Difference between revisions of "Wolof/Grammar"

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Wolof is an SVO language
 
Wolof is an SVO language
 
* Verbs are static and do not change for tense, aspect, or mood
 
* Verbs are static and do not change for tense, aspect, or mood
 +
*A word in Wolof always consists of a stem + 1 or more affix<ref>[https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e963/caa7b0a989589dbb8fd62396b81d6891a2e8.pdf A Morphological Analyzer for Wolof using Finite-State Techniques]</ref>
 
* Nouns have 10 classes, 8 of which are singular classes and are marked by specific prefixes, and 2 are plural classes also marked by prefixes
 
* Nouns have 10 classes, 8 of which are singular classes and are marked by specific prefixes, and 2 are plural classes also marked by prefixes
 
**However, these prefixes are not morphologically marked on the noun itself, but on the dependent that agrees with the noun
 
**However, these prefixes are not morphologically marked on the noun itself, but on the dependent that agrees with the noun
Line 53: Line 54:
 
*noun class examples with determiners
 
*noun class examples with determiners
 
**determiners will always have a prefix based on noun class and cannot exist without a class morpheme (ask about putting eng glossing after the arrows instead since the lemma cannot exist independently)
 
**determiners will always have a prefix based on noun class and cannot exist without a class morpheme (ask about putting eng glossing after the arrows instead since the lemma cannot exist independently)
−
 
+
***singular and plural noun class markers can occur on many other dependents including the definite article of a noun phrase, however, the examples will be given in determiners as the class prefixes remain the same
  
 
======singular determiners======
 
======singular determiners======
  
 
{| cellpadding=5
 
{| cellpadding=5
−
|{{morphTest|nit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl1}}|nit}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl1}}{{tag|sg}}|ki}} || The person
+
|{{morphTest|nit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl1}}|nit}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl1}}{{tag|sg}}|ki}} || The person
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|tëgg{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl2}}|tëgg}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl2}}{{tag|sg}}|bi}} || The blacksmith
+
|{{morphTest|tëgg{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl2}}|tëgg}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl2}}{{tag|sg}}|bi}} || The blacksmith
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|kër{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl3}}|kër}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl3}}{{tag|sg}}|gi}} || The house
+
|{{morphTest|kër{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl3}}|kër}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl3}}{{tag|sg}}|gi}} || The house
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|jigéen{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl4}}|jigéen}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl4}}{{tag|sg}}|ji}} || The woman
+
|{{morphTest|jigéen{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl4}}|jigéen}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl4}}{{tag|sg}}|ji}} || The woman
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|ngunu{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}|ngunu}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|li}} || The chicken coop
+
|{{morphTest|ngunu{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}|ngunu}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|li}} || The chicken coop
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|picc{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl6}}|picc}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl6}}{{tag|sg}}|mi}} || The bird
+
|{{morphTest|picc{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl6}}|picc}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl6}}{{tag|sg}}|mi}} || The bird
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|ndaw{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl7}}|ndaw}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl7}}{{tag|sg}}|si}} || The young woman
+
|{{morphTest|ndaw{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl7}}|ndaw}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl7}}{{tag|sg}}|si}} || The young woman
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|waasintoor{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl8}}|waasintoor}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl8}}{{tag|sg}}|wi}} || The fish scale
+
|{{morphTest|waasintoor{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl8}}|waasintoor}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl8}}{{tag|sg}}|wi}} || The fish scale
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
======plural determiners======
 
======plural determiners======
 
{| cellpadding=5
 
{| cellpadding=5
−
|{{morphTest|nit{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl det}}|nit}} || {{morphTest|i {{tag|det}}{{tag|cl9}}{{tag|pl}} ñi|| The people
+
|{{morphTest|nit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl1}}|nit}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl9}}{{tag|pl}}|ñi}}|| The people
 
|-
 
|-
−
|{{morphTest|kër i{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl det}}|kër yi}} || The houses
+
|{{morphTest|kër{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl3}}|kër}} || {{morphTest|i{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl10}}{{tag|pl}}|yi}}|| The houses
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
====Pronominal morphemes====
+
===Pronominal morphemes===
−
 
+
*See pp 28-35 of [http://wolofresources.org/language/download/grammar.pdf Wolof Grammar Resources]
 
