Language/Wolof/Grammar/Possessive-pronouns

Possessive Pronouns in Wolof

In this lesson we will introduce some grammar points, the first of them will be the POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS.

Examples:

• Sama yaay My mother.
• Samay waajur. My parents.
• Jabaram His wife
• ay doomam. His kids

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Static verbs, Conjugation, Adjective Agreement & Word Order.

Notes

In Wolof, the possessive pronouns are to some points different from the English possessives.

• The first one is the third person (his – her – its) has just 1 translation in Wolof (am) and it is the only possessive Wolof that comes after the noun (xaritam = his/her friend).

• In Wolof, it’s not the noun that takes the sign of plural (s) but it the possessive pronoun that takes it, it is represented by the (y or i) that is added to the possessive: samay waajur = my parents.

• The plural of “his – her – its” that are translated by “am” is “ay”. Both words surround the qualified noun: ay waajuram = his / her parents.

Source

http://publish.illinois.edu/wolof201fall14/files/2014/08/NEW_WOLOF_BOOK.pdf

Other Lessons

• Enonciative pronouns
• Conditional Mood
• Negation
• Plural Nouns — Definite articles
• Static verbs
• Conditional
• Gender
• Notable characteristics
• Plural Nouns — Indefinite article
• Adjectives