Difference between revisions of "Kamba and English/ContrastiveGrammar"
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== Kam-Eng Tests == | == Kam-Eng Tests == | ||
| − | === | + | === Noun Modifier --> Modifier Noun === |
{{comment|Double check your English tags against <code>eng-morph</code>/<code>eng-tagger</code>. Some of the tags don't look right. - JNW}} | {{comment|Double check your English tags against <code>eng-morph</code>/<code>eng-tagger</code>. Some of the tags don't look right. - JNW}} | ||
Revision as of 18:14, 2 May 2023
Contents
Kam-Eng Tests
Noun Modifier --> Modifier Noun
Double check your English tags against eng-morph/eng-tagger. Some of the tags don't look right. - JNW
When translating from Kamba to English, you would need to re-order the words in the sentence to match English word order, and also translate the demonstrative adjective and predicate adjective correctly. Similarly, when translating from English to Kamba, you would need to re-order the words in the sentence to match Kamba word order and ensure that you use the correct demonstrative adjective and predicate adjective.
- (kam) linda yĩĩ ni yaasa. → (eng) This dress is long.
- (kam) linda<n><sg><cl5> a<dem><sg><cl5> ĩ<vbser> asa<adj><cl5> → (eng) This<dem><sg> dress<n><sg> be<vbser><sg> long<adj><sg>
In kamba the sentence directly/literally translates to “dress this is long” in english the determiner precedes the noun.
- (kam) Vulana ii ni nene. → (eng) This jersey is big.
- (kam) Vulana<n><sg><cl9> a<dem><sg><cl9> ĩ<vbser> asa<adj><cl9> → (eng) This<dem><sg> jersey<n><sg> ĩ<vbser> big<adj><sg>
Noun Classes
I don't think this is an actual translation problem? -JNW
The noun class system in Kamba is another significant contrastive grammar difference between Kamba and English. In Kamba, nouns are classified into different categories or classes based on their characteristics, such as their gender, shape, size, and other features. Noun prefixes can change depending on various factors such as the tense, aspect, and mood of the verb in the sentence.
(kam) Ilinda yĩĩ ni yaasa. → (eng) This dress is long.
- (kam) linda<n><sg><cl5> a<dem><sg><cl5> ĩ<vbser> asa<adj><cl5> → (eng) This<dem><sg> dress<n><sg> be<vbser> long<adj>
.
In Kamba, the noun class 5 prefix "i-" is added to the noun "ilinda" to indicate that it belongs to that class.
(kam) Ngovia ii ni nini. → (eng) This hat is small.
- (kam) govia<n><sg><cl9> a<dem><sg><cl9> ĩ<vbser> nini<adj><cl9> → (eng) This<dem> hat<n><sg> be<vbser> small<adj>.
The noun class 9 prefix "n-" is added to the noun "ngovia" to indicate that it belongs to that class.
Adjective Classes
this probably isn't a translation problem. -JNW
In Kamba, adjectives are classified into different classes based on the noun they modify. In Kamba, each adjective corresponds to a specific noun class. The adjective must agree with the noun it modifies in terms of gender and number, as well as class. Conversely, when translating from English to Kamba, the adjective must be placed after the noun and its form must be adjusted to match the noun class.
(kam) Mbui, Ngiti na Ng'ombre mai anyanyae anene. → (eng) Goat, Dog, and Cow were great friends.
- (kam) Mbui<n><sg><cl9> Ngiti<n><sg><cl9> Ng'ombe<n><sg><cl9> mai<v> anyanyae<n><pl><cl9> anene<adj><sg><cl9> → (eng) Goat<n><sg> , Dog<n><sg> and<null> cow<n><sg> were<v> friends<n><pl> great<adj>.}}
(kam) Ngovia ii ni nini. → (eng) This hat is small.
- (kam) Ngovia<n><sg><cl9> ii<dem> ni<v> nini<adj><cl9> → (eng) This<dem> hat<n><sg> is<v> small<adj>.
Complex Verb Tense System
double check your test templates
Kamba has a complex verb system that includes tense, aspect, mood, and negation markers. In English, tense, aspect, mood, and negation are often expressed using separate words or constructions, while in Kamba, these features are marked using specific affixes attached to the verb stem.
(kam) Mbũi, Ngiti na Ng'ombre mai anyanyae anene. → (eng) Goat, Dog, and Cow were great friends.
- (kam) bũi<n><sg><cl9> giti<n><sg><cl9> na<cnjcoo> g'ombe<n><sg><cl9> ĩ<vbser><pip> nyanya<n><pl><cl9>nene<adj><sg><cl9> → (eng) Goat<n><sg> Dog<n><sg> and<cnjcoo> cow<n><sg> be<vbser> friend<n><pl> great<adj>.
In this example, the verb "to be" is conjugated to the positive remote past tense form of the verb, "were". The prefix for the third person plural (they) would be "ma-".
No Definite articles
In English, we use the definite article "the" to refer to specific or previously mentioned nouns. For example, "the dog" refers to a particular dog that has already been mentioned or is known to both the speaker and listener. However, in Kamba, there is no equivalent definite article. Instead, the noun classes and contextual information are used to indicate specificity.
(kam) Sokisi ni nguvi. → (eng) The socks are short.
- (kam) Sokisi<n><pl><cl9> ĩ<vbser> guvi<adj><cl9> → (eng) The <null> sock<n><pl> be<vbser> short<adj>
