Difference between revisions of "Wamesa/Grammar"

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===Subject Agreement===
 
===Subject Agreement===
 
Wamesa does subject agreement by simply applying the appropriate prefix (or infix) to the verb. For nouns, the subject does not change form:
 
Wamesa does subject agreement by simply applying the appropriate prefix (or infix) to the verb. For nouns, the subject does not change form:
−
* {{morphTest|eagle{{tag|n}} big{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|kankani bieba}}
+
* {{morphTest|kankani{{tag|n}} ba{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|kankani bieba}}
 
:: "The eagle is big"
 
:: "The eagle is big"
−
* {{morphTest|child{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}} cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}} bag{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}|antum-pai piera rotang-pai}}
+
* {{morphTest|antum{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}} pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}} rotang{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}|antum-pai piera rotang-pai}}
 
:: "The child cuts the bag"
 
:: "The child cuts the bag"
 
Pronoun subjects undergo alterations when agreeing with their verbs:
 
Pronoun subjects undergo alterations when agreeing with their verbs:
−
* {{morphTest|write{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|unacf}}|yau yimbui}}
+
* {{morphTest|vui{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|unacf}}|yau yimbui}}
 
:: "I'm about to write"
 
:: "I'm about to write"
 
It should be noted, though, that although these constructions are grammatical, pronoun deletion is recoverable, so speakers would probably say the above phrases without the pronouns.
 
It should be noted, though, that although these constructions are grammatical, pronoun deletion is recoverable, so speakers would probably say the above phrases without the pronouns.
Line 50: Line 50:
 
==Human-ness==
 
==Human-ness==
 
In Wamesa, morphemes indicate whether something is a human {{tag|hum}} or non-human {{tag|nohum}}. However, this only affects the 3pl forms of a word.
 
In Wamesa, morphemes indicate whether something is a human {{tag|hum}} or non-human {{tag|nohum}}. However, this only affects the 3pl forms of a word.
−
* {{morphTest|eat{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|hum}}|setapi}}
+
* {{morphTest|api{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|hum}}|setapi}}
−
* {{morphTest|eat{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|nohum}}|siapi}}
+
:: "They (human) eat"
−
* {{morphTest|talk{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|hum}}|setikaviora}}
+
* {{morphTest|api{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|nohum}}|siapi}}
 +
:: "They (nonhuman) eat"
 +
* {{morphTest|kavio{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|hum}}|setikaviora}}
 
:: "They (human) use it to talk over there"
 
:: "They (human) use it to talk over there"
−
* {{morphTest|blue{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|nohum}}|siverawana}}
+
* {{morphTest|rawana{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|nohum}}|siverawana}}
 
:: "They (nonhuman) are blue"
 
:: "They (nonhuman) are blue"
  
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Inclusivity ({{tag|incl}}, {{tag|excl}}) in Wamesa affects 1du and 1pl (1sg is always exclusive by nature), and indicates whether the listener is included in the narrator's group.
 
Inclusivity ({{tag|incl}}, {{tag|excl}}) in Wamesa affects 1du and 1pl (1sg is always exclusive by nature), and indicates whether the listener is included in the narrator's group.
 
===Inclusivity in Verbs===
 
===Inclusivity in Verbs===
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|incl}}|tupera}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|incl}}|tupera}}
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|excl}}|amupera}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|excl}}|amupera}}
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|incl}}|tapera}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|incl}}|tapera}}
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|excl}}|amapera}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|excl}}|amapera}}
 
===Inclusivity in Pronouns===
 
===Inclusivity in Pronouns===
 
In addition to conjugating with verbs, inclusivity can affect the use of pronouns:
 
In addition to conjugating with verbs, inclusivity can affect the use of pronouns:
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===Number in Verbs===
 
===Number in Verbs===
 
Verbs conjugate based on the number of persons acting.
 
