Difference between revisions of "Classroom:Ewe Noun Phrases"
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<span style="color:red"> '''This page was created as an in-classroom exercise in LING 2208, [http://www.ntnu.edu/studies/courses/LING2208 NTNU]'''</span> | <span style="color:red"> '''This page was created as an in-classroom exercise in LING 2208, [http://www.ntnu.edu/studies/courses/LING2208 NTNU]'''</span> | ||
− | + | [[File:IMG_9495_(800x600).jpg|thumb|400px|right|group of LING 2208 (Linguistics) spring 2011 missing Prof. Dorothee Beermann]] | |
By [[user:Mercy Motte|Mercy Motte]] and [[user:Bodua-Mango Kennth|Mango K. Bodua]] | By [[user:Mercy Motte|Mercy Motte]] and [[user:Bodua-Mango Kennth|Mango K. Bodua]] | ||
− | 1. | + | |
+ | |||
+ | ====Syntax of Ewe Noun Phrases==== | ||
+ | =====Simple Noun Phrases===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | 1. The simple nominal phrase consists of only the nucleus which can be a noun or a pronoun and occasionally quantifier. <ref name="Yvonne"/> See re-write rule and example below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | NP → N|Pron|Quant | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | '''Noun only''' Eg. | ||
+ | |||
'''agbà “load”''' | '''agbà “load”''' | ||
Line 12: | Line 25: | ||
+ | '''Pronoun only''' Eg. | ||
+ | <Phrase>19628</Phrase> | ||
− | + | '''Quantifier only''' | |
− | ''' | + | |
− | + | <Phrase>19630</Phrase> | |
− | <Phrase> | + | |
− | + | ||
− | + | =====Complex Noun Phrases===== | |
+ | |||
+ | 2. Complex noun phrases consist of the nucleus followed by one or more other elements of the structure. These more elements added to the nucleus are referred to as nominal modifiers. These include, adjectives, quantifiers, determiners, plural marker "wo", intensifiers. <ref name="Yvonne">Agbetsoamedo Yvonne Ami Dzigbodi (Master's Thesis - 2006) Syntactic Pattern in the Ewe Noun Phrase & A small computational grammar fragment of Ewe</ref> | ||
+ | <ref name="Duthie">Duthie A.S(1996) Introducing Ewe Linguistic Patterns</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Eg. NP → N|Pron|Quant (ADJ)*(QUANT)(DEM/DET)(PL)(INT)* | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | <Phrase>19642</Phrase> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | 2b. Complex noun phrases can also have a nucleus which is preceded and followed by a nominal modifier. In other words, noun phrases in Ewe are left-headed which on their left and right edge may host intensifiers. <ref name="Yvonne"/> See re-write rule and an example below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | NP → (INT)N|Pron|Quant (ADJ)*(QUANT)(DEM/DET)(PL)(INT)* <ref name="Ameka"> Ameka Felix(1991) Ewe: 1st Grammatical Constructions and Illocutionary Devices (PhD Thesis)</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <Phrase>19643</Phrase> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | 2c. Nouns in Ewe are inflected for number. The plural suffix is ‘’wo’’ which is normally attached to nouns as a suffix. For example, | ||
'''Ðeviwo''' “children” | '''Ðeviwo''' “children” | ||
Line 35: | Line 66: | ||
<Phrase>19433</Phrase> | <Phrase>19433</Phrase> | ||
− | |||
+ | =====Possessive Nominals===== | ||
− | + | 3. NP ƒé NP | PRO ƒé NP <ref name="Yvonne"/> | |
− | + | ||
− | + | NP → N POSS N | |
− | + | ||
− | + | ||
+ | NP → Pron POSS N | ||
− | + | <Phrase>19644</Phrase> | |
− | <Phrase> | + | |
− | + | <Phrase>19645</Phrase> | |
− | + | ||
+ | |||
+ | ====Morphology of Ewe Noun Phrases==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | 4. Complex nouns exist in the Ewe language made up of different and unique morphemes. Compound words have this phenomenon. One can do a morphology of these complex nouns. See the breakdown of an example below. | ||
− | |||
<Phrase>19435</Phrase> | <Phrase>19435</Phrase> | ||
− | |||
− | + | ||
+ | The example above is made up of the noun - outside, (DEF) marker - ''a'' (this is the contracted form of ''la'' and the LOCATIVE- ''me'' | ||
+ | |||
+ | 4b. The Morphology of some complex nouns. See examples below. | ||
<Phrase>19450</Phrase> | <Phrase>19450</Phrase> | ||
Line 65: | Line 98: | ||
<Phrase>19456</Phrase> | <Phrase>19456</Phrase> | ||
<Phrase>19458</Phrase> | <Phrase>19458</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19648</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19647</Phrase> | ||
+ | ====Semantics of Ewe Noun Phrases==== | ||
− | 7. Orthography of the LOCATIVE '''me''' in noun phrases | + | 5. Some Nouns are polysemous. See examples below |
