Syntax Samples
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Test cases for the syntax of Cuuyamu
This public article was written by [Deactivated User], and last updated on 1 Feb 2016, 03:33.
[comments] cuysyntax
7. Syntax Samples
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10. The Shàalilu
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The following sentences are designed to test the syntax of a conlang. (Source) I will be working through them slowly, as an exercise to stretch my use of Cuuyamu's grammar.- The sun shines.
Cúuts pats.
cúu-uts
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future pats
sun
I have translated this one as a general statement about the sun, which is said using the distant future tense.
- The sun is shining.
Cúutan pats.
cúu-tan
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) pats
sun
- The sun shone.
Cúutan pats.
cúu-tan
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago pats
sun
For inanimate objects, there is no conjugation difference between present and past, though a time can be specified with additional words if necessary.
- The sun will shine.
Cúuts pats.
cúu-uts
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time pats
sun
- The sun has been shining.
Shintu cúutan pats.
shintu
IPFVImperfective (aspect)
'interrupted or incomplete'.ATLAtelic (aspect)
partially completed event cúu-tan
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity pats
sun
- The sun is shining again.
Dadalii cúutan pats.
da~dalii
again~IPFVImperfective (aspect)
'interrupted or incomplete'.TELTelic (aspect)
completed event cúu-tan
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity pats
sun
- The sun will shine tomorrow.
Cúuts caayaçi pats.
cúu-uts
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time caayaçi
tomorrow pats
sun
Generic time information that modifies a verb comes before the verb (such as "every day"), but specific time locators like caayaçi follow the verb.
- The sun shines brightly.
Manaati cúuts pats.
manaati
strongly cúu-uts
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future pats
sun
- The bright sun shines.
Cúuts cúuita pats.
cúu-uts
shine-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future cúu-ita
shine-ADJAdjectival
syntactic pats
sun
The suffix -ita functions as an adjectivizer for verbs. Using the same word in both forms in one sentence would be correct, if slightly redundant.
- The sun is rising now.
Jubtalitan dáá pats.
jubtali-tan
rise-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) dáá
now pats
sun
- All the people shouted.
Báádziiç yúu lìilu.
báádzii-iç
shout-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently yúu
all lìilu
person
- Some of the people shouted.
Báádziiç duu lìilu.
báádzii-iç
shout-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently duu
part_of_a_group lìilu
person
- Many of the people shouted twice.
Aqni báádziiç pashduu lìilu.
aqni
twice báádzii-iç
shout-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently pashduu
large_part_of_a_group lìilu
person
There would likely be a different way to translate if there were a specific group of people we're talking about.
- Happy people often shout.
Báádziizisaña sutaañiita lìilu.
báádzii~zisa-ña
shout~HABHabitual (aspect)
done often or out of habit-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future sutaañi-ita
be_happy-ADJAdjectival
syntactic lìilu
person
I used the habitual aspect here as well as the gnomic/distant future to indicate that not only do happy people shout, they are in the regular practice of doing so.
- The kitten jumped up.
Píitadshu jañaamu.
píitad-shu
jump_up-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently ja-ñàamu
child-cat
- The kitten jumped onto the table.
Piishupu jañaamu dzaal zitsmaa.
pii-shu-pu
jump-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) ja-ñàamu
child-cat dzaal
OBJObject (argument) zitsmaa
table
The verb pii can either be intransitive (to jump) or take an object, in which case it means to jump onto something.
- My little kitten walked away.
Dudaanidzshu anlu diçiita jañaamu.
dudaanidz-shu
walk_away-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently anlu
this diçi-ita
small-ADJAdjectival
syntactic ja-ñàamu
child-cat
- It's raining.
Sàatadtsa shaaj.
sàatad-tsa
fall-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) shaaj
rain
- The rain came down.
Sàatadtsa shaaj.
sàatad-tsa
fall-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently shaaj
rain
- The kitten is playing in the rain.
Suyi shaaj tsàanlu jañaamu.
suyi
under shaaj
rain tsàan-lu
play-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRSPresent tense (tense) ja-ñaamu
child-cat
- The rain has stopped.
Mansàatadtsa shaaj.
man-sàatad-tsa
stop-fall-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently shaaj
rain
- Soon the rain will stop.