Verbs conjugate based on the number of persons acting.
−
* {{morphTest|eat{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|buapi}}
+
* {{morphTest|api{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|buapi}}
−
* {{morphTest|eat{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|du}}|murapi}}
+
* {{morphTest|api{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|du}}|murapi}}
−
* {{morphTest|eat{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|metapi}}
+
* {{morphTest|api{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}|metapi}}
 
Sometimes, number morphemes are infixes:
 
Sometimes, number morphemes are infixes:
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|puera}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}|puera}}
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|piera}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|piera}}
  
 
==Wamesa Articles==
 
==Wamesa Articles==
Line 104: Line 106:
 
===Definite Articles===
 
===Definite Articles===
 
The definite article ({{tag|def}}) in Wamesa has a few forms: ''pai'' for {{tag|sg}}, ''pasanu'' for {{tag|du}}, and ''pasiat'' for {{tag|pl}}. Some examples are as follows:
 
The definite article ({{tag|def}}) in Wamesa has a few forms: ''pai'' for {{tag|sg}}, ''pasanu'' for {{tag|du}}, and ''pasiat'' for {{tag|pl}}. Some examples are as follows:
−
* {{morphTest|child{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}|antum-pai}}
+
* {{morphTest|antum{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}|antum-pai}}
 
:: "The child"
 
:: "The child"
−
* {{morphTest|sick{{tag|adj}}{{tag|def}}|bepota-pai}}
+
* {{morphTest|pota{{tag|adj}}{{tag|def}}|bepota-pai}}
 
:: "The sick one"
 
:: "The sick one"
−
* {{morphTest|eye{{tag|n}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|def}}|re-pasanu}}
+
* {{morphTest|re{{tag|n}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|def}}|re-pasanu}}
 
:: "The two eyes"
 
:: "The two eyes"
−
* {{morphTest|Windesi people{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}|Windesi-pasiat}}
+
* {{morphTest|Windesi{{tag|n}}{{tag|def}}|Windesi-pasiat}}
 
:: "The Windesi people"
 
:: "The Windesi people"
 
'''Exception:'''
 
'''Exception:'''
−
* {{morphTest|person{{tag|n}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|def}}|sinitu-pa}}
+
* {{morphTest|sinitu{{tag|n}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|def}}|sinitu-pa}}
 +
:: "The two people"
  
 
===Indefinite Articles===
 
===Indefinite Articles===
 
The indefinite article ({{tag|indef}}) in Wamesa is ''pesi''. Examples below:
 
The indefinite article ({{tag|indef}}) in Wamesa is ''pesi''. Examples below:
−
* {{morphTest|man{{tag|n}}{{tag|indef}}|muan-pesi}}
+
* {{morphTest|muan{{tag|n}}{{tag|indef}}|muan-pesi}}
 
:: "A man"
 
:: "A man"
−
* {{morphTest|big{{tag|adj}}{{tag|indef}}|baba-pesi}}
+
* {{morphTest|ba{{tag|adj}}{{tag|indef}}|baba-pesi}}
 
:: "Something big"
 
:: "Something big"
 
''pesi'' is almost always inert, but it occasionally found in its dual and plural forms:
 
''pesi'' is almost always inert, but it occasionally found in its dual and plural forms:
−
* {{morphTest|woman{{tag|n}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|indef}}|babin-pesi-sanu}}
+
* {{morphTest|babin{{tag|n}}{{tag|du}}{{tag|indef}}|babin-pesi-sanu}}
 
:: "Some two women"
 
:: "Some two women"
−
* {{morphTest|night{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|indef}}|diru-pesasi}}
+
* {{morphTest|diru{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|indef}}|diru-pesasi}}
 
:: "Some nights"
 
:: "Some nights"
  
 
==Intensity==
 
==Intensity==
 
Intensity in Wamesa is usually handled by reduplication, which can happen on verbs, adjectives, and even nouns. To indicate intensity, words usually reduplicate a portion of their stem, typically a single, coda-less syllable. Words can either be intensified ({{tag|int}}), or regular intensity.
 
