Language/Tswana/Grammar/Demonstrative-Pronouns-and-Adjectives

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Tswana → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives

Welcome to another exciting lesson in our Complete 0 to A1 Tswana Course! Today, we will explore an essential part of Tswana grammar: demonstrative pronouns and adjectives. These linguistic tools will help you point out specific people or things, making your conversations more precise and engaging. Whether you're in a market or chatting with friends, knowing how to use demonstratives will enhance your Tswana communication skills greatly.

Why are Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives Important?

In any language, demonstrative pronouns and adjectives are crucial for clarity. They allow speakers to identify and emphasize particular nouns, helping listeners understand exactly what or who is being referred to. In Tswana, these words are not just functional; they are also an integral part of everyday dialogue.

This lesson is structured to provide you with a clear understanding of demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Tswana. We will start with definitions and explanations, followed by numerous examples to illustrate their use. Finally, we will engage in exercises to practice what you've learned.

What are Demonstrative Pronouns?

Demonstrative pronouns in Tswana are words that point to specific people or things. They are used to indicate proximity or distance. In Tswana, the demonstrative pronouns are:

• ono (this – near)

• oo (that – near)

• bona (those – near)

• bona (those – far)

Let's see them in action through some examples:

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
ono	/ˈo.nɔ/	this
oo	/ˈo.o/	that
bona	/ˈbɔ.nɑ/	those (near)
bona	/ˈbɔ.nɑ/	those (far)

What are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns by providing more information about their proximity. In Tswana, the demonstrative adjectives are the same as the pronouns but are used differently in a sentence. They help specify which noun you are talking about.

Here’s how they look:

• ono (this – near)

• oo (that – near)

• bona (those – near)

• bona (those – far)

Here are some examples:

Tswana	Pronunciation	English
ono ngwaga	/ˈo.nɔ ˈŋʷɑ.ɡɑ/	this year
oo ngwaga	/ˈo.o ˈŋʷɑ.ɡɑ/	that year
bona diphiri	/ˈbɔ.nɑ ˈdi.pʰi.ri/	those houses (near)
bona diphiri	/ˈbɔ.nɑ ˈdi.pʰi.ri/	those houses (far)

Using Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives in Sentences

Now that we understand what demonstrative pronouns and adjectives are, let’s look at how to use them in sentences.

1. Demonstrative Pronouns:

• Ono o ja bosigo. (This one eats at night.)

• Oo o a go bona. (That one sees you.)

• Bona ba le kwa go. (Those people are here.)

2. Demonstrative Adjectives:

• Ono ngwaga o monate. (This year is pleasant.)

• Oo ngwaga o thata. (That year is tough.)

• Bona diphiri di molemo. (Those houses are good.)

Summary of Key Points

• Demonstrative pronouns point to specific people or things.

• Demonstrative adjectives modify nouns to indicate proximity.

• The same words are used for both categories but serve different grammatical functions.

Exercises

Now that we have covered the topic in detail, let’s put your knowledge to the test! Below are exercises that will help reinforce what you’ve learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun or adjective to complete each sentence.

1. ___ ngwaga o monate. (This year is pleasant.)

2. ___ o a go bona. (That one sees you.)

3. ___ diphiri di molemo. (Those houses are good.)

Answers:

1. Ono

2. Oo

3. Bona

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Tswana using the correct demonstrative pronouns/adjectives.

1. This book is interesting.

2. That dog is barking.

3. Those trees are beautiful.

Answers:

1. Ono buka e monate.

2. Oo ntša e a lla.

3. Bona lifate di monate.

Exercise 3: Matching

Match the Tswana demonstrative pronouns/adjectives with their English equivalents.

1. Ono

2. Oo

3. Bona

A. that

B. this

C. those

Answers:

1 - B

2 - A

3 - C

Exercise 4: Sentence Creation

Create sentences using the following prompts, ensuring to use demonstrative pronouns/adjectives correctly.

1. This man is my friend.

2. That house needs repair.

3. Those children are playing.

Answers:

1. Ono monna ke tshepo ya me.

2. Oo ntlo e tlhokang borai.

3. Bona bana ba a bapala.

Exercise 5: True or False

Determine if the following statements are true or false based on what you've learned.

1. "Ono" means that. (False)

2. "Bona" can refer to people or things. (True)

3. Demonstrative adjectives are used to modify nouns. (True)

Answers:

1. False

2. True

3. True

Exercise 6: Choose the Correct Form

Select the correct demonstrative pronoun/adjective from the options provided.

1. ___ ngwaga o monate. (This/That year is pleasant.)

• A. Ono

• B. Oo

2. ___ diphiri di molemo. (This/Those houses are good.)

• A. Bona

• B. Ono

Answers:

1. A. Ono

2. A. Bona

Exercise 7: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the following sentences by changing the demonstrative pronoun/adjective.

1. Ono ngwaga o monate. (This year is pleasant.) → Oo ngwaga o monate. (That year is pleasant.)

2. Bona diphiri di molemo. (Those houses are good.) → Ono diphiri di molemo. (This house is good.)

Exercise 8: Fill the Gaps with Pronouns

Fill the gaps with the correct demonstrative pronoun or adjective.

1. ___ ngwaga o thata. (That year is tough.)

2. ___ diphiri di tlhokang borai. (Those houses need repair.)

Answers:

1. Oo

2. Bona

Exercise 9: Visual Identification

Look at the following images (if provided) and describe them using demonstrative pronouns/adjectives in Tswana.

1. (Image of a tree)

• Ono lefate le le monate. (This tree is beautiful.)

2. (Image of a dog)

• Oo ntša e a lla. (That dog is barking.)

Exercise 10: Group Discussion

In pairs, discuss your favorite years and describe them using demonstrative pronouns/adjectives. Use sentences like:

• Ono ngwaga e monate.

• Oo ngwaga e thata.

Answers will vary.

Congratulations! You've now learned how to use demonstrative pronouns and adjectives in Tswana. Practice using these in your conversations, and you'll find that they add clarity and richness to your language skills. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to seeing you in the next lesson!

Table of Contents - Tswana Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Greetings

• Greetings and Introductions
• Polite Expressions

  ---

Sentence Structure

• Subject Pronouns
• Verb Conjugation

  ---

Numbers

• Counting 1-10
• Ordinal Numbers

  ---

Days of the Week and Months

• Days of the Week
• Months of the Year

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Plural Nouns

  ---

Common Objects and Places

• Household Items
• Places in Town

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Meals and Dining

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions of Place
• Prepositions of Time
• Conjunctions

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Possessives and Demonstratives

• Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives
• Demonstrative Pronouns and Adjectives

  ---

Tswana Traditions and Customs

• Traditional Clothing
• Tswana Cuisine

  ---

Tswana Holidays and Celebrations

• National Holidays
• Traditional Celebrations

Sources

• Setswana syntax : a survey of word group structures in SearchWorks ...

Other Lessons

• Adverbs
• How to Use Be
• How to Use Have
• Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives
• Questions
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• 0 to A1 Course
• Plural Nouns
• Prepositions of Time
• Conjunctions

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