======Personal Pronouns======
 
======Personal Pronouns======
  
 +
Wolof has three types of personal pronouns:
 +
*Independent:
 +
**Used for emphasis and to answer questions
 +
*Verb-Object:
 +
**Can be used to replace a nominal direct object (me, you, etc)
 +
*Object Emphasis Pronouns
 +
**Used both to ask and answer questions in a way that signals the ''object'' of importance
  
−
======Posessives======
+
Table: - adapted from pg 21 of "New Wolof" and "Wolof: A Grammatical Sketch" Website
−
*samay yax ak sama suux (wol_output.txt line 73) - samay = my (pl) ; sama = my (sing)
 
  
 +
{|class="wikitable sortable"
 +
|-
 +
! English !! Independent Pronoun !! Verb-Object Pronoun !! Object Emphasis Pronoun
 +
|-
 +
| I || Man || Ma || Laa(y)
 +
|-
 +
| You || Yow || La || Nga(y)
 +
|-
 +
| Third Person Singular || Moom || Ko || La(y)
 +
|-
 +
| We || Nun/Ñun || Ñu || Lanu(y)
 +
|-
 +
| Second Person Plural || Yeen || Leen || Ngeen(di)
 +
|-
 +
| Third Person Plural ||Ñoom || Leen || Lañu(y)
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
*Below are the contents of the above table in morphTest format:
 +
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|laa(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|tn}}|man}} || me
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|laa(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|ofc}}|laa}} || I
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|laa(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|obj}}|ma}} || me
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|ofc}}|nga}} || you
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|obj}}|la}} || you
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|tn}}|yow}} || you
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|la(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|ofc}}|la}} || they/he/she
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|la(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|obj}}|ko}} || them/him/her
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|la(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|tn}}|moom}} || them/him/her
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lanu(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|ofc}}|lanu}} || we
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lanu(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|obj}}|ñu}} || us
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lanu(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|tn}}|nun}} || us
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngeen(di){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|ofc}}|ngeen}} || you
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngeen(di){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|obj}}|leen}} || you
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngeen(di){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|tn}}|yeen}} || you
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lañu(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|ofc}}|lañu}} || they
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lañu(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|obj}}|leen}} || they
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lañu(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|tn}}|ñoom}} || they
 +
|}
  
 
======Demonstrative Pronouns======
 
======Demonstrative Pronouns======
 +
*The demonstrative quality of a pronoun is signaled by a "-le" added at the end of noun determiners (which, as a reminder, signal the class of the noun by way of their first letter).
 +
*These noun determiners use "i" for "this" and "a" for "that."
 +
*For instance:
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|picc{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl6}}{{tag|sg}}|picc}} || {{morphTest|mi{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|prox}}{{tag|cl6}}{{tag|sg}}|mile}}|| this bird
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|picc{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl6}}{{tag|sg}}|picc}} || {{morphTest|mi{{tag|det}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl6}}{{tag|sg}}|male}}|| that bird
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
======Interrogative Pronouns======
+
======Interrogrative Pronouns======
 +
*The following are Wolof's interrogative pronouns:
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|kan{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|itg}}{{tag|sg}}|kan}} || who
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|kan{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|itg}}{{tag|pl}}|ñan}} || who (pl)
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lan{{tag|prn}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|itg}}{{tag|sg}}|lan}} || what
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|yan{{tag|prn}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|itg}}{{tag|pl}}|yan}} || what (pl)
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|fan{{tag|adv}}{{tag|itg}}|fan}} || where
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|kañ{{tag|adv}}{{tag|itg}}|kañ}} || when
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nan{{tag|adv}}{{tag|itg}}|nan}} || how
 +
|}
 +
*Wolof also has relative pronouns, which are modified from the non-relative interrogative pronouns:
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|ku{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|rel}}{{tag|sg}}|ku}} || who
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ku{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|rel}}{{tag|pl}}|ñu}} || who (pl)
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|rel}}{{tag|sg}}|lu}} || what
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|yu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|dem}}{{tag|rel}}{{tag|pl}}|yu}} || what (pl)
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|fu{{tag|adv}}{{tag|rel}}|fu}} || where
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|bu{{tag|adv}}{{tag|rel}}|bu}} || when
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nu{{tag|adv}}{{tag|rel}}|nu}} || how
 +
|}
  