Jìi mansaatadi shaaj.
jìi
soon man-sàatad-di
stop-fall-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time shaaj
rain
- I hope the rain stops soon.
Yashuwu jìi mansaatadbudi shaaj.
yashu-wu
hope-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PRSPresent tense (tense) jìi
soon man-sàatad-bu-di
stop-fall-IRRIrrealis
mood-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time shaaj
rain
- Once wild animals lived here.
Ta tiuus saaluutsu zaziqi.
ta
in tiuus
here saaluuts-u
live-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago zaziqi
wild_animal
- Slowly she looked around.
Yuupii laatsishu.
yuupii
slowly laatsi-shu
look_around-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently
- Go away!
Íidi cáapcuujuu çadi!
íidi
IMPImperative (mood)
command.SGSingular (number)
one countable entity cáapcuu-juu
leave-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity çadi
2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you)
Íidi cáapcuu çadi tsáá!
íidi
IMPImperative (mood)
command.SGSingular (number)
one countable entity cáapcuu
leave çadi
2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you) tsáá
emphatic
The second sentence is more casual. In a casual register, an imperative verb's agreement suffixes or the subject pronoun can be omitted (but not both).
- Let's go!
Shíid nutish wacushi!
shíid
IMPImperative (mood)
command.PLPlural (number)
more than one/few nut-ish
go_to-12DFirst person inclusive dual (person)
1 speaker, 1 listener.PRSPresent tense (tense) wacushi
12DFirst person inclusive dual (person)
1 speaker, 1 listener
- You should go.
Nuti titsshaajuu.
nut-i
go-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] titsshaa-juu
ought-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity
This is literally saying "You ought to go", which is different from "I think you should go."
- I will be happy to go.
Nuti siiwa.
nut-i
go-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] sii-wa
be_willing-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time
- He will arrive soon.
Bunjanaqa.
bunja-naqa
arrive-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time
- The baby's ball has rolled away.
Paa utiuus zimtan maba júún míiña.
paa
to utiuus
elsewhere zim-tan
roll-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently maba
baby júún
POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has míiña
ball
- The two boys are working together.
Díiwiazci tìi shu.
díiwiaz-ci
cooperate-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity tìi
two shu
boy
- This mist will probably clear away.
Tsáátiwu mançuutadbudi anlish ipaawutad.
tsááti-wu
think-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PRSPresent tense (tense) man-çùutad-bu-di
stop-hang_around-IRRIrrealis
mood-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time anlish
these ipaawutad
mist
- Lovely flowers are growing everywhere.
Ta yúudziq tìicatsa ñàalita júú.
ta
in yúudziq
everywhere tìica-tsa
grow-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity ñàal-ita
be_pretty-ADJAdjectival
syntactic júú
flower
- We should eat more slowly.
Ip yuupiipi patsyimi titsshaamu.
ip
more yuupii~pi
slowly~more patsyim-i
eat-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] titsshaa-mu
ought-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity
- You have come too soon.
Caayani bunjaçi.
caaya-ni
PFVPerfective (aspect)
completed action.TELTelic (aspect)
completed event-MIRMirative/admirative (mood/emotive)
surprise, doubt bunja-çi
arrive-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently
This actually means something more like "You're already here?!" but I wanted to show off that construction.
- You must write more neatly.
Ip wáañaña múúii titsshaajuu.
ip
more wáaña~ña
neatly~more múúii-i
draw-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] titsshaa-juu
ought-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity
I changed it to drawing, since Cuuyamu is unwritten. There is a separate word for must, but it is a very strong directive and would only apply to this sentence in some bizarre contexts.
- Directly opposite stands a wonderful palace.
Adzats tiuss dibunutan pàalijita shííçiitushqa.
adzats
across tiuss
here dibunu-tan
stand-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) pàalijita
impressive shííçiitushqa
palace
- Henry's dog is lost.
Datsiiplu Çanli tali wáantacaa.
datsiip-lu
be_lost-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity Çanli
Henry tali
POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.associated wáantacaa
dog
This form of being lost only applies to animate nouns.
- My cat is black.
