Proto-Saːkdi syntax

Main article: Proto-Saːkdi

This page gives an extensive description of Proto-Saːkdi syntactical features.

Main clause and word order

Proto-Saːkdi is an almost strictly VOS (Verb-Object-Subject) language.

buːgnez moʈ boːrɖa rosmɔq
the man sees the dog

The total lack of any case system, and of any distinction between the subject and the direct object, makes the word order firmly fixed.

The other elements in the sentence are usually placed in the order “time-cause-manner-place”, although they are basically freer than the main elements, as they are conveyed by the case system or by the prepositions. The indirect object tends to be placed after the direct object of the sentence.

Any of the elements can be emphasized by placing it at the beginning or in the end of the sentence. This can be done through the evidential particle si, which is to be placed before the emphasized element.

si he boːrɖa buːgnez moʈ rosmɔq 
it's the dog the man sees

By using the evidential particle, every preposition of any kind must be clearly expressed.

Nouns

The noun cluster is formed by a noun, carrying the main meaning, and by other noun-type forms, namely adjectives, which specify this meaning or add other meanings to the main noun. Inside of a noun cluster, the noun can be replaced by a pronoun.

The noun usually introduces the noun cluster, being followed by every other specifying form. Thus, other elements conveying possession and belonging are always placed after the noun, as well as every attributive adjective.

kaztaɴ koː mɔqmih
the man’s house

waːmke qisɔn
my hand

ʐanmɔq qiːrjun
the young woman

The noun cluster does not usually distinguish any number. If necessary, a numeral meaning is marked by indefinite adjectives, numerals or reduplication processes.

The role of the noun cluster in the sentence is marked by prepositions. Thus, it can be stated that the noun cluster can be introduced by a preposition.

gohʈaʡ ɔn ɴɔrto kaztaɴ
I am going inside the house