Lesson 25

Lesson 25

This lesson explains the 3rd Aspect Negative.

This conversation is between you and two others who are strangers.

You:	Yɛn bia jiɛɛn i̲nɛy? When will you depart?
Others:	Kui̲c nɛy ɛ. Dɔ̲ɔ̲ /ca̲kɔ bi̲ jiɛɛn tä̲ä̲mɛ kɛ ɤöö tɛ̲ dä̲maar jɔ̲ɔ̲r kä̲ lip nɛy ni̲ jɛ. Mi̲ bɛ bɛ̲n, dɔ̲ŋ ba̲kɔ wä̲. We don't know it. Perhaps we will not go now because my brother is away and we are waiting for him. When (if) he will come, perhaps we will go.
You:	Ɣɔ̲ɔ̲, kä̲ mi̲ /cia bi̲ jiɛɛn tä̲ä̲mɛ, bia ŋu̲ lɛl wanamɛ mi̲ thïlɛ yɛ la̲t? Oh, but if you do not (eill no) go now, what will you do here if you have no work?
Others:	Ɣëë, kui̲c nɛy ɛ, kä̲ Kuoth a thï̲n. Dɔ̲ɔ̲ bi̲ nɛy tëk. Ɣëë, we don't know it, but God is present. Perhaps we will live.
You:	Ɣɔ̲ɔ̲n, dɔ̲ɔ̲ ɛ jɛn kä̲ mi̲ /ci̲ ɛ jɛn bia ŋu̲ lɛl? Yes, maybe it is so but if it is not so what will you do?
Others:	Bɛ jɔɔc. It will appear. i.e. We'll see.

SYNTAX

3rd Aspect Negative -- This negative has its own negative particle in combination with the verb particle. The result is a double particle with [ci̲] the negative article and [bi̲] the 3rd Aspect particle.

Word Order

For verbs with no object (Intransitive).
1. /Ci̲ ɤä̲n bi̲ wä̲ -- I will not go.
  Neg. Part. Subj. 3rd Asp. Part. and verb
2. /Cä̲ bi̲ wä̲? -- I will not go.
  Neg. Part and Subj. (assim) and 3rd Asp. Part. and verb
For verbs with an object (Transitive)
1. /Ci̲ ɤä̲n ɛ bi̲ go̲r? -- I will not want it.
  Neg. Part. and Subj. and Dir. Obj and 3rd Asp. Part and verb
2. /Cä̲ jɛ bi̲ go̲r. -- I will not want it.
  Neg. Part. and Subj. (assim) and Dir. Obj. and 3rd part. and verb
3. /Cä̲ jɛ bi̲ ka̲m i̲. -- I will not give it to you.
  Neg. Part. and Subj (assim) and Dir. Obj. and 3rd part. and verb and In. Obj.
4. For emphasis the object follows the verb accompanied by the emphatic particle [nih].
  /Cä̲ bi̲ go̲r ni̲ jɛ. -- I will not want it.

3rd Aspect Negative

Unassim. Part.		Assim. Part.
	/Ci̲ ɤä̲n bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Cä̲ bi̲ bɛ̲n.
	/Ci̲ jï̲n bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Ci̲ bi̲ bɛ̲n.
	/Ci̲ jɛn bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Cɛ bi̲ bɛ̲n.

(in)	/Ci̲ kɔn bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Canɛ bi̲ bɛ̲n.
(ex)	/Ci̲ kɔn bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Ca̲kɔ bi̲ bɛ̲n.
	/Ci̲ yɛn bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Cia bi̲ bɛ̲n.
	/Ci̲ kɛn bi̲ bɛ̲n.	/Cikɛ bi̲ bɛ̲n.

Vocabulary -- [Dɔ̲ɔ̲ or dɔ̲ŋ] implies a doubt either pro or con and is commonly used by the Nuers in realms of the spiritual when something effects them personally. It is used in other ways, too, but it reveals their pessimistic attitude towards God in contrast to faith and assurance. "maybe so" is expressed by [Dɔ̲ɔ̲ ɛ jɛn.]