Apislu anlu ñàamu.
apis-lu
be_black-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity anlu
this ñàamu
cat
- The little girl's doll is broken.
Ubuqnutan jaçaaj júún tijapaa.
ubuq-nu-tan
break-PASSPassive voice (valency)
be verb-ed-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRProper
marks a noun as referring to a unique entity ja-çāaj
child-girl júún
POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has.own tijapaa
doll
- I usually sleep soundly.
Jaatu ulununusawu.
jaatu
deeply ulunu~nusa-wu
sleep~HABHabitual (aspect)
done often or out of habit-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PRSPresent tense (tense)
Jaatu ulunui shìilwu.
jaatu
deeply ulunu-i
sleep-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] shìil-wu
is_normal-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PRSPresent tense (tense)
Two alternative ways of making the same statement. The first emphasizes the habitual nature of sleeping soundly. The second emphasizes that sleeping soundly is the norm (implying that there is an unusual situation in contrast).
- The children ran after Jack.
Tsúúnalu nutiiliiçja ja dzaal Jaq.
tsúú-nalu
run-ADVAdverbial
e.g. English '-ly' nutiili-iç-ja
follow-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) ja
child dzaal
OBJObject (argument) Jaq
Jack
- I can play after school.
Tsàan ap daziitsii sajuutnuwa.
tsàan
play ap
after daziitsi-i
school_day-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] sajuut-nu-wa
allow-PASSPassive voice (valency)
be verb-ed-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time
Tsàandawa ap daziitsi.
tsàan-da-wa
play-possible-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time ap
after daziitsi
school_day
The first translation is "I will have permission to play after school." The second is "I will be able to play after school." (It's a physical possibility.) I assumed this is talking about a specific after-school time in the near future.
- We went to the village for a visit.
Sisha ziquuni acaalapja dzaal imza.
sisha
purpose ziquun-i
visit-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] acaa-lap-ja
enter-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) imza
village
- We arrived at the river.
Mutsshaa bunjalap.
muts-shàa
destination-river bunja-lap
arrive-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently
- I have been waiting for you.
Shintu ñapuutwujaa.
shintu
IPFVImperfective (aspect)
'interrupted or incomplete'.ATLAtelic (aspect)
partially completed event ñapuut-wu-jaa
wait-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PRSPresent tense (tense)-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).OBJObject (argument)
- The campers sat around the fire.
Tsumam açtani zúutsilshu úuztsulunuli.
tsumam
around açtani
fire zúutsil-shu
sit-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently úuztsulunuli
camper
- A little girl with a kitten sat near me.
Çip wacu zúutsilshu jaçaaj san talijatuuja dzaal jañaamu.
çip
near wacu
1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I zúutsil-shu
sit-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently ja-çāaj
child-girl san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) talijat-uu-ja
have-RELRelative-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) ja-ñàamu
child-cat
- The child waited at the door for her father.
Ta itsziduu ñapuutshuja ja dzaal sinpi ñaji.
ta
at itsziduu
door ñapuut-shu-ja
wait-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) ja
child dzaal
OBJObject (argument) sinpi
that.OBJObject (argument) ñaji
father
- Yesterday the oldest girl in the village lost her kitten.
Datsiipañishuja wuduu çááj, san nuatuzuu san núutuutsauuja dzaal imza, dzaal sinpi jañaamu.
datsiip-añi-shu-ja
be_lost-CAUSCausative (valency/mood)
cause an action to occur, force another argument to act-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) wuduu
yesterday çááj
girl san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) nuatuz-uu
be_old-RELRelative san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) núut-tuutsa-uu-ja
top-exceed-RELRelative-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) imza
village dzaal
OBJObject (argument) sinpi
that.OBJObject (argument) ja-ñàamu
child-cat
- Were you born in this village?
Tsui ta anlu imza jaunuçi qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question ta
in anlu
this.SUBSubject (argument) imza
village jau-nu-çi
give_birth-PASSPassive voice (valency)
be verb-ed-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago qa
QInterrogative
question
- Can your brother dance well?
Tsui tsazi ñuzuudalu çalu shuti qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question tsazi
well ñuzuu-da-lu
dance-possibility-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRSPresent tense (tense) çalu
that.MEDMedial (proximity)
not too far from speaker; close to addressee.SUBSubject (argument) shuti
brother qa
QInterrogative
question
- Did the man leave?
