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Suwáá: Difference between revisions
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Generally, the most animate noun in a sentence must occur first while the noun with lesser animacy occurs second. If both nouns are equal in animacy, then either noun can occur in the first position. So, both example sentences (1) and (2) are correct. The n- prefix on the verb indicates that the 1st noun is the subject and i- indicates that the 2nd noun is the subject. | Generally, the most animate noun in a sentence must occur first while the noun with lesser animacy occurs second. If both nouns are equal in animacy, then either noun can occur in the first position. So, both example sentences (1) and (2) are correct. The n- prefix on the verb indicates that the 1st noun is the subject and i- indicates that the 2nd noun is the subject. | ||
: ''Upwe unɛń | : ''Upwe unɛń nzoo.'' (1) | ||
: boy girl OBV-look | : boy girl OBV-look | ||
: 'The boy is looking at the girl.' | : 'The boy is looking at the girl.' | ||
: ''Upwe unɛń | : ''Upwe unɛń izoo.'' (2) | ||
: boy girl PROX-look | : boy girl PROX-look | ||
: 'The girl is being looked at by the boy.' | : 'The girl is being looked at by the boy.' | ||