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{{infobox language
{{infobox language
| name = Bemé
| name = Bemé
| nativename = bemeh, bemetak, kriyal
| nativename = bemeh / bemetak / kriyal
| altname = Poccasin Creole, Poccasin Pidgin, Poccasinese
| altname = Poccasin Creole / Poccasin Pidgin / Poccasinese
| image = File:Poccasin.svg
| image = File:Poccasin.svg
| imagesize = 250px
| imagesize = 250px
| imagecaption = Flag of the Poccasin Federation, where Bemé is the official language
| imagecaption = Flag of the [[Poccasin Federation]], where Bemé is the official language
| creator = User:Jukethatbox
| creator = User:Jukethatbox
| created = 2025
| created = 2025
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| speakers = 15 million
| speakers = 15 million
| date = 2025
| date = 2025
| official = [[File:Poccasin.svg|24px]] Poccasin Federation
| official = [[File:Poccasin.svg|24px]] [[Poccasin Federation]]
| stand1 = ''[[#Tak vs kriyal|Bemetak]]''
| stand1 = ''[[#Tak vs kriyal|Bemetak]]''
| dia1 = [[Bijun Creole]]
| dia1 = [[Bijun Creole]]
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| notice = ipa
| notice = ipa
}}
}}
'''Bemé''' (/[[Help:IPA|bəˈmeɪ̯]]/ ''buh-MAY''; ''bemeh'', <small>pronounced</small> [[IPA for Bemé|[bemɛ]]]), also called '''Poccasin Creole''', '''Poccasin Pidgin''' and '''Poccasinese''', is an [[w:English-based creole languages|English creole]] and [[w:Pidgin|pidgin language]] spoken in the Poccasin Archipelago. It is widely spoken as a first language in Cassim Po and is by far the predominantly spoken language in many other urban areas in the Poccasins, but elsewhere in the archipelago it only holds pidgin language status, exclusively used to communicate between people of separate ethnicites; as such, it is not used at home in most of these areas.
'''Bemé''' ([[w:Help:IPA/English|/bəˈmeɪ̯/]] ''[[w:Help:Pronunciation respelling key|buh-MAY]]''; ''bemeh'', <small>pronounced</small> [[IPA for Bemé|[bemɛ]]]), also called '''Poccasin Creole''', '''Poccasin Pidgin''' and '''Poccasinese''', is an [[w:English-based creole languages|English creole]] and [[w:Pidgin|pidgin language]] spoken in the Poccasin Archipelago. It is the most spoken language of the Poccasin Archipelago with around 15 million speakers as of 2025; native speakers with Bemé as their mother tongue, primarily inhabiting Cassim Po, number around 2.5 million. Bemé is an official language and designated [[w:Lingua franca|lingua franca]] of the [[Poccasin Federation]], and is considered one of two international trade languages of the country alongside [[Poccasin English|English]].


Despite this varying status, Bemé is by far the most spoken language of the Poccasin Archipelago with around 15 million speakers as of 2025; native speakers with Bemé as their mother tongue, primarily inhabiting Cassim Po, number around 14,565. This high amount of speakers can be mostly attributed to two factors: extensive [[w:United Kingdom|British]] and later [[w:United States of America|American]] colonisation, as well as widespread teaching of the language. Bemé is an official language and designated [[w:Lingua franca|lingua franca]] of the Poccasin Federation, ensuring its continuous widespread usage after independence.
Bemé gradually developed from a [[Kabao]]-English [[w:Pidgin|pidgin language]] used to communicate between [[w:British Empire|British colonisers]] and the indigenous peoples. Before the British, the [[w:Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] initially colonised Kabao island and established what would eventually become Cassim Po and its oldest ''colonias'' (boroughs); there is evidence that a separate Portuguese-Kabao pidgin was spoken at that time, though its features and vocabulary were probably absorbed into Bemé after the Portuguese left and the British took over. Bemé then coalesced into a fully fledged [[w:Creole language|creole language]] probably around the late 19th century, before being suddenly and rapidly spread across the Poccasin Archipelago by the British colonial administration who operated a meticulous program of transporting primarily slaves from Cassim Po (who could speak close enough to the masters' English to communicate with them, incentivising its use to other Poccasins) to work newly developed plantations across the archipelago, including [[Saint Columban]].


This article describes the variety of Bemé that is spoken in the Poccasin Federation; other major varieties/dialects of Bemé include [[Bijun Creole]](native to the Bijuns of Bijou Island) and [[Columbé]](of the people of Saint Columban).
This program only ended in 1914, and by then the linguistic demographics of the Poccasin Archipelago had been so drastically changed that Bemé had effectively become the most spoken language in the Poccasins. The language would go on to diverge into regional [[#Tak vs kriyal|''kriyal'']] varieties until the independence of the Poccasin Federation in 1961, which established the Bemé based on the speech of Cassim Po (''Kasimpo mang'') as the standard variety of Bemé to be used in all official matters including in education, news, government notices, street and road signs, dictionaries, telephone boxes and most literature. This dichotomy between official ''tak'' and unstandardised, regional ''kriyal'' still exists today in the Poccasin Federation and is a major part of Poccasin daily life.
 