Tsui cáapcuushu jipa qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question cáapcuu-shu
leave-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently jipa
man qa
QInterrogative
question
- Is your sister coming for you?
Tsui sisha çadi liaalu çalu çati qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question sisha
purpose çadi
you liaal-lu
come-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRSPresent tense (tense) çalu
that.MEDMedial (proximity)
not too far from speaker; close to addressee.SUBSubject (argument) çati
sister qa
QInterrogative
question
- Can you come tomorrow?
Tsui liaaldazin caayaçi qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question liaal-da-zin
come-possibility-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time caayaçi
tomorrow qa
QInterrogative
question
- Have the neighbors gone away for the winter?
Tsui mutsjiyaqnati cáapcuuiç çipña qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question muts-jiyaqnati
until-spring cáapcuu-iç
leave-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently çipña
neighbor qa
QInterrogative
question
- Does the robin sing in the rain?
Tsui suyi shaaj wìituñadu azinaati qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question suyi
under shaaj
rain wìitu-ñadu
sing-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future azinaati
robin qa
QInterrogative
question
- Are you going with us to the concert?
Tsui yiçu nutcamipu dzaal láátinujita qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question yiçu
together nut-cami-pu
go_to-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) láátinujita
concert qa
QInterrogative
question
- Have you ever travelled in the jungle?
Tsui ta yundzimba nidaa shùuamñaaçi qa?
tsui
QInterrogative
question ta
in yundzimba
jungle nidaa
before shùuamñaa-çi
travel-2SSecond person singular (person)
addressee (you).PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago qa
QInterrogative
question
"Have you ever?" is conveyed with a combination of the adverb for "before now" and a verb conjugated for the distant past.
- We sailed down the river for several miles.
Ta shàa situul mutsqua juidz ááshupilap.
ta
in shàa
river situul
downstream muts-qua
destination-several juidz
mile ááshupi-lap
boat-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently
- Everybody knows about hunting.
Dzúúzai iuci yúulilu.
dzúúza-i
hunt-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] iu-ci
know_how-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PRSPresent tense (tense) yúulilu
everyone
- On a Sunny morning after the solstice we started for the mountains.
Ap yuizii, wim cúuita ib, paa yáájup cáapcuulap.
ap
after yuizii
summer_solstice wim
during cúuita
bright ib
morning paa
towards yáájup
mountain cáapcuu-lap
leave-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PLPlural (number)
more than one/few.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago
- Tom laughed at the monkey's tricks.
Shaçishupaqi Tam dzaal dziiti tali papi.
shaçi-shu-paqi
laugh-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) Tam
Tom dzaal
OBJObject (argument) dziiti
monkey tali
associated papi
trick
- An old man with a walking stick stood beside the fence.
Çip çíiti dibunushu nuatuzita jipa san utazuupu dzaal mucasha.
çip
near çíiti
fence dibunu-shu
stand-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently nuatuz-ita
be_old-ADJAdjectival
syntactic jipa
man san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) utaz-uu-pu
hold-RELRelative-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) mucasha
staff
- The squirrel's nest was hidden by drooping boughs.
Juulitsapu tàamuniita tuataz dzaal tsicits júún laam.
juuli-tsa-pu
cover-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) tàamuni-ita
droop-ADJAdjectival
syntactic tuataz
branch dzaal
OBJObject (argument) tsicits
squirrel júún
POSSPossessive (case)
owns, has laam
nest
- The little seeds waited patiently under the snow for the warm spring sun.
Suyi itan uwiilnalu ñapuutsapu diçiita cuyuib dzaal yaztsiita jiyaqnati tali pats.
suyi
under itan
snow uwiil-nalu
be_patient-ADVAdverbial
e.g. English '-ly' ñapuut-tsa-pu
wait-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) diçi-ita
be_small-ADJAdjectival
syntactic cuyuib
seed dzaal
OBJObject (argument) yaztsiita
warm jiyaqnati
spring tali
associated pats
sun
- Many little girls with wreaths of flowers on their heads danced around the bonfire.