+ | <Phrase>19460</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19459</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19646</Phrase> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====Comparison of Ewe and English==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | 6. Some noun phrases in Ewe are actually prepositional phrases in English when translated. This is interesting. Find an example below. | ||
+ | <Phrase>18859</Phrase> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====Locatives==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | In Ewe, some nouns are classified as Locative nouns. They do not need a preceding preposition before them, but follow a verb of movement directly. <ref name="Duthie"/> See examples below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | <Phrase>19652</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19651</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19650</Phrase> | ||
+ | <Phrase>19649</Phrase> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | 7. Orthography of the LOCATIVE/POSTPOSITION '''me''' in noun phrases | ||
In one context as shown below: | In one context as shown below: | ||
<Phrase>19439</Phrase> | <Phrase>19439</Phrase> | ||
− | The LOCATIVE '''me''' is written as part of the main noun. | + | The LOCATIVE/POSTPOSITION '''me''' is written as part of the main noun. |
− | In another context as shown below: | + | |
+ | 7b. In another context as shown below: | ||
+ | |||
<Phrase>18859</Phrase> | <Phrase>18859</Phrase> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
The LOCATIVE '''me''' stands all alone; not attached to the main noun. | The LOCATIVE '''me''' stands all alone; not attached to the main noun. | ||
This is so because orthographically it is allowed and again, the context for their usage is also different. In one context, it helps create a complex noun and in the other context, it behaves as a unique morpheme, standing all alone to make the phrase complete. | This is so because orthographically it is allowed and again, the context for their usage is also different. In one context, it helps create a complex noun and in the other context, it behaves as a unique morpheme, standing all alone to make the phrase complete. | ||
− | + | Other locative/postposition particles in Ewe include, '''dzi''' (top), '''ŋgɔ''' (in front of), '''dome''' (between), | |
− | + | ||
− | < | + | '''ŋú/ŋúti''' (surface), '''xa''' (side), '''gɔme/ ɖome''' (underneath) |
+ | |||
+ | ===References=== | ||
+ | <References/> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Kofi dada means Kofi's mother in Standard Ewe (SE) and Kofi's sister in some variants of Ewe (eg Tongu) |
Latest revision as of 22:07, 10 December 2011
This page was created as an in-classroom exercise in LING 2208, NTNU
By Mercy Motte and Mango K. Bodua
Contents
Syntax of Ewe Noun Phrases
Simple Noun Phrases
1. The simple nominal phrase consists of only the nucleus which can be a noun or a pronoun and occasionally quantifier. [1] See re-write rule and example below.
NP → N|Pron|Quant
Noun only Eg.
agbà “load”
agbà |
agbà |
load |
N |
Pronoun only Eg.
é |
é |
3SG |
Quantifier only
ɖeka |
ɖeka |
one |
QUANT |
Complex Noun Phrases
2. Complex noun phrases consist of the nucleus followed by one or more other elements of the structure. These more elements added to the nucleus are referred to as nominal modifiers. These include, adjectives, quantifiers, determiners, plural marker "wo", intensifiers. [1] [2]
Eg. NP → N|Pron|Quant (ADJ)*(QUANT)(DEM/DET)(PL)(INT)*
ɖevi |
ɖevi |
child |
N |
lolo |
lolo |
big |
ADJ |
dzɔtsu |
dzɔtsu |
stout |
ADJ |
eve |
eve |
two |
QUANT |
ma |
ma |
that |
DEM |
wo |
wo |
PL |
ko |
ko |
INTER |
PRT |
2b. Complex noun phrases can also have a nucleus which is preceded and followed by a nominal modifier. In other words, noun phrases in Ewe are left-headed which on their left and right edge may host intensifiers. [1] See re-write rule and an example below.
NP → (INT)N|Pron|Quant (ADJ)*(QUANT)(DEM/DET)(PL)(INT)* [3]
neném |
neném |
INTER |
PRT |
ŋutsu |
ŋutsu |
man |
N |
ŋutasẽla |
ŋutasẽla |
wicked |
ADJ |
ene |
ene |
four |
QUANT |
sia |
sia |
this |
DEM |
wo |
wo |
PL |
PN |
koŋ |
koŋ |
INTER |
PRT |
2c. Nouns in Ewe are inflected for number. The plural suffix is ‘’wo’’ which is normally attached to nouns as a suffix. For example, Ðeviwo “children”
Ðeviwo |
Ðeviwo |
children |
N |
However, anytime there is the presence of definite (la), it contracts to ‘’a’’ and then infixes itself between the noun and its plural suffix. Eg.
