Gelao Language - Grammar

Grammar

Like all of its surrounding languages, Gelao is a head-first, SVO language. Like Buyang, one unusual feature of Gelao is that negatives usually come at the end of a sentence. Reduplication is very common and is used for diminutive or repetitive purposes. Other common features include the use of serial verb constructions and compound nouns. Although numerals and classifiers precede nouns, adjectives (including demonstratives) always follow the noun. Function words, such as prepositions and auxiliary words, are often derived from verbs.

Like Buyang and Dong, Gelao retains many prefixes that have been lost in most other Tai–Kadai languages. Zhang (1993:300) notes that the Moji (磨基) Longlin variant makes especially extensive use of prefixing syllables before nouns, verbs, and adjectives. These prefixes are especially important for reconstruction purposes.

Many words in Gelao are derived from vernacular Southwest Mandarin Chinese. These loanwords are often used interchangeably with native Gelao words. There is also a highly rich system of classifiers.

Gelao also has a rich set of pronouns not attested in other Tai–Kadai languages. There are also pronouns referring to one's household in particular. The following are pronouns from Pingba Gelao.

  • (su33) i42 – I
  • (su33) mu21 - you
  • (su33) u42 - he, she, it
  • (su33) ta33 - we
  • (su33) sa33 - you all
  • pə42 nu42 - they
  • qa33/a33 qei42 - my household
  • qa33/a33 mu21 - your household
  • qa33/a55 qu42 - his/her household

Pingba Gelao numerals are given below. Note the similarities with the Austronesian numeral system.

  1. si33
  2. su33
  3. ta33
  4. pu33
  5. mpu33
  6. naŋ33
  7. ɕi13
  8. zua55
  9. sə13
  10. pan13

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