Tsumam açtani ñuzuu quaijaa diçiita jaçaaj, san quut saqa jubcaauupu dzaal zanijuu sautis.
tsumam
around açtani
fire ñuzuu-u
dance-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago quaijaa
many diçi-ita
be_small-ADJAdjectival
syntactic ja-çááj
child-girl san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) quut
on saqa
head jubcaa-uu-pu
wear-RELRelative-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) zani-júú
material-flower sautis
crown
- The cover of the basket fell to the floor.
Mutsliijitad sàatadtan ñud tali abal.
muts-liijitad
destination-floor sàatad-tan
fall-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently ñud
basket tali
associated abal
lid
- The first boy in the line stopped at the entrance.
Ta acaadziq manilaashu shu san ta anaish taasisjatuu.
ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc acaadziq
entrance man-ilaa-shu
stop-move-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently shu
boy san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc anaish
queue taasis-jat-uu
first-VBLZUnknown code-RELRelative
- On the top of the hill in a little hut lived a wise old woman.
Ta yitad tali núut, ta diçiita itushqatsi, saaluutsçiqii bitsudaita nuatuzita miitu.
ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc yitad
hill tali
associated núut
top ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc diçi-ita
be_small-ADJAdjectival
syntactic itushqatsi
hut saaluuts-çiqii
live-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago bitsuda-ita
be_wise-ADJAdjectival
syntactic nuatuz-ita
be_old-ADJAdjectival
syntactic miitu
woman
- During our residence in the country we often walked in the pastures.
Wim nati ta nùuqu saaluutslap, ta úudidziq amñaañasalap.
wim
during nati
time ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc nùuqu
farm saaluuts-lap
live-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc úudidziq
pasture amñaa~ñasa-lap
walk_around~HABHabitual (aspect)
done often or out of habit-1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago
- When will your guests from the city arrive?
Tsui bunjapa çuqa çalish zanimzaijaa áadçi?
tsui
QInterrogative
question bunja-pa
arrive-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.FNEANear future (tense)
something that will happen in not much time çuqa
when çalish
those.MEDMedial (proximity)
not too far from speaker; close to addressee.SUBSubject (argument) zan-imzaijaa
from-city áadçi
guest
- Near the mouth of the river, its course turns sharply towards the East.
Çip lishan, paa daz çapnanalu çuujtauts shàa tali çaadzli.
çip
near lishan
mouth paa
towards daz
east çapnanalu
suddenly çuujta-uts
turn-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future shàa
river tali
associated çaadzli
route
- Between the two lofty mountains lay a fertile valley.
Ñiimut aq nááita yáájup tùucaatantan ilaazumita ùud.
Ñiimut
between aq
two.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile náá-ita
be_tall-ADJAdjectival
syntactic yáájup
mountain tùucaa-tan~tan
spread_out-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago~REFLReflexive (valency)
argument acts on itself ilaazum-ita
be_fertile-ADJAdjectival
syntactic ùud
valley
It's pleasant to translate a sentence with word order which sounds poetic in English and which can be translated almost word-for-word directly into Cuuyamu.
- Among the wheat grew tall red poppies.
Ñiimut caishña tìicatsa nááita azita júú.
ñiimut
between caishña
wheat tìica-tsa
grow-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago náá-ita
be_tall-ADJAdjectival
syntactic az-ita
be_red-ADJAdjectival
syntactic júú
flower
- The strong roots of the oak trees were torn from the ground.
Zantad tsuqnutsa uldzush tali iqyauumita laliiq.
zan-tad
from-ground tsuq-nu-tsa
yank-PASSPassive voice (valency)
be verb-ed-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently uldzush
oak tali
associated iqyauum-ita
be_tough-ADJAdjectival
syntactic laliiq
root
- The sun looked down through the branches upon the children at play.
Ñiimut tuataz bìizuts láaqatanadtu pats dzaal ja san tsàanuu.
ñiimut
between tuataz
branch bìizuts
downward láaqa-tan-adtu
look_at-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.OBJObject (argument) pats
sun dzaal
OBJObject (argument) ja
child san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) tsàan-uu
play-RELRelative
- The west wind blew across my face like a friendly caress.
