Đaxi syntax
- Main article: Đaxi
This page gives an extensive description of Đaxi syntactical features.
Main clause and word order
Đaxi is an almost strictly SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) language.
koβa ɣɛhu kɑɣɑkuska 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 only word order with a clear role and a frequent usage is OSV (Object-Subject-Verbs), which conveys a passive meaning.
ɣɛhu koβa kɑɣɑkuska the dog is seen by the man
The other elements in the sentence are usually placed in the order “place-manner-cause-time”, although they are basically freer than the main elements. An object in the dative case, when conveying the indirect object, tends to be placed after the direct object of the sentence.
koβa pesɛ na ɣɛhu kɛpɔʎɛrmɔ the man gives bread to the dog
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 is usually located in the center of the noun cluster, being preceded or followed by every other specifying form.
Non-adjectival elements conveying possession and belonging are always placed after the noun.
řɑmro ðe koβa the man’s house
Every attributive adjectives, conversely, is always placed before the noun.
ṅoð ðüka my hand
rönü roβa the young woman
A key role inside the noun cluster is played by the process called agreement. This process create a bond between a noun and other adjectival elements. Other elements, which convey possession or belonging do not agree with the main nominal form (including the possessive adjectives).
könü koβa pa řɑmro kɑkanɸä the young man is going home
The agreement is also marked on predicative adjectives, spreading thus in the verb groups.
The agreement does distinguish also the number of the noun cluster. Number is marked only on nouns and adjectival elements, while other elements, which convey possession or belonging, do not agree with the main nominal form in number.
rjysä rjönü rjoβa the two young women
rjoβa rjönü the women are young
The role of the noun cluster in the sentence is marked by prepositions, which are placed before the cluster. Thus, it can be stated that the noun cluster can be introduced by a preposition.
βön řɑmro ṅɑkanɸä I am going inside the house
