yaw becomes aw - e.g. sallaw "he prayed" (from *sallayaw).
      • Final iy becomes i (ii before a consonant) - e.g. silli "pray" (from *silliy).
      • yu(u) becomes u(u) after a consonant - e.g. yinasúun "they forget" (from *yinasyúun).
    • w:
      • (a)wa(w) becomes aw - e.g. cafawd "she forgave" (from *cafwad).
      • (a)way becomes oy - e.g. cafoy "I forgave" (from *cafway).
      • Final iw becomes u (uu before a consonant) and makes preceding i into u - e.g. cufu "forgive" (from *cifiw).
      • wu(u) becomes u(u) after a consonant - e.g. yacafúun "they forgive" (from *yicafwúun).
      • awu(u) becomes ow - e.g. yiqandhówn "they get a fever" (from *yiqandhawúun).
      • iwuu becomes uu e.g. ay ticfúun "do not forgive (pl.)" (from *ticfiwúun)
    • Ø:
      • aØ(a)/Øa becomes aa - e.g. nashaad "she took/lifted" (from *nashaØad).
      • Final becomes i (ii before a consonant) - e.g. níshi "take/lift" (from *níshiØ).
      • Øu(u) becomes u(u) after a consonant - e.g. yinashúun "they take/lift" (from *yinashØúun).
      • aØu(u) becomes ow - e.g. yooddówn "they finish" (from *yiwaddaØúun)
      • iØuu becomes uu e.g. al tinshúun "you (pl.) do not take/lift" (from *tinshiØúun)
    • G: Preceding short vowel assimilates to following vowel.
  • Normal sandhi rules apply - e.g. sallaygúun "you (pl.) prayed" (from *sallay-kúun).
  • For quinquiliteral verbs, replace C with CaCC/CiCC (with the vowel corresponding to the bracketed one) - e.g. dhamastar, yidhamastar, yidhimistir "complete". If one of the consonants is w or y, the aforementioned simplifications apply and the unnecessary a/i is not added - e.g. targoon, yitargoon, yuturguun, targoomaw "translate" (from *taragwam, *yitaragwam, *yitirigwim, *taragwamaw). In forms where no simplifications can take place, however, the extra vowel is added - e.g. taragwaámi "translator".

Tenses

Simple tenses
Compound tenses
  • Present progressive: Imperfect (minus suffixes and with final accent) + Perfect of -(ah)alaw - e.g. yikeéd(ah)alaw "he is walking/going".
    • This is derived from the defective verb halaw "he is present".
    • Halaw (stem: h-l-w) is conjugated as a perfect verb, but has present meaning. Its past equivalent is nabraw (stem: n-b-r).
  • Past progressive: Imperfect (minus suffixes and with final accent) + Perfect of nabraw "he was present" - e.g. yikeéd nabrúun "they were walking/going".

Syntax

Constituent order

Primarily SOV. However, clitic object pronouns follow the verb.

Noun phrase

Verb phrase

Sentence phrase

Dependent clauses

Example texts

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 1)

Other resources