o yis     Syntax models

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The following abbreviations are used in the syntax diagrams below; these diagrams are proscriptive in nature, describing the O Yis syntax for the standard language (in other words the generic Ma Ladz dialect) - minor variations can (and do) occur in other dialects, and in the most formal and informal registers of the standard language:

Brackets - ( ) - indicate that the particle, word or phrase is not obligatory. Square braces - [ ] - indicate that one of the enclosed particles or words must be included; the options are separated by vertical bars. Curly braces - { } - indicate that more than one phrase can be included or the phrase can be omitted.

Nouns

Common noun phrases

Common nouns must always be preceded by their article, which can be separated from its noun by one or more quantifiers. A maximum of one quantifying particle is allowed to precede the article. Oblique common nouns must take an appropriate postposition. Any genitive nouns, pronouns or noun phrases that modify the noun phrase are considered to be a constituent part of the noun phrase and will go after the noun and before any postposition.

Both intensity quantifiers, and the negation quantifier, can prefix directly to a range of postpositions.

Some postpositions are not limited to coordinating nouns; for instance the partitive postposition can be used to coordinate verbs and quantifiers.

Proper noun phrases

Proper nouns must always be preceded by the appropriate honorific. The article is often omitted when the proper noun is acting as the head noun of a noun phrase.

Pronouns

While pronouns are permitted to carry a particle and a postposition, and can be posessed by another noun, pronoun or noun phrase, it is normal for these to be omitted. Pronouns are declined for the following grammatical cases: nominative, accusative, genitive, oblique, reflexive.

Pseudo-pronouns

Similarly to pronouns, pseudo-pronouns can carry a particle and a postposition. Pseudo-pronouns cannot be declined for grammatical case. When an article is used as a pseudo-pronoun, it must use its pronominal form.

Compound nominal phrases

While head noun phrases can use basic, topical, near or distant articles any modifying noun phrase following the head must use either a complement or modifier article.

When two or more modifiers are acting on the same noun, the more specific/intrinsic modifiers are placed closer to the noun: intimate detail (size, weight, value); shape; colour; general size (big, tall, etc); possessor.

A noun phrase can take a maximum of one relative noun phrase, which must be introduced using the relative particle m'.

Conjunctions do not play a role below the level of the clause; instead the role of the coordinating conjunctions is performed by appropriate postpositions, when required.

A nominal phrase can stand as a clause in its own right, without the need for a verb.

Verbs

Imperative and response verbs

For all verbs, the verb word must be present; the verb may also carry quantifiers, one of which may be moved to the front of the verb phrase as a quantifier particle. The verb's article may be dropped in a number of situations. Verbs used as imperatives (commands) or responses cannot take a passive suffix.

All other verbs

For most verbs, an auxillary verb must precede the main verb. The auxillary is conjugated to show intentionality and/or success; the choice of auxillary demonstrates the status of the speaker relative to the listener(s) in addition to the veracity and mode of action. The main verb may take the passive voice by using the appropriate passive suffix. Some verbs can take locational postpositions.

Verbal phrases

Verbs can be chained into a single action using the appropriate coordinating postposition. Temporal noun phrases go at the end of the verb phrase and are considered to be an integral part of the phrase.

Clauses

Nominal clauses

O Yis is a verb-initial language, and the subject of the clause will always go before the direct object. Oblique objects are placed at the end of the clause.

Pronominal clauses

Nominative and accusative pronouns, and nominative pseudo-pronouns, may move to the front of the clause. When a pronoun or pseudo-pronoun forms part of a coordinated list involving other noun phrases, the whole list is treated as an extended noun phrase and is thus required to follow the verb phrase.

Clause chaining

Most O Yis clauses are introduced by a conjunction, even in the most informal speech registers.

An example conversation

This page was last updated on Tecubestuu-14, 531: Salhkuu-20 Gevile