Basay Language - Syntax

Syntax

There are four optional case markers in Basay (Li 1999:646).

• a - nominative, ligature (Shinshe dialect)
• ta - nominative (Trobiawan dialect)
• li - locative (Shinshe dialect)
• u - oblique (Trobiawan dialect)

Some function words include (Li 1999):

• pai 'future'

Trobiawan negators include (Li 1999):

• mia 'not' (Shinshe dialect: mayu 'not (yet)')
• asi 'don't' (Shinshe dialect: manai 'don't')
• (m)upa 'not to want'
• (Shinshe dialect: kualau 'not exist')

Yes-no questions are marked by u ~ nu (Li 1999:657).