Appearance
Predication (classification and identity)
How Agalan says English is for kind / role (Azawan is a dog) and identity (Clark is Superman).
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Beginner
Classification (property)
Put a property on the subject with an adjective (/ɡ/): name (or other noun) plus the describing word. English is in Azawan is challenging is already in that pair. Extra detail (/w/) or an extra noun (/b/) hangs on the adjective. Clause-level extras (/h/) still mark the whole statement.
| Form | Job | Example | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|
subject + /ɡ/ | property (is ADJ) | zazawan gomonam Azawan is challenging | the adjective does the is job |
`zazawan gomonam.`
gloss: `z-grace@` · `g-challenging`
*Azawan is challenging.*Classification
Classification is saying someone or something is that kind (role, category). Use the same adjective pattern: the kind sits on /ɡ/ on the classified noun.
| Pattern | Example | Reading |
|---|---|---|
Kind / role as /ɡ/ | zazawan godogol | Azawan is a dog |
| Named category / titled role | zazawan godogon | Azawan is Dog (proper designation); -n on /ɡ/ |
`zazawan godogol.`
gloss: `z-grace@` · `g-dog`
*Azawan is a dog.*When you talk about the kind as a participant, use a noun (zodogol a dog). When you say the subject is that kind, keep the kind on the adjective (zazawan godogol). Event and action meanings use a verb (/v/). English be between two nouns is this adjective pattern, not a verb.
Identity (SAME)
Identity is two expressions for one person or thing (Clark is Superman, this is that). Use the closed adjective SAME: gonunu plus an extra noun (/b/).
| Form | Job | Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|
onunu (gonunu + /b/) | identical-to / same-as | 🪙 coin: two faces, one substance (two labels, one referent) |
`z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n.`
gloss: `z-Clark@` · `g-SAME` · `b-Superman@`
*Clark is Superman.*`zodogol gonunul bazawan.`
gloss: `z-dog` · `g-SAME` · `b-grace@`
*The dog is Azawan.*| Piece | Role |
|---|---|
| subject | the expression treated as given |
gonunu | identical-to / same-as |
extra noun (/b/) | the other label or description |
gonunu and its extra noun stay next to each other, like other adjective-plus-extra-noun groups (goborul bazawan).
Translation practice
Short drills on this Beginner band. Try each item before opening Show answer. Property and kind sit on /ɡ/; identity uses gonunul plus /b/.
Roots used here: azawa grace (name Azawan) · ululo courage (name Ululon) · uhubu beauty (name Uhubun) · odogo dog · agada cat · abogo book · elulu blue · uzumu smile → happy (-m) · omona challenging (-m) · awala walk · elebe sleep · onunu SAME
English → Agalan
1. Azawan is challenging.
Show answer
zazawan gomonam.
2. Azawan is a dog.
Show answer
zazawan godogol.
3. Ululon is a cat.
Show answer
zululon gagadal.
4. A dog walks.
Show answer
zodogol vawalal.
5. Azawan is Dog.
Show answer
zazawan godogon.
6. Clark is Superman.
Show answer
z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n.
7. Uhubun is happy.
Show answer
zuhubun guzumum.
8. The cat is blue.
Show answer
zagadal gelulul.
Agalan → English
1. zazawan gomonam.
Show answer
Azawan is challenging.
2. zululon godogol.
Show answer
Ululon is a dog.
3. zodogol velebel.
Show answer
A dog sleeps.
4. zazawan godogon.
Show answer
Azawan is Dog.
5. z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n.
Show answer
Clark is Superman.
6. z<Superman>n gonunul b<Clark>n.
Show answer
Superman is Clark.
7. zodogol gomonam.
Show answer
The dog is challenging.
8. zuhubun gagadal.
Show answer
Uhubun is a cat.
Intermediate
Classification packaging
Once kind sits on /ɡ/, you can hedge it, mark it as a type, or deny it.
| Pattern | Example | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Soft / hedged class | plain classifying clause (zazawan godogol) with a /w/ hedge stacked on the classifying /ɡ/ | Azawan is something of a dog / a dog, sort of |
| Characterizing / habitual | zazawan godogol hual | Azawan is the dog type; hual |
| Negation | zazawan godogol gul | Azawan is not a dog; negation u |
SAME endings
The same identity pattern takes the usual endings. -l stands behind the match; -m is ordinary open SAME (same for our purposes); -n is a titled frame; -r resumes a prior identity claim.
| Ending | Reading |
|---|---|
| -l | stand behind identity (closed) |
| -m | open SAME (same for our purposes) |
| -n | named identity frame (rare; titled equivalence) |
| -r | resume a prior identity claim |
| Agalan | Reading |
|---|---|
z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n | Clark is (the same as) Superman |
z<Clark>n gonunum b<Superman>n | open: Clark is basically Superman |
z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n gul | Clark is not (identical to) Superman |
z<Clark>n heraram gonunul b<Superman>n | Clark is allegedly Superman |
zeberel gonunul b<Superman>n | inside a noun phrase: the person who is Superman |
The coin root is still available as ordinary coin (zonunul) or as a token-like adjective when it is not this identity frame. Closed gonunu… + /b/ as the property is the identity reading.
Translation practice
Short drills on this Intermediate band. Try each item before opening Show answer. Classification packaging and SAME endings (-l / -m / -n / -r) are the point.
Roots used here: azawa grace (name Azawan) · ululo courage (name Ululon) · uhubu beauty (name Uhubun) · odogo dog · agada cat · onunu SAME · erara TOLD · ebere (band: the person who…) · awala walk · elebe sleep
English → Agalan
1. Clark is Superman.
Show answer
z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n.
2. Clark is basically Superman.
Show answer
z<Clark>n gonunum b<Superman>n.
3. Clark is Superman (titled identity).
Show answer
z<Clark>n gonunun b<Superman>n.
4. The person who is Superman walks.
Show answer
zeberel gonunul b<Superman>n vawalal.
5. The dog is Azawan.
Show answer
zodogol gonunul bazawan.
6. Azawan is not a dog.
Show answer
zazawan godogol gul.
7. Clark is the same (as already ascribed) as Superman.
Show answer
z<Clark>n gonunur b<Superman>n.
Agalan → English
1. z<Clark>n gonunum b<Superman>n.
Show answer
Clark is basically Superman.
2. z<Clark>n gonunul b<Superman>n.
Show answer
Clark is Superman.
3. zeberel gonunul b<Superman>n velebel.
Show answer
The person who is Superman sleeps.
4. zodogol gonunul bazawan.
Show answer
The dog is Azawan.
5. z<Clark>n gonunun b<Superman>n.
Show answer
Clark is Superman (titled identity).
6. zululon godogol gul.
Show answer
Ululon is not a dog.
7. z<Clark>n gonunur b<Superman>n.
Show answer
Clark is the same (as already ascribed) as Superman.
See also
- Scalar as ADJ as / comparative property clauses: comparatives.md
- Complex
/ɡ/+/b/: core.md - Negation / single-item packaging on properties: coordination.md