This article describes the standard variety of Bemé used in the Poccasin Federation; other major varieties/dialects of Bemé include [[Bijun Creole]] (native to the Bijuns of Bijou Island) and [[Columbé]] (of the people of [[Saint Columban]]).
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name ''Bemé'' is derived from the [[Kabao]] phrase ''beme po kasin'' [[Help:IPA|[ˈbeme pɔ ˈkɑsin]]], literally meaning "nation of the red mountain", it is also the origin of the English [[w:Exonym|exonym]] ''Poccasin'' and ''Poccasinese''.
The name ''Bemé'' is derived from the [[Kabao]] phrase ''beme po kasin'', literally meaning "nation of the red mountain". It is also the origin of the English [[w:Exonym|exonym]] ''Poccasin'' and ''Poccasinese'', as well as the name for the city of Cassim Po, so named by the Portuguese.
===''Beme'' vs ''Bemé''===
===''Beme'' vs ''Bemé''===
The words ''Beme'' and ''Bemé'', both derived from Kabao ''beme'', mean two distinct things in English. ''Beme'', (/[[IPA for Bemé|ˈbɛmeɪ̯]]/ or /[[IPA for Bemé|ˈbɛmiː]]/, ''BEH-may'' or ''BEH-mee'') without the accent, is the widely used [[w:Endonym|endonym]] of citizens of the Poccasin Federation; in the Poccasins specifically, ''bemeh'' in this context is mostly used to refer to the Poccasin federative government, akin to referring to the British government as simply "Westminster".
The words ''Beme'' and ''Bemé'', both derived from Kabao ''beme'' "nation", mean two distinct things in English. ''Beme'', (/[[IPA for Bemé|ˈbɛmeɪ̯]]/ or /[[IPA for Bemé|ˈbɛmiː]]/, ''BEH-may'' or ''BEH-mee'') without the accent, is the widely used [[w:Endonym|endonym]] of citizens of the Poccasin Federation; in the Poccasins specifically, ''bemeh'' in this context is mostly used to refer to the Poccasin federative government, akin to referring to the British government as simply "Westminster".


In contrast, ''Bemé'', (/[[Help:IPA|bəˈmeɪ̯]]/ ''buh-MAY'') with an accent, is exclusively used in English to refer to the Bemé language. However, in Bemé itself, both ''bemeh'' "nation" and ''bemeh'' "Bemé" are homophones and homonyms, and their differing meanings is only discerned by context, such as:
In contrast, ''Bemé'', (/[[Help:IPA|bəˈmeɪ̯]]/ ''buh-MAY'') with an accent, is exclusively used in English to refer to the Bemé language. However, in Bemé itself, both ''bemeh'' "nation" and ''bemeh'' "Bemé" are homophones and homonyms, and their differing meanings is only discerned by context, such as:
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===''Kriyal''===
===''Kriyal''===
''[[Contionary:kriyal|Kriyal]]'' ([[IPA for Bemé|[kɹ̥ijal]]], [[IPA for Bemé|[tɹ̥ijal]]] or [[IPA for Bemé|[tʃɹ̥ijal]]]) is a less commonly used term, and is derived from its status as an [[w:English-based creole languages|English-based creole language]]. Although originally referring to the entire language in the same manner as ''Bemé''/''Bemeh'', nowadays it is mostly used to refer to [[w:Basilect|basilectal]] varieties of the language, though older speakers may still refer to the language as a whole as ''kriyal''.
''[[Contionary:kriyal|Kriyal]]'' ([[IPA for Bemé|[kɹ̥ijal]]], [[IPA for Bemé|[tɹ̥ijal]]] or [[IPA for Bemé|[tʃɹ̥ijal]]]) is a less commonly used term, and is derived from the English word {{l|en|creole}}. Although originally referring to the entire language in the same manner as ''Bemé''/''Bemeh'', nowadays it is mostly used to refer to [[w:Basilect|basilectal]] varieties of the language, though older speakers may still refer to the language as a whole as ''kriyal''.


The word ''kriyal''(sometimes spelt ''kriyel'' in [[Columbé|Columban]]) is also used by [[Columbé]] and [[Bijun Creole]] speakers to refer to their own varieties of Bemé.
The word ''kriyal'' (sometimes spelt ''kriyel'' in [[Columbé|Columban]]) is also used by [[Columbé]] and [[Bijun Creole]] speakers to refer to their own varieties of Bemé.


