Nominal in Karbi may be
broadly divided into inherent and derived nouns. Inherent nouns
are further classified into
pronouns, nouns and numerals.
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| 3.2.1 |
Pronouns |
Pronouns show the
distinction of person. They fall into three groups, viz.,
personal pronouns, demonstrative pronouns
and interrogative pronouns.
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Personal Pronouns
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A three-way distinction
of person is made in personal pronouns. They are the first
person, the second person and the third person. The first person
pronoun refers to the speaker, the second person pronoun, the
listener and the third person pronoun, others.
Honorific distinction is
made in both the singular and plural forms in all the three
persons. The honorific marker is -li
and is added directly to the singular forms. The plural marker
follows the honorific if the latter
is present.
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The plural forms are
formed by adding the suffix -tum to the singular
pronouns.
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In first person plural,
the distinction of inclusiveness and exclusiveness is made. In
inclusiveness plural, the initial
n- is dropped. Also the plural marker is optionally dropped
in honorific inclusive plural. The first person
honorific singular form is used by the speaker when the person
addressed to or referred to are
denoted with the honorific marker.
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Gender distinction is
made in third person.
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