 
======Indefinite Pronouns======
 
======Indefinite Pronouns======
 +
*Wolof has indefinite pronouns modified from the interrogative pronouns:
 +
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|kenn{{tag|prn}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|kenn}} || somebody
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|képp{{tag|prn}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|képp}} || anybody
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|keneen{{tag|prn}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|keneen}} || somebody else
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lenn{{tag|prn}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|lenn}} || something
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lépp{{tag|prn}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|lépp}} || anything
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|leneen{{tag|prn}}{{tag|ind}}{{tag|sg}}|leneen}} || something else
 +
|}
 +
 +
======Possessive Pronouns======
 +
*In Wolof, possessive pronouns signal the voice and number of the possessor in addition to the quantity of possessed objects.
 +
**Note: xarit is class 5 (i.e. l- class) because the example sentence on p47 of the Peace Corps Wolof Dictionary is: "Kale suma xarit la." => "That person is my friend." which has an l- signifier after it ("la").
 +
*See a table of possessive pronouns below:
 +
**Note the alternate forms: sama=suma; samay=sumay; sunu=suñu; sunuy=suñuy
 +
**Also note that these pronouns are classified as determiners: they serve the purpose of both, given that they change based on the quantity of possessed objects to signal singular or plural possessed objects
 +
 +
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|sama{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|sama}} || {{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|xarit}}|| my friend
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|sama{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|samay}} || {{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|pl}}|xarit}}|| my friends
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|sa{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|sa}} || {{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|xarit}}|| your friend
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|sa{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|say}} || {{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|pl}}|xarit}}|| your friends
 +
|-
 +
|    ||{{morphTest|xarit {{tag|n}}{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|xaritam}}|| their (sg, gender nonbinary) friend
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|-y{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|ay}} || {{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|det}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|pl}}|xaritam}}|| their (sg, gender nonbinary) friends
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|sunu{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|sunu}} ||{{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|xarit}}|| our friend
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|sunu{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}|sunuy}} ||{{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|pl}}|xarit}}|| our friends
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|seen{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|seen}} ||{{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|xarit}}|| your (pl) friend
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|seen{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|seeni}} ||{{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|pl}}|xarit}}|| your (pl) friends
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|seen{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|seen}} ||{{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|sg}}|xarit}}|| their (pl) friend
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|seen{{tag|det}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}|seeni}} ||{{morphTest|xarit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}{{tag|pl}}|xarit}}|| their (pl) friends
 +
|}
 +
 +
======Pronoun Conjugation======
 +
======Tense, Aspect, Mood marking======
 +
In Wolof, pronouns are also conjugated for TAM (Tense, Aspect, and Mood)
 +
*TAM denotes perfect, presentative, future, minimum verb construction obligative, and imperative "tense"
 +
**The minimum verb construction lacks a TAM marker and is atemporal and neutral
 +
***TAM in this instance would be derived from context
  
−
======Voices======
+
TAM conjugations of the first person "I go"
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|n{{tag|vaux}}+ma{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|naa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || The minimum verb construction word order is pronoun, then verb. However, in perfect tense, and only perfect tense, this order is flipped
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngi{{tag|vaux}}+ma{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|maa ngi}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|din{{tag|vaux}}+ma{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|dinaa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|na{{tag|vaux}}+ma{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|naa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
TAM conjugations of the 2nd person "you go"
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|n{{tag|vaux}}+nga{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|nga}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || order is flipped
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngi{{tag|vaux}}+nga{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|yaa ngi}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|din{{tag|vaux}}+nga{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|dinga}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|na{{tag|vaux}}+nga{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|nanga}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga{{tag|prn}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|imp}}|[null]}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|demal}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
TAM conjugations of the 3rd person "he/she/it go"
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|n{{tag|vaux}}+mu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|na}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || order is flipped
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngi{{tag|vaux}}+mu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|mu ngi}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|din{{tag|vaux}}+mu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|dina}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|na{{tag|vaux}}+mu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|na}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
TAM conjugations of volitional "let's go"
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|n{{tag|vaux}}+nu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|vol}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|nanu}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || order is flipped
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngi{{tag|vaux}}+nu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|vol}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|nu ngi}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|din{{tag|vaux}}+nu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|vol}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|dinanu}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|na{{tag|vaux}}+nu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|vol}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|subj}}|nanu}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
TAM conjugations of 2nd person Imperative "you are going"
 +
*when the imperative form is supplemented by an imperative affix, it creates a semantic emphasis on the verb
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|n{{tag|vaux}}+ngeem{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|subj}}|ngeem}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || order is flipped
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngi{{tag|vaux}}+ngeem{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|subj}}|yeena ngi}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|din{{tag|vaux}}+ngeem{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|subj}}|dingeen}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|na{{tag|vaux}}+ngeem{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|subj}}|nangeen}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngeem{{tag|prn}}{{tag|imp}}{{tag|imp}}|[null]}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|demleen}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
TAM conjugations of Causative "let them go"
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|n{{tag|vaux}}+ñu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|caus}}{{tag|pl}}|nañu}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || order is flipped
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ngi{{tag|vaux}}+ñu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|caus}}{{tag|pl}}|ñu ngi}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|din{{tag|vaux}}+ñu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|caus}}{{tag|pl}}|dinañu}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|na{{tag|vaux}}+ñu{{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|caus}}{{tag|pl}}|nañu}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}}
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===Voices===
 