==''Tak'' vs ''kriyal''==
==''Tak'' vs ''kriyal''==
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However, a key difference between older and younger speakers is the presence of [[w:Situational code-switching|code-switching]]; younger speakers are much more likely to be adept at code-switching between ''tak'' and ''kriyal'' depending on context, as opposed to older, traditionally less educated speakers who can't code-switch and as such whose speech may be permanently considered ''kriyal''. This factor has been considered one of many causes of [[w:Ageism|ageism]] in the Poccasin workforce, where older job applicants who exclusively speak in what is considered ''kriyal'' may be discriminated against compared to younger job applicants who are capable of speaking in more formal ''tak''.
However, a key difference between older and younger speakers is the presence of [[w:Situational code-switching|code-switching]]; younger speakers are much more likely to be adept at code-switching between ''tak'' and ''kriyal'' depending on context, as opposed to older, traditionally less educated speakers who can't code-switch and as such whose speech may be permanently considered ''kriyal''. This factor has been considered one of many causes of [[w:Ageism|ageism]] in the Poccasin workforce, where older job applicants who exclusively speak in what is considered ''kriyal'' may be discriminated against compared to younger job applicants who are capable of speaking in more formal ''tak''.
===Patois===
'''Bemé patois''', (Bemé: ''patwa'', ''patwa tak'') or simply '''patois''', is a register of Bemé used in poetry. It features a more lenient word order, as well as the ability to "degrade" words into fewer syllables for the sake of poetic clarity or [[w:Rhyme|rhyme]]. Additionally, nominative pronouns ending in vowels may "merge" into the following verb or particle if the verb starts with a vowel or the particle is ''{{bm|eh}}'', so ''mi ogul'' {{bm-ipa|mi ogul}} "I see, I look at" becomes ''m'ogul'' {{bm-ipa|mogul}}, or ''mi eh wosh'' "I am washing" {{bm-ipa|mi ɛ woʃ}} becomes ''m'eh wosh'' {{bm-ipa|mɛ woʃ}}.
==Orthography==
==Orthography==
[[File:Standard & Regular Romanization of Poccasin Creole.png|200px|thumb|right|3rd edition cover of ''Standard and Regular Romanization of Poccasin Creole'', published in 1970.]]
Most Bemé speakers use the [[Caine orthography]], invented by Charlie F. Caine and first described in ''Standard and Regular Romanization of Poccasin Creole'' (1962). Caine allegedly invented the orthography while on a particularly long plane ride to Cassim Po, basing the phoneme-grapheme correspondence on the phonology of urban Cassim Po Bemé, of which he was most accustomed to. As such, Caine's orthography has sometimes been criticised for contributing to urbocentrism in the Poccasin Federation.
However, the Caine orthography has also conversely been praised for contributing to the standardisation of the Bemé language. Its lack of diacritics also proved beneficial in the early days of the [[w:Information Age|Information Age]], as the entire standard Bemé language could be displayed using only [[w:ASCII|ASCII]], at a time where many languages such as [[w:Chinese language|Chinese]] or [[w:Japanese language|Japanese]] could not be effectively represented on computers before the introduction of [[w:Unicode|Unicode]] in 1988.
{|
{|
|-
|-
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The distinction between /kr tr tʃr/, as well as between /gr dʒr/, has been historically neutralised, leading to a varying pronunciation:
The distinction between /kr tr tʃr/, as well as between /gr dʒr/, has been historically neutralised, leading to a varying pronunciation:
* ⟨kr⟩ may be heard as /tɹ̥ kɹ̥ tʃɹ̥/;  
* ⟨kr⟩ may be heard as /tɹ̥ kɹ̥ tʃɹ̥/;  
* In the most [[w:Basilect|basilectal]](''Kriyal'') varieties, the stop may be simply [[w:Aspirated consonant|strongly aspirated]], leaving /tʰː kʰː tʃʰː/;
* In the most [[w:Basilect|basilectal]] (''Kriyal'') varieties, the stop may be simply [[w:Aspirated consonant|strongly aspirated]], leaving /tʰː kʰː tʃʰː/;
* The realisation may be aspirated [[w:Retroflex consonant|retroflex]] /ʈʰ/, and similarly [[w:Voiceless retroflex affricate|affricated]] to /ʈʂ ʈʂʰ/.
* The realisation may be aspirated [[w:Retroflex consonant|retroflex]] /ʈʰ/, and similarly [[w:Voiceless retroflex affricate|affricated]] to /ʈʂ ʈʂʰ/.
The pronunciation of ⟨gr⟩ is less variable; there still exists a distinction between /gr~dʒr/ and /dr/, though /dr/ is extremely rare and only exists in certain words, such as '''''gr'''ag'' "stop (v.)" and '''''dr'''ag'' "drag queen".
The pronunciation of ⟨gr⟩ is less variable; there still exists a distinction between /gr~dʒr/ and /dr/, though /dr/ is extremely rare and only exists in certain words, such as '''''gr'''ag'' "stop (v.)" and '''''dr'''ag'' "drag queen".
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| || [[w:Voiced alveolar lateral approximant|l]] || || ||
| || [[w:Voiced alveolar lateral approximant|l]] || || ||
|}
|}
/t d/ both become /t̚/ ([[w:No audible release|no audible release]]) in word-final coda positions, so ''{{bm|dat|da'''t'''}}'' is pronounced {{bm-ipa|dat̚}} while ''{{bm|data|da'''t'''a}}'' is pronounced with audible release as {{bm-ipa|data}}. This allophonic variation without audible release has also been described as [[w:Dental consonant|dentalised]]; thus, words like ''{{bm|dat}}'' have also been transcribed as {{bm-ipa|dat̪̚}}.
/t d/ both become /t̚/ ([[w:No audible release|no audible release]]) in word-final coda positions, so {{l|beme|dat|da'''t'''}} is pronounced {{bm-ipa|dat̚}} while {{l|beme|data|da'''t'''a}} is pronounced with audible release as {{bm-ipa|data}}. This allophonic variation without audible release has also been described as [[w:Dental consonant|dentalised]]; thus, words like {{l|beme|dat}} have also been transcribed as {{bm-ipa|dat̪̚}}.