Intensity in Wamesa is usually handled by reduplication, which can happen on verbs, adjectives, and even nouns. To indicate intensity, words usually reduplicate a portion of their stem, typically a single, coda-less syllable. Words can either be intensified ({{tag|int}}), or regular intensity.
−
* {{morphTest|go quickly{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|ira saira}}
+
* {{morphTest|ira saira{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|ira saira}}
 
:: "I go quickly"
 
:: "I go quickly"
−
* {{morphTest|go quickly{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|int}}|ira sasaira}}
+
* {{morphTest|ira saira{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|int}}|ira sasaira}}
 
:: "I go very quickly"
 
:: "I go very quickly"
−
* {{morphTest|hot{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|yau imase}}
+
* {{morphTest|imase{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}|yau imase}}
 
:: "I'm hot"
 
:: "I'm hot"
−
* {{morphTest|hot{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|int}}|yau imamase}}
+
* {{morphTest|imase{{tag|adj}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|int}}|yau imamase}}
 
:: "I'm very hot"
 
:: "I'm very hot"
 
Intensity of a situation is also handled by reduplication in the words in the sentence. In fact, sometimes multiple parts of a sentence can be altered to add intensity.
 
Intensity of a situation is also handled by reduplication in the words in the sentence. In fact, sometimes multiple parts of a sentence can be altered to add intensity.
−
* {{morphTest|leech{{tag|n}}{{tag|int}}{{tag|v}}|ririopai piau}}
+
* {{morphTest|rio{{tag|n}}{{tag|int}}{{tag|v}}|ririopai piau}}
 
:: "There are many leeches"
 
:: "There are many leeches"
−
* {{morphTest|leech{{tag|n}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|int}}|ririopai sipau}}
+
* {{morphTest|rio{{tag|n}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|int}}|ririopai sipau}}
 
:: "There are very many leeches" (verb is intensified)
 
:: "There are very many leeches" (verb is intensified)
−
* {{morphTest|leech{{tag|n}}{{tag|int}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|int}}|ririopasi sipau}}
+
* {{morphTest|rio{{tag|n}}{{tag|int}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|int}}|ririopasi sipau}}
 
:: "There are extremely many leeches" (verb '''and''' noun are intensified)
 
:: "There are extremely many leeches" (verb '''and''' noun are intensified)
  
 
==Possession==
 
==Possession==
 
Possession affects nouns in Wamesa. The nouns undergo alterations depending on whether they belong ({{tag|poss}}) to {{tag|p1}}, {{tag|p2}}, or {{tag|p3}}; {{tag|sg}}, {{tag|du}}, or {{tag|pl}}.
 
Possession affects nouns in Wamesa. The nouns undergo alterations depending on whether they belong ({{tag|poss}}) to {{tag|p1}}, {{tag|p2}}, or {{tag|p3}}; {{tag|sg}}, {{tag|du}}, or {{tag|pl}}.
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|poss}}|sore-pat}}
+
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|poss}}|sore-pat}}
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|poss}}|soremi}}
+
:: "My mouth" (literally "the mouth")
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|poss}}|soreni}}
+
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|poss}}|soremi}}
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|incl}}{{tag|poss}}|tansoremi}}
+
:: "Your mouth"
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|excl}}{{tag|poss}}|amansoremi}}
+
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|poss}}|soreni}}
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|poss}}|mensoremi}}
+
:: "His mouth"
−
* {{morphTest|mouth{{tag|n}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|poss}}|sensoremi}}
+
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|incl}}{{tag|poss}}|tansoremi}}
 +
:: "Our (inclusive) mouths"
 +
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|excl}}{{tag|poss}}|amansoremi}}
 +
:: "Our (exclusive) mouths"
 +
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|poss}}|mensoremi}}
 +
:: "All of your mouths"
 +
* {{morphTest|sore{{tag|n}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|poss}}|sensoremi}}
 +
:: "Their mouths
 
===Irregularity===
 
===Irregularity===
 
Sometimes, possession is handled with separate words. This evokes an archaic feeling, as the words come from old Austronesian influence. For this reason, these possessives are found in hymns and the like:
 
Sometimes, possession is handled with separate words. This evokes an archaic feeling, as the words come from old Austronesian influence. For this reason, these possessives are found in hymns and the like:
−
* {{morphTest|Lord{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|poss}}|nomu Syen}}
+
* {{morphTest|Syen{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|poss}}|nomu Syen}}
−
* {{morphTest|elder brother{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|poss}}|nemu babai}}
+
:: "Your Lord"
−
* {{morphTest|orphan{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|poss}}|memu antum}}
+
* {{morphTest|babai{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|poss}}|nemu babai}}
 +
:: "Your elder brother"
 +
* {{morphTest|antum{{tag|n}}{{tag|p2}}{{tag|poss}}|memu antum}}
 +
:: "Your child"
  
