Language/Wolof/Grammar/Clitic-Pronouns

Wolof → Grammar → Clitic Pronouns

As a Wolof language teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience, I know the importance of mastering grammar concepts to become fluent in any language. In this lesson, we will explore the use of clitic pronouns in Wolof and their function in a sentence.

What are Clitic Pronouns?

Clitic pronouns are a type of pronoun that attach themselves to the end of a verb or negative particle in Wolof. They function as either direct or indirect object pronouns in a sentence. Unlike regular pronouns, clitic pronouns cannot stand alone and must be attached to the end of a word.

How to use Clitic Pronouns in Wolof

Wolof clitic pronouns are used in the same way as regular French or Spanish pronouns. They refer to people, animals or things and are used to replace a noun in a sentence to avoid repetition.

The declension of clitic pronouns in Wolof is somewhat complex, so it's important to memorize them in order to use them correctly in a sentence. Below is a table of the clitic pronouns in Wolof:

Wolof	Pronunciation	English
mi	/mi/	me
ta	/ta/	you (singular)
bu	/bu/	him/her/it/you (formal)
na	/na/	us
la	/la/	you (plural)

For example, the sentence "I see you" in Wolof would be "Ma laa ngiy wax" (the word "ngiy" means "see" in Wolof). You can replace the pronoun "la" with the noun "sante" which means "you" to say: "Ma sante ngiy wax."

It's worth noting that clitic pronouns in Wolof, like other pronouns, can change depending on their function as either direct or indirect objects in a sentence. This means you need to understand the concept of direct and indirect objects and how they can affect clitic pronouns in the sentence.

Direct vs. Indirect Objects in Wolof

To understand the use of clitic pronouns in Wolof, it's important to distinguish between direct and indirect objects in a sentence. A direct object in a sentence receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence "I see the cat," the cat is the direct object since it receives the action of the verb. In contrast, an indirect object in a sentence is the person or thing to or for whom the action is being done.

In Wolof, an indirect object pronoun always comes before a direct object pronoun, attached to the verb. For example, the sentence "I give her the book" in Wolof would be "Ma weex na nit la" (the verb "weex" means "give" in Wolof). In this sentence, the indirect object pronoun "na" (her) comes before the direct object pronoun "la" (the book).

Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to improve your usage of clitic pronouns in Wolof is through practice. Try writing simple sentences using clitic pronouns, using the table above as a reference guide. Listen to Wolof speakers and observe how they use clitic pronouns in daily conversation.

Conclusion

Clitic pronouns are an essential part of Wolof grammar, and mastering their use is crucial for anyone looking to become fluent in this West African language. Remember to practice regularly and be patient with yourself as you learn. With time and effort, you'll be able to use clitic pronouns in Wolof naturally and with confidence.

Related Lessons

• How to Use Be
• Singular and Plural
• Enonciative pronouns
• Gender
• Intensifiers
• Question Formation
• Comparatives
• Am (to have) in the present tense
• Word Order
• Notable characteristics

Sources

• Wolof: A grammatical sketch Stéphane Robert LLACAN, CNRS ...
• Clitic Placement after Syntax: Evidence from Wolof Person and ...
• Wolof language - Wikipedia