Unlike in English, /ŋ/ can appear in onset positions, such as in '''''ng'''os'' "nose". The palatal nasal /ɲ/ usually occurs when differentiating between words that would be homophones in standard English, e.g. ''nap'' vs ''[[wikt:knap#Verb|knap]]'', which in Bemé became '''''n'''ap'' "rest (v.)" and '''''ny'''ap'' "punch (v.)".
Unlike in English, /ŋ/ can appear in onset positions, such as in '''''ng'''os'' "nose". The palatal nasal /ɲ/ usually occurs when differentiating between words that would be homophones in standard English, e.g. ''nap'' vs {{l|en|knap}}, which in Bemé became '''''n'''ap'' "rest (v.)" and '''''ny'''ap'' "punch (v.)".


[[w:Syllabic consonant|Syllabic]] /l̩/ appears in a few words, such as ''Beyb'''l''''' [[IPA for Bemé|[bei̯bl̩]]] "Bible" and ''teyb'''l''''' [[IPA for Bemé|[tei̯bl̩]]] "table".
[[w:Syllabic consonant|Syllabic]] /l̩/ appears in a few words, such as ''Beyb'''l''''' [[IPA for Bemé|[bei̯bl̩]]] "Bible" and ''teyb'''l''''' [[IPA for Bemé|[tei̯bl̩]]] "table".


/ɲ/ is the only consonant that cannot appear in a coda position; typically, this is circumvented by adding /ɛ/ or /a/ postpositionally, so ''{{bm|grin}}'' becomes ''{{bm|grinyeh}}''.
/ɲ/ is the only consonant that cannot appear in a coda position; typically, this is circumvented by adding /ɛ/ or /a/ postpositionally, so {{l|beme|grin}} becomes {{l|beme|grinyeh}}.
====Nasal assimilation====
====Nasal assimilation====
"'''Nasal assimilation'''" in Bemé refers to a [[w:Sandhi|sandhi]] process where the [[w:Voiced alveolar nasal|alveolar nasal]] /n/ is shifted to a different nasal before certain [[w:Obstruent consonants|obstruents]]. This process varies among Bemé dialects; the differences between major dialects are shown in the following table.
"'''Nasal assimilation'''" in Bemé refers to a [[w:Sandhi|sandhi]] process where the [[w:Voiced alveolar nasal|alveolar nasal]] /n/ (corresponding with the graphemes ⟨Nn⟩) is shifted to a different nasal before certain [[w:Obstruent consonants|obstruents]]. This process varies among Bemé dialects; the differences between major dialects are shown in the following table.
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | !! colspan=14 | Obstruents
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | !! colspan=14 | Obstruents
|-
|-
! /p/ !! /b/ !! /t/ !! /d/ !! /tʃ/ !! /dʒ/ !! /k/ !! /g/ !! /s/ !! /z/ !! /ʃ/ !! /h/
! /p/ !! /b/ !! /t/ !! /d/ !! /tʃ/ !! /dʒ/ !! /k/ !! /g/ !! /s/ !! /ʃ/ !! /h/
|-
|-
! rowspan=3 | Nasal
! rowspan=3 | Nasal
! Bemé
! Bemé
| colspan=2 rowspan=3 | /m/ || colspan=4 rowspan=2 | /n/ || colspan=2 rowspan=3 | /ŋ/ || colspan=3 | /n/ || rowspan=2 | /m/
| colspan=2 rowspan=3 | /m/ || colspan=4 rowspan=2 | /n/ || colspan=2 rowspan=3 | /ŋ/ || colspan=2 | /n/ || rowspan=2 | /m/
|-
|-
! Bijun
! Bijun
| colspan=2 rowspan=2 | /n/ || rowspan=2 | /ɲ/  
| rowspan=2 | /n/ || rowspan=2 | /ɲ/  
|-
|-
! Columbé
! Columbé
| colspan=2 | /n/ || colspan=2 | /ɲ/ || -
| colspan=2 | /n/ || colspan=2 | /ɲ/ || -
|}
|}
The placement of /n/ before /h/ only occurs in one word: ''{{bm|Anhara}}'', a girl's name of Sasubi origin ([[Sasubi]]: انخارا); the /n/ is pronounced as a bilabial <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[w:Voiced bilabial nasal|m]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> in standard Bemé and [[Bijun]] but not pronounced whatsoever in [[Columbé]], instead giving /ahaɾa/ or /aːhaɾa/(the first /a/ may be lengthened to compensate for a lack of a /n/). In the original [[Sasubi]], the name is pronounced [[Help:IPA|[ɐŋxɐˈra]]].
The placement of /n/ before /h/ only occurs in one word: {{l|beme|Anhara}}, a girl's name of Sasubi origin ([[Sasubi]]: انخارا); the /n/ is pronounced as a [[w:Voiced bilabial nasal|bilabial nasal]] [m] in standard Bemé and [[Bijun]] but not pronounced whatsoever in [[Columbé]], instead giving /ahaɾa/ or /aːhaɾa/ (the first /a/ may be lengthened to compensate for a lack of a /n/). In the original [[Sasubi]], the name is pronounced [[Help:IPA|[ɐŋxɐˈra]]].