 
==Aspect==
 
==Aspect==
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===Habitual Aspect===
 
===Habitual Aspect===
 
Habitual aspect ({{tag|hab}}) in Wamesa is subtle. It is marked by the prefixes ''i-, ri-'' and ''ti-'' for {{tag|sg}}, {{tag|du}}, and {{tag|pl}}, respectively, and is often equated to the imperfect tense in English. In Wamesa, however, it has little to do with tense, and more to do with the fact that the situation is habitual or spanned a long time:
 
Habitual aspect ({{tag|hab}}) in Wamesa is subtle. It is marked by the prefixes ''i-, ri-'' and ''ti-'' for {{tag|sg}}, {{tag|du}}, and {{tag|pl}}, respectively, and is often equated to the imperfect tense in English. In Wamesa, however, it has little to do with tense, and more to do with the fact that the situation is habitual or spanned a long time:
−
* {{morphTest|make{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|hab}} fire{{tag|n}}|riuri ya adia-pai}}
+
* {{morphTest|ru{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|hab}} fire{{tag|n}}|riuri ya adia-pai}}
 
:: "He made a fire again"
 
:: "He made a fire again"
−
* {{morphTest|Windesi{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}} hunt{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|hab}} pig{{tag|n}}|Windesi-pasiat sentimun pimuna}}
+
* {{morphTest|Windesi{{tag|n}}{{tag|pl}} mun{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|hab}} pimuna{{tag|n}}|Windesi-pasiat sentimun pimuna}}
 
:: "The Windesi people hunt pigs" (and have done so for a while)
 
:: "The Windesi people hunt pigs" (and have done so for a while)
  
 
===Causative Aspect===
 
===Causative Aspect===
 
Causative aspect ({{tag|caus}}) is handled by the prefixes ''on-, ron-'' and ''ton-'' for {{tag|sg}}, {{tag|du}}, and {{tag|pl}}, respectively, which are actually just elided forms of the conjugations of the verb ''one'', to cause.  
 
Causative aspect ({{tag|caus}}) is handled by the prefixes ''on-, ron-'' and ''ton-'' for {{tag|sg}}, {{tag|du}}, and {{tag|pl}}, respectively, which are actually just elided forms of the conjugations of the verb ''one'', to cause.  
−
* {{morphTest|stop{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|caus}}|dionmoyar}}
+
* {{morphTest|moyar{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|caus}}|dionmoyar}}
 
:: "She made it stop"
 
:: "She made it stop"
−
* {{morphTest|come{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|caus}}|sunrondama}}
+
* {{morphTest|dama{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|pl}}{{tag|caus}}|sunrondama}}
 
:: "They made it come"
 
:: "They made it come"
  
 
==Participials==
 
==Participials==
 
In Wamesa, the prefix ''be-'' attaches to stems (usually adjectives), to indicate that the actor is in the state of being whatever is marked, or transitioning into the state of being whatever is marked. It shall be tagged with {{tag|part}}.
 
In Wamesa, the prefix ''be-'' attaches to stems (usually adjectives), to indicate that the actor is in the state of being whatever is marked, or transitioning into the state of being whatever is marked. It shall be tagged with {{tag|part}}.
−
* {{morphTest|sick{{tag|adj}}{{tag|part}}|bepota}}
+
* {{morphTest|pota{{tag|adj}}{{tag|part}}|bepota}}
 
:: "Being sick"
 
:: "Being sick"
−
* {{morphTest|sick{{tag|adj}}{{tag|part}}{{tag|def}}|bepota-pai}}
+
* {{morphTest|pota{{tag|adj}}{{tag|part}}{{tag|def}}|bepota-pai}}
 
:: "The sick one"
 
:: "The sick one"
−
* {{morphTest|sick{{tag|adj}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|piota}}
+
* {{morphTest|pota{{tag|adj}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|piota}}
 
