Comprehensive Guide to Noun Concords in Sepedi

Overview of Important Linguistic Concords in Sepedi

• Definition of Concords (Skakels): In Sepedi grammar, concords are essential linking elements that ensure agreement between the noun (the subject or object) and other parts of the sentence, such as verbs and possessives. These are categorized based on the noun class system.
• Grammatical Categories Covered:     * Noun Classes (Klas): The numerical categorization of nouns based on their prefixes.     * Subject Concords (Onderwerp-skakels): Used to link the subject of a sentence to the verb.     * Object Concords (Voorwerp-skakels): Used when the noun represents the object being acted upon.     * Possessive Concords (Besit-skakels): Used to indicate ownership or relationship between two nouns.

Detailed Classification of Noun Classes 1 through 2a

• Class 1 (mo-):     * Noun Prefix: mo-     * Subject Concord: o     * Object Concord: mo     * Possessive Concord: wa
• Class 2 (ba-):     * Noun Prefix: ba-     * Subject Concord: ba     * Object Concord: ba     * Possessive Concord: ba
• Class 1a (Zero Prefix):     * Noun Prefix: - (implicitly used for persons/proper names like "Tate")     * Subject Concord: o     * Object Concord: mo     * Possessive Concord: wa
• Class 2a (bo-):     * Noun Prefix: bo-     * Subject Concord: ba     * Object Concord: ba     * Possessive Concord: ba

Detailed Classification of Noun Classes 3 through 6

• Class 3 (mo-):     * Noun Prefix: mo-     * Subject Concord: o     * Object Concord: o     * Possessive Concord: wa
• Class 4 (me-):     * Noun Prefix: me-     * Subject Concord: e     * Object Concord: e     * Possessive Concord: ya
• Class 5 (le-):     * Noun Prefix: le-     * Subject Concord: le     * Object Concord: le     * Possessive Concord: la
• Class 6 (ma-):     * Noun Prefix: ma-     * Subject Concord: a     * Object Concord: a     * Possessive Concord: a

Detailed Classification of Noun Classes 7 through 14

• Class 7 (se-):     * Noun Prefix: se-     * Subject Concord: se     * Object Concord: se     * Possessive Concord: sa
• Class 8 (di-):     * Noun Prefix: di-     * Subject Concord: di     * Object Concord: di     * Possessive Concord: tša
• Class 9 ((ne)- or N-):     * Noun Prefix: (ne)-     * Subject Concord: e     * Object Concord: e     * Possessive Concord: ya
• Class 10 (di-):     * Noun Prefix: di-     * Subject Concord: di     * Object Concord: di     * Possessive Concord: tša
• Class 14 (bo-):     * Noun Prefix: bo-     * Subject Concord: bo     * Object Concord: bo     * Possessive Concord: bja

Practical Application: Singular and Plural Sentences

• Human Classes (Class 1/2 and 1a/2a):     * Singular (Class 1): Morutiši o ruta bana. (The teacher teaches children.)     * Plural (Class 2): Barutiši ba ruta bana. (The teachers teach children.)     * Singular (Class 1a): Tate o šoma polaseng. (Father works on the farm.)     * Plural (Class 2a): Botate ba šoma polaseng. (Fathers work on the farm.)
• Inanimate/Miscellaneous Classes (Class 3/4 and 5/6):     * Singular (Class 3): Monwana o a šupa. (The finger points.)     * Plural (Class 4): Menwana e a šupa. (The fingers point.)     * Singular (Class 5): Leoto le raga bolo. (The foot kicks the ball.)     * Plural (Class 6): Maoto a raga dibolo. (The feet kick the balls.)
• Instrument and Animal Classes (Class 7/8 and 9/10):     * Singular (Class 7): Seatla se thuša motho. (The hand helps the person.)     * Plural (Class 8): Diatla di thuša batho. (The hands help the people.)     * Singular (Class 9): Hlogo e a opa. (The head aches.)     * Plural (Class 10): Dihlogo di a opa. (The heads ache.)
• Abstract/Liquid Class (Class 14/6):     * Singular (Class 14): Bogobe bo fepa bašemane. (The porridge feeds the boys.)     * Plural (Class 6 substitution): Magobe a fepa bašemane. (The porridges feed the boys.)