Wolof has three voices: active, semi-active, passive.
 
Wolof has three voices: active, semi-active, passive.
−
*semi-active and passive voices are formed by adding the suffix -u
+
*semi-active and passive voices are formed by adding the suffix -u to a part of speech
 
{| cellpadding=5
 
{| cellpadding=5
 
|Aali tëj na bunt ba. || Ali closed the door.
 
|Aali tëj na bunt ba. || Ali closed the door.
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Bunt bi tëj'''u''' na.|| The door is closed.
+
|Bunt bi tëj'''u''' na. || The door is closed.
 +
|-
 +
|Aali gaañ'''u''' na. || Ali is injured.
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
*The passive voice can also be done using the 3rd-person plural form with an active form; this is similar to the English structure "one".
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|Ñoo ngi may gis. || One has seen me. OR I have been seen.
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|ma{{tag|prn}}{{tag|present}}|may}} || {{morphTest|gis{{tag|v}}|gis}} || One has seen me. OR I have been seen.
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
======Proximity markers======
 +
*there are two classes of distal/proximity markers: close to the speaker and far from the speaker
 +
**when ending in an i- suffix, the distal determiner is always assumed to be close to the speaker
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|nit{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl1}}|nit}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl1}}|ka}} || The person far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nit{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|cl9}}|nit}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|cl9}}|ña}} || The people far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|xaj{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl2}}|xaj}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl2}}|ba}} || The dog far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|xaj{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|cl10}}|xaj}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl10}}{{tag|pl}}|ya}} || The dogs far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|garab{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl3}}|garab}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl3}}|ga}} || The tree far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|jinax{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl4}}|jinax}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl4}}|ja}} || The mouse far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|yàpp{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl8}}|yàpp}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl8}}|wa}} || The mouse far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|meew{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl6}}|meew}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl6}}|ma}} || The meat far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|xorom{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl7}}|xorom}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl7}}|sa}} || The salt far [from the speaker]
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|lëf{{tag|n}}{{tag|cl5}}|lëf}} || {{morphTest|ki{{tag|det}}{{tag|def}}{{tag|dist}}{{tag|cl5}}|la}} || The thing far [from the speaker]
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===Focus markers===
 +
There are three types of focus markers in Wolof, Subject, Object, and Verb focus markers.<ref>[https://hal.science/hal-01494657 The role of TAM and focus markers in paratactic clause‐linkage (The Wolof example)]</ref>
 +
*The basic word order of Wolof is SVO, however, when the object or the verb is in focus, the word order changes to OSV.
 +
======Subject focus======
 +
Subject focus is the default in all Wolof noun phrases since the neutral word order is SVO, [...]
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|laa(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|sf}}|maa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || I am leaving
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|sf}}|yaa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || You are leaving
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Aali gaañ'''u''' na.|| Ali is injured.
+
|{{morphTest|la(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|sf}}|moo}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || He left/He is leaving
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
=glosses=
+
======Verb focus======
 +
 
 +
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|laa(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|vfc}}|dama}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || What I am doing is leaving
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|vfc}}|danga}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || What you are doing is leaving
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|la(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|vfc}}|dafa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || What he is doing is leaving
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
xeet-am,  muy-toj    sa-bopp
+
======Object focus======
  