:: "He is sick"
 
:: "He is sick"
−
* {{morphTest|sick{{tag|adj}}{{tag|part}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|biepota}}
+
* {{morphTest|pota{{tag|adj}}{{tag|part}}{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}|biepota}}
 
:: "He is getting sick"
 
:: "He is getting sick"
 
This construction also seems to be used for resultatives:
 
This construction also seems to be used for resultatives:
−
* {{morphTest|cut{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}} Inuri to pieces{{tag|part}}|pieran Inuri bierabibam}}
+
* {{morphTest|pera{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}} Inuri rabibam{{tag|part}}|pieran Inuri bierabibam}}
 
:: "He cut Inuri to pieces" (Inuri became in pieces)
 
:: "He cut Inuri to pieces" (Inuri became in pieces)
  
Line 193: Line 206:
 
===Negation===
 
===Negation===
 
In Wamesa, negation of a clause ({{tag|neg}}) is handled by putting ''va'' (sometimes transliterated ''ba'') at the end. Note that ''va'' can only be placed at the end, interspersing it somewhere in the middle yields ungrammaticality:
 
In Wamesa, negation of a clause ({{tag|neg}}) is handled by putting ''va'' (sometimes transliterated ''ba'') at the end. Note that ''va'' can only be placed at the end, interspersing it somewhere in the middle yields ungrammaticality:
−
* {{morphTest|stop{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|caus}}{{tag|neg}}|dionmoyar i va}}
+
* {{morphTest|moyar{{tag|v}}{{tag|p3}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|caus}}{{tag|neg}}|dionmoyar i va}}
 
:: "She could not make it stop"
 
:: "She could not make it stop"
−
* {{morphTest|hit{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|neg}}|yau irorai va}}
+
* {{morphTest|rora{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|neg}}|yau irorai va}}
 
:: "I didn't hit it"
 
:: "I didn't hit it"
  
 
==="Yet"===
 
==="Yet"===
 
The affix ''-pa'' (not to be confused with the determiner) is used to mark the unaccomplished past ("not yet") aspect ({{tag|unacp}}):
 
The affix ''-pa'' (not to be confused with the determiner) is used to mark the unaccomplished past ("not yet") aspect ({{tag|unacp}}):
−
* {{morphTest|stone{{tag|n}} fall{{tag|v}}{{tag|unacp}}|rebuki-pai tiauwapa}}
+
* {{morphTest|rebuki{{tag|n}} tauwa{{tag|v}}{{tag|unacp}}|rebuki-pai tiauwapa}}
 
:: "The stone hasn't fallen yet"
 
:: "The stone hasn't fallen yet"
−
* {{morphTest|see{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}} bird{{tag|n}}{{tag|unacp}}|yau iserei ayapa}}
+
* {{morphTest|sere{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}} aya{{tag|n}}{{tag|unacp}}|yau iserei ayapa}}
 
:: "I haven't seen the bird yet"
 
:: "I haven't seen the bird yet"
  
 
==="About to" Construction===
 
==="About to" Construction===
 
The infix ''-i(t)-'' is used to mark the unaccomplished future ("about to") aspect ({{tag|unacf}}):
 
The infix ''-i(t)-'' is used to mark the unaccomplished future ("about to") aspect ({{tag|unacf}}):
−
* {{morphTest|run{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|unacf}}|yau yitapai}}
+
* {{morphTest|itapa{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|unacf}}|yau yitapai}}
 
:: "I'm about to run"
 
:: "I'm about to run"
−
* {{morphTest|write{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|unacf}}|yau yimbui}}
+
* {{morphTest|vui{{tag|v}}{{tag|p1}}{{tag|sg}}{{tag|unacf}}|yau yimbui}}
 
:: "I'm about to write"
 
:: "I'm about to write"
 
'''Exceptional Behavior:''' Interestingly enough, this construction can be employed to mean "use (something)", if under the right discourse circumstances. For example, if shoes are the topic, the first example can mean "I use them to run".
 
'''Exceptional Behavior:''' Interestingly enough, this construction can be employed to mean "use (something)", if under the right discourse circumstances. For example, if shoes are the topic, the first example can mean "I use them to run".