===Vowels===
===Vowels===
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| colspan=2 | [[w:Open central unrounded vowel|a]]
| colspan=2 | [[w:Open central unrounded vowel|a]]
|}
|}
There are only three diphthongs in Bemé: /ei̯ oi̯ ou̯/, written ⟨ey, oi, ow⟩ respectively. However, although these diphthongs may roughly match with similar English diphthongs /eɪ̯ oɪ̯ oʊ̯/, these diphthongs rarely match; diphthongs in general are rare in Bemé, but even with words derived from English words with diphthongs, the diphthongs are often replaced with monophthongs, e.g. ''sh'''e'''k'' [[IPA for Bemé|[ʃek]]], compared to English sh'''a'''ke /[[w:Help:IPA/English|ˈʃeɪ̯k]]/. In ''kriyal'' varieties diphthongs may be entirely replaced by monophthongs, so words like ''sk'''ey''''' [[IPA for Bemé|[skei̯]]] become [[IPA for Bemé|[skɛ]]].
There are only three diphthongs in Bemé: /ei̯ oi̯ ou̯/, written ⟨ey, oi, ow⟩ respectively. However, although these diphthongs may roughly match with similar English diphthongs /eɪ̯ oɪ̯ oʊ̯/, these diphthongs rarely match; diphthongs in general are rare in Bemé, but even with words derived from English words with diphthongs, the diphthongs are often replaced with monophthongs, e.g. ''sh'''e'''k'' [[IPA for Bemé|[ʃek]]], compared to English sh'''a'''ke /[[w:Help:IPA/English|ˈʃeɪ̯k]]/. In ''kriyal'' varieties diphthongs may be entirely replaced by monophthongs, so words like {{l|beme|skey|sk'''ey'''}} [[IPA for Bemé|[skei̯]]] become [[IPA for Bemé|[skɛ]]].
====''Leleh''====
====''Leleh''====
'''''Leleh''''' or '''''lelé''''' (<small>with ''leleh'':</small> [[IPA for Bemé|[lelɛ]]]; <small>without:</small> [[IPA for Bemé|[lele]]]) is a Bemé word describing the prevalence of a distinction between /e/ and /ɛ/ in a Bemé dialect. ''Leleh'' is present in ''Bemetak'', as well as in all Cassim Po dialects; it is also present in [[Bijun Creole]], though the distinction occurs instead between /i/ and /ɛ/ as /e/ merges with /i/.
'''''Leleh''''' or '''''lelé''''' (<small>with ''leleh'':</small> [[IPA for Bemé|[lelɛ]]]; <small>without:</small> [[IPA for Bemé|[lele]]]) is a Bemé word describing the distinction between /e/ and /ɛ/ in a Bemé dialect. ''Leleh'' is present in ''Bemetak'', as well as in all Cassim Po dialects; it is also present in [[Bijun Creole]], though the distinction occurs instead between /i/ and /ɛ/ as /e/ merges with /i/.


However, some ''[[#Tak vs kriyal|kriyal]]'' dialects especially in the south do not have ''leleh''; instead, /ɛ/ merges with /e/ another phoneme, though the pronunciation of the resultant phoneme is variable. Examples of dialects that lack ''leleh'' include most Southern Seru dialects as well as [[Columbé]]; in the case of Columbé specifically, /ɛ/ is pronounced /e/.
However, some ''[[#Tak vs kriyal|kriyal]]'' dialects especially in the south do not have ''leleh''; instead, /ɛ/ merges with /e/ or another phoneme, though the pronunciation of the resultant phoneme is variable. Examples of dialects that lack ''leleh'' include most Southern Seru dialects as well as [[Columbé]]; in the case of Columbé specifically, /ɛ/ is pronounced /e/.


