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This lesson deals with the plural personal pronouns and their corresponding verb endings on conjugated verbs.
This conversation includes the greeting in the plural. Two of you are greeted by two others in this way.
The Others: | Mal yɛn, nyi̲ti̲? or Maalɛ nyi̲ti̲? Are you at peace, girls? Is it at peace girls? |
You Two: | Ɣɔ̲ɔ̲n, mal nɛy. (E. Nuer) or Malkɔ (W. Nuer) Yes, we are at peace. (same) |
The Others: | Yɛn a thï̲̩n? Are you present? |
You Two: | Ɣɔ̲ɔ̲n, kɔn a thï̲̩n. Yes, we are present. |
The Others: | Kä̲ nyiɛɛmuɔɔri̲, kɛn a thï̲̩n, malkɛ bä̲? And yours sisters are they present, are they at peace also? |
You Two: | Ɣɔ̲ɔ̲n, kaa thï̲̩n, malkɛ. Yes, they are present, they are at peace. |
The Others: | Ɣɔ̲ɔ̲, yɛn diaal, mal yɛn? Oh, all of you, you are at peace? |
You Two: | Mal nɛy pa̲ny. We are at peace really. |
The Others: | Gɔaaɛ ɛlɔ̲ŋ. It is very good. |
Note: [kaa thï̲̩n] is a contraction of [kɛn a thï̲n].
PHONETICS
-iɛ̲- Pratice these diphthongs in the next drill.
-iɛ- Be careful that you pronounce [diaal] with a front -l. Continue to drill previous drills.
SYNTAX
THE PERSONAL PRONOUN
Subjective Case
ɤä̲n | I | maalä̲ |
jï̲n | you | maali̲ |
jɛn | he, she, it | maɛ̲lɛ |
kɔ́n (inc) | we | malnɛ |
kɔ̩̀n (ex) | we | malkɔ |
kɔ́n (dual) | we | malnɛ |
yɛn | you | malɛ |
kɛn | they | malkɛ |
Note: The differentiation between the inclusive and exclusive "we" -- [kɔn] is simply length and tone. The dual form is the same length as the inclusive. The verb helps to distinguish the meanings.
Nuer Field Project | Nouns | Verbs | Verb Book | Expressions | Grammar | Genesis | Others |