Revision as of 20:37, 16 February 2017

Verbs and Pronouns

The Wamesa pronouns are as follows:

Person ............Cardinal Form
1 p. sg. . . . . . yau
2 p. sg. . . . . . au
3 p. sg. . . . . . i
1 p. du. in. . . . nan(d)u
1 p. du. ex. . . . amu(n)
2 p. du. . . . . . man(d)u
3 p. du. . . . . . san(d)u
1 p. tr. in. . . . tatoru
1 p. tr. ex. . . . amatoru
2 p. tr. . . . . . metoru
3 p. tr. . . . . . setoru
1 p. pl. in. . . . tata(t)
1 p. pl. ex. . . . ama(t)
2 p. pl. . . . . . mia(t)
3 p. pl. hum.. . . sia(t)
3 p. pl. non-hum.. si

Wamesa verbs (<v>) conjugate in a way similar to the pronouns, but the trial form is eclipsed by the plural:

Person ............Prefix (Infix) Form
1 p. sg. . . . . . i-, y-
2 p. sg. . . . . . bu-, -u-
3 p. sg. . . . . . di-, -i-
1 p. du. in. . . . tu(n)-
1 p. du. ex. . . . amu(n)-
2 p. du. . . . . . mu(n)-
3 p. du. . . . . . su(n)-
1 p. pl. in. . . . ta(n)-
1 p. pl. ex. . . . ama(n)-
2 p. pl. . . . . . me(n)-
3 p. pl. hum.. . . se(n)-
3 p. pl. non-hum.. si

As such, they shall be tagged with one of <p1>, <p2>, and <p3>, and one of <sg>, <du>, and <pl>.

Subject Agreement

Wamesa does subject agreement by simply applying the appropriate prefix (or infix) to the verb. For nouns, the subject does not change form:

  • kankani<n> ba<adj><p3><sg> ↔ kankani bieba
"The eagle is big"
  • antum<n><def> pera<v><p3><sg> rotang<n><def> ↔ antum-pai piera rotang-pai
"The child cuts the bag"

Pronoun subjects undergo alterations when agreeing with their verbs:

  • vui<v><p1><sg><unacf> ↔ yau yimbui
"I'm about to write"

It should be noted, though, that although these constructions are grammatical, pronoun deletion is recoverable, so speakers would probably say the above phrases without the pronouns.

Human-ness

In Wamesa, morphemes indicate whether something is a human <hum> or non-human <nohum>. However, this only affects the 3pl forms of a word.

  • api<v><p3><pl><hum> ↔ setapi
"They (human) eat"
  • api<v><p3><pl><nohum> ↔ siapi
"They (nonhuman) eat"
  • kavio<v><p3><pl><hum> ↔ setikaviora
"They (human) use it to talk over there"
  • rawana<adj><p3><pl><nohum> ↔ siverawana
"They (nonhuman) are blue"

Inclusivity

Inclusivity (<incl>, <excl>) in Wamesa affects 1du and 1pl (1sg is always exclusive by nature), and indicates whether the listener is included in the narrator's group.

Inclusivity in Verbs

  • pera<v><p1><du><incl> ↔ tupera
  • pera<v><p1><du><excl> ↔ amupera
  • pera<v><p1><pl><incl> ↔ tapera
  • pera<v><p1><pl><excl> ↔ amapera

Inclusivity in Pronouns

In addition to conjugating with verbs, inclusivity can affect the use of pronouns:

1 p. du. in. . . . nan(d)u
1 p. du. ex. . . . amu(n)
1 p. pl. in. . . . tata(t)
1 p. pl. ex. . . . ama(t)

Number

Wamesa pronouns, and verbs undergo alternation as a result of number. When indicating the number of nouns, articles are attached, rather than changing the actual form of the noun. The same goes for when adjectives are converted into nouns by adding articles to them. The Wamesa system includes singular (<sg>), dual (<du>), (trial (<tr>),) and plural (<pl>).