==Grammar==
==Grammar==
Bemé does not mark grammatical [[w:Grammatical number|number]], [[w:Grammatical gender|gender]] or [[w:Grammatical case|case]] in most places.
Bemé does not mark grammatical [[w:Grammatical number|number]], [[w:Grammatical gender|gender]] or [[w:Grammatical case|case]] in most places.
===Demonstratives===
===Pronouns===
====Demonstratives====
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
! rowspan=2 | !! colspan=2 | Proximal !! colspan=2 | Distal
! rowspan=2 | !! colspan=2 | Proximal !! colspan=2 | Distal
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|}
|}
Demonstratives in Bemé only inflect on number as [[w:Pronoun|pronouns]]; demonstrative [[w:Determiner|determiners]] are not inflected on anything apart from proximity.
Demonstratives in Bemé only inflect on number as [[w:Pronoun|pronouns]]; demonstrative [[w:Determiner|determiners]] are not inflected on anything apart from proximity.
===Personal pronouns===
====Personal====
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
! colspan=2 | !! Singular !! Paucal !! Plural*
! colspan=2 | !! Singular !! Paucal !! Plural*
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<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plural pronouns are written in order from common in ''tak'' to common in ''kriyal''.
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plural pronouns are written in order from common in ''tak'' to common in ''kriyal''.


"Paucal" pronouns refer to groups of people, as in ''wi kri'' would mean "some of us", ''yu kri'' means "some of you all", etc. Paucal pronouns are thought to have been borrowed from [[Dadaareg]], constructed by a combination of pronoun + ''kri'' (lit. "three"), as is typical for paucal pronouns in Dadaareg(''tanuk'', ''penuk'', ''lolonuk''). The third-person paucal pronoun, ''imim''/''emem'', is thought to have been derived via [[Ketaserang]] reduplication, a feature typical of Ketaserang for forming plural pronouns.
''im'', although derived from the gendered English word {{l|en|him}}, is ungendered and can be roughly translated to "he", "she", "it" or singular "they" depending on context. Older speakers may use {{l|beme|shi}} or {{l|beme|shya}}/{{l|beme|shiya}} (all from English {{l|en|she}}) in the same way as ''she'' is used in English, but this word is functionally obsolete in modern Bemé (at best archaic in [[#Patois|patois]]).
 
"Paucal" pronouns refer to groups of people, as in ''wi kri'' would mean "some of us", ''yu kri'' means "some of you all", etc. Paucal pronouns are thought to have been borrowed from [[Dadaareg]], constructed by a combination of pronoun + ''kri'' (lit. "three"), as is typical for paucal pronouns in Dadaareg (''tanuk'', ''penuk'', ''lolonuk''). The third-person paucal pronoun, ''imim''/''emem'', is thought to have been derived via [[Ketaserang]] reduplication, a feature typical of Ketaserang for forming plural pronouns.


''Tuka'', ''ka'', ''tukeh'' and ''keh'' are all taken from the [[Yabo]] languages, all of which have pronouns along the lines of ''toka'' or ''tokeq''.
''Tuka'', ''ka'', ''tukeh'' and ''keh'' are all taken from the [[Yabo]] languages, all of which have pronouns along the lines of ''toka'' or ''tokeq''.
====Interrogatives====
Bemé interrogatives are derived from the word ''{{bm|wa}}'' "what", from English {{l|en|what}}.
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
! English !! Bemé
|-
! who
| ''wa mang''
|-
! what
| ''wa''
|-
! which
| ''wa dem''
|-
! when
| ''wa wen''
|-
! why
| ''wanyu''
|-
! where
| ''wa deh''
|-
! how
| ''wa dan''
|-
! how much
| ''wa pis''
|}
===Numerals===
===Numerals===
Bemé numerals from 0-9 are as follows:
Bemé numerals from 0-9 are as follows:
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! Number !! Bemé !! English translation
! Number !! Bemé !! English translation
|-
|-
| 20 || ''tu teng'' || twenty
| 20 || ''tuteng'' || twenty
|-
|-
| 30 || ''kri teng'' || thirty
| 30 || ''kriteng'' || thirty
|-
|-
| 40 || ''pow teng'' || forty
| 40 || ''powteng'' || forty
|-
|-
| 50 || ''pateng'' || fifty
| 50 || ''pateng'' || fifty
|}
|}
''Pateng'' "fifty" is a single exception to the rule, and is simply derived from ''payeh'' + ''teng''.
''Pateng'' "fifty" is a single exception to the rule, and is simply derived from ''{{bm|payeh}}'' + ''{{bm|teng}}''.
 