−
son.3pPOSS F.crush  2pPOSS.head
+
{| cellpadding=5
 +
|{{morphTest|laa(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|ofc}}|laa}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || It is leaving that I am doing
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|nga(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|ofc}}|nga}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || It is leaving that you are doing
 +
|-
 +
|{{morphTest|la(y){{tag|prn}}{{tag|pers}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|ofc}}|la}} || {{morphTest|dem{{tag|v}}{{tag|iv}}|dem}} || It is leaving that he is doing
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
Her son will crush your head
 
  
 
[[Category:sp23_GrammarDocumentation]],[[Category:Wolof]]
 
[[Category:sp23_GrammarDocumentation]],[[Category:Wolof]]

Latest revision as of 00:31, 17 March 2023

Grammar documentation - Wolof

  • General overview of Wolof grammar[1]
  • Long academic grammatical description[2]
  • Noun classification resource[3]
  • Notable characteristics of Wolof Grammar[4]
  • Wolof Grammar Manual[5]
  • "Content question words and noun class markers in Wolof: reconstructing a puzzle"[6]
Parts of Speech

Wolof is an SVO language

  • Verbs are static and do not change for tense, aspect, or mood
  • A word in Wolof always consists of a stem + 1 or more affix[7]
  • Nouns have 10 classes, 8 of which are singular classes and are marked by specific prefixes, and 2 are plural classes also marked by prefixes
    • However, these prefixes are not morphologically marked on the noun itself, but on the dependent that agrees with the noun
      • Therefore, plural and singular nouns cannot be distinguished unless they occur in a noun phrase
  • Pronouns in Wolof are the most morphologically complex
    • separated into five categories: personal, possessive, demonstrative, interrogative, relative, indefinite[8]

Noun classes

Singular Classes Plural Classes
k- ñ-
b- y-
g-
j-
l-
m-
s-
w-

The k- class and it's plural the ñ- class have rigid and exclusive membership. Nouns in this class are:

  • k- class includes nit "person", and kef "thing"
  • ñ- class includes nit "person", and (speaker dependent) jigeén "women", góor "men", gaa "people"
    • other than these nouns, plural nouns are always in the y- class
  • Although the classification system is far from simple, some categories include "liquids (m-class), trees (b-class), fruits (g-class), and family

members, especially those of maternal descent U-c1ass). Although the m-class contains certain liquids such as ndox 'water', meew 'milk', saw 'urine' and soow 'curdled milk', it also contains many words that are not liquids, and there are a great number of liquids that do not fall into that class, such as deret (j-class) 'blood', diwlin (j-class) 'vegetable oil', and kokaa (b-class) 'Coca-Cola'"[9]

examples
  • noun class examples with determiners
    • determiners will always have a prefix based on noun class and cannot exist without a class morpheme (ask about putting eng glossing after the arrows instead since the lemma cannot exist independently)
      • singular and plural noun class markers can occur on many other dependents including the definite article of a noun phrase, however, the examples will be given in determiners as the class prefixes remain the same
singular determiners
nit<n><cl1> ↔ nit i<det><cl1><sg> ↔ ki The person
tëgg<n><cl2> ↔ tëgg i<det><cl2><sg> ↔ bi The blacksmith
kër<n><cl3> ↔ kër i<det><cl3><sg> ↔ gi The house
jigéen<n><cl4> ↔ jigéen i<det><cl4><sg> ↔ ji The woman
ngunu<n><cl5> ↔ ngunu i<det><cl5><sg> ↔ li The chicken coop
picc<n><cl6> ↔ picc i<det><cl6><sg> ↔ mi The bird
ndaw<n><cl7> ↔ ndaw i<det><cl7><sg> ↔ si The young woman
waasintoor<n><cl8> ↔ waasintoor i<det><cl8><sg> ↔ wi The fish scale
plural determiners
nit<n><cl1> ↔ nit i<det><cl9><pl> ↔ ñi The people
kër<n><cl3> ↔ kër i<det><cl10><pl> ↔ yi The houses

Pronominal morphemes

Personal Pronouns

Wolof has three types of personal pronouns:

  • Independent:
    • Used for emphasis and to answer questions
  • Verb-Object:
    • Can be used to replace a nominal direct object (me, you, etc)
  • Object Emphasis Pronouns
    • Used both to ask and answer questions in a way that signals the object of importance

Table: - adapted from pg 21 of "New Wolof" and "Wolof: A Grammatical Sketch" Website

