Lugamun

An easy and fair language for global communication

User Tools

Site Tools


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 [2022-04-08 13:12] – [Determiners] christianen:grammar:noun_phrases [2022-11-14 19:59] (current) – awan -> avan christian
Line 22: 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 cat.** – 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 43: Line 43:
  
   * **Quantifiers** express how much or how many of some entity are meant – they are mostly about quantity, hence the name.   * **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 phrases refers – they select a certain individual or a subgroup of individual entities, 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: 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 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 order of determiners within a noun phrase.+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
 + 
 +**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 62: 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.
  
 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]]. 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]].
Line 85: Line 88:
 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 94: Line 97:
   * for **sama**: ?   * for **sama**: ?
  
-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.+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.
  
 XXX Translate samples: XXX Translate samples:
Line 105: 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'
 + 
 +XXX Explain better and more consistently how selectors are used "adverbially" (but without being considered adverbs in our terminology).
  
-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.+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 as adverbs, e.g. **xie** somewhat.+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 141: Line 146:
 Like most quantifiers, selectors can also be used standalone (as pronouns): Like most quantifiers, selectors can also be used standalone (as pronouns):
  
-**Ti li miru ta?** – Did you see that?+**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'. Determiners can be used in front of arbitrary nouns. Among the nouns they are most commonly used with are **jen** 'human being, person'.
Line 147: Line 152:
   * **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 159: Line 164:
   * **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 169: Line 174:
 Note that when the subject or object of a clause is negated, the verb is negated as well – **eni** is not used in negated sentences: Note that when the subject or object of a clause is negated, the verb is negated as well – **eni** is not used in negated sentences:
  
-**Mi li no miru no jen.** – I didn't see anyone.+**Mi no li miru no jen.** – I didn't see anyone.
  
 Note that the absence of quantifiers does not mean that just one entity is meant. **kat** may mean 'a/the cat' or '(the) cats', depending on context. If you want to unambiguously express the idea of just one cat, say **un kat**; if you want to express that there are two or more, say **yo kat** (or use another suitable quantifier). Note that the absence of quantifiers does not mean that just one entity is meant. **kat** may mean 'a/the cat' or '(the) cats', depending on context. If you want to unambiguously express the idea of just one cat, say **un kat**; if you want to express that there are two or more, say **yo kat** (or use another suitable quantifier).
Line 186: Line 191:
 **yo Molina** – the Molinas/the Molina family **yo Molina** – the Molinas/the Molina family
  
-Most determiners can also be used as [[adverbs#Quantifier adverbs|before verbs]].+XXX Explain how determiners are used before other words (verbs, adjectives, adverbs etc.) and give some examples.
  
 ===== Modifier words ===== ===== Modifier words =====
Line 204: Line 209:
 **jen safiri = jen ke 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 216: 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 222: Line 227:
 On the other hand, adjectives such as **sola** 'only, sole' are quite nonspecific – they don't tell you much about the noun to which they refer as such, but rather about its position in the world. Such adjectives are usually placed near the end of the noun phrase, after more specific adjectives. On the other hand, adjectives such as **sola** 'only, sole' are quite nonspecific – they don't tell you much about the noun to which they refer as such, but rather about its position in the world. Such adjectives are usually placed near the end of the noun phrase, after more specific adjectives.
  
-**Ya [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 237: Line 242:
 **[lover] de buku grande** – a lover of great books **[lover] de buku grande** – a lover of great books
  
-**Ya mama de si tri [child wonderful].** – She is the mother of these three wonderful children.\\ +**Ya xi mama de si tri [child wonderful].** – She is the mother of these three wonderful children.\\ 
-**Ya mama [wonderful] de si tri [child].** – She is the wonderful mother of these three children.+**Ya xi mama [wonderful] de si tri [child].** – She is the wonderful mother of these three children.
  
 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.
Line 244: Line 249:
 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: 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 yau yan hara.** – I want the green one.\\ +**Mi yau yan hara.** – I want the green one.\\ 
-**Yan gran xiende hau.** – The big one looks good.\\ +**Yan gran xyende hau.** – The big one looks good.\\ 
-**Tina [drive] o [car] lal, [while] mi [drive] yan 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. //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.
Line 259: 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.1649416322.txt.gz · Last modified: 2022-04-08 13:12 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