Lugamun

An easy and fair language for global communication

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
en:grammar:noun_phrases

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
en:grammar:noun_phrases [2022-01-27 13:31] – [Head nouns] 'ta' precedes the noun christianen:grammar:noun_phrases [2022-11-14 19:59] (current) – awan -> avan christian
Line 1: Line 1:
-====== Lugamun grammar: Noun phrases ======+{{page>nav}} 
 + 
 +====== Noun phrases ======
  
 **Noun phrases** identify and describe people, things, places, concepts, and other entities. Noun phrases are made up of several parts, which occur in the following order: **Noun phrases** identify and describe people, things, places, concepts, and other entities. Noun phrases are made up of several parts, which occur in the following order:
  
-> quantifiers and selectors – head noun – modifier words – adjectives – possessive+> determiners – head noun – modifier words – adjectives – possessive
  
 Except for the **head noun**, all elements are optional. Except for the **head noun**, all elements are optional.
Line 20: Line 22:
 Note that there are no **articles** – and English words 'a/an' and 'the' have no equivalent in Lugamun. Usually the context makes it clear whether the noun refers to something already known or something new. Note that there are no **articles** – and English words 'a/an' and 'the' have no equivalent in Lugamun. Usually the context makes it clear whether the noun refers to something already known or something new.
  
-**Mi den laste miru kat. Kat li side ni sima yane.** – Yesterday I saw a cat. The cat sat on a roof.+**Mi miru kat den laste . Kat li side ni sima cat.** – Yesterday I saw a cat. The cat sat on a roof.
  
 In the first sentence, since no **kat** was mentioned before, one can assume – if there is no additional context – that the cat is not yet known: 'a cat'. In the second sentence, since **kat** is mentioned again and there is nothing to suggest otherwise, one can assume that the same cat is meant: 'the cat'. In the first sentence, since no **kat** was mentioned before, one can assume – if there is no additional context – that the cat is not yet known: 'a cat'. In the second sentence, since **kat** is mentioned again and there is nothing to suggest otherwise, one can assume that the same cat is meant: 'the cat'.
Line 26: Line 28:
 Though this might feel unfamiliar at first, usually no articles are needed to get the meaning across. Though this might feel unfamiliar at first, usually no articles are needed to get the meaning across.
  
-Should you on occasional really feel the need to make it clear that something not yet known is meant ('a'/'an'), you can use the quantifiers **un** 'one' or **eni** 'any': **un kat** – 'a/one cat'.+Should you on occasional really feel the need to make it clear that something not yet known is meant ('a'/'an'), you can use the determiners **un** 'one' or **eni** 'any': **un kat** – 'a/one cat'.
  
 Should you feel to need to make it clear that something is already known and identifiable, you can use a demonstrative such as **ta** 'that': Should you feel to need to make it clear that something is already known and identifiable, you can use a demonstrative such as **ta** 'that':
  
-**Kat li side ni sima ta yane.** – The cat sat on a that roof / the roof (over there).+**Kat li side ni sima ta cat.** – The cat sat on a that roof / the roof (over there).
  
 However, such needs will probably arrive rarer than you might think at first. However, such needs will probably arrive rarer than you might think at first.
  
-===== Quantifiers and selectors =====+===== Determiners =====
  
-**Quantifiers** express how much or how many of some entity are meant. They always precede the noun to which they refer.+**Determiners** give information about how many, how much, or which entities the phrase that follows refer to. In Lugamun, most determiners can be used with verbs as well as with nouns – but in this section we will cover their meaning before nouns. They always precede the word to which they refer. 
  
-//Note:// The decision to place quantifiers before the noun follows Indonesian. It allows placing cardinal numbers before the noun and ordinal numbers after it.+In Lugamun, two types of determiners can be distinguished.
  