English Independent Pronoun Verb-Object Pronoun Object Emphasis Pronoun
I Man Ma Laa(y)
You Yow La Nga(y)
Third Person Singular Moom Ko La(y)
We Nun/Ñun Ñu Lanu(y)
Second Person Plural Yeen Leen Ngeen(di)
Third Person Plural Ñoom Leen Lañu(y)
  • Below are the contents of the above table in morphTest format:
laa(y)<prn><pers><p1><sg><tn> ↔ man me
laa(y)<prn><pers><p1><sg><ofc> ↔ laa I
laa(y)<prn><pers><p1><sg><obj> ↔ ma me
nga(y)<prn><pers><p2><sg><ofc> ↔ nga you
nga(y)<prn><pers><p2><sg><obj> ↔ la you
nga(y)<prn><pers><p2><sg><tn> ↔ yow you
la(y)<prn><pers><p3><sg><ofc> ↔ la they/he/she
la(y)<prn><pers><p3><sg><obj> ↔ ko them/him/her
la(y)<prn><pers><p3><sg><tn> ↔ moom them/him/her
lanu(y)<prn><pers><p1><pl><ofc> ↔ lanu we
lanu(y)<prn><pers><p1><pl><obj> ↔ ñu us
lanu(y)<prn><pers><p1><pl><tn> ↔ nun us
ngeen(di)<prn><pers><p2><pl><ofc> ↔ ngeen you
ngeen(di)<prn><pers><p2><pl><obj> ↔ leen you
ngeen(di)<prn><pers><p2><pl><tn> ↔ yeen you
lañu(y)<prn><pers><p3><pl><ofc> ↔ lañu they
lañu(y)<prn><pers><p3><pl><obj> ↔ leen they
lañu(y)<prn><pers><p3><pl><tn> ↔ ñoom they
Demonstrative Pronouns
  • The demonstrative quality of a pronoun is signaled by a "-le" added at the end of noun determiners (which, as a reminder, signal the class of the noun by way of their first letter).
  • These noun determiners use "i" for "this" and "a" for "that."
  • For instance:
picc<n><cl6><sg> ↔ picc mi<det><dem><prox><cl6><sg> ↔ mile this bird
picc<n><cl6><sg> ↔ picc mi<det><dem><dist><cl6><sg> ↔ male that bird
Interrogrative Pronouns
  • The following are Wolof's interrogative pronouns:
kan<prn><pers><itg><sg> ↔ kan who
kan<prn><pers><itg><pl> ↔ ñan who (pl)
lan<prn><dem><itg><sg> ↔ lan what
yan<prn><dem><itg><pl> ↔ yan what (pl)
fan<adv><itg> ↔ fan where
kañ<adv><itg> ↔ kañ when
nan<adv><itg> ↔ nan how
  • Wolof also has relative pronouns, which are modified from the non-relative interrogative pronouns:
ku<prn><pers><rel><sg> ↔ ku who
ku<prn><pers><rel><pl> ↔ ñu who (pl)
lu<prn><dem><rel><sg> ↔ lu what
yu<prn><dem><rel><pl> ↔ yu what (pl)
fu<adv><rel> ↔ fu where
bu<adv><rel> ↔ bu when
nu<adv><rel> ↔ nu how
Indefinite Pronouns
  • Wolof has indefinite pronouns modified from the interrogative pronouns:
kenn<prn><ind><sg> ↔ kenn somebody
képp<prn><ind><sg> ↔ képp anybody
keneen<prn><ind><sg> ↔ keneen somebody else
lenn<prn><ind><sg> ↔ lenn something
lépp<prn><ind><sg> ↔ lépp anything
leneen<prn><ind><sg> ↔ leneen something else
Possessive Pronouns
  • In Wolof, possessive pronouns signal the voice and number of the possessor in addition to the quantity of possessed objects.
    • Note: xarit is class 5 (i.e. l- class) because the example sentence on p47 of the Peace Corps Wolof Dictionary is: "Kale suma xarit la." => "That person is my friend." which has an l- signifier after it ("la").
  • See a table of possessive pronouns below:
    • Note the alternate forms: sama=suma; samay=sumay; sunu=suñu; sunuy=suñuy
    • Also note that these pronouns are classified as determiners: they serve the purpose of both, given that they change based on the quantity of possessed objects to signal singular or plural possessed objects