===Verbs===
===Verbs===
The Bemé verbal paradigm, shown on the regular verb ''{{bm|it}}'' is as follows:
The Bemé verbal paradigm, shown on the regular verb ''{{bm|it}}'' is as follows:
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!rowspan=2 | !! colspan=2 | Indicative !! colspan=2 | Continuous !! colspan=2 | Conditional
!rowspan=2 | !! colspan=2 | Indicative !! colspan=2 | Continuous !! colspan=2 | Conditional
|-
|-
! intrans. !! trans. !! intrans. !! trans. !! intrans. !! trans
! intrans. !! trans. !! intrans. !! trans. !! intrans. !! trans.
|-
|-
! Present
! Present
| ''it'' || ''itin'' || ''eh it'' || ''eh itin'' || ''la it'' || ''la itin''
| ''it'' || ''itin'' || ''itit'' || ''ititin'' || ''la it'' || ''la itin''
|-
|-
! Past
! Past
| ''dan it'' || ''dan itin'' || ''eh dan it'' || ''eh dan itin'' || ''la dan it'' || ''la dan itin''
| ''dan it'' || ''dan itin'' || ''dan itit'' || ''dan ititin'' || ''la dan it'' || ''la dan itin''
|-
|-
! Future
! Future
| ''wan it'' || ''wan itin'' || ''eh wan it'' || ''eh wan itin'' || ''la wan it'' || ''la wan itin''
| ''wan it'' || ''wan itin'' || ''wan itit'' || ''wan ititin'' || ''la wan it'' || ''la wan itin''
|}
|}
====Transitivity====
====Transitivity====
Similarly to [[w:Tok Pisin|Tok Pisin]], verbs are made transitive by the suffix ''-in''. The suffix is only not placed after a transitive verb when the verb is imperative.
Similarly to [[w:Tok Pisin|Tok Pisin]], verbs are made transitive by the suffix ''-in''. The suffix is only not placed after a transitive verb when the verb is imperative.
====Tense, aspect and mood====
====Tense, aspect and mood====
The completive aspect is shown by the lemma ''dampini''(from English ''*done finish''), as in ''im wak '''dampini''''' "he worked", while the continuous aspect is shown with ''eh'' before the verb, as in ''im '''eh''' wak'' "he is working". ''Dampini'' also means "finished, completed" as an adjective, and is one of few postpositional adjectives in Bemé, as in ''ombewak '''dampini''''' "finished homework".
The completive aspect is shown by the lemma {{l|beme|dampini}} (from English ''*done finish''), as in ''im wak '''dampini''''' "he worked", while the continuous aspect is shown with [[w:Reduplication|reduplication]] of the verb, as in ''im '''wakwak''''' "he is working". ''Dampini'' also means "finished, completed" as an adjective, and is one of few postpositional adjectives in Bemé, as in ''ombewak '''dampini''''' "finished homework".


Bemé has two officially marked tenses: past and future, marked by the particles ''dan'' and ''wan'' respectively, as in ''mi dan itin bitel'' "I ate food" vs ''mi wan itin bitel'' "I will eat food".
Bemé has two officially marked tenses: past and future, marked by the particles ''dan'' and ''wan'' respectively, as in ''mi dan itin bitel'' "I ate food" vs ''mi wan itin bitel'' "I will eat food".