Number in Pronouns

Pronouns in their cardinal form undergo alternations based on number. Take, for example, the <p2> pronoun in <sg>, <du>, and <pl> forms:

2 p. sg. . . . . . au
2 p. du. . . . . . man(d)u
2 p. pl. . . . . . mia(t)

Sometimes, there are multiple forms of each number, depending on other factors. As we see below, inclusivity and human-ness play a part in the form of pronouns:

1 p. du. in. . . . nan(d)u
1 p. du. ex. . . . amu(n)
3 p. pl. hum.. . . sia(t)
3 p. pl. non-hum.. si

There are actually trial forms of all three persons, as below. These forms are remnants from old Austronesian influence. However, these are very rare and conjugate as <pl> forms when with a verb.

1 p. tr. in. . . . tatoru
1 p. tr. ex. . . . amatoru
2 p. tr. . . . . . metoru
3 p. tr. . . . . . setoru

Number in Verbs

Verbs conjugate based on the number of persons acting.

  • api<v><p2><sg> ↔ buapi
  • api<v><p2><du> ↔ murapi
  • api<v><p2><pl> ↔ metapi

Sometimes, number morphemes are infixes:

  • pera<v><p2><sg> ↔ puera
  • pera<v><p3><sg> ↔ piera

Wamesa Articles

There are two types of articles in Wamesa - definite and indefinite - but they behave slightly differently than in English. Perhaps most importantly, they can attach to adjectives to turn the resulting phrase into a noun.

Definite Articles

The definite article (<def>) in Wamesa has a few forms: pai for <sg>, pasanu for <du>, and pasiat for <pl>. Some examples are as follows:

  • antum<n><def> ↔ antum-pai
"The child"
  • pota<adj><def> ↔ bepota-pai
"The sick one"
  • re<n><du><def> ↔ re-pasanu
"The two eyes"
  • Windesi<n><def> ↔ Windesi-pasiat
"The Windesi people"

Exception:

  • sinitu<n><du><def> ↔ sinitu-pa
"The two people"

Indefinite Articles

The indefinite article (<indef>) in Wamesa is pesi. Examples below:

  • muan<n><indef> ↔ muan-pesi
"A man"
  • ba<adj><indef> ↔ baba-pesi
"Something big"

pesi is almost always inert, but it occasionally found in its dual and plural forms:

  • babin<n><du><indef> ↔ babin-pesi-sanu
"Some two women"
  • diru<n><pl><indef> ↔ diru-pesasi
"Some nights"

Intensity

Intensity in Wamesa is usually handled by reduplication, which can happen on verbs, adjectives, and even nouns. To indicate intensity, words usually reduplicate a portion of their stem, typically a single, coda-less syllable. Words can either be intensified (<int>), or regular intensity.

  • ira saira<v><p1><sg> ↔ ira saira
"I go quickly"
  • ira saira<v><p1><sg><int> ↔ ira sasaira
"I go very quickly"
  • imase<adj><p1><sg> ↔ yau imase
"I'm hot"
  • imase<adj><p1><sg><int> ↔ yau imamase
"I'm very hot"

Intensity of a situation is also handled by reduplication in the words in the sentence. In fact, sometimes multiple parts of a sentence can be altered to add intensity.

  • rio<n><int><v> ↔ ririopai piau
"There are many leeches"
  • rio<n><v><int> ↔ ririopai sipau
"There are very many leeches" (verb is intensified)
  • rio<n><int><v><int> ↔ ririopasi sipau
"There are extremely many leeches" (verb and noun are intensified)

Possession

Possession affects nouns in Wamesa. The nouns undergo alterations depending on whether they belong (<poss>) to <p1>, <p2>, or <p3>; <sg>, <du>, or <pl>.