sama<det><pers><p1><sg> ↔ sama xarit<n><cl5><sg> ↔ xarit my friend
sama<det><pers><p1><pl> ↔ samay xarit<n><cl5><pl> ↔ xarit my friends
sa<det><pers><p2><sg> ↔ sa xarit<n><cl5><sg> ↔ xarit your friend
sa<det><pers><p2><pl> ↔ say xarit<n><cl5><pl> ↔ xarit your friends
xarit <n><det><pers><p3><sg> ↔ xaritam their (sg, gender nonbinary) friend
sunu<det><pers><p1><sg> ↔ sunu xarit<n><cl5><sg> ↔ xarit our friend
sunu<det><pers><p1><pl> ↔ sunuy xarit<n><cl5><pl> ↔ xarit our friends
seen<det><pers><p2><sg> ↔ seen xarit<n><cl5><sg> ↔ xarit your (pl) friend
seen<det><pers><p2><pl> ↔ seeni xarit<n><cl5><pl> ↔ xarit your (pl) friends
seen<det><pers><p3><sg> ↔ seen xarit<n><cl5><sg> ↔ xarit their (pl) friend
seen<det><pers><p3><pl> ↔ seeni xarit<n><cl5><pl> ↔ xarit their (pl) friends
Pronoun Conjugation
Tense, Aspect, Mood marking

In Wolof, pronouns are also conjugated for TAM (Tense, Aspect, and Mood)

  • TAM denotes perfect, presentative, future, minimum verb construction obligative, and imperative "tense"
    • The minimum verb construction lacks a TAM marker and is atemporal and neutral
      • TAM in this instance would be derived from context

TAM conjugations of the first person "I go"

n<vaux>+ma<prn><pers><p1><sg><subj> ↔ naa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem The minimum verb construction word order is pronoun, then verb. However, in perfect tense, and only perfect tense, this order is flipped
ngi<vaux>+ma<prn><pers><p1><sg><subj> ↔ maa ngi dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
din<vaux>+ma<prn><pers><p1><sg><subj> ↔ dinaa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
na<vaux>+ma<prn><pers><p1><sg><subj> ↔ naa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem

TAM conjugations of the 2nd person "you go"

n<vaux>+nga<prn><pers><p2><sg><subj> ↔ nga dem<v><iv> ↔ dem order is flipped
ngi<vaux>+nga<prn><pers><p2><sg><subj> ↔ yaa ngi dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
din<vaux>+nga<prn><pers><p2><sg><subj> ↔ dinga dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
na<vaux>+nga<prn><pers><p2><sg><subj> ↔ nanga dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
nga<prn><p2><imp> ↔ [null] dem<v><iv> ↔ demal

TAM conjugations of the 3rd person "he/she/it go"

n<vaux>+mu<prn><pers><p3><sg><subj> ↔ na dem<v><iv> ↔ dem order is flipped
ngi<vaux>+mu<prn><pers><p3><sg><subj> ↔ mu ngi dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
din<vaux>+mu<prn><pers><p3><sg><subj> ↔ dina dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
na<vaux>+mu<prn><pers><p3><sg><subj> ↔ na dem<v><iv> ↔ dem

TAM conjugations of volitional "let's go"

n<vaux>+nu<prn><pers><vol><sg><subj> ↔ nanu dem<v><iv> ↔ dem order is flipped
ngi<vaux>+nu<prn><pers><vol><sg><subj> ↔ nu ngi dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
din<vaux>+nu<prn><pers><vol><sg><subj> ↔ dinanu dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
na<vaux>+nu<prn><pers><vol><sg><subj> ↔ nanu dem<v><iv> ↔ dem

TAM conjugations of 2nd person Imperative "you are going"

  • when the imperative form is supplemented by an imperative affix, it creates a semantic emphasis on the verb
n<vaux>+ngeem<prn><pers><imp><pl><subj> ↔ ngeem dem<v><iv> ↔ dem order is flipped
ngi<vaux>+ngeem<prn><pers><imp><pl><subj> ↔ yeena ngi dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
din<vaux>+ngeem<prn><pers><imp><pl><subj> ↔ dingeen dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
na<vaux>+ngeem<prn><pers><imp><pl><subj> ↔ nangeen dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
ngeem<prn><imp><imp> ↔ [null] dem<v><iv> ↔ demleen

TAM conjugations of Causative "let them go"

n<vaux>+ñu<prn><pers><caus><pl> ↔ nañu dem<v><iv> ↔ dem order is flipped
ngi<vaux>+ñu<prn><pers><caus><pl> ↔ ñu ngi dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
din<vaux>+ñu<prn><pers><caus><pl> ↔ dinañu dem<v><iv> ↔ dem
na<vaux>+ñu<prn><pers><caus><pl> ↔ nañu dem<v><iv> ↔ dem

Voices

Wolof has three voices: active, semi-active, passive.

