Nama
Facts
- Language: Nama
- Alternate names: Khoekhoe, Berdama, Bergdamara, “Hottentot” , Kakuya Bushman, “Khoekhoegowab”, “Khoekhoegowap” , Maqua, Namakwa, Naman, Namaqua, Nasie, Rooi Nasie, Tama, Tamakwa, Tamma
- Language code: naq
- Language family: Khoe-Kwadi, Khoe, Khoekhoe, North Khoekhoe
- Number of speakers: 251100
- Vulnerability: Vulnerable [Read more...]
- Script: Latin script
More information:
Introduction
The Nama language is the most populous and widespread of the Khoisan languages. It is spoken in Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa by three ethnic groups, the Nama, Damara, and Hai|om.
The Nama language (Khoekhoe) is a national language in Namibia. In Namibia and South Africa, radio programs are broadcast in it.
The Nama Verb
Tense
| kè | remote past |
| kò | recent past |
| present (not usually overt) | |
| nìí | future |
| kà | indefinite |
Note- nìí is a "root" morpheme, all the others are particles
Aspect
Punctual
| 'áop | ke | kè | !úu. |
| man+cl | decl.prt. | remote-past | go |
the man went
Imperfective
| kèrè | remote past |
| kòrò | recent past |
| ra (or ta) | present |
| nìí ra | future |
| kàrà | indefinite |
| 'áop | ke | kèrè | úu. |
|---|---|---|---|
| man+cl | decl.prt. | rmt-pst-prog | go |
the man was going
Perfective
| hàa 'ií | remote past |
| hàa 'ií | recent past |
| hàa | present |
| hàa hàa | future |
| hàa 'ií | indefinite |
| 'áop | ke | kè | úu | hàa 'ií. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| man+cl | decl.prt. | rmt-pst | go | perfective prt |
the man had gone
Verblist
- nami
- ǀgama
- ǀhao
- ǀgama
External Links
- Nama Grammar
- Haacke, Wilfred H.G. 1978. Subject Deposition in Nama. M.A. thesis, University of Essex. 87p.
- Hagman, Roy S. 1977. Nama Hottentot Grammar. Bloomington: Indiana University.
- Hagman, Roy S. 1999. "The true nature of the Nama Noun Phrase." Notes from a talk delivered at Cornell University; Oct. 26.