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Nawuhu: Difference between revisions
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==Grammar== | ==Grammar== | ||
===Word order=== | ===Word order=== | ||
Nawuhu is primarily an SOV(subject-object-verb) language. However, in a phrase where there is no object, the word order is verb-initial. However, if the object is omitted but still implied, the word order remains as the standard SV. Thus, "I am", would be '' | Nawuhu is primarily an SOV(subject-object-verb) language. However, in a phrase where there is no object, the word order is verb-initial. However, if the object is omitted but still implied, the word order remains as the standard SV. Thus, "I am", would be ''oí ja'', lit. "am I", while "I am a person" would be ''ja oí pida’a'', lit. "I am person a". | ||
When forming a question(or a proposition, which uses roughly the same structure), the word order becomes VSO(verb-subject-object). Thus, though "I have a cat" would be ''ja éppia gvé'', the question "Do you have a cat?" would be ''lhún ja éppia?''. | |||
===Null-subject=== | ===Null-subject=== | ||
Though formally not a [[w:Null-subject language|null-subject language]], in colloquial speech, many speakers often omit the subject, particularly if it is obvious(though this is not a prerequisite). It is also typically used, even in formal speech, for expressing a phrase in the imperative mood, such as ''Pyátta’a!'', "Move!", instead of ''Ádo pyátta’a!'', "You, move!". However, in both formal and informal speech, a phrase in the jussive mood never has its subject omitted, i.e. ''Jiyacitási avni'', "Let some of them go." | Though formally not a [[w:Null-subject language|null-subject language]], in colloquial speech, many speakers often omit the subject, particularly if it is obvious(though this is not a prerequisite). It is also typically used, even in formal speech, for expressing a phrase in the imperative mood, such as ''Pyátta’a!'', "Move!", instead of ''Ádo pyátta’a!'', "You, move!". However, in both formal and informal speech, a phrase in the jussive mood never has its subject omitted, i.e. ''Jiyacitási avni'', "Let some of them go." | ||