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==Morphology== | ==Morphology== | ||
All lemmata (citation forms of words) are either | |||
# trisyllabic, a grouping of three allowable syllables, or | |||
# quadrisyllabic, a monosyllabic prefix which always contains a diphthong beginning with /i/ or /u/, followed by a trisyllabic lemma. | |||
A lemma always constitutes a valid clause on its own, containing both a triconsonantal noun as the subject and a trivocalic verb as the predicate. Quadrisyllabic lemma retain their prefix in both forms. Lemma clauses are always true by definition, self-evident sentences of the structure "the X is an X", and therefore rather void of pragmatic purpose. Here are some examples. | |||
{| class="bluetable lightbluebg sortable" | |||
|- | |||
! Lemma !! Translation !! Noun !! Translation !! Verb !! Translation | |||
|- | |||
| '''''namina''''' || I am me. || '''''n_m_n_''''' || I || '''''_a_i_a''''' || be me | |||
|- | |||
| '''''vailevai''''' || You are you. || '''''v_l_v_''''' || you || '''''_ai_e_ai''''' || be you | |||
|- | |||
| '''''taaguhii''''' || The ''tahu'' is a ''tahu''. || '''''t_g_h_''''' || the ''tahu'' || '''''_aa_u_ii''''' || be a ''tahu'' | |||
|- | |||
| '''''hiitaahii''''' || The ''kia tahu'' is a ''kia tahu''. || '''''h_t_h_''''' || the ''kia tahu'' || '''''_ii_aa_ii''''' || be a ''kia tahu'' | |||
|- | |||
| '''''levaile''''' || The woman is a woman. || '''''l_v_l_''''' || the woman || '''''_e_ai_e''''' || be a woman | |||
|- | |||
| '''''soovaigu''''' || The civilian man is a civilian man. || '''''s_v_g_''''' || the civilian man || '''''_o_ai_u''''' || be a civilian man | |||
|- | |||
| '''''kuumixee''''' || The monkey is a monkey. || '''''k_m_x_''''' || the monkey || '''''_uu_i_ee''''' || be a monkey | |||
|- | |||
| '''''kuujomi''''' || The dog is a dog. || '''''k_j_m_''''' || the dog || '''''_uu_o_i''''' || be a dog | |||
|- | |||
| '''''minataa''''' || The cat is a cat. || '''''m_n_t_''''' || the cat || '''''_i_a_aa''''' || be a cat | |||
|} | |||
==Syntax== | ==Syntax== |
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