Language/Bambara/Grammar/Plurals
Hi Bambara learners!😊
Learning Bambara Grammar can be a challenging task, but it is also an incredibly rewarding one. With the right approach and dedication, you can master the language in no time. In this lesson, we will focus on plurals in Bambara.
Plural Formation
In Bambara, there are two ways to form plurals: by adding a suffix or by reduplication.
Suffix
The most common way to form plurals in Bambara is by adding a suffix. The suffix used depends on the noun's gender and number. For singular nouns, the suffix -w is added for masculine nouns and -n for feminine nouns. For plural nouns, the suffix -w is added for both masculine and feminine nouns.
For example:
- kɔrɔ (man) → kɔrɔw (men)
- fɛ (woman) → fɛn (women)
- kɔrɔw (men) → kɔrɔw (men)
Reduplication
Another way to form plurals in Bambara is by reduplication. This means repeating the noun twice. This method is used for nouns that refer to animals, plants, and other natural phenomena.
For example:
- tɔgɔ (dog) → tɔgɔtɔgɔ (dogs)
- sɔrɔ (bird) → sɔrɔsɔrɔ (birds)
- kɔnɔ (tree) → kɔnɔkɔnɔ (trees)
Exceptions
There are some exceptions to the rules of plural formation in Bambara. Some nouns have irregular plurals, and some nouns do not change at all when forming the plural.
For example:
- kɔnɔ (tree) → kɔnɔ (trees)
- fɔlɔ (child) → fɔlɔn (children)
- sɔrɔ (bird) → sɔrɔn (birds)
Practice
Now that you know the basics of plural formation in Bambara, it's time to practice! Try to form the plurals of the following words:
- kɛ (house)
- fɔ (animal)
- nɔni (person)
Answers:
- kɛw (houses)
- fɔfɔ (animals)
- nɔnin (people)
To improve your Bambara Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