Sketch Morphology and Syntax of Me’enit

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to briefly present the sketch morphology and syntax of Me’enit language, the south-eastern Surmic sub-family of the Eastern Sudanic branch of the Nilo-Saharan Phylum. The research method used mainly in the study is qualitative. Different linguistic data are gathered through elicitation and storytelling from native speakers, which appropriate tools for linguistic fieldwork. Descriptive accounts are made on morphology and syntax of the language. Me’enit has two major word classes: nouns and verbs. Nouns are described in terms of number, gender, nominalization and pronouns. Verbs are also discussed in line with the different tenses, aspects, verb to be/copula and verb to have. Adjectives, adverbs, ad positions, conjunctions, numerals and calendar system are also discussed in the study. Syntax is also dealt with incorporating simple declarative, interrogative, imperative and passive sentences with their illustrations. Major phrases of Me’enit, such as noun phrases and verb phrases are presented with sufficient data.

Keywords: Sketch Morphology, Sketch Syntax, Me’enit, Me’en, Nilo-Saharan.