The [[w:Imperative mood|imperative mood]] is expressed by placing ''eh'' after the verb, which cannot take the [[#Transitivity|transitive suffix]] ''-in'' or a [[#Personal pronouns|personal pronoun]].
The [[w:Imperative mood|imperative mood]] is expressed by placing ''eh'' after the verb, which cannot take the [[#Transitivity|transitive suffix]] ''-in'' or a [[#Personal pronouns|personal pronoun]].
====Negation====
====Negation====
Negation on verbs is done by putting ''na'' or ''neh'' before the verb. ''Tak eh Bemeh!'' states that ''na'' should be used for intransitive verbs, while ''neh'' should be used with transitive verbs, a pattern which is typical of most first-language speakers in Cassim Po. However, elsewhere, in ''kriyal'' varieties, ''na'' and ''neh'' are virtually interchangeable.
Negation on verbs is done by putting ''na'' or ''neh'' before the verb. ''Tak eh Bemeh!'' states that ''na'' should be used for intransitive verbs, while ''neh'' should be used with transitive verbs, a pattern which is typical of most first-language speakers in Cassim Po. However, elsewhere, in ''kriyal'' varieties, ''na'' and ''neh'' are virtually interchangeable.
====Copula====
====Copula====
The Bemé copula is ''bi'', from English ''be'', though this can be turned into an existential verb by placing ''eh'' before the copula. In ''kriyal'' varieties, it is customary to omit the copula in most cases, especially before an adjective. However, the copula is never omitted in ''tak''.
The Bemé copula is ''bi'', from English ''be'', though this can be turned into an existential verb by placing ''eh'' before the copula. In ''kriyal'' varieties, it is customary to omit the copula in most cases, especially before an adjective. However, the copula is never omitted in ''tak''.
===Polysemants===
===Polysemants===
<small>''See'' [[:Category:Bemé polysemants]] ''for a full list of polysemants.''</small><br>
<small>''See'' [[:Category:Bemé polysemants]] ''for a full list of polysemants.''</small><br>
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===Word derivation===
===Word derivation===
Bemé only has specific word derivation rules when deriving a word from an already existing word of a different class; for example, from a verb to a noun. In that case, the prefix ''e-''(possibly derived from English indefinite article ''a'') is added, as in ''shwim'' "to swim" > ''eshwim'' "pool".
Bemé only has specific word derivation rules when deriving a word from an already existing word of a different class; for example, from a verb to a noun. In that case, the prefix ''e-'' (possibly derived from English indefinite article ''a'') is added, as in ''shwim'' "to swim" > ''eshwim'' "pool".
==Swadesh==
==Swadesh==
The following table shows the official [[w:Swadesh list|Swadesh list]] provided by ''Tak eh Bemeh!''.
The following table shows the official [[w:Swadesh list|Swadesh list]] provided by ''Tak eh Bemeh!''.
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|big=big
|big=big
|long=long
|long=long
|wide=wi long
|wide=weh long
|thick=wi big
|thick=weh big
|heavy=ebig
|heavy=ebig
|small=na big
|small=na big
|short=na long
|short=na long
|narrow=na wi long
|narrow=na weh long
|thin=na wi big
|thin=na weh big
|woman=jal
|woman=jal
|man (adult male)=mwoi
|man (adult male)=mwoi
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|fall=tamel
|fall=tamel
|give=gib
|give=gib
|hold=ab
|hold=unya
|squeeze=krish
|squeeze=krish
|rub=rob
|rub=rob
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|rain=rey
|rain=rey
|river=long wateh
|river=long wateh
|lake=big wateh
|lake=desi
|sea=big desi
|sea=big desi
|salt=sal
|salt=sal
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==Example texts==
==Example texts==
===UDHR 1===
Article 1 of the [[Literature:The Universal Declaration of Human Rights|The Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] in Bemé:
: ''Aldem mang bi bon piri an ikwal ni digniti an reyt. Dem bi gib a dem risun an konshans an mos la go a dem an dem ni brada ting pirit.''
Article 1 of the The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in English:
: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
===Historical texts===
===Historical texts===
====The Lord's Prayer====
====The Lord's Prayer====
This extract is taken from the ''Bemeh Beybl'', verses ''Matru'' 6:9-13, adapted from the [[w:New International Version|New International Version]] by ''{{bm|Abo}}'' Patrick "Pati" Babel.
This extract is taken from the ''Bemeh Beybl'', verses ''Matru'' 6:9-13, adapted from the [[w:New International Version|New International Version]] by {{l|beme|Abo}} Patrick "Pati" Babel.
<poem>
<poem>
''Wey Abo ni skey, yu neym bi bles.''
''Wey Abo ni skey, yu neym bi bles.''
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: Jules: ''Neh mang, mi na itin pok.''
: Jules: ''Neh mang, mi na itin pok.''
: Vincent: ''Yu bi yudim?''
: Vincent: ''Yu bi yudim?''
: Jules: ''Neh mang, mi na yudim, mi jis na digin pok, lalo.''
: Jules: ''Neh mang, mi na yudim, mi jis na lekin pok, lalo.''
: Vincent: ''Wa lek neh?''
: Vincent: ''Wanyu neh?''
: Jules: ''Pok bi deti edag. Mi na itin deti edag.''
: Jules: ''Pok bi deti edag. Mi na itin deti edag.''
: Vincent: ''Yeh, ba bekon tes gud. Pok chop tes gud.''
: Vincent: ''Yeh, ba bekon tes gud. Pok chop tes gud.''
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: Vincent: ''Wa dan eh dag? Dag itin im eh pyuk.''
: Vincent: ''Wa dan eh dag? Dag itin im eh pyuk.''
: Jules: ''Mi na itin dag nebla.''
: Jules: ''Mi na itin dag nebla.''
: Vincent: ''Yeh, ba yu tink dag bi deti edag la?''<br>(''Beat''.)
: Vincent: ''Yeh, ba yu tink dag bi deti edag la?''<br> (''Beat''.)
: Jules: ''Mi na la wan inyeh po kalin dag deti edag, ba erili na pokres edag; ba, dag ab peson. Peson wan long weh.''
: Jules: ''Mi na la wan inyeh po kalin dag deti edag, ba erili na pokres edag; ba, dag ab peson. Peson wan long weh.''
: Vincent: ''Ah, so kas dat risun, ey pok dan ab gud peson, im grag eh bi deti edag.''
: Vincent: ''Ah, so kas dat risun, ey pok dan ab gud peson, im grag eh bi deti edag.''
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===Seventh Linguifex Relay===
===Seventh Linguifex Relay===
<small>'''''Bemé''' is taking part in the [[Seventh Linguifex Relay]] in seat 10. This section will be filled in once the relay begins.''</small><br>
<small>'''''Bemé''' is taking part in the [[Seventh Linguifex Relay]] in seat 10. This section will be filled in once the relay ends.''</small><br>
 
==See also==
==See also==
* [[:Category:Bemé words]]
* [[:Category:Bemé words]]
[[Category:Bemé]] [[Category:Conlangs]] [[Category:Languages]] [[Category:Creole languages]]
* [[Caine orthography]]
[[Category:Bemé language]] [[Category:Conlangs]] [[Category:Languages]] [[Category:Creole languages]]
Retrieved from "https://linguifex.com/wiki/Bemé"