-Cardinal numbers such as **un** 'one', **do** 'two', **tri** 'three' can be used as quantifiers – they will be covered below. Other quantifiers that express quantities (but often in a less precise way) are:+  * **Quantifiers** express how much or how many of some entity are meant – they are mostly about quantity, hence the name. 
 +  * **Selectors** indicate to which individuals a phrase refers to – they select a certain individual or a subgroup of individual entities, hence the name. 
 + 
 +Lugamun's **quantifiers** are:
  
-  * **ingi** – many, much, a lot, very 
-  * **malo** – few, little 
-  * **xie** – some (a certain, not exactly specified part or proportion of) 
   * **no** – no   * **no** – no
   * **ol** – all (the), the whole of, completely, fully   * **ol** – all (the), the whole of, completely, fully
 +  * **xi** – indeed. This doesn't really change the quantity, it just puts stress on the noun phrase and emphasizes that something is indeed, truly the case or that it's really the mentioned participant who is involved in the specified act.
   * **yo** – plurality indicator that can be used if plurality is important and not already indicates in any other way – indicates that two or more individuals or items are meant: **yo kat** – '(the) cats'.   * **yo** – plurality indicator that can be used if plurality is important and not already indicates in any other way – indicates that two or more individuals or items are meant: **yo kat** – '(the) cats'.
 +  * **ingi** – many, much, a lot, very
 +  * **malo** – few, little
 +  * **xye** – some (a certain, not exactly specified part or proportion of)
 +
 +The first four quantifiers are also called "short quantifiers" (with just two letters), while the last three are "long quantifiers" (with three or more letters). This distinction is relevant when it comes to the order of determiners within a noun phrase.
  
-The first three quantifiers are also called "long quantifiers" (with three or more letters), while the last three are "short quantifiers" (with just two letters). This distinction is relevant when it comes to the placement of quantifiers within a noun phrase.+**Xi** and **no** are also used to reply to yes/no questions – in this context they are usually translated as 'yes' and 'no'. And they are used as the positive and negative form of a verb known as //copula//, as will be discussed [[verb phrases#the copula|later]].
  
 XXX Translate samples showing how these quantifiers can be used: XXX Translate samples showing how these quantifiers can be used:
Line 57: Line 65:
   * for **no**: No man is an island   * for **no**: No man is an island
   * for **ol**: All my friends hate her. All visitors must register in advance. We were all alone.   * for **ol**: All my friends hate her. All visitors must register in advance. We were all alone.
-  * for **xie**: Some pupils didn't show up.+  * for **xye**: Some pupils didn't show up.
  
-**ol** can be followed by a number to express 'all of the given quantity', e.g. **ol do** 'both', **ol tri** 'all three'.+Numbers such as **un** 'one', **do** 'two', **tri** 'three' can be considered quantifiers when placed before a noun – they will be covered in a [[Numbers|later chapter]].
  
-XXX Trans: All three restaurants in this stress are excellent.+**Ol** can be followed by a number to express 'all of the given quantity', e.g. **ol do** 'both', **ol tri** 'all three'.
  
-**Selectors** indicate to which individuals a noun phrases refers:+XXX Trans: All three restaurants in this street are excellent. 
 + 
 +Lugamun's **selectors** are:
  
   * **si** – this, these. This refers to things or persons that are nearby (physically or conceptually).   * **si** – this, these. This refers to things or persons that are nearby (physically or conceptually).
Line 74: Line 84:
   * **sama** – same   * **sama** – same
  
-The last two selectors (**otra** and **sama**) are also called "identity selectors", while the other ones may be called "general selectors". This is relevant when it comes to the placement of selectors within a noun phrase.+The last two selectors (**otra** and **sama**) are also called "identity selectors", while the other ones may be called "general selectors". This is relevant when it comes to the order of determiners within a noun phrase.
  
 XXX Translate samples: XXX Translate samples:
  
-  * **awan ta** – that cloud+  * **avan ta** – that cloud
   * **si do ruma** – these two houses   * **si do ruma** – these two houses
   * for **ke**: ?   * for **ke**: ?
Line 87: Line 97:
   * for **sama**: ?   * for **sama**: ?
  
