Language/Kabyle/Grammar/Conjunctions
Conjunctions are words that are used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. In Kabyle, a conjunction is called "ass-aɣbalu" (singular) or "yisem-aɣbalu" (plural). This lesson will teach you about the various forms of conjunctions in Kabyle and how to use them to connect ideas in a sentence.
Types of conjunctions
There are three types of conjunctions in Kabyle: coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions, and correlative conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect two or more items that are of equal grammatical importance in a sentence. The most common coordinating conjunctions in Kabyle are:
- "akken" (meaning "and")
- "ma" (meaning "or")
- "ara" (meaning "but")
Here are some examples of sentences that use coordinating conjunctions:
| Kabyle | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| imi ddiɣen akken idellan | i-mi dd-iɣen akken i-dellan | "I eat fruit and vegetables" |
| ur yettwaqess ma yella | ur ye-ttwaqess ma yell-a | "He doesn't dance or sing" |
| ad tbusan ara ad tlekka | ad t-busan ara ad t-lekka | "They laugh, but they cry" |
Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are used to connect a dependent clause to an independent clause. The most common subordinating conjunctions in Kabyle are:
- "ma" (meaning "if" or "when")
- "di" (meaning "that")
- "ass" (meaning "while")
Here are some examples of sentences that use subordinating conjunctions:
| Kabyle | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ma d-tettuɣ kka d-agellid | ma d-tettuɣ kka d-agellid | "If you go there, bring a book" |
| d acu ara ttqimiḍ di lḥiwat? | d acu ara tt-qimiḍ di lḥiwat | "What did you say that upset her?" |
| ass as-tennulfa-d s kra n taddart | ass as-tennulf-a-d s kra n taddart | "While I was walking in the village" |
Correlative conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to connect items that are of equal grammatical importance in a sentence. The most common correlative conjunctions in Kabyle are:
- "ma...ma" (meaning "either...or")
- "d wannan...d wannan" (meaning "whether...or not")
Here are some examples of sentences that use correlative conjunctions:
| Kabyle | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ma yekkatma ma yezzi | ma ye-kkatma ma ye-zzi | "Either he stays or he goes" |
| d wannan ara t-id-tbedd ur tiliḍ ara | d wannan ara t-id-tbedd ur tiliḍ ara | "Whether you like it or not" |
Word order
In Kabyle, coordinating conjunctions are placed between the two items they connect. For example:
"imiren akken ay adweɣ" (meaning "books and pens")
In this sentence, "akken" connects "imiren" (meaning "books") and "ay adweɣ" (meaning "pens").
For subordinating conjunctions, the dependent clause usually comes before the independent clause. For example:
"d acu ara ttmenniḍ di lḥiwat?" (meaning "What are you thinking about that upset her?")
In this sentence, "di" connects the dependent clause "d acu ara ttmenniḍ" with the independent clause "lḥiwat?".
Conclusion
In Kabyle, conjunctions are an important part of building complex sentences. Coordinating conjunctions are used to connect equal grammatical items, subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce dependent clauses, and correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to connect items. Learning how to use conjunctions correctly will help you express your thoughts more clearly in Kabyle.