Βaβar syntax
- Main article: Βaβar
This page gives an extensive description of Βaβar syntactical features.
Main clause and word order
Βaβar is an almost strictly SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) language.
tɬʼīx xūɸɴ ɸaqurā sūɣ the man sees the dog
The case system, which clearly distinguishes between the subject and the direct object, allows every other possible word order to some extent, but most of them prove to be very marked and infrequently used. However, the direct object can be emphasized by placing it at the beginning of the sentence.
xūɸɴ tɬʼīx ɸaqurā sūɣ it's the dog the man sees
Most pronouns, however, have enclitical suffixal alternative unstressed forms. By using these forms, the direct object can be optionally moved in a post-verbal position. Since the subject is always implied in verbal conjugation, it can be assumed that enclitical pronominal forms may display a VSO (Verb-Subject-Object) order.
si mam ɸāquš (SOV) As for myself, I saw you (and no one else)
six ɸāquš (SOV) As for myself, I saw you
ɸāqušəx (VSO) I saw you
The other elements in the sentence are usually placed in the order “time-cause-manner-place”, although they are basically freer than the main elements, as they are conveyed by the case system or by the prepositions. These elements can be emphasized by placing them at the beginning of the sentence. The indirect object tends to be placed after the direct object of the sentence.