-Like most quantifiers, selectors can also be used standalone (as pronouns): +Since **eni** and **aru** refer to subgroups rather than expressing quantities, they can be combined with the quantifiers **malo, xye, ingi, yo** as well as with numbers. In such combinations, they are usually placed after **yo** (which, if present, always opens the noun phrase) but before other quantifiers.
- +
-**Ti li miru ta ...?** – Did you see that? +
- +
-Since **eni** and **aru** refer to subgroups rather than expressing quantities, they can be combined with the quantifiers **malo, xie, ingi, yo** as well as with numbers. In such combinations, they are usually placed after **yo** (which, if present, always opens the noun phrase) but before other quantifiers.+
  
 XXX Translate samples: XXX Translate samples:
Line 102: Line 108:
 XXX Order – usually at most one element of each group is present: XXX Order – usually at most one element of each group is present:
  
-  * specific/short quantifiers: no, ol, yo+  * specific/short quantifiers: no, ol, xi, yo
   * general selectors: si, ta, ke, eni, aru, kada   * general selectors: si, ta, ke, eni, aru, kada
-  * broad/long quantifiers (malo, xie, ingi) + numbers+  * broad/long quantifiers (malo, xye, ingi) + numbers
   * identity selectors: otra, sama   * identity selectors: otra, sama
  
-A long quantifier may be followed by a (rounded) number, e.g. **ingi mil** – 'a few thousand'.+A long quantifier may be followed by a (rounded) number, e.g. **malo mil** – 'a few thousand'.
  
-Note that especially **ingi** is also used as an intensifier adverb, hence combinations such as **malo ingi** 'very few, very little' or **ingi ingi** 'very many, a very high number of' may occur.+XXX Explain better and more consistently how selectors are used "adverbially" (but without being considered adverbs in our terminology).
  
-Other quantifiers may likewise be used as advers, e.g. **xie** somewhat.+Note that especially **ingi** is also used as an intensifier before other words (verbs, adjectives or adverbs), hence combinations such as **malo ingi** 'very few, very little' or **ingi ingi** 'very many, a very high number of' may occur. 
 + 
 +Other quantifiers may likewise be used before verbs and other words, e.g. **xye** 'somewhat'.
  
 (XXX Probably don't allow/encourage this, as it could be confusing – Other deviations might be read with a **de** between them: (XXX Probably don't allow/encourage this, as it could be confusing – Other deviations might be read with a **de** between them:
Line 118: Line 126:
   * **malo si** – few of these)   * **malo si** – few of these)
  
-//Note:// We place quantifiers and selectors before the noun because they are placed there by the clear majority of our source languages. Quantifiers such as 'all' and 'many' are placed before the noun by all source languages except for Swahili. Question particles such as 'which', selectors such as 'this', and similarity selectors such as '(an)other' are placed before the noun by all source languages except for Indonesian and Swahili. The ordering of the quantifiers and selectors themselves follows the typical ordering used by our source languages.+//Note:// We place determiners before the noun because they are placed there by the clear majority of our source languages. Quantifiers such as 'all' and 'many' are placed before the noun by all source languages except for Swahili. Question particles such as 'which', selectors such as 'this', and similarity selectors such as '(an)other' are placed before the noun by all source languages except for Indonesian and Swahili. The ordering of the determiners themselves follows the typical ordering used by our source languages.
  
-Except for **no** and **yo**, all quantifiers can also be used standalone as **pronouns**, i.e. in place of a full noun phrase. In this the context makes it clear whether they refer to persons or to things.+Except for **no** and **yo**, all quantifiers can also be used standalone as **pronouns**, i.e. in place of a full noun phrase. In such cases the context makes it clear whether they refer to persons or to things.
  
 XXX Translate examples: XXX Translate examples:
Line 136: Line 144:
 XXX Trans: 'She liked none of her gifts' XXX Trans: 'She liked none of her gifts'
  
-Quantifiers can also be used in front of arbitrary nouns. Among the nouns they are most commonly used with are **jen** 'human being, person'.+Like most quantifiers, selectors can also be used standalone (as pronouns): 
 + 
 +**Ti li miru ta?** – Did you see that? 
 + 
 +Determiners can be used in front of arbitrary nouns. Among the nouns they are most commonly used with are **jen** 'human being, person'.
  
