Roshterian: Difference between revisions
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To express "is a [NOUN]" or "is [ADJ]", the copula ''-(l)uan'' is suffixed to the bare stem of X; X plus the copula then goes to the normal stem slot for purposes of verb inflection. The noun itself doesn't go into the plural even when the subject is plural. | To express "is a [NOUN]" or "is [ADJ]", the copula ''-(l)uan'' is suffixed to the bare stem of X; X plus the copula then goes to the normal stem slot for purposes of verb inflection. The noun itself doesn't go into the plural even when the subject is plural. | ||
:''''' | :'''''Lameteitutu.''''' | ||
:la- | :la-me-teit-utu | ||
:merely-INFERRED-child-COP.PRES.3PL | :merely-INFERRED-child-COP.PRES.3PL | ||
:''In my opinion, they are mere children.'' | :''In my opinion, they are mere children.'' | ||
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When the copula is added on nouns without an evidential, it emphasizes the noun or simply indicates the tense of an action (either past or non-past). | When the copula is added on nouns without an evidential, it emphasizes the noun or simply indicates the tense of an action (either past or non-past). | ||
:''''' | :'''''Mexuumi bastaim.''''' | ||
: | :me-xuu-mi bast-aim | ||
:INFERRED-do-3SG.M.PFV king-COP.PST.3SG.M | :INFERRED-do-3SG.M.PFV king-COP.PST.3SG.M | ||
:''It was apparently the king who did it.'' / ''The king apparently did it.'' | :''It was apparently the king who did it.'' / ''The king apparently did it.'' | ||