Nankôre: Difference between revisions

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The Inverse marker ''ta-'' indicates lower animate NP is the Agent acting on a higher animate NP whose role is that of Patient. The marker occurs in two locations: as a clitic to the first verb of the VP, and as a bound prefix to the copula ''itá'''. In conjunction with the infix ''-n-'', the bound form of the Inverse mnarker encodes plurality of the LA Agent as well via vowel lengthening in open syllables, or compensatory stress in closed syllables. The Hodiernal tense is an exception: the vowel of the Inverse marker neither undergoes vowel lengthening, nor does it receive compensatory stress. This is presumably because the tense marker ''-ô-'' suppresses lengthening of a preceding vowel according to Nankôre phonological rules, thus moving the stress rightward.

Number is marked on both core arguments: for transitive clauses, plural HA arguments are marked with the infix ''-n-'', while the LA argument is marked with the suffix ''-n'' for plurality. Singular HA arguments are null-marked, and LA arguments are marked with the suffix ''-ʔ''.

The Inchoative consists of a the prefix ''yis-'', which frequently occurs as a circumfix, ''y''- + ''-s-'', for certain conjugations. The affix causes the Inverse affix ''ta(h)-'' to palatize; the ''-s-'' segment of the circumfixal form may occur before or after a pluralizing ''-n-'' affix, or the tense-bearing prefix of a given conjugation. Knowing which form of the Inchoative, and where the ''-s-'' segment occurs is unpredictable and requires memorization. When used in transitive sentences, it serves to mark the Inceptive aspect.

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 The Inverse marker ''ta-'' indicates lower animate NP is the Agent acting on a higher  animate NP whose role is that of Patient.  The marker occurs in two locations: as a clitic to the first verb of the VP, and as a bound prefix to the copula ''itá'''.  In conjunction with the infix ''-n-'', the bound form of the Inverse mnarker encodes plurality of the LA Agent as well via vowel lengthening in open syllables, or compensatory stress in closed syllables.  The Hodiernal tense is an exception: the vowel of the Inverse marker neither undergoes vowel lengthening, nor does it receive compensatory stress.  This is presumably because the tense marker ''-ô-'' suppresses lengthening of a preceding vowel according to Nankôre phonological rules, thus moving the stress rightward.
+Number is marked on both core arguments: for transitive clauses, plural HA arguments are marked with the infix ''-n-'', while the LA argument is marked with the suffix ''-n'' for plurality.  Singular HA arguments are null-marked, and LA arguments are marked with the suffix ''-ʔ''.
 The Inchoative consists of a the prefix ''yis-'', which frequently occurs as a circumfix, ''y''- + ''-s-'', for certain conjugations.  The affix causes the Inverse affix ''ta(h)-'' to palatize; the ''-s-'' segment of the circumfixal form may occur before or after a pluralizing ''-n-'' affix, or the tense-bearing prefix of a given conjugation.  Knowing which form of the Inchoative, and where the ''-s-'' segment occurs is unpredictable and requires memorization.  When used in transitive sentences, it serves to mark the Inceptive aspect.