  • semi-active and passive voices are formed by adding the suffix -u to a part of speech
Aali tëj na bunt ba. Ali closed the door.
Bunt bi tëju na. The door is closed.
Aali gaañu na. Ali is injured.
  • The passive voice can also be done using the 3rd-person plural form with an active form; this is similar to the English structure "one".
Ñoo ngi may gis. One has seen me. OR I have been seen.
ma<prn><present> ↔ may gis<v> ↔ gis One has seen me. OR I have been seen.
Proximity markers
  • there are two classes of distal/proximity markers: close to the speaker and far from the speaker
    • when ending in an i- suffix, the distal determiner is always assumed to be close to the speaker
nit<n><cl1> ↔ nit ki<det><dist><cl1> ↔ ka The person far [from the speaker]
nit<n><pl><cl9> ↔ nit ki<det><dist><pl><cl9> ↔ ña The people far [from the speaker]
xaj<n><cl2> ↔ xaj ki<det><dist><cl2> ↔ ba The dog far [from the speaker]
xaj<n><pl><cl10> ↔ xaj ki<det><dist><cl10><pl> ↔ ya The dogs far [from the speaker]
garab<n><cl3> ↔ garab ki<det><dist><cl3> ↔ ga The tree far [from the speaker]
jinax<n><cl4> ↔ jinax ki<det><dist><cl4> ↔ ja The mouse far [from the speaker]
yàpp<n><cl8> ↔ yàpp ki<det><dist><cl8> ↔ wa The mouse far [from the speaker]
meew<n><cl6> ↔ meew ki<det><def><dist><cl6> ↔ ma The meat far [from the speaker]
xorom<n><cl7> ↔ xorom ki<det><def><dist><cl7> ↔ sa The salt far [from the speaker]
lëf<n><cl5> ↔ lëf ki<det><def><dist><cl5> ↔ la The thing far [from the speaker]

Focus markers

There are three types of focus markers in Wolof, Subject, Object, and Verb focus markers.[10]

  • The basic word order of Wolof is SVO, however, when the object or the verb is in focus, the word order changes to OSV.
Subject focus

Subject focus is the default in all Wolof noun phrases since the neutral word order is SVO, [...]

laa(y)<prn><pers><p1><sg><sf> ↔ maa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem I am leaving
nga(y)<prn><pers><p2><sg><sf> ↔ yaa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem You are leaving
la(y)<prn><pers><p3><sg><sf> ↔ moo dem<v><iv> ↔ dem He left/He is leaving
Verb focus
laa(y)<prn><pers><p1><sg><vfc> ↔ dama dem<v><iv> ↔ dem What I am doing is leaving
nga(y)<prn><pers><p2><sg><vfc> ↔ danga dem<v><iv> ↔ dem What you are doing is leaving
la(y)<prn><pers><p3><sg><vfc> ↔ dafa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem What he is doing is leaving
Object focus
laa(y)<prn><pers><p1><sg><ofc> ↔ laa dem<v><iv> ↔ dem It is leaving that I am doing
nga(y)<prn><pers><p2><sg><ofc> ↔ nga dem<v><iv> ↔ dem It is leaving that you are doing
la(y)<prn><pers><p3><sg><ofc> ↔ la dem<v><iv> ↔ dem It is leaving that he is doing
,
  1. ↑ Languages Gulper Grammar
  2. ↑ Wolof: A Grammatical Sketch
  3. ↑ NOUN CLASSIFICATION IN WOLOF: WHEN AFFIXES ARE NOT RENEWED
  4. ↑ Peace Corps New Wolof Book
  5. ↑ Wolof Grammar Manual pdf
  6. ↑ Content question words and noun class markers in Wolof: reconstructing a puzzle
  7. ↑ A Morphological Analyzer for Wolof using Finite-State Techniques
  8. ↑ Wolof Morphology
  9. ↑ NOUN CLASSIFICATION IN WOLOF: WHEN AFFIXES ARE NOT RENEWED
  10. ↑ The role of TAM and focus markers in paratactic clause‐linkage (The Wolof example)
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