   * **no jen** – no one, nobody, anyone, anybody (in negated sentences)   * **no jen** – no one, nobody, anyone, anybody (in negated sentences)
   * **malo jen** – (a) few people   * **malo jen** – (a) few people
-  * **xie jen** – some people, several people+  * **xye jen** – some people, several people
   * **ingi jen** – many people   * **ingi jen** – many people
   * **ol jen** – everyone, everybody   * **ol jen** – everyone, everybody
Line 148: Line 160:
   * **kada jen** – each one, each person   * **kada jen** – each one, each person
  
-The quantifiers are also frequently combined with **xos** 'thing' (WALS +They are also frequently combined with **xos** 'thing' (WALS 115; APiCS 102):
-115; APiCS 102):+
  
   * **no xos** – nothing, anything (in negated sentences)   * **no xos** – nothing, anything (in negated sentences)
   * **malo xos** – (a) few things   * **malo xos** – (a) few things
-  * **xie xos** – some things, several things+  * **xye xos** – some things, several things
   * **ingi xos** – many things   * **ingi xos** – many things
   * **ol xos** – everything   * **ol xos** – everything
Line 180: Line 191:
 **yo Molina** – the Molinas/the Molina family **yo Molina** – the Molinas/the Molina family
  
-All quantifiers can also be used as [[adverbs#Quantifier adverbs|adverbs]].+XXX Explain how determiners are used before other words (verbs, adjectives, adverbs etc.) and give some examples.
  
 ===== Modifier words ===== ===== Modifier words =====
  
-Nouns and verbs can be placed after a noun, modifying the meaning of the main noun. Often such combinations have a more or less idiomatic meaning that's listed in the dictionary, e.g. **yumi sora** 'rainbow' (literally: bow sky).+Nouns and verbs can be placed after a noun, modifying the meaning of the main noun. Often such combinations have a more or less idiomatic meaning that's listed in the dictionary, e.g. **kaus sora** 'rainbow' (literally: bow sky).
  
 Even if not explicitly listed, the named of animal species and similar groups can be used as such **modifier words** in expressions such as **kulin kat** 'cat food' or **haki jen** 'human right(s)'. In such cases, the modifying term (**kat, jen**) may be regarded as a noun or as an adjective – it doesn't really matter. Even if not explicitly listed, the named of animal species and similar groups can be used as such **modifier words** in expressions such as **kulin kat** 'cat food' or **haki jen** 'human right(s)'. In such cases, the modifying term (**kat, jen**) may be regarded as a noun or as an adjective – it doesn't really matter.
Line 192: Line 203:
 **haki jen = haki de jen** – right(s) of human(s) = human right(s)\\ **haki jen = haki de jen** – right(s) of human(s) = human right(s)\\
 **kulin kat = kulin a kat** – food for cat(s) = cat food\\ **kulin kat = kulin a kat** – food for cat(s) = cat food\\
-**yumi sora = yumi ni sora** – bow in the sky = rainbow+**kaus sora = kaus ni sora** – bow in the sky = rainbow
  
-If the modifier is a verb, the main word and the modifier can be considered as having the phrase **ke i** 'who (+ predicate marker)' between them.+If the modifier is a verb, the main word and the modifier can be considered as having the selector **ke** 'who' between them.
  
-**jen safiri = jen ke i safiri** – person who travels = traveler+**jen safiri = jen ke safiri** – person who travels = traveler
  
-More on modifier words can be found in the section on [[word formation#spaced compounds]].+More on modifier words can be found in the section on [[word formation#spaced nouns]].
  
 ===== Adjectives ===== ===== Adjectives =====
Line 210: Line 221:
 Several adjectives can follow the same noun. The most specific adjective is usually placed first. Several adjectives can follow the same noun. The most specific adjective is usually placed first.
  
