Minhast: Difference between revisions

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 === Negation ===
+Minhast has a standard negator particle ''hatā''' ("no", "not") that comes clause-initially.  It may be joined to the clause via preposed-''wa='' binding, or it may remain independent.  The verbal prefix ''ta-'' is also used to negate clauses.  ''Hatā''' typically appears as a response to yes-no questions.  ''Hatā''' may co-occur with the ''ta-'' marked verb; if so ''hatā''' is followed by a pause, unless it is joined to the clause via ''wa='' binding.  Finally, the negative existential particle ''hambin'' may be used to negate the clause, in which case it must be bound to the clause by ''wa='', and the verb must be marked by the prefix ''ta-''.  The ''hambin''-construction is particularly emphatic, and is best translated as "There is no one who..." or "There is nothing that...".
+The following examples illustrate the usage of ''hatā''', ''ta-'', and ''hambin''  for negation:
+) ''Hatā' ušnekaru'' ("I did not hit him").
+) ''Hatā', hata' ušnekaru'' ("No, I did not hit him").
+) ''Hatā', ta'ušnekaru'' ("No, I did not hit him").
+) ''Hatā' watta'ušnekaru'' ("No, I definitely did not hit him").
+) ''Ta'ušnekaru'' ("I did not hit him").
+) ''Hambin watta'ušnaru'' ("There was no one who hit him")
 === Conjunctions and Connectives===