Yaña shalinalu yuazñadu tunaju, yaña shùutanpu batsiyuu dzaal anpi bàaçi.
yaña
like shalinalu
gently yuaz-ñadu
touch-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future tunaju
friend yaña
like shùu-tan-pu
blow-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) bats-iyuu
west-wind dzaal
OBJObject (argument) anpi
this.OBJObject (argument) bàaçi
face
- The spool of thread rolled across the floor.
Zimnalu jìiqatanpu sisha iwacid çaçuu dzaal liijitad.
zim-nalu
roll-ADVAdverbial
e.g. English '-ly' jìiqa-tan-pu
cross-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) sisha
purpose iwacid
sew çaçuu
cylinder dzaal
OBJObject (argument) liijitad
floor
A "purpose sew cylinder" is a cylinder used for the purpose of sewing, i.e. a spool of thread.
- A box of growing plants stood in the Window.
Ta zipñuu zúutsiltan jiçaz san tatazuupaqi dzaal tìicaita qib.
ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc zipñuu
window zúutsil-tan
sit-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently jiçaz
box san
RELZRelativiser (derivation) tataz-uu-paqi
contain-RELRelative-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) tìica-ita
grow-ADJAdjectival
syntactic qib
plant
Ta zipñuu ta jiçaz tìicatsa qib.
ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc zipñuu
window ta
LOCLocative (case)
'in, on, at' etc jiçaz
box tìica-tsa
grow-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently qib
plant
The two translations differ in whether they put emphasis on the box or on the plants.
- I am very happy.
Manaati sutaañiwu.
manaati
strongly sutaañi-wu
be_happy-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PRSPresent tense (tense)
- These oranges are juicy.
Sááshtsa anlish niuqaz.
sáásh-tsa
be_juicy-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) anlish
these.SUBSubject (argument) niuqaz
fruit
- Sea water is salty.
Yamidi lawiq.
yami-di
be_salty-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future lawiq
sea_water
- The streets are full of people.
Jùuts lìilu umushtsa amanut.
jùuts
INSTRInstrumental (case)
'with' 'using' lìilu
person umush-tsa
be_crowded-3PThird person plural (person)
neither speaker nor addressee, they/them.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) amanut
path
- Sugar tastes sweet.
Qalii jíijyaqacuts ñúujil.
qali-i
be_sweet-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] jíijyaqac-uts
seem_taste-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.FDISDistant future (tense)
something that will happen far into the future ñúujil
sugar
- The fire feels hot.
Yazi jíijmiwitan açtani.
yaz-i
be_hot-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] jíijmiwit-tan
seem_feel-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) açtani
fire
Yaznalu miiwitnutan açtani.
yaz-nalu
be_hot-ADVAdverbial
e.g. English '-ly' miiwit-nu-tan
feel-PASSPassive voice (valency)
be verb-ed-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.PRSPresent tense (tense) açtani
fire
There are multiple ways of describing the senses. The second sentence implies that someone is actually touching the fire to feel it, which is less likely (because it's fire) but still possible.
- The little girl seemed lonely.
Çàashnii jíijatiqshu jaçaaj.
çàashni-i
be_lonely-CMPComplementiser (syntactic)
[clause] that [clause] jíijatiq-shu
seem-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently ja-çááj
child-girl
- The little boy's father had once been a sailor.
Daliini lauliluçiqii jashu ta'ñaji.
dalii-ni
IMPVUnknown code.TELTelic (aspect)
completed event-MIRMirative/admirative (mood/emotive)
surprise, doubt laulilu-çiqii
sailor-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.ANAnimate (gender/class)
alive, moving.PDISDistant past (tense)
events which occurred a long time ago ja-shu
child-boy ta'-ñaji
associated-father
This is casual speech, phrased as if passing along a rumor.
- I have lost my blanket.
Nitsiipcijpu dzaal anpi yatsibaalin.
nitsiip-cij-pu
lose-1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.PNEANear past (tense)
past events that occurred recently-3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.INANInanimate (gender/class)
inanimate, sessile.OBJObject (argument) dzaal
OBJObject (argument) anpi
this.OBJObject (argument) yatsibaalin
blanket
Continued in Syntax Samples Part 2 ✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article
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