  • sore<n><p1><sg><poss> ↔ sore-pat
"My mouth" (literally "the mouth")
  • sore<n><p2><sg><poss> ↔ soremi
"Your mouth"
  • sore<n><p3><sg><poss> ↔ soreni
"His mouth"
  • sore<n><p1><pl><incl><poss> ↔ tansoremi
"Our (inclusive) mouths"
  • sore<n><p1><pl><excl><poss> ↔ amansoremi
"Our (exclusive) mouths"
  • sore<n><p2><pl><poss> ↔ mensoremi
"All of your mouths"
  • sore<n><p3><pl><poss> ↔ sensoremi
"Their mouths

Irregularity

Sometimes, possession is handled with separate words. This evokes an archaic feeling, as the words come from old Austronesian influence. For this reason, these possessives are found in hymns and the like:

  • Syen<n><p2><poss> ↔ nomu Syen
"Your Lord"
  • babai<n><p2><poss> ↔ nemu babai
"Your elder brother"
  • antum<n><p2><poss> ↔ memu antum
"Your child"

Aspect

Wamesa handles a few aspects.

Habitual Aspect

Habitual aspect (<hab>) in Wamesa is subtle. It is marked by the prefixes i-, ri- and ti- for <sg>, <du>, and <pl>, respectively, and is often equated to the imperfect tense in English. In Wamesa, however, it has little to do with tense, and more to do with the fact that the situation is habitual or spanned a long time:

  • ru<v><p3><sg><hab> fire<n> ↔ riuri ya adia-pai
"He made a fire again"
  • Windesi<n><pl> mun<v><p3><pl><hab> pimuna<n> ↔ Windesi-pasiat sentimun pimuna
"The Windesi people hunt pigs" (and have done so for a while)

Causative Aspect

Causative aspect (<caus>) is handled by the prefixes on-, ron- and ton- for <sg>, <du>, and <pl>, respectively, which are actually just elided forms of the conjugations of the verb one, to cause.

  • moyar<v><p3><sg><caus> ↔ dionmoyar
"She made it stop"
  • dama<v><p3><pl><caus> ↔ sunrondama
"They made it come"

Participials

In Wamesa, the prefix be- attaches to stems (usually adjectives), to indicate that the actor is in the state of being whatever is marked, or transitioning into the state of being whatever is marked. It shall be tagged with <part>.

  • pota<adj><part> ↔ bepota
"Being sick"
  • pota<adj><part><def> ↔ bepota-pai
"The sick one"
  • pota<adj><v><p3><sg> ↔ piota
"He is sick"
  • pota<adj><part><v><p3><sg> ↔ biepota
"He is getting sick"

This construction also seems to be used for resultatives:

  • pera<v><p3><sg> Inuri rabibam<part> ↔ pieran Inuri bierabibam
"He cut Inuri to pieces" (Inuri became in pieces)

Miscellaneous Words

Negation

In Wamesa, negation of a clause (<neg>) is handled by putting va (sometimes transliterated ba) at the end. Note that va can only be placed at the end, interspersing it somewhere in the middle yields ungrammaticality:

  • moyar<v><p3><sg><caus><neg> ↔ dionmoyar i va
"She could not make it stop"
  • rora<v><p1><sg><neg> ↔ yau irorai va
"I didn't hit it"

"Yet"

The affix -pa (not to be confused with the determiner) is used to mark the unaccomplished past ("not yet") aspect (<unacp>):

  • rebuki<n> tauwa<v><unacp> ↔ rebuki-pai tiauwapa
"The stone hasn't fallen yet"
  • sere<v><p1><sg> aya<n><unacp> ↔ yau iserei ayapa
"I haven't seen the bird yet"

"About to" Construction

The infix -i(t)- is used to mark the unaccomplished future ("about to") aspect (<unacf>):

  • itapa<v><p1><sg><unacf> ↔ yau yitapai
"I'm about to run"
  • vui<v><p1><sg><unacf> ↔ yau yimbui
"I'm about to write"

Exceptional Behavior: Interestingly enough, this construction can be employed to mean "use (something)", if under the right discourse circumstances. For example, if shoes are the topic, the first example can mean "I use them to run".

Spellrelax

  • Wamesa mostly consists of sounds contained within the English phonemic inventory, but it does include a voiced bilabial fricative. This is sometimes approximated in Roman script as /v/, sometimes as /b/, and even sometimes as /bw/.
  • Most of my transcriptions have hyphens marking -pai, but a few don't. Either way, this hyphen is unrelated to the actual word at all.
  • Sometimes (I think in error), y and j (and potentially i) are mixed up in their transliteration. This is very rare, but might happen.
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