Ðeviawo “the children”
Ðeviawo | ||
Ðevi | a | wo |
child | DEF | PL |
N |
Possessive Nominals
3. NP Ď NP | PRO Ď NP [1]
NP → N POSS N
NP → Pron POSS N
Aku |
aku |
Aku |
Np |
Ď |
Ď |
POSS |
awu |
awu |
dress |
N |
é |
é |
3SG |
PN |
Ď |
Ď |
POSS |
agbalẽ |
agbalẽ |
book |
N |
Morphology of Ewe Noun Phrases
4. Complex nouns exist in the Ewe language made up of different and unique morphemes. Compound words have this phenomenon. One can do a morphology of these complex nouns. See the breakdown of an example below.
xexeame | ||
xexe | a | me |
outside | DEF | LOC |
N |
The example above is made up of the noun - outside, (DEF) marker - a (this is the contracted form of la and the LOCATIVE- me
4b. The Morphology of some complex nouns. See examples below.
afɔdzi | |
afɔ | dzi |
leg | on |
N |
gaƒoɖokui | ||
ga | ƒo | ɖokui |
metal | beat | self |
N |
abadzivɔ | ||
aba | dzi | vɔ |
bed | on | cloth |
N |
aliblaka | ||
ali | bla | ka |
waist | tie | rope |
N |
zikpui | |
zi | kpui |
seat | short |
N |
nuŋlɔti | ||
nu | ŋlɔ | ti |
something | write | stick |
N |
aƒeme | |
aƒe | me |
house | LOC |
N |
dɔ |
dɔ |
womb |
N |
ka |
ka |
rope |
N |
ata |
ata |
thigh |
N |
legbe |
legbe |
long |
ADJ |
Semantics of Ewe Noun Phrases
5. Some Nouns are polysemous. See examples below
tó |
tó |
ear/mountain/pound |
gà |
gà |
money/metal |
N |
wó |
wó |
they/bark/PL |
Comparison of Ewe and English
6. Some noun phrases in Ewe are actually prepositional phrases in English when translated. This is interesting. Find an example below.
L è |
l è |
PRES |
nukpɔkpɔ |
nukpɔkpɔ |
video |
N |
me |
me |
inCTed |
PPOST |
la |
la |
DEF |
DET |
Locatives
In Ewe, some nouns are classified as Locative nouns. They do not need a preceding preposition before them, but follow a verb of movement directly. [2] See examples below.
Kofi |
kofi |
Kofi |
Np |
dadá |
dadá |
sister |
N |
mi |
mi |
youPL |
PN |
va |
va |
come |
V |
afii |
afii |
here |
N |
é |
é |
3SG |
PN |
yi |
yi |
go |
V |
suku |
suku |
school |
N |
mia |
mia |
your |
PN |
nɔvi |
nɔvi |
brother |
N |
7. Orthography of the LOCATIVE/POSTPOSITION me in noun phrases In one context as shown below:
xexeame | ||
xexe | a | me |
outside | DEF | LOC |
N |
agamaagbalẽe | ||
agama | agbalẽ | e |
chameleon | book | FOC |
N |
The LOCATIVE/POSTPOSITION me is written as part of the main noun.
7b. In another context as shown below:
L è |
l è |
PRES |
nukpɔkpɔ |
nukpɔkpɔ |
video |
N |
me |
me |
inCTed |
PPOST |
la |
la |
DEF |
DET |
The LOCATIVE me stands all alone; not attached to the main noun. This is so because orthographically it is allowed and again, the context for their usage is also different. In one context, it helps create a complex noun and in the other context, it behaves as a unique morpheme, standing all alone to make the phrase complete.
Other locative/postposition particles in Ewe include, dzi (top), ŋgɔ (in front of), dome (between),
ŋú/ŋúti (surface), xa (side), gɔme/ ɖome (underneath)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Agbetsoamedo Yvonne Ami Dzigbodi (Master's Thesis - 2006) Syntactic Pattern in the Ewe Noun Phrase & A small computational grammar fragment of Ewe
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Duthie A.S(1996) Introducing Ewe Linguistic Patterns
- ↑ Ameka Felix(1991) Ewe: 1st Grammatical Constructions and Illocutionary Devices (PhD Thesis)
Kofi dada means Kofi's mother in Standard Ewe (SE) and Kofi's sister in some variants of Ewe (eg Tongu)