-**wanita inglis [intelligent]** – an intelligent English woman+**ona inglis daki** – an intelligent English woman
  
 In this case, 'English' is considered more specific than 'intelligent', since there are many different nationalities, while intelligence is a general property that's more or less strongly present in every person. In this case, 'English' is considered more specific than 'intelligent', since there are many different nationalities, while intelligence is a general property that's more or less strongly present in every person.
Line 218: Line 229:
 **Ya xi [doctor] hau sola ni [town].** – She's the only good doctor in town. **Ya xi [doctor] hau sola ni [town].** – She's the only good doctor in town.
  
-When two adjectives are considered similarly specific, a comma or a conjunction such as **e** 'and' is placed between them.+When two adjectives are considered similarly specific, a comma or a conjunction such as **va** 'and' is placed between them.
  
-**wanita inda e [intelligent]** – a beautiful and intelligent woman+**ona inda va daki** – a beautiful and intelligent woman
  
-If there are three or more such adjectives in a row, **e** is usually only used between the last two of them, while a comma is used otherwise.+If there are three or more such adjectives in a row, **va** is usually only used between the last two of them, while a comma is used otherwise.
  
-**wanita inda, [intelligent] e [rich]** – a beautiful, intelligent, and rich woman+**ona inda, daki va tari** – a beautiful, intelligent, and rich woman
  
 Note that each adjective refers to the nearest noun to the left of it. This is still the case if a noun phrase is attached to another noun phrase using a preposition such as **de** 'of'. Note that each adjective refers to the nearest noun to the left of it. This is still the case if a noun phrase is attached to another noun phrase using a preposition such as **de** 'of'.
Line 236: Line 247:
 XXX The following is likely obsolete – better find another (new?) particle to use here. XXX The following is likely obsolete – better find another (new?) particle to use here.
  
-While adjectives typically follow nouns, they can also be used after **ke** 'that, who(m), which'. While **ke** usually introduces a [[dependent clauses#relative clauses|relative clause]], in such cases it operates as generic placeholder. In this context, **ke** can often be translated as 'one'.+While adjectives typically follow nouns, they can also be used after the impersonal pronoun **yan** '(the) one'. This pronoun replaces a noun known from the context:
  
-**Mi [want] ke hara.** – I want the green one.\\ +**Mi yau yan hara.** – I want the green one.\\ 
-**Ke gran i [look] hau.** – The big one looks good.\\ +**Yan gran xyende hau.** – The big one looks good.\\ 
-**Tina i [drive car] akai, [while] mi [drive] ke blu.** – Tina drives a red car, while I drive a blue one.+**Tina [drive car] lal, [while] mi [drive] yan blu.** – Tina drives a red car, while I drive a blue one.
  
-//Note:// Most languages allow adjectives to be used without noun and without any marking (WALS 61). This works well in languages with articles, such as Spanish (//Quiero el verde// – 'I want the green one'), but without articles it could be ambiguous and hard to understand. The next most frequent option is to have such adjectives marked by a preceding word, which therefore seems preferable. In adopting the relative clause marker **ke** for this purpose we follow the Indonesian model. This solution doesn't require a new word and is unlikely to cause confusion.+//Note:// Most languages allow adjectives to be used without noun and without any marking (WALS 61). This works well in languages with articles, such as Spanish (//Quiero el verde// – 'I want the green one'), but without articles it could be ambiguous and hard to understand. The next most frequent option is to have such adjectives marked by a preceding word, which therefore seems preferable.
  
 ===== Possessive noun phrases ===== ===== Possessive noun phrases =====
Line 253: Line 264:
 relationship of belonging. relationship of belonging.
  
-**mama de wanita** – the woman's mother+**mama de ona** – the woman's mother
en/grammar/noun_phrases.1643286670.txt.gz · Last modified: by christian
Except where otherwise noted, content on this wiki is licensed under the following license: CC0 1.0 Universal
CC0 1.0 Universal Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki