B Y THE S A M E A U THO R

2 v ol s . D emy 8 vo . E ach 1 25 . 6d . n et .

A l i n gu i s t i c s u rv ey of ab ou t hree h u dred
t n

l a n gu age s a d d i al e c ts
n ,
w i t h C l as i fi c at i o a d
s n n

i n qu i r y i t o t h e i r or gi
n i n .

THE M ENDE LANGUAG E , c

i n l u di n g G ram
mar Vo cab l ar e
,
u i s , U s e fu l P h rase s , an d R ea di g n

E er c s e s
x C ro wi . n 8vo .
7s . 6d . n et .

A M ENDE NATURAL HI STORY VO GABU

LARY . A d e cri pt i o f th F a a
s n o e un an d Fl ora
of the Dis tri c t w i t h N ot s
, C ro w 8 e . n vo. 4s 6d
. .

net .
 A GRAM M A R

OF THE

HA US A L A N G UA G E

FR ED ER I C K W I L L IA M HU G H l /I I G EO D
A UT HO R OF T HE L A N G UA G E S O F W ES T A F R I CA ,
"
L
T HE M E N D
lE L A NGU AG E ,
A ND M E ND E N A T UR A L m s r o nv O CA U L A RY
V B .
"

L O ND O N

P AUL , TR EN CH , TR U BNER CO .
, L TD .

BR O A D W A Y HO U S E , 6 8 74 CA R TER
-
LA N E , EC . .
 R ,

<
225 2
MSE
E ’

fi
P R EF A C E

THI S Gramm ar is p ri mari l y f or st u den t s wh o h a v e already

acqui red s ome kn ow l edgeo f t he
Hau sa l an gu a g e .

I n i ts c om pil at i o n t he A u t h or h as been at p ai ns t o

mak e t he v oc ab ul ary a s di vers ifi ed a s p o ssi b l e so t h at ,

t h ere are fe w w ord s i n c ommo n u s e t h at h a v e n ot bee n

rul e s too h a v e been ful l y ill u st rat ed an d a s t e

All , , , ,

g ards su ch as h av e o nl y bee n sli ght l y n o t i c ed by ot h er

w ri t ers ,
t he A u t h or h as f or p re f eren c e s el ec t ed s en t en c es
'

from te xt s t o w hi c h all st u den t s o f t h e l an gu a g e h av e

acc e ss . I n t hi s w ay t he ex i s t e n c e o f t he rul e s t h em sel v es
is more readi l y rec og ni s ed .

Th e ori gi n o f t he Hau s a l an gu ag e i s n ot i n qu i red i n t o

here an d et ymol o g i e s are o nl y o cc a si on all y e x ami n ed
, .

B o t h o f t h e se s u b j ec t s w ere di scu ssed by t he A u t h or i n

hi s rec en t l y p u b li sh ed w ork
-
, Th e o f We s t
L an g u a g e s
”
A fri c a , an d
a re p et i t i o n s eemed s ome wh at u nn e c e ss ary .

Th e same ob se rv at i on a pp li e s t o t he n at i v e sc ri p t ,

whi ch i s A rab i c s li gh t l y modi fi ed . It w o u l d h a v e bee n

V ll
vi ii P R EF A CE

of l i ttl e u se to gi ve h ere t he al ph abe t al o n e ,

u nl e ss ao

c o mp ani ed by i n s t ru c t i o n s f or i ts u se an d by li t erary
sp ec i men s wi t h t ran s li t era t i o ns , t ran s l a t i ons , an d c ri t i c al
n o t es ; an d t o t reat t h i s su b j ec t ade qu at e l y a great deal
o f sp a c e w o ul d be re qui red : h en c e i ts en t i re omi ssi on .

Th e proo f sh eet s o f t hi s w ork h av e been read by

-
t he
’
A u t h or s brot h er , M r Ch arl e s M i geo d, 2n d c l ass R esi den t

i n Nor t h er n Ni g eri a .

F W H
. . M I GEO D .

GO L D C O A S T C O L O N Y ,

M ar c h 19 14
 C O NTEN TS

CHA P T ER I

P HO NETI C NO TES

P ar t I L — I NTERCHA N G EA B I L I TY OF LETTER S
‘

Con so n an t s —V o w e l s — O mi ss i o n of S yl l abl e s

CHA PT ER I I

NO UN

Part I .
-
D ER IV A TI O N OF Nou Ns

Remar ks ou — Exce in Nei ghb o u r i n g

No u n s en di n g i n

b
 CO NTEN TS

Part I I I — NU M B ER
M e t hods for for mi n g P l u ral — Ter mi n a t i o n s
S i n p l e No u n s —O i V er b al
i oun s wi th o ut Pl u ral —No u n s w i t h o u t
of S i n gul ar for Pl u ral —Pl u ral For ms
M ea n i n g

P ar t I V .
-
CA S E

Ge n i t i v e— Dat i ve—A bl at i v e —L o c a t i v e

CHA PT ER I I I

A DJECTI V E

Gen eral R e mar ks —S i mp l e A dje ct i v e s —Co mp o un d A dject i v es

Pr es e n t Par t i c i p l e — Pas t Par t i c i p l e — N o un s u s ed as
‘

A djec t i v e s —R e dup l i c a t i o n —S y n t a x— Pr edi ca ti v e Us e

Ci r c u ml o c u t i o n t o a v o i d Use of A djec t i v es — Co mpar i so n
—Nu meral s

CHAPT ER I V

P R O NO U N
— — — “
Per s o n a l Rel a t i v e Demo ns t ra t i v e F i n a l n ”
w i th No u n s
— I n terro at i v e I n de fi n i t e Refl e x i v e
Rec i p ro ca

CHA P T ER V

V ERB

P ar t I .
—DER I V A TI O N
D es c r i pt i o n of Cl asses of D eri v ed V erb s
 CO N TEN TS xi

PA G E

P ar t II —D1v1s 10 N
. OF V ERB S

Tran s i t i v e—I n t ra n s i t i v e

P ar t [I L —A U! I L I A RY V ERBS

t he Ten s e s -
Pas si v e
t Par ti c i p l e — Pas t Par t i ci p l e
Use of I n v er t ed Per s o n al Pro n o u n

CHA PT ER VI

A DV ERBS

Rema rks fi n— Adv erb s of P l a ce— Ti m e — M an n er —A ffi rmat i on

an d Negat i on — I n t erro ga t i o n

CHA PT ER V I I

P REP O S I TI O NS
S i mpl e—Co mp o und—Exa mpl es of U s e s—O mi ss i o n of

CO NJ UNCTI O NS

Co-o rdi n a ti n g—S ubo r di n at i n g— No u n s ( w i th Pa rt i cl es ) u se d

i n S ens e of C o nju n ct i o ns —Exarn p l es of USes

CHA PT ER I !

I NTERJ ECTI O NS
 S Y NTA !

THE S U BJ ECT

Na t u r e oi —Exa mpl e s —S i mp l e — Co mp o u n d

THE PR EDI CA I '‘

E

S i mp l e, Na t u r e of an d Exa mp l e s Co mp o u n d S p eci al
N o tes on

THE O B J ECT

Di r ec t , Na t u re of ,
an d Exa mpl e s —Do ubl e— I n di r ec t

NA TU R E OF S ENTENCES

A fi i rmat i v e —Nega t i v e— I n t erroga t i v e— Co mp o u n d

CHA P T ER ! I

CO M M O N I D I O M A TI C E! P RES S IO NS ,

S al u tat i o ns — S eas o ns , M o n t h s , Day s ,

Chi — Da — Da ma Da mr e Dau Kai Kara
— S ha— S a—S a mu— S au 1 a —Y i — Exai n l es of
p
l o cut i o n

BIBL I O GRA P H Y
 A GR A M M A R OF T HE
HA U S A L A N G U A GE

CHA PTER I

PHO NET I C NO T ES

PA R T I

A CCENT , P OS I TI O N OF

P EN U L T I M A T E

Th e st re ss acc en t is a s a g en era l ru l e on t he p en u l t i ma t e
sy ll ab l e .

UL TIM A TE

1 I t i s on t he l a st s y ll ab l e i n s ome few
. w ord s a s,
”
k ad an , l i ttl e .

2 I n n o un s t a k i n g t he p l u ra l t erm i n at i o n
. ai .

“ ” “ ”
3 I n v erb f orm s e n di ng i n
. a or o a s vo wel s o f

4 . Wh en fi n al
“
s ”
is added t o a verb f or “
v oi c e
“ “
pu rp o se s ,
as zub as, from zu ba to p ou r , .

A NTEP ENU LTI MA TE

Th ere are s i mi l ar l y a f e w w ords t h at t a k e t he acc en t

t he an te pe n u l t i ma t e a s ,

M aga n i med i c i n e Takal m i oe

sh Tab erma mat
A
2 THE HAUSA L AN G UA G E

M O V EM EN T OF ACCEN T
1 Wh en an O b j e c t i v e p ro n ou n fo ll o ws t he v erb j o i n ed
.
,

by n a s i n Pre s en t t en s e NO I i t t a k e s t he n at u re
“
, . .
,

O f a s u ffi x t o th e v erb an d t h e a cc en t i s s h i ft ed t o t he
,

n e w p en u l t i mat e s y l l ab l e

I n a du b an s a I a m l oo ki n g at hi m

2 Wh en a w ord i s redu p l i c at ed t he ac c en t u su a ll y
.

mo v e s t o t he l a s t s yl l ab l e
Ch i y e c hi y é p l ra l o f i n fi n i t i v e form o f
-
u c hi to eat
M az a maz a q u i c kl y ; b u t i f n o t e m p h a s i s e d i t re ma i n s
-

m aza m aza -

Inredu p li c at ed c o l o u r ad j ec t i ve s h o w e v er , , t he a cc en t
doe s n ot mo v e .

3 . In s ome deri ved n ou n s t he a cc en t mo ve s t o w ard s

t he s u ffi x ; 111 n o t a f e w h o w e v e r , ,
i t re mam s u n a l t ered

I n t he l a t t er t he fi n a l vowe l i s l on g , an d so ra t h er
a t t ra c t s t he st re ss a cc en t .

4 .I n s o me p l u ral f o rm s t he a cc en t rema i n s o n t he s ame

'

sy ll ab l e as i n t he si n g ul ar f orm , t h o ugh t he ru l e i s t h at i t .

s h o u l d m o v e t o w a rd s t h e s u ffi x

'

5If . mai
p re fi x ed t o a n o u n o r v erb i t s t i l l
is ,

rem ai n s an a cc en t ed s yl l ab l e an d s o t h e w ord i t i s p re fi x ed
,

to doe s n ot ch an g e i t s a cc en t u at i o n
doc tor fro m m aga n i
a p ers o n sp ea k n g z m agan a
hors e ma n d oki
ma n of tr u th ga s ki a
'
 P HO NET I C NO TES
‘

P A RT II

I NT ER CHA NG EA B I L I T Y O F L ETT ER S

CO N S O N A N T S

( 1) Va ri a ti on of Con s on an ts
S ome v ari a t i o n s are mere l y l oc al p e c u l i a ri t i e s .

L , R T ,

Th e s e l et t er s are i n t erch an g eab l e i n Hau s a f or ph on e t i c ,

rea s on s t h e s ame a s t h ey are i n o t h er n eg ro l an gu a ge s

, .

Th e w ord in mo s t c ommon u s e su b j e c t t o t h i s vari a t i o n

”
i s t he p re p o s i t i o n na of I n t h e f em i n i n e g en der i t i s
, .

“ ” “ “ ”
ta, wh i ch i s c ommo n l y s h or t en ed t o t an d t ,
“ ” “
i n i t s t u rn may be c ome l or r For i n st an c e .

’
Y a t ma l am
- -
,
Y a l mal am
- -
Y a r mal am , the ma ll am s
- -
,
”
da ughter ,are a l l e qu a ll y c orre c t .

B i ar b i a l an d b i at fi ve are al l h e ard
, , , ,
.

Ha l b i h arb i to s hoot ; an d i n M a i harab i f or M ai hal b i

, ,
-
,
”
an e x a gg erat i o n o f t h e
“
s hooter , r s o u n d i s s h o wn .

“
Th is em p ha s i s o f t he r s o u n d i s a l s o f o u n d i n c on
“
n ec t i on w i t h t he p re p o s i t i on o f ch i e fly if n ot en t i re l y
i n t he Hau s a s p o k e n i n t he more n or t h er l y p a rt s It .

“ ”
i s e s p e c i a l l y f o u n d a f t er a l o n g a For i n st an c e .

M i n e ka m eri ki Wha t c a u ght y ou

K a me ri ki ka marki kam a ki

s el l
s el l in
g
heat he n
t hro w a way
u p to t hree t i mes
t
he i r heart
4 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

N or anothe r l etter for S

Be n n e b i s ne b u ri a l
M u ka t arad da yaki for M uk a t ar as da yaki We jo i n ed i n ba ttl e

P a nd F
p ash e br ea k
t ap s h i ( al s o t ab s hi , t au s hi ) s oft

F and H (H is Kat si n a di a l e c t ) .

Fu d u hu d u fo u r
Fun tu hu nt u na ked p er s o n
Tafi t a hi go
Bafel l an c hi b ah i ll ac h i Ful a

T K R , ,

Tu t u t , t u t u k, t u t u r ,
t ut u f or ever

N an dM , the l a tter before a la bi a l .

Kulun ku l u m a l ways
Em b i ka fo r En b i ka 2 S ha l l [ f o llo w yo u "
‘
t

T Ch S
, ,

W o t i ka , w o c h i ka w os i ka l et ter
Tas u b i c h as u b i bead
“
I t i s o ft en do u b t fu l wh e t h er
“
ts or ch s h ou l d be
wr i t t en t h o u gh an y do u b t t h at t h ere may be van i sh e s
,

wh en t h e w ord i s s een wr i t t en i n Arab i c ch arac te r .

I n t hi s c o n n e c t i o n i t sh o u l d be n o t ed t h a t t he A rab i c
ta or t s a i s O ft en wri t t en i n Hau s a f or dal , an d ”

“ ”
s h in fo r ch a .

b Or
‘
B

A v ery f e w w ord s adm i t g b f or b s ome sp ea k ers ,

’ ’ “
s o u n di n g t h e g wh ere o t h er s do n ot Th e gb i s a .

s o un d O f p u re n e g ro ori g i n
Gb ac h e ba c h e de s troy
Gb oy e boye hi de
 PHONET I C N O T ES 5

( 2) Vocal i s ati on of Con s ona nts

I n s ome p art s o f t he Hau s a c o un t ry t wo c o n s on an t s

c omi n g t o get h er are readi l y admi tt ed El se wh ere e sp ec i all y
.
,

n earer o t h er n e gro i nfl u en c e s , s u ch c omb i n at i o n s are n ot

m u ch f oun d Two al t ern at i ve s e xi s t — ei t h er t o i n s ert an

.

i n t ermedi at e v o w e l h armo ni s i n g wi t h t h e o t h er v o w e l s i n
t h e w ord , or t o v o c al i s e t h e fi rs t c on s on an t O f t he t w o .

Nearer Arab i c or Berber i n flu en c e s t h e h arder f orm s are

al w ays f o un d , b u t a n e gro o f an o t h er t ri be l earni n g Hau s a
i n var i ab l y u s e s o n e O f t h e s o ft er f o rm s .

I t mi gh t p o ss i b l y be s u pp o s ed t h at i t i s t h e ori gi n al
fo rm O f t h e w ord whi ch h a s t h e i n t ermedi at e v o w e l ,
an d t h at t hi s v o w e l i s eli m i n at ed t o mak e t he h arder
f orm Th at t he re v ers e i s t he c as e i s made c l ear by t he
.

po s i t i o n o f t h e acc en t , whi ch i s on t he p en u l t i mat e i n t he

S h ort er f orm O f t h e w ord an d remai n s o n t he s ame s yll ab l e ,
,

whi ch bec ome s t he an t e pe n u l t i mat e , i n t h e l on g er f orm o f

t he w ord .

The fo l l o wi n g are e x am p l es O f t he t w o p ro c e ss e s

sar i ki
b eri
d u ka
gi ri ma
d ari me , da u re
a u re
s au ri

s a u ri ma n
ka u n a , ko n a
a o ma
t k
zo n a

It may h ere be n o t ed t h at s yll ab l es en d i n g i n a c on s on an t

o cc u r more c ommo n l y i n t he m i dd l e o f a w ord t h an a t t h e

en d t he t e n de n c y be i n g a s h ere s ee n t o e li m i n at e or s o ft e n
, , ,

t h em

M afel fe c hi fa n s
S ar ki ( s ari ki ) c hi ef
Tu t uk ( t u t u ) for ever
6 THE HAUSA LANG UA G E

( 3 ) I ns erti on
f vowels after
o S emi -
Con s ona n ts

W i s c ommo nl y i n s ert ed a ft er k an d g wh en
”
fo l l o w ed by O
fo r ako i t here i s
g n o da p a wp a w
ko i egg
ko mi everyt hi ng

k i o ya tea c h

Th e s em i vo w el y may be i n t ro d u c ed af t er k an d
-

” “ ” ”
g be f ore i an d e Th i s u s ag e s eem s du e t o t he
.

i n fl u e n c e o f o t h er n e gro l an g u ag e s I t i s c om p ar at i v e l y.

rare i n t he p u res t f orm s O f Hau s a if t he more n ort h erl y

_ ,

be t a k en as s u ch b u t i t i s f o u n d t o be al mo s t i n vari ab l y
,

m ade u se o f i n t h e s p eech o f n e gr o e s O f t ri bes t o t h e s o u t h

w e s t wh en t h ey sp ea k Hau s a Th i s i s esp e c i al l y s o i n t he
.

Go l d Coa s t Co l on y .

Ch a u t a , kya u t a for kea u t a ( w r i t t e n ka u t a )

K y et u ke t u
K y an w a ken w a
Gy ero g ero
Ne ver t h el e ss t h i s i n t rod u c t i o n o f a s em i v o w e l p l ays a -

very c o n si derab l e p art i n t h e f ormat i o n o f n o u n s deri ved

from v erb s i n Hau s a i n di c at i n g t h at t h i s s ame i n flue n c e
,

e x i s t ed l o n g ag o e ven i f t h ere h a s been an i n t er v al i n wh i ch

,

i t h a s c ea s ed t o o p erat e .

For e x am p l e wh e n t he roo t o f a w ord en d s i n t t he

, ,

fi n al v o w e l be i n g a o r O an d f or s ome gramm at i c a l
6‘

rea s o n t hi s v o w e l i s ch an ged t o e or 1 a y s ou n d ,

c ree p s i n wi t h t he e ff ec t O f add i n g a s i b i l at i o n
,

S at a s a c h e = s at y e
Ba t a ba c h e = b at e
K o t an t a ko t an c h e iyo t an t y i

Thi s is v erv c l e ar l y s een i n t he p art i c i p l e s

Bat ac h e = b at at y e de s troy ed
Bat ac hi a
Bat at u ( p l u ) .
8 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E
Th e p refi x mai is u us all y p ro n o u n c ed a s may in
”
En gl i s h an d n o t a s
, t he s o u n d i n t h e w ord m i ght .

A an d 0
W aje = w oje si de Wa n i = w o n i a n ot her W an n a n = w o n an t hi s

A an d U
M mu = mu mu
a to us M aku = mu ku to y ou

I an d U
Fi l a ni F u l as F u kaf u ke = fi kafi ke f eat her
R uf e ri fl e call M u t a n e mi t t a n e men

( 2) O mi s s i on of Vowel s
“ ”
F i n al i i s t h e On e mo s t c ommo n l y e l i ded Th i s .

u s u a ll y t ak e s p l a c e wh en an O b j e c t i v e p r o n o u n i s j o i n ed

t o t h e v erb
’
Ban s a n s hi b a Ba n a s a n i s hi h a I do n ot kn o w hi m
’
N a ga n s h i N a ga n i s h i I saw hi m
’
B er s hi B er i s h i L et hi m

Th e fi r s t p ers o n al p ron o u n ni is s h ort en ed to n

in z an i
’
Z an f o r Za n i I w i l l go

O t h er el i s i on s
Gares h i = gares a = garu s s to w ard s hi m
M as a = mus s tohi m
A kas a = akas s on the g ro u n d
Ya ma c
n h e t gi a a t ass He f or got hi s ha t

O mi s s i on
f S yll a bl es o

Th ere are f o u n d bo t h l o n g an d s h o rt fo rm s o f w ord s .

Th e S h o rt f orm s are u su al l y p oe t i c al
D a u d o fo r da u ka
, , ta ke up .
 CHA PTER II

N OUN

NO U N S are s i m p l e an d deri v ed Th ey h a ve g en der . an d

n u mber b ut are n ot i nfl e c t ed f or c a s e
, .

P A RT I

D ER I VA TI O N OF No u N s

S i mpl e oun s are t h o s e o f wh i ch

n t he ori g i n c ann o t be
t ra c ed beyo n d t h e p re s e n t f orm
Go n a farm kari fi s tren gt h

Deri v at i v e s are s u ch n o u n s as c an be t rac ed t o t h e i r

M ai go n a farmer M ai ka ri fi s tro n g ma n
- -

Al l i nfi n i t i v es may be us ed s u b s t an t i ve l y wi t h o u t ch an g e
Of f orm
K e da y a n - -
sa da wu To co u n t i t i s di u l t ( l i t co u n t
ya .
,

i n g o hi m wi t di fli c u l ty )
f
Chi n s e da dad i
- -
It i s n i c e to eat
Fade fad e b a y i b a ro v erb ) Ta l ki n g i s no good
D o n s o ya ras ul u d bmi n S O
-

- -
, B ec a u s e of l ov e 0 P rop het be c a u s e
,
- -
, ,

n fi y ay e
-
of l ov e of God ( l i t Exc el l e n c e ) .
,

( For f rt her e xamp l e s s ee u nd er the Ver b

u

De ri vat i o n of n o un s t ak e s p l ac e by mea n s o f p refi xe s

an d s u ffi x e s , an d s ome t i me s by mea n s o f bo t h t o g et h er .

9
10 THE HAUSA LAN G UAG E
D eri v ed n o u n s are f ormed i n t he f ol l o wi n g w ays
Concrete nou ns

1 . No u n wi t h p er s o n al p ar t i c l e p refi x ed .

2 . N o u n wi t h m at er i a l p a r t i c l e p re fi x ed .

3 . V erb wi t h p er s on al p art i c l e p re fi x ed .

4 . V erb wi t h ma t eri al p art i c l e p re fi x ed .

A bs trac t n ou n s

5 . V erb wi t h p re fi x .

6 . No u n wi t h s u ffi x .

7 . V e rb o r ad j e c t i v e wi t h su ffi x .

Verba l no u n s

8 . Wi t h s u ffi x or un ch an ged .

Concr ete nou n s

9 . Femin i n e n o u n s deri ved from ma sc u l i n e f orm .

”
10 . No u n s e n d i n g i n ya .

11 . Co m p o u n d n o u n s .

12 . A d j e c t i v e u s ed a s n o u n .

13 . No u n ph ra s e s .

D es cri p ti on f
o Cl a ss es o f D eri ved Nou ns
1 Conc r ete n ou ns formed from o ther n ou ns wi th p ers on al
.

p a rti cl e p refi ”“
x ed — T h ere a re f ou r p art i c l e s re l a t i n g to
” ” “
p ers o n s : b a , da mai ,ma , .

Ba
B a me an s i n h ab i t an t O f a c o u n t ry , an d is c om p o u n ded
wi t h p l ac e n ame s fo r t he mo s t part
Ha u s a ma n a a Ha u s a woma n
'

Ba h a u s h e
-
Ba h u s-

Ba k n
-
a o K a n o ma n B at u rc whi te ma n

( F u rt her e xa mp l e s are gi v en in the tab l e s of p l u ra l s ) .

Da ( femi n i n e)
ya
Da, me an in g chi ld i s c om p o u n ded wi t h p l ac e n ame s
,

wh en i t mean s n a ti ve of Wi t h o t h er n o un s i t ac t s a s
.
 NO UN 11
'

a di mi n u t i v e . Un li k e ba, t he p rep o s i t i on n, o f ,
is

Da n K an o
- -
n at i ve of Kano Da -
n- b i rni n a ti v e of the c i ty

D a- n - a kw i a ki d Da -
n- z u n z u a a l i ttl e bi rd
Fe m i n i n e .

Y a l Ka n o f ema l n at i v e of K a n o da u ghter of
- - e , Ka n o

A l s o i n s om e i d i oma t i c c a s e s .

D a n za n e-
a fra gme n t of c l ot h
-
D a n b i n d i ga - -
s o l d i er

M at

M ai mean s o wn er o f or doer, an d e x p re s s e s t he ag en t ,

M ai g n
-
o a o w n er of a far m
M ai g s ki
-
a a a ma n of tr u t h or on e s p ea ki n g the tr u t h ,

M ai w -
ayo a c u n n i n g p ers o n
M ai s hi
-
the o wn er of i t ( s hi i s t h e 3 rd p er s o n a l p ro n o u n )

NO TE . M ai a l s o forms a djec t i ves an d the p re s e n t p ar ti ci p l e ,

wh i c h s ee .

M a

M a is a p er s o n a l p ar t i c l e a s w e l l a s a mat eri al p ar t i c l e .

”
I t ha s a S i m i l ar s e n s e t o mai a s a p er s on al p ar t i c l e
, ,

but 1t 18 n ot c om p o u n ded w i t h n o u n s i n t h e i r s i m p l e
f orm
M afa n t a b u tc her fro m fa u t a s l a u ghter i t s e l f deri v e d fro m fa w a
, , , , ,

to s l a u ghter
M af a u c hi b u t c her fro m fa w a ( fa n c hi i s n o t fo u n d )
, ,

M akara n c h i s c ho l ar fro m kara n t a to read ( kara n c hi i s n o t fo u n d )

, , ,

2 . Concrete n ou ns wi th materi al p arti cl e p r efi xed —Th ere .

is on l y p re fi x
on e ma ,
-
.

As i n t he p re c ed i n g c l a s s i t i s p re fi x ed , ,
n ot t o t he pure
n ou n fo rm b u t t o a de ri ved f orm
,

M c o ward i c e from t s o rac hi w h i c h i s a der i v a t i o n

a t s o rac hi , , , Of ts oro ,

to f ea r b u t i s n o t fo u n d a l o n e
,

M afa n t a p l ac e of s l a u ghter fro m fa u t a s l a u ghter

, , , .
 12 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

3 Concrete nou ns formed from a

. verb wi th a p ers onal
p arti cl e p fi
re x ed — Th e s e p art i c l e s are mai an d ma
”

M ai h al b i ma r ks me n hu n ter
, from h al b i to oot
sh
M ai koi y o l ea r n er koi y o to l ear n
M ai -
as ki o n e tha t s hav es a s ki to s have
M ai gi r i baba s he of the bi g eyebro ws
- -

M a

Th e fi n al v o we l i s i gen erall y
M akam i on e tha t c atc hes to c a tc h
M aki y i ha ter to ha te
M ako i y i tea c her to teac h
M ak er i bl a c ks mi t h to forge
M as o o n e t ha t l ove s to l ov e to wa n t
,

M aki ay i herd s ma n to te n d c attl e

M aki a ji o n e who ref u s e s to h ear to refu s e j i to hea r
,

4 Con crete nou ns formed from verb wi th materi al p arti cl e

—
.

”
p f
re i x ed Th e s e are t he p art i c l e ma , an d al s o t h e n o u n s
”
ab u , thi ng , an d wuri , p la ce .

M a
”
Th e fi n al v o w el O f t he verb ch an g es t o i
M adafi ki tc he n fro m dafa to c oo k
M ad u b i l oo ki ng gl a s s -
d u ba to l oo k at
M a kam i trap kama to c atc h
M a s hi d i ha l t i n g p l ac e - s hi da a l i ght to e nc amp ,

M azam n i s ea t zam n a to s i t do wn

Th i n g A bu ,
Th e p rep o s i t i on n of en t er s i n t o t he c omp o si t i on
, ,
”
o f t he w ord an d abu u s u al l y t ak e s t he f orm abi
, ,

whi ch i s n e ver f oun d a l on e

A b i n c hi
- -
f ood
A bi n s ha
- -
dri n k
A b i n ma ma ki or
-
a wo nder m i rac l e ,

A b u n ma maki - -

b
A in s -
ara
b
A i n ts -
oro
b
A i n w ori gi
-
 NO UN 13

Wu ri Pl ac e , .

Thi s p refi x al s o re qui res t he p rep o si t i on of

Wuri -
n - kw an a sleep i n g p l a c e-
fro m kw a n a to s l eep
Wu r i -
n- ki w o p a s t u re ki w o to f eed c att l e
Wu r i -
n - ru b u t u wr i t i n g p l ac e
- ru b u t u to wr i te
Wu ri -
n -s ab ka ha l t i n g p l ac e
-
s ab ka to a l i ght
Wuri -
n- s hi da ha l t i n g p l a c e
- s h i da to a l i ght , fro m
h or s e or c ame l )

A bstrac t nou ns formed rom ma

5
Th e
.

fi n al v o we l be c ome s 1
f verbs wi th p refi x

M akari end f ro m kar e fi

to n i s h
M a h a ni hi nd r an c e h an a to hi n der
M afari begi n n i n g fara e
to b gi n

6 A bs trac t nou ns can be

.
formed from concrete si mp l e
n ou ns wi th the su i xes
fi
-
c hi (m ) . an d - t a (f .
)
-
n - c hi (m ) .
-
n -t a ka ( f ) . 11 b e i n g t he p re p o s i t i o n of
-
N c hi -
is o f K an o or i gi n an d -
n -t ak a o f S ok ot o

-
c hi (m ) . an d -ta (f .
)
Ba u c hi sl avery fro m ba w a
p res e n t bea u ty keao
l yi n g kar i a
b l i nd n e s s ma kafo
fol l y w awa
ki n gdom s ar i ki

-
n- c hi ( m ) .n t a ka ( f )
- -
.

b aku n t aka s tra n ge n e s s

b ara n t aka s erv i c e
da i an t aka s i n gl e n e s s
di y a n t aka freedom
gado n t aka i n her i ta nc e
( ab s t ra c t )
m al an t aka p ir es tc raf t m al am
raga n t aka l a zi n e s s rago
s a rka n t a ka ki n gs hi p s ari ki

t s i ra n t a ka safety s a l vati o n
, t s i ra
u b an t aka fat her hood ub a
14 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

yo u th ( ab s t ra c t ) yaro boy
m u l t i p l i c i ty y aw a ma ny
bravery z aru mi brav e n ,

or zarm i body gu ard -

F u l a n c hi what be l o n gs to F ul a Ful a
the F u l a
Hau s a n c h i what be l o n gs to Ha u s a Ha u s a
the Ha u s a
Turan c h i wha t be l o n gs to tu re the te
w hi
’
the w hi te ma n ma n s c o un try

7 A bs trac t n o u ns f med from a v erb ad ec ti v e

j wi th
‘

. or o
r
su ffi x — Th e s u ffi x e s
. are -
c hi an d -
ta .

-
c hi (m ) .

Thi s i s n e ver added t o a verb a l o n e Th e p re fi x ma .

i s added as w e ll S o me o f t h e s e w ords h a v e a c o n c re t e
.

a s w e ll a s an a b s t r a c t mea n i n g

M a a i ka c h i l abo u r a n d l abo u rer a i ki wor k ( n a n d v ) . .

M afa u c h i s l a u gh ter i n g a n d b u tc her fa w a to s l a u ghter

M a ro ka c hi b e ggi g a n d be ggar
n ro k o to beg
M aro w a c hi greed i e s s n ro w a to be greedy a n d
c ov eto u s n es s
M a t s o ra c h i c o wa rd i c e t s oro f ear ( n a n d v ) . .

-
ta (f ) .

si c kn e s s c hi w o si c k ( n and v. .
)
s hort n e s s gaj ere s hort

u n c l ea n n e s s a am i
k s u nc l ea n
l ep ro s y ru
ku t u to be l ep ro u s
evi l m u gu bad

8 . V erba l
o un s are f ormed wi t h t he s u ffi x
n wa -
.

M an y verb s do n ot t a k e t h i s s u ffi x b u t t he i nfi n i t i v e i s ,

u s ed w i t h t h e s ame s en s e V e rb f o rm s en di n g i n . da -

f or i n s t a n c e do n ot admi t o f i t
, .

A f e w n o un s i n t hi s li s t h a ve pr ac t i c all y a c on c re t e
s en se Th e i r gen der i s f em i n i n e
.

gi vi g gi f t n ,

s ay g i n

l oo ki n g
c om i g o u t n

1
S ee also un der D er i v e d Verb s c l a s s
, 8, an d Pre s e n t Par t i c i p l e .
16 THE HAUSA L AN G UA G E

12 An. ad j e c t i ve may be u sed as a n ou n .

K O gi da -
n- s ar i ki ko n a t al a ka Whet her the ho u s e of a c hi ef or of a
p oor ma n

13 . N ou n p hras es or nou n s en tences .

—Th e se are mo s t l y
fou n d in
p ro verb s
Ha u ka l b a u i ma ga n i
- - - -
n -t a : ( For )
mad n e s s of gi ve me
the “
,

U n go the remedy i s : ta ke i t ”

Y a o da gob e ke s a T o d ay and to morro w i s l i ke ”

gi n i
-

n r i j i a da a l u ra
-
havi n g a w e l l du g w i t h a n eed l e
M a ga ni n kada -
ajl
-
,
kada The remedy for l et i t n o t be “
’
h eard is do n t do i t
Als o Y a t afo w u ri n a dO -
n- gai s he ni B e c ame to s a l u te me
-

P A RT II

G END ER
Gen der i s grammat i c al I t i s di vi ded i n t o ma sc u l i n e
.

an d f emi n i n e an d t h ere i s n o n e u t er
, Th e n ame s o f mal e s .

are all masc u li n e an d o f femal e s all fe mi n i n e Th e name s

, .

o f t hi n gs an d ab st rac t i o n s are ei t h er ma sc u li n e or fe mi ni n e
acc ordi n g t o t h ei r te rmi n at i on , t he s ame app l yi n g t o verb s
wh en u s ed i n a n o un f orm A n oun c ann ot be femi ni n e .

e x c e p t i t e n ds i n a .

” “ ” ”
No un s en di n g i n e, i, o, u, an d c on s o n an t s
are wi t h t he fe w e x c e pt i on s o f n oun s rep re s en t i n g t h e
femal e sex ma sc u l i n e, .

Th o s e en di n g i n a are femi ni n e ex c ep t i n g t h o s e ,

whi ch rep re s en t t he mal e s ex an d a f e w o t h er s .

Th e gen der o f ea ch n ou n i s gi ven l at er u n der t he p l ura l .

Gen der c o u l d be i gn ored a s h a vi n g a s e p arat e e xi s t e n c e

i n a l an gu a g e i f t h ere w ere n ot ot h er w ords s u ch as adjec ,

t i v es an d p ro n o u n s , modi fi ed t o a gree wi t h t he n o u n
acc ordi n g t o t h e i dea i t re pre s en t s Thi s i s st ri c t l y s o .

a s re gard s p l ura l , f or as w i ll be s een i n t h e ch a p t er on t h e

,

ad j ec t i ve n o di st i n c t i on of gen der i s made i n a n o u n wh en

,

i n t h e p l u ral n u mber For i n s t an c e

.

M u t u m n a gar i good ma n ma c h e t agari good woma n

M a t a n e n agargaru good men ma t a n agargaru good wome n
 NO UN 17

Excep ti ons for Gender

Al t h ou gh t h ere i s a g en der t o e very n o u n an d n o u n s ,
“ ’
en di n g i n are a ssi gn ed t o t he femi n i n e gen der , t h ere
i s a great t e n den c y t o c l a s s i f y a s ma sc u l i n e man y n o un s
en di n g i n 3 whi ch are n ot t he n ame s o f hu man bei n gs
or ani m al s Thi s i s e sp e c i al l y c ommo n wi t h t h o s e n ou n s
.

whi ch are u s ed f or p rep o s i t i on s , an d i s u su al l y p u t do wn

t o c are l e ssn e ss i n spea k i n g I t i s h o w e ver , a debat ab l e
.
,

p oin t wh et h er c a rel e ssn e ss i s p o ssi b l e t o an y ap pre c i ab l e

e xt en t wi t h t he mo t her t on gu e I t c ert ai n l y e xi st s Wi t h
.

t he w ri tt e n l an gu a ge , b u t t he wri t t en f orm o f a l an gu age

al w ay s di ff ers from t he sp ok en f orm Th e l at t er i s t h e .

mot h er t on gu e , an d i t i s l earn t n at urall y m u ch t he s ame

as t he o t h er fun c t i on s O f li f e , an d a cc ord i n gl y v ari es b u t
li t t l e f rom c en t ury t o c e n t u ry u n l e s s s u b j e c t ed t o s ome
st ron g f orei gn i n flu en c e .

I t may t h ere f ore be t ak en t h at t he app aren t m i s t ak e s

i n g en der are i n rea li t y i d i om s o f t he l an gu a g e wh i ch admi t
O f p erf e c t e xp l an at i on an d t h ei r e xi s t en c e may be i n
,

acc orda n c e wi t h a more i n flu en t i a l rul e o f t he l an gu a ge .

S ee i n g t hat i t i s by t he ad j un c t s al on e t h at t he g e n der
o f a n oun c an be a sc ert ai n ed t he u s e o f t he masc u li n e
,

f orm f or t h e f em i ni n e n at urall y re qu i re s s ome e x p l an at i on ,

”
an d i t i s i n c onn e c t i o n wi t h t h e p re p o s i t i o n of na ,
“ ” ” ” ” ” ”
11 f or mas c u l i n e , an d t a t
,
l r , t f or, ,

f em i n i n e ) t h at t h e gre at e s t un c ert ai n t i e s are f oun d Th i s .

p rep o s i t i on a s a c o p u l a , i t may h ere be s t at ed , pl ay s a

ve ry i m p ort an t p art i n t h e s t ru c t u re o f s en t e n c e s .

Th e reas o n f or t he app aren t e xc ep t i o n s t h at are f ou n d

c an o n l y be asc r i bed t o t he more e x i ge n t ru l e s o f e u ph o n y .

I t i s a c ommo n f ea t u re i n s ome l an gu ag e s f or w or ds i n a
se ri e s t o be made t o a gree wi t h each o t h er e i t h er i n an
i ni t i a l s yl l ab l e or i n s ome o t h er w ay I n Hau s a i t se l f t hi s
.

i s f o u n d i n t h e p ro n o u n s i n whi ch
, mi n i i s f ou n d f or
” ”
m an i , m u m u f or mam u et c ; and grammat i c a l
, .

gen der i s p rob ab l y l argel y a s s i gn ab l e t o t he s ame rea s o n 1

.

Wh e n t h ere f ore app are n t m i s t ak e s i n ge n der are made

, , ,

t h ey m u s t be p u t do wn t o a ru l e o f eu ph on y o ver ri di n g a -

rul e o f grammat i c a l g e n der t he l at t er be i n g b u t t he O ff sp ri n g

,

o f t he f ormer .

S ee L a n gu a ge s of We s t A fr i c a — c ha pt er o n G e n der
18 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

Gen der i n N ei ghbou r i n g La nguages

Hau s a t o get h er wi t h a f e w l an g u age s t o t he s o ut h an d
eas t o f i t are t h e o nl y on es i n We s t Af ri c a wh i ch i n di c at e
ma sc u li n e an d f emi n i n e gen der I n Hau s a gen der i s .

f urt h er de vel o p ed t h an i n An ga s an d Bol an c h i t o men t i on w

o n l y t w o O f t h e s e l an gu a g e s — an d s o f ar as i s at p re s en t

k n o wn th e l at t er o n l y d i s t i n gui s h i t i n t h e p ron ou n s an d ,

n o t i n t h e ad j e c t i v e a s i n Hau s a T o su ch an e xt en t i s.

t he g en der i dea de v e l o p ed i n Hau s a t h at ad j e c t i v e s p ro ,

n ou n s v erb s an d p rep o si t i o n s are al l u n der i t s i n flu en c e

, , .

A g re at man y o t h er l an gu a ge s i n We s t Af r i c a h a v e a
n e u t er g en der wh i ch di s t i n gu i s h e s t h i n gs from pe rs on s
,

e ff e c t ed by mean s o f t he 3 rd p ers on al p ron o un s i n gu l ar ,

b u t t h ey do n ot i n an y w ay r e c o g n i s e m as c u l i n e an d
fem i n i n e g en der Hau s a wi t h i t s n ei gh bo u ri n g l an gu a ge s
.

f orm t h ere fore a l i tt l e gro u p by t h em s e l ve s as re gard s

, ,

gen der .

Th e o f li vi n g t h in gs i s di s t i n gu i s h ed i n t hree w ays
s ex

1 . B y di ff eren t w ords f or mal e an d femal e

Ub a f at her uwa mot h er
Ub a -
n gi ji
-
ma s ter u w a l gi da or -
mi s tres s of the ho u s e
-

u w o ri gi d a
hu s ba n d ma t a
ma n m ache w oma n
ma l e t ama t a f ema l e
bri degroo m amar i a br i de
yo u t h b u du ru a v i rgi n
e l der brother ya or i y a e l der s i s ter
he goat
-
a kwi a s he goat
-

ra m t u mki a ewe
ma l e el ep ha n t
a gi w f e ma l e el ep ha n t
hor s e god i a mare
c ame l t a gu a f ema l e c ame l
c oc k kaza hen
( O t her e xamp l es w i l l b e s ee n i the ta bl e s of p l u ra l s )
n .

2 B y ad di n g w ords re pre s en t i n g m al e or f emal e_

.

Da n gar i
- -
t w n s ma n o
y a l gar i to wn s woma n
- -

D a n u wa
- -
brot her y l uwa s i ter
a- -
s

Za kara zab i -
ma l e gu i n ea fo wl z ab u a
-

f ema l e gu i n ea fo wl -

N O TE Zab i i s ap p a re tl y the p l u ra l f orm of the word

. n

A s the c ommo n f orm of ma n y a n i ma l s b i rd s etc

”
za bu a .
, , .
,
 NO UN 19

f em”i e form t t a ord mal e “

i s the ni n , i t i s to hi s h t the w
m i ji i s added e n e c es s ary to i n di c ate
“
( n a- wh n i t i s

the s ex . For b i rds “

a ara
z k , c o c k i s more ge n era l l y
,

us ed .

3 .Th e f emi ni n e may be formed from t he ma sc u li n e by

a di ff eren t t erm in at i o n t o t he s ame roo t Th e mas c u li n e .

w el b u t t he ch ara c t eri s t i c t erm i n at i o n

,
“ ” “ ” “ ”
fem i n i n e i s a i n t he s yl l ab l e i a ani a , ,
”
ni a ,
or u n i a as
3,

p rop het rop hetes s p

F u l a ma n F u l a woma n
Ha u s a ma n Ha u s a woma n
whi te ma n w hi te w oma n
s erva n t f ema l e s erv a n t
t hi ef f ema l e t hi ef
s l a ve b ai w a f ema l e s l a ve
s on or f ree da u ghter or free
ma n w oma n
Gobro ba c he l or go b ru a s p i n s ter
i nf a n t boy jari ri a i nf a n t gi r l
yo u n ger brot her ka n u a yo u n ger s i s ter
w i za rd ma y i a w i tc h
b u tc her maf au c hi a f ema l e b u tc her
( S ee f u r t h er u n der der i v e d n o u n s s up ra ) , .

c hi ef ki n g
, s ara u n i a
Ts ofo o l d ma n t s of u a
Y aro boy y ari n i a

Al fadari mu l e
B ab e locu s t
G ad o ho g
K are dog
M ara ki
“ lf
M are ki
88. bu l l co w
S afi yo u n g hor s e yo u n g ma re
S afe mor n i n g mor n i n g

T o t h e s e may be added a n u mber O f ab s t rac t n o u n s ,

”
whi ch if f ormed w i t h t he t erm in at i on
, n c hi ( K ) are - -

m as c u li n e b u t i f wi t h t he t erm i n at i on
, n t ak a (S ) -

Y ara n c hi y a ra n t a ka yo u t h
( S ee li s t of deri v e d n o u n s in Part I ) .
20 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

Common Gender

S ome n o un s re l at i n g t o p er s on s are o f bo t h gen der s .

Th e s e i n c l u de mo st n oun s f ormed wi t h t he prefi x mai

as
M ai - ai ki w or ker M ai -
k ar i a l i ar M ai -
a s ki a
g ea ker of the
sp

tr u t h
O t h er s wi t h t he p re fi x mai s o e x c l u s i v el y re p re s en t

t he du t i es O f men t h at t h ey c an onl y be o f t he ma sc u li n e
gen der , as

M ai ya ki
- arr i or w m ai go n a f armer mai do ki hor s ema n
- -

I t i s t o be n o t ed t h at n o uns wi t h t he p re fi x mai are

un ch an g ed f or gen der b u t t h o s e w i t h t he e qu i val en t
,

prefi x ma t ak e a gen der t erm i n at i on .

Li st f o S ome N ou ns endi ng in a whi ch are M as cu l i n e

( Na me s of h u ma n be i n gs an d a n i mal s of t he mal e sex

are n o t i n c l u ded ) .

great n es s M a ga n a 2 sp eec h
bo w Nama fl e s h
b c
a k R ana day ( m . and f .
) 3

tap Ri j i a 2
w e ll
f ro n t Rua water
h ou s e a S un na me
bu c ket Ta b e rm a mat
rop e T s a ka 2 m i dd l e
l i ke n e s s Ts ofa o ld age

gro u n d W at a moo n a n d mo n t h .

l oad Yaw a c rowd

n ear n es s Z u ma ho n ey
ear of gra i n
( S ee fu r t h er u n der p l u ra l form s .
)

PA RT III

NUM B ER
Th ere are t w o n u mber s i n Hau s a— t he si n gul ar an d
p l ural Th e p l ura l i s f ormed i n a great vari et y o f w ay s
.
,

1
Co m mo n l y u s ed a s a n ad j e c t i v e .

2
T h e s e n o u ns , t h o u gh c om mo nl y ma s c u l i n e are al s o met w i t h i n
,

t h e fe m i ni n e ge n der Wh e n u s e d
. a s p re p o s i t i o n s t h e ma s c u li n e

ge n der i s c om mon l y p r eferre d .

R an a = s u n i s f e m .
 NO UN 21

an d is e x t raordi n ari l y ri ch i n f orm s M an y n ou n s h a v e .

as man y as f ou r p l ura l f orm s M o st o f t h e s e f orm s w ere

.

ori gi n a ll y n o do u b t o f di al e c t i c ori gi n b u t wi t h t he spread

, , ,

o f t he Hau sa l an gu a ge a s a l i n gu a franca t h ey h a ve c ome

t o be u s ed i n d i sc ri m i n at e l y or s o a s t o su i t t he h armon y
o f t he s en t e n c e S ome are more c ommonl y u s ed t h an
.

o t h er s an d i t i s p o ssi b l e t h at t h ere are s li ght di s t i n c t i on s

,

o f meani n g whi ch are n ow qu i t e di sre g arded or at

, , ,

all e v e n t s rarel y p ai d an y at t en t i on t o A mon g su ch

, .

p o ss i b l e di st i n c t i ons are t he defi ni t e a s a gai n st t he i n defi ni t e

s t at e a c o ll e c t i v e s en s e a s a gai n st on e t h at p re s er v es t he di s
,

t i n c t i ons o f t he i n di vi d u al s or du ali t y a s a g ai n st p l u ral i t y

,
.

I n t he p res en t st at e o f kn o wl ed g e n o e t ymo l o gy O ffer s

i t s e lf f or any o f t h e s e p l ural s uffi x e s .

Th e p l ural i n an y l an gu a ge has p robab l y ori gi n at ed i n

o n e o f t he f o l l o wi n g t hree met h od s 1 wh i ch h o w e v er O ft e n , ,

bec ome great l y c orru pt ed an d wh en ado p te d i n t o an o t h er ,

l an gu a g e c e as e t o be re c o gn i s ab l e
1 R edu p li c at i o n
. .

2 A ddi t i o n o f an ad j e c t i ve mean i n g man y

. or all .

”
3 A d di t i o n o f t he w ord
. t h ey or t h em .

1 Th e fi r st me t h od i s f o u n d i n Hau s a bo t h i n i t s p u ri t y
.

an d als o mo difi ed Wh en modi fi ed t he l a st s yll ab l e o f t he

.

w ord i s du p li c at ed an d s ome ch an ge i s al s o made i n t he

,

fi n al v o w e l a s ,

I ri i ri fro m i ri
-
ki n d s ort ,

Ha i n y ai y ai b a i a ya road
D aku n ku n a da ki hu t room ,

Haku ku a h a ki gra s s
Takardo di t a karda p ap er
K o fo fi kofa door
Y as o s i ya s a fi n ger
Th e red u pli c at i o n o f t he l as t s yll ab l e t ak e s t he f orm s
”

”
( k ) o ki
( t ) ot i or et c

Al l t h e s e te rmi n a t i on s m u s t i n rea li t y be re g arded a s

one a l o n e fo r t he l a s t c o n s o n an t i n t he w ord— t h at i s t he
, ,

on e i n t he a pp en ded te rm i n at i o n — i s made t o agree wi t h

t he l as t c on s on an t i n t he st em Thi s adap t at i on ra t h er .

rec a ll s wh at i s n ot di ss i m il ar i n Wo l o f an d T emn e t he ,

1
S ee the l a n g ua g e s of We s t A fr i c a—c h a p t er on P l ura l .
22 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

ar t i c l e i n t h o s e l an gu a ge s bei n g made t o a gree c on s on an t l y

w i t h t he radi c al c on s on an t i n t he n o u n ; an d a si mi l ar h ar
mon i s at i on al s o e xi s t s i n t he Ba Nt u l an gua ges -
.

2 As re g ards t he s e c on d me t h od t h ere i s n ot
.
,

on e o f t he man y t erm i n at i o n s t h a t c an be c o nn e c
”
s u ch w ords as man y or al l .

3 A s re g ard s t he t hi rd t he s ame may be s ai d t h ou gh

.
, ,

t h i s me t h od i s f o u n d i n An g as O n t he o t h er h an d .
,

i n B o l an ch i a l an gu ag e s i mi l ar l y rel at ed t o Hau sa t he
, ,

p l u ral f orm s are as v ari ed al mo s t a s t hey are i n Hau s a .

The Termi n a ti ons

Th e c ommon e s t p l ural t e rm i n at i on is ai , wh i ch i s
”
su b st i t u t ed f or t he l a st v o w e l of t he n oun , as h as k e ,
”
h as ka i , l i ght .

Al mo s t en t i rel y al l n ou n s t ak i n g t hi s te r
al l ,
if n ot ,

m i n at i o n c an t a k e a l s o t h e t erm i n at i o n ) O ( ) i t h e l as t - -
,

c o n s on an t o f t he n ou n wh i ch st an d s be f ore o s t an d i n g
“ ” ” ”
a l s o bet w een O an d i a s h a sk e has koki , , .

Fu rt h er t h e s e s ame n oun s c an p robab l y al l t ak e t he ter

,
”
m i n at i on u n a t h e l a st v o w e l o f t he n ou n bei n g ch an ged
,
”
to u .

O t h er t erm i n at i o n sare n i an d ki u s u all y added ,

3,
t o n o u n s en di n g i n a as
w at a w at a n i mo n t h
ra n a ra n a ki day
kw a n a kw a n aki day of t we n ty fo u r ho u rs -

No un s en di n g i n a wi ll o ft en ch an ge a
u, al s

t k a arda ta ka rdu
fi ti la fi ti l u

S ome n o u n s add aye or aj e , ch an gi n g t he

v o w e l t o a i f n e c e s s ary, as

S un a s u na y e name
G i da i daje ho u s e
Ha n u ga ye
l na ha d n

Ki fi ki f ay e fi sh

Th e f ore g oi n g are t he c ommon es t w ays o f f orm i n g t he

p l ural n u mber b u t a s c an be seen i n t he f o l l o wi n g li s t s
, , ,
24 THE HAUSA LANG UA G E

F EM . - O -I

Ka n e ka n u a ka n o n i a n d
ka n e n a
you n g
kw u y an ga kuy an gai
kwi y a n ga

ki s h i y o y i

sh ai dai s h ai do di s h ai du n a

and sh i u ad
T u rd i t u rdo di a n d
t u rda w a
z ab i y o y i

zab i
y o yi

Z aru mi z ar u mai
zu mu n a

No t us ed

a n ab aw a p rop het
ka fi ra i ka fi ra w a heat he n
m aju s aw a ma gi c i a n
m ad u ga w a c hi ef of a c arava n
t u rdo di t u rda w a s n a ke c ha rmer
maf ada w a c o u ns el l or
S ee al s o n o u n s t
wi h p refi x ba
 NOUN 25

F EM . P L U RAL S E N G LI S H
al a n u
j demo n
b al agagu yo u n g ma n ( ad u l t )
daka ru body gu a rd
M arare or mara n i a ( f ) maray oy i
.
,
maray n orp ha n
h ada ku stran ger who refu s e s
to a cc o u n t for hi ms elf
s ara u n i a s ara u n i y o
yi s ar w i f e or s i s ter of a
au ni y u ki n g
S ha i da sh a i d u et c
, .
, s ee wi tn es s
p re v i o u s l i s t

Je and ye

b arau n i a baray i and bara i t hi ef

b eb ay e d u mb p ers o n
b o kay e wi zard
b u zay e a p er s o n ha lf Ha us a
ha lf Ta wa rek
D e n gi , d e n ga ,
den go y i fam i l y re l at i o n s
de ggi
Gabro ( gobro ) gab ru a g a b r a y e, a n d bac hel or a n d sp i n s ter ,
( gob u ro ) g agu are wif e l e s s ma n , a n d s o
e i t h e r wi do wer or
ba c hel or
S P3
!
yo u n ger s on of a
c hi ef al s o a l arge
,

whi te s eed u s ed as
a bead
ma t a ma t a y e ma t a i t a i
, ,

mata t aki
ra gu a ragay e , * agaj e t

ragu s ye ragu n a ,

u wa u w ay e a nd i y ay e an d p are n ts
yaraye an d yara ‘

y ari n i a yaray e yara and

, ,

yama t a

baba n i e u n uc h
ka ka n i ka ko ka gra n df at her a nc e s tor
, s

man za n i m es s e n ger
w ada n i a w ada n i d warf
26 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

N ou n s tha t admi t of a br oken s tem or cha nge o f word

MAS C . F EM . P L U RAL S
mai n y a g reat ma n
barad i n e hors e s o l d i er
ba y i b a i b a w o y i
,
*
s l ave
bay i b a i
, f e ma l e s l av e
bay i b ai
, f ema l e s l a ve
y ay a
“
td i ya ( S ) , so n,c hi l d f ree ,

y ay ay a
ma a ma mal u ma
l i ,
ma l la m
maza ma aje ,
*
z , hu s ba n d m al e ,

m azai
ma c h e ma t a o
w ma n
m u t a ne "
( S ) mu t ma n , p ers on
a t ani
n ( K)
fa t ake
ku t are
s ara ka i , s ara ki ,

s a ra ku n a

s a rka ni a s ara ka i s ara ki

, , re i gn i n g qu een
s a ra ku n a

S armay i s amar i yo u t h u nder t we n ty

( s amra i ) or
sa mr i ( s a u re )

Ub a nh an e ( K) , u b an ai
father
y ey u e l der brot her

P l ural s u nc la s s i fied

Bara bara n i a baru a baro ri , , s erva n t

b a ru ru a
b a du ra i
Ba ko b a ki, b a k u n a ,

b a ko ku n a
d o do n a i
ka fi
m o n om e
 NO UN 27

LIV I N G THI N GS
Common
-
O -I UNA

b i ko ki
b i rori , b i ru n a,
b i rari , hi ray e

Bu n s u r u he goat
-

li v e s to c k
-

di l a
d u ku s a d u k u sa i
dor ain do ri n a i

f aru n a

rat
s ma l l dar k
c o l o u red
a n te l op e
gu n z u n a P 19
jakan i a j a kai jaku n a as s
a n d ja ka
kad od i c ro c od i l e

ke n w u n a

mac hi ji a

Takari ka ri
a o
t k ki

z aka n i a za ko ki
z om a i
“ j is s oft h ere ,
an d z is a l mo s t sh .
28 THE HAUS A LANG UA G E

Ki
No t us ed w i t h l i v i n g t h i n gs

Wa
No t us ed w i t h l i v i n g t hi n gs , p er s o n s o n l y
U
P L U RA L S
a lf a da ru

gad u

h an kaka h an kaku a n d
h a n kaki
mara ka m ara ku
t an t ab era

beray e
B erdo b erday e
Gad u ( gy adu ) ga day e, gado ji ,
ad u n a
g
aye
iw f ema l e e l ep ha n t
Ki fi gfay e
'

fi s h
K u d i ( ku jI ) ku daje fl y
k uraye hycen a
mu ji y e o wl
meki y e a sp e c i e s of ea gl e
z u nz a
y e, z u n zu a
ye bi rd

w hi t e an t

Broken s tem
a ku ya ( a kw i a ) ak u y ai , a ku y oy i , s he- g oat
a w a kai , aw a ki
ba u n a baka n i b a u n ay e
,

da w a kai , * da w a ki
do k u n a ( do w akai )
kar n ai , karn u ka
s ha n u
ka j i
t u ma ki
 NO UN 29

P L U RA L S
b a rey i
b i s ai s a i , hi s o s hi ,

b i s as he
ga mra ki
g od
i
h an ka ki , h a n kak u
kagu n ai
kw ad a
i , kw adu n a
kw i ar
ku ri c h i a ku ri c h ec h eki ,
rc
ku i hi y o y i
K w i kuy o or kw i ku y e yo u n g of a n i ma l s

ku rkw i y o
( Zakara z ab i) zab n a ( s ab u a ) s abi gu i n ea fo wl
T abr i t abra c a s trated goat
T oro t oro n e bu ll
I N A N I M AT E THI N GS

Common f ma ti
or on

UNA

A do ( m .
)
A l ba s a al b as ai

(m . or f ) .

A ku ri ke ( m ) a ku ri kai .

A l ama ( f ) . al a mo mi
A li n t a alf u t ai

( m or f )
. .

A l ji fa ( m ) al jif ai . al jif o fi
or al j i fi ( m ) .

A l u ra al urai al u ro ri n eed l e
( m or f )
. .

A woza ( f ) awo z ai . ri b, s i de
or aw az a
Ba ki ( m ) .
( b akaku n a ) mo u th
and ba ku n a
Ba n t e ( m .
) b an t u n a
Ba t a ( f ) . b at o c h i

Bi n d i ga ( f .
)
B u ka ( f ) .

Bu l a l a ( f ) . b ul al a i
p ota mu s hi de
Bun u (m ) . b un ai ra
g s s ortha tc h,
dar bl u e
s tr i p ed c l o th
30 THE HAUSA LAN G UAG E
UNA EN G L S H I
t hi gh
( daku n ku n a ) roo m , hu t
a nd daku n a *

D a n ga ( m or f ) . .

B o i y a (f ) do i y ai
. doi y u n a
D u ggo ( m ) .

or di
gga ( f ) .

D u ki a ( f ) . r i c he s
D un d u ( m ) . du n dai d u n du n a *

Duni a ( f ) .

Fada ( f ) .

Fada ( f ) .

Fa t a ( f ) . fa t u ma
F i ka fi ke ( m .
) fi ki fi k ai
F u kaf u ki f u kaf u ka i

F i l afi 1e ( m ) . f u l af u l ai
or f u l af u l e
F a
i ti l ( f ) . fi t i l ai

f u rai fl o wer
( f u s kai ka i ) f u s ku n a fa c e
fro n t reas t
, b
a gra s s a ki n d
,

o ho e
f
Gad o ( m ) .
gada i gad u n a
*
i nh i er ta n c e
G ado ( m ) .
bed

Gan a
(f ) .

Gari e (m ) ( ga i ka ) .

or ger ke ( m ) .

Garw as hi garwas h os h i

Gi l mi(m ) .
gil mo mi
Gora ( f ) .
g or u n a
Gori ba ( f ) .
go ri b ai go ri b o b i

G u ga ( m ) . o
s ug si gu gu m a
G u n gu m e gu n gu m a i
(m
G w aza ( m ) .
( gwaz oy i ) gw a z u n u
or Go z a
32 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

UNA

K u rada ( m ) ku ra dai .

K u raf u ku i r nn a
( ku rfu ) ( m ) .

L aun i ( m ) l an h ai
. c ol o u r

Le b o ( m ) . l eb u n a
L e i er n ( m .
) l efe ra i

Lo t u ( m .
) l o t ai l o t oc h i l ot un a
L u i n di l u f u dai
(m ).

M adafa ( f ) ma d af aI . can no n
a afa
M l (f ) mal af ai
. mal af u n a l ar ge s tra w hat
M ared e ( m ) m are dai . m i ll s to n e
oo
M l (m ) . mu s i c ( ba njo )
M u d du ( m ) . a meas u re
M uri a ( m o r f ) . .

a a
R g (f ) .

R am i (m ) .

a da
R n (f ) .

re gu n a
ri gogi al s o ri gu n a

( ri gai g ai ) a nd
( ri gu n o n i )
R u mb u ( m ) . r u mb u n a
S ai y i ( m ) .

S al ga ( f ).

S a n da ( m or f ) . . s an du n a

S an du ki ( m ) s a n du k ai .

S a nf o ( m ) .

S arau t a ( f ) s ara u t ai .

S ar ik a ( m ) .

S efa ( f ) a n d
.

s ai f a

S h e kara ( f ) s h e kara i . S h ekaro ri a nd

( s h e kar u
Sh a u t a l ai
S h eri ai

s u rdu n a

t ab un a
 NOUN '

33

-O -
I UNA

t akal mo mi ,
al s o
( t akal ma)
a nd

( t akal u ma)
t a karda i t akardo di , t a kard un a boo k p ap er
,

al s o
t akardu
( S ) t an fas u w o y i

a
t gu n a

t ai ku n a

( t auraro )

t ar u n a

Tas u b i ( m ). t as u b ai
as u b i )

tum buna

w u rori

y at s u n a

z a rgu n a l oo p
zo b u n a ri ng

si n
34 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

Thi s l i s t i n c l u de s w ord s offore i gn ori gi n

S I N G U L AR P LU RA L S E N G LI S H
A l h ada ( f ) . al b a do di s tr i p of c l ot h
Al kari a ( f ) . v i l l a ge
A l keb a ( f , ) c l oa k
Gargas a ( f ) . l ar ge fi s h wi t h
ta i l
Hama t a ( f ) . arm p i t -

K af ada (f ) . kai ado di s ho u l der

K agara ( kagaru a ) barr i c ade
(f ) t

K w armi ( m ) . kw armu o et joi n t

s ck ,

L abar i ( m ) . l abar u n e ws
M a s hi ( m ) . mas u s p ea r
R agai t a ( f ) . ragai t u i dl e n es s
B a gaya ( f ) . ragay u s u p p ort i n g rop e
R ai ( m ) . rai u , rai u ka l ife
R c fi ( m ) ( re i o )
. refu , ref u n a bra n c h
S h e gi fa ( f ) . s h e gif u mud ho u s e
S i l i a ( m or f )
. . sil i y u si lk
T akarda ( f ) . t akardu a n d p pa er
o er form s
th
( s ee p re v i o u s
l i st
Ta mraro ( m ) . t a mraru d
an
o er form s
th
( s ee p re v i o u s
l i st )
Zama ni ( m ) . za man u t i me s ea s o n
,

Jc and ye
Fi l i (m ) . fi l ay e c u l t i vated a
pl i n
Ga i n y a ( f ) .
gai n y ay e , ai n y e l ea
Gad o ( m ) .
ga daje, ga O di b
Ga u t a ( m or f ) . .
gau t ay e egg- p la n t
Ga w o i ( m .
gaw a y e c harc oa l
G i da ( In .
gi daje, gi dada je ho u s e
G i mba ( f ) .
gi mb a y e seed u s ed a s a bead
G ui w a ( m ) .
gu i w ay e kn ee
G uj i a ( f ) .
gujey e guji y o y i
, gro u n d n u t ( a l s o geda )
G w aza ( f ) w a z o y i , gw az u n a s w eet p o ta to
h
.

Ha n u ( m ) . an aye , h a mi a ( K )
“
ha n d
K a n go ( m ) . ka n gay e kan gogi
, rui n
K ul u ( m ) . ku l ay e w hi p mar k
K u s u ru a ( m ) . ku s u roy i c or n er
 N OUN 35

ru ay e, ru w ai w ai
s un ay s ,
*
s u n a n aki

(m )
. s o ray e
m or f ). . w i y ay i
(m )
. w o s as h e ( w ojaje)

K a K e, K i
,

go n a ki farm
k a n y u ka ham l et
kw ab ru ka
ka u ro ri
dead tree
kw an aki , kw an u ka
*
day of twen ty fo u r ho u rs
rai u ka ra i u
,
“
ra n aki , ra n u ka ,
ran akai
s un a n aki , s un ay e , n ame
sunua
t s u mo ki
w akeke, w aku n a
w u kake
z a u ru ka

N oun s tha t admi t of a broken m

s te

B R O K EN S TEM F O R M O THER F O R MS I
EN G L S H

ay n ka ay u y u ka
, , ai ku n a
ai ko ki
a ku s a w oode n d i s h
as aki a s ko ki razor
b as u s u ka de bt
c ay
hi i gra s s
damas a u p p er arm
d u at s u ro c k
fi y af ai wo v e n fan or d i s h
c ov er
F ari c hi (m ) . faru t a ( S ) fi n ger n a i l
-

a vegetabl e
Gal m a ( f ) gal e mi gal e mu na
!
,
.

a s ort of hoe
G ul b i ( m ).
gul ab e r i ver la ke
,

Gu mki ( m ) u m a ka i i do l
.

g
I t at u a ( K ) i t s hu n a (S ) tree
ji w o y i
'

ra
i go
abo a
k
kaw u n a , ka u n a ,
ka w a n a , ka n u a
36 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

S I N G U L AR BR O K EN S TE M F ORM O THER F O R MS E N G LI SH
K ai m i ( m ) . kay ami
K ari fi ( m ) . karafa i ro n
K a s ko ka s a ki
L i t afi l i t at afi
M ai n c hi ( m .
) maf el fec hi
Ri j i a ( m . ri jo yi
R otsi (m ) . rat s a
T a kc hi ( m . t aku b a
Tu ku n i a ( f . t u ku an e ( t u kw an i )
W ur i ( m ) . ku rd i , ku d i
Z u c hi a (f z u ka t a z u t o c hi

P l u ral s u ncla s s ified

S I N G U L AR P L U RA L S E N G LI SH
Abu (m .
) ab u b u a t hi n g
A l gari b (m ) . al gari bi red a nd bl ac k s eed s
of a c erta i n p l a n t

A l h ari ( m al h ari ni si lk
Bi rn i ( m ) . b i ra n e an d b i rn u a c i ty
B oba w a ( f .
) b o b ai yi fore i gn sp eec h ( i n
a bad s e n s e )
Chi a w a
(m ) . c hi a y i gra s s
Gare ( m ) .
garu ru ka w hi te tobe
Gari ( m ) .
garu ru a , g ar u gari garu to wn
r
uk a
Garku a ( f ) .
gari ki
Ga s hi ( m ) .
gas u s u ka r ool
ha i , w
Gat ari ( m ) .
gat ara gat u
, ra gata ru a tc et
ha h
Ge m e ( m .
g ema bea rd
G era ( gi ra ) (f .
g era e
t , gero ri eyebro w
G i gi n i a ( f . i
gg gan an i , g i gi n
gi gi n ai fa n p a l m
y o yI
l .
g u o rd u s ed as
Gora (f .
) gororo w t a er bottl e
-

2 . a n g ca n e
w l ki -

Goro (m ) gw o rra
. o n ut
k la
Hab ai c hi ( m ) h ab ai t a i . abus e s ec ret s i gns
,

H aba ki ( m ) h k . aba a c l ou d of s mo ke
H ki ( m )
a h aku ku a
.
gra s s
a or
B k i (m ) h ako ra . tooth
Ido (m ) . i nu ( K) da i da n du n a eye
Ij a
i (f ). i do ( S ) p up i l of eye
K afa (f ) . kaf af u a , k af ufu f oot
K afo (m ) kaf o n i
. kaf u n a ho rn
K ama m ( a n d kama n u . l i ke n es s
ra e
f ( r ))
.

Ka s hi ( m ) kas u s u a, k
. ass a
 N OUN 37

P LU RA L S
d ka s a s h c , * kas ai s ai

ka s ku

ki b o y i

ku rareJI

69 9
w ord l a n gu a ge
,

maga n gu n a , med i c i n e
m agu n gu n a
raf uf u ka rafu n a st rea m
t afo n i s toreroom
s to re ho u s e
‘
l
t go i ng tra ve l
,

t u l u na p ot
t u mfafi a a tree p rod uc i n g
fi bre f or rap e
tu ram i a mortar
w ada t a r i c he s
w at a ni ,
*
w at an ai w at as hi mo n t h
z a n uw a , za n oa c l o th

V ER B AL NO U Ns — PL UR A L

I nji n i ti ves

Th e i nfi n i t i ve wh e n u s ed a s a n o un f orm s t he
red up li c at i on wi t h a chan g e O f f orm
c hi y é c hi y e -

s h a y é -S h a y é
uje u jé
g ye
-

O é o
‘o

t u u c h é - ru b u c h é
k ara n c h é - ka ra n c h é

Verbal N ou n s i n -
ia

Thi s f orm t a k e s t he p l u ra l t erm i n a t i o n -

o- i .

Tafi a t afi y oyi t ra v elli ng

38 THE HAUSA LAN G UA G E

V erbaloun s en di n g i n
n t he p re s en t p art i c i p i al t erm i n a
”
t i on wa ch an g e
-
Wa -
in t o woy i , t h u s t a k i n g t h e
-

”
c ommon t erm i n at i on O i - -
, wi t h a v ari a t i on i n t he s em i
v o we l
KA NO S O K O TO E N G LI SH
Bai w a b ai w o y i b as u w a b as u w oy i gi vi n g
Bat a w a b at aw o y i b at a s w a b at as w o yi lo s i n g
Chi r aw a c h i ra w o y i c h é rs u w a c h é rs u w o y i a
s vi n g
.

Chi d aw a c hi da w o i
y c hi s u w a c h i s u w oy i eed
f i ng
F i t as w a fi t a s w oy i fi s u w a fi s u w o y i p ull i n g o u t
Jefaw a jef u w o y i jef as w a jef as w o y i t ro
h wi n g
S é y ow a s ay o w o y i s ay o y a s a y aw o yi b y
u i ng
S hy a s wa s ay a s w o y i says uwa sa y s u wo y i e
s l l i ng
Tar aw a t ara w o y i t ars u w a t ars u w o y i a s s embl i ng
Y as u w a y as u w o y i y az wa y az u w oy i t hrowi n g a way
Z i i b aw a zr i b u w oy i zfi b su w a zfi b s u w o yi p o u ri n g ou t

PL UR AL S OF CO M P O U N D NOU N S F OR M ED W IT H P AR T I CL ES
Ba

M ! 22 ! 232
? 1
MA S O . F EM . P L U RA L AB

haus aw a Ha us a
l araba w a A rab
f u l a n i ( fu l be i s F u l a
t h e F u l a p l u ra l )
ba t ur i a t u ra w a Eu rop ea n
b at o ni a b a t o n a t o n aw a
,
-
A s ha n t i
b a go b i ri a gob i ra w a Go bi r man ( Gob i r
-

i s p ar t o f Ha u s a )
b a s u da ni a
-
s u da n a w a S u da n e s e
ka n a w a ka n o w a K a n o ma n ,

z a b ari maw a S o nghay man

( Z ab ari mi i s t he
eas t er n ar of p t
S o n gh ay )
a s kara w a
fada w a o
c u ns el l or
Da
D a n - ka n o
-
ya 1 ka n o
- yaya -
n -k an o K a n o ma n
D a - n - al aro ya 1 a l aro yaya -
n- al aro c arr i er
D a - n -al kari a ya 1 al kari a
- yay a - n - al kari a vi l l a ger

D a - m ba n za
-
ya 1- b a n za yaya -
n- ba n za w ort hl es s p er s o n

Th e as s o c i a t i o n of
“
ba wi t h any o t h er th an a pl ac e n am e
is rare .
40 THE HAUS A L ANG UA G E
Thi n gs
M A S O an d F EM
. . P LU R AL EN G L S H I
M adafa ( f ) . madafai c an n o n
M a da fi a (f ) . ma dafi ai ki t c he n
M a c hi di ( m ) . ma c hi dai f eed i n g p l a c e
-

M afar i ( m ) . mafara i begi n n i n g

M a fu t i ( m ) . m af u t a i res t i n g p l a c e
-

M a gan i ( m ) . ma ga n ai o u t l oo k
M a kar i ( m ) . makarai en d
M abay i ( m ) . m a h a y ai m a h a y o y i
,
s tep
M ari ki mar i ka ha n d l e
M (m )
as al l a c h i . mas al at ai mo squ e
M a s h ay i ( m ) . mas h ay ai dr i n ki n g p l a c e
-

M a z am n i ( m ) . ma z a m n ai s eat

S u ffi x ta ( s i n gu l ar ) ,
- -
t ai ( p l u ra l )
fa a
M a nt (f ) . mafa u t ai s l a u ghter p l a c e
-

M ac a
hi u t ( f ) . m a c h i u t ai p l a c e of s i c kn es s

M ah au kat a ( f ) . ma h a u ka t ai p l a c e for mad p eop l e

M aka ra n t a ( f ) . makara n t ai s c hoo l
M as u n t a ( f ) . m a s u n t ai fi s hi n g p l a c e
-

N o p refi x
S u ffi x - t a ( s i n gu l ar ) ,
- t o c hi ( p l u ral )
i s i n li eu of b efore i “
( ch t

Ch i u t a ( f .
) c h i u t o c hi

Fa u t a (f ) . f au t o c hi
Hau kat a ( f ) . h au kat o c h i
K a ra n t a (f ) . ka ra n t o c h i
S all a t a ( f .
) s al l at o c h i

S u nt a ( f ) . s u n t o c hi

Th e f o re g o i n g are e x am p l e s o f t hree mean in gs deri v ed

f rom t he s ame s t em— t he p ers on t he p l a c e t he a c t i on , , ,

t he l a t te r h o w e v er be in g W i t h ou t a p re fi x
,
Th e p l u ra l s
,
.

o f ab st ra c t n oun s are ra re l y u sed in p ra c t i c e .

P LU RALS OF O THER AB S TRA CT NO UN S WI THO UT PR EF I !

(f ) S ufi x -
nchi -
n ta ka .

Th e fi r s t i s o f K an o ori gi n an d t he o t her o f S o k o t o ori g i n .

A b st ra c t n ou n s w i t h t h e s e t erm in at i on s c an f rom t h e i r
n a t u re be b u t rare l y p u t i n t he p l u ra l

S arkan c h i s arkan t o c hi s arkan t aka s arka n t akoki ki n gs hi p

 NO UN 41
'

A li s t o i s ome o f t h e se n oun s i s gi ven un der t he deri va

t i on o f t he n ou n .

I t i s t o be n o t ed t h at bo t h f orm s t a k e t he p l u ra l
”
t erm i n a t i on o i ada p t ed wi t h t he p ro p er c on s on an t
- -
.

P L URAL S OF CO M P O UN D NO U N S

P refi x A bi n -

Co m p o u nd n o u n s f ormed wi t h t h i s p re fi x do n o t u su a ll y
”
t a k e a p l u ra l Th e p l u ra l o f “
. a b i n t s oro c o u l d be - -

ren dered ab u b u a n t s oro — t h at i s thi n gs to fear ; b u t

- -
,
”
t hi s rat h er d i re c t s t he em ph a s i s t o t h e w ord t hi n g an d ,

t he c om p o u n d p ra c t i c a l l y be c ome s d i s s o l v ed .

Th e w ord s ab i n c h i food an d abi n sha dri n k are, , , ,

i n s u ch c ommo n u s e h o w e v er t h at t h ey h a v e c ea s ed t o
, ,

be re g arded a s h a vin g c om p on en t p art s an d s o t he p l u ra l s ,

are f ormed on l i n e s as i f t h ey w ere si m p l e n o un s a s ,

A b i n c hi abi n c h ai , ab i n t o c h i
A bi n s h a ab i n s h ai

P refi x Wu ri n -

I f n o un s c om p ou n ded wi t h t h i s w ord are p u t i n t h e

p l u ra l
, wu ri t a k e s i t s ord i n ary p l u ra l f orm an d a s , ,

w i t h ab i n t he c om p ou n d n ou n be c ome s d i s s o l ved
-
.

W u ri n kw a n a
- -
w u rare n kw a n a s l eep i n g p l ac e
- - -

O THER CO M P O UND Nou n s

O t h er c om p o u n d n o un s wh i ch do n ot ta k e a p l u ra l to
t he fi rs t p art o f t h e w ord are rare
K a n daki ( kai n da ki ) ka n daku n a
- -
up p er s torey

Nou n s W I T HO U T P LUR AL
Th ere are a g rea t man y n o un s wh i ch do n ot adm i t o f
a p l u ra l .

l No u n s den o t i n g ma s s c an n o t f orm a p l ura l

.

Z i n ar i a ( f )
.
go l d Haz i c or n K u ra ( f ) .

A z uruf a ( f ) s i l ver
. A l kama ( f w heat Z u m n a ( m ) or
. .

S hi nk afa ri ce R u a n z u m n a ho n ey - -
42 THE HAUS A L ANG UA G E
2 Pa rt s
. o f t he body
J i ni ( m ) bl ood
. Nama ( m ) fl es h No n o ( m )
. mi l k .

3 A b st rac t n o u n s e x p re s s i n g f a c u l t i e s o f t he m i n d
.

Yi rda ( f ) be l i ef e t c
. M u rn a ( f ) , .
joy .

Ts oro ( m f ear . T ama h a ( m ho p e .

4 M o st ab st ra c t n oun s c an n o t f orm a p l u ra l ( an d o t h er s
.

on l y rare l y )
M u gu n t a ( f ) bad n es s
. K ea u ( m ) bea u ty Ts arki ( m ) ho l i n es s .

B a ut a ( f ) s l a v ery
. Ga s ki a tru t h
5 . No u n s o f p o s i t i o n
Bi s a (m . an d f .
) top T s aka ( m . an d f .
) m i dd l e
6 . D e s i gn at i o n s of t i me
S af e (m )
. or s afi a mor n i n g M arec h e (m ) . ev e n i n g
7 . S un dry
K am a ( f ) . Zaka (f ). l a n d ta x

N o r ms W I THO U T A S I N GU L AR

No un s wi t h o u t a gu l ar are rare Th e f o ll ow i n g
sin .

s ome o f wh i ch no si n gu l ar f orm c an be t rac ed

Das as h i ( K ) , da s or i ( S ) gu sm of the mou th
K ekarai e ng i n the ha nds
s w l li
T u gua i , t u gu ay e, t agu ay e t wi n s

US E or S I N GU LAR FOR PL UR AL
Th ere i s a st ron g t en den c y amon g t he Hau sa p eo p l e t o
u se t he s i n gul ar f or t he p l u ra l I n t hi s t en den c y t h ey are .

o n l y f o ll o wi n g t he c ommon p rac t i c e o f o t h er We st A fri c an

l an gu a g e s i n wh i ch t he p l ura l s u ffi x i s an i n de p en den t
,

w ord or p art i c l e an d i s mo vab l e t o t he l a st w ord i n a

,

s e qu en c e o f w ord s i t bei n g i n c orrec t an d i n deed i m p o s s i b l e

, , ,

t o a ffi x i t t o more t h an on e w ord I n s u ch l a n gua g e s .

“ ” ”
t he ph ra s e t en b i g t h i n gs bec ome s t hi n g b i g t en ,
”
or t hi n g b i gs f or b i g t h i n gs Th e nu mera l or s ome .
 NO UN 43

s i mil ar w ord t a k e s t he p l ac e o f the p l u ral su ffi x b ut

‘

c ann o t acc om p an y i t .

I n t he ch a p t er on t he ad j e c t i v e i t w i ll h o w e v er be s een , ,

t h at Hau sa doe s n ot f a ll i n wi t h t h e s e l an gu a g e s b eyo n d

h a vi n g t he p ref eren c e f or t he s i n gul ar f orm o ver t he p l u ral
f orm an d i n t hi s re sp e c t i t li e s c l o s er t o Eu ro p ean
,

l an gua g e s i n i t s c o n st ru c t i o n .

I t i s o nl y i n v ery c orre c t Hau s a i n deed i t m i gh t be ,

c all ed p edan t i c f or t he n o un t o be p u t i n t o t he pl u ral

,

f orm wh en t h ere are q u ali f yi n g w ord s Wh en t he n o u n .

s t an d s a l o n e i t m u s t o f c o urs e be
p u t i n t he p l u ra l n u mber
t o c om p l e t e t h e s en s e O t h er wi s e i t i s c orre c t t o u se
.

t h e s i n gu l ar .

Examp les
M u t u m b i u s u n 20 Two men hav e come
S araku n a s u n z o The c hi efs hav e c ome
Hai n y a r n a n da d u c hi ( or da
- -
Thi s road is ro c ky
du at s u ) .

Y a yi s h e kara b i u b a n ga n ka b a It i s t wo year s s i n ce I s a w you

K w a n a m u go ma m u n a t afi a
-
We have bee n ten days travel l i n g
K u da u ki kaya T a ke u p yo u r l oads
A n da mre kava d uka A re a ll the l oad s t i ed up
M u ka b er i ka ya mu a w an i gar i -
We have l ef t ou r l oads i n a n ot her
to wn a ll to get her )

’
( If ra l were u s ed here i t wo u l d refer to ea c h o n e i n d i vi d u a l
the p l u ,
s

l oad s ep arate l y ) .

S hi n e ya fad i ku m u t a n e dan He i t i s he tel l s ( you ) y ou s o n s of

A da m A dam
S h e ka ru n ka n a w a S a u ra How o ld are y ou 9 I n three mo n t hs 4

w a t a u ku e n yi ( or c hi ka ) I s ha l l be t w e n ty year s ol d
s h e kara as hi ri n
S a u ra kw a n a u ku k u gamma I n three day s more y ou wi l l have
ai ki nk u fi n i s hed yo u r wor k
M u u n t a da s u ka yi t a ko mo Th e ev i l t h at th ey di d c ame ba ck
g
b 1s a kai n s u u p o n t he i r own head s

S W I TH A S I N GU L A R M EAN I N G
PLU RAL F O R M
Th ere are f e w p l u ra l f orm s o f n o un s i n Ha u s a whi ch
are u se d Wi t h a s i n g u l a r mean i n g i n a s l i gh t l y di ff eren t
s en se as ,

l .

M a c he oman
w ma t a w ome n
44 THE HAUS A L ANGUA GE

“
b ut ma ta i s c ommon l y u sed a s a t e rm o f re sp ec t i n
addre ssin g an y w oman — m

S a n u ma t a How do you do madam

, ,

M a ch e i s n e v er u s ed i n su ch a w ay .

”
M at a a l s o mea n s wi fe a s whi ch i t t ak e s a p l u ra l
, ,
”
“
mat ay e , et c .

En n a mat a n ka 7 Where is yo u r wi f e
c ert a in l y n ot Wh ere are yo u r wo men Bu t
M a t a n an s u n a n o ma bay i n o Thes e women are p l o u ghi ng t hey
are s l av es

Wu ri o wry s hel l
c ku rd i c o wr i es
b ut k u rd i is c ommon l y u s ed mean i n g mo ney or p ri ce .

PA RT I V

CAS E
Th ere i n fl ec t i o n o f t he n o u n f or c a s e
is no .

A s i n En gli s h , t he p o si t i on o f t he s u b s t an t i v e wi t h
re g ard t o t h e v erb de c i de s wh et h er i t i s n om i n at i ve or
acc u s at i v e ; an d wh a t w ou l d be t he gen i t i v e , dat i v e ,

ab l at i ve , or l o c at i ve c a s e s are i n di c at ed by p rep o s i t i on s .

I t i s u n der p re p o s i t i o n s , t h ere f ore , t h at t h i s s u b j e c t i s

i n rea l i t y t reat ed .

Th e f o ll owi n g h o we v er i s a bri e f o u t li n e o f t he
, ,

dec l en s i on o f t h e n ou n wi t h a pp ro p ri at e p re po s i t i on s
S I N G UL AR
ma n
y o u ma n
y o u gi l r
ma n
= na m ut u m) f
o a ( or the) man
to a ( or the) ma n
w i t h a ( or the) ma n
on th e ro ad
PL U B A L
N om . mu t a n e
V oc . ku m u t a n s
ka i mu t a n e
 N O UN 45

A cc . mu t a n e men
Gen .
-
n mu t a n e ( n a mu t a n e)
-
of men
Dat .
ga mu t a n e to the men
A bl . da mu t a n e wi t h men or wi t h the men

S YN TA ! OF THE CA S E S

Th e n omin at i v e an d a cc u s at i v e are u s ed i n t he s ame

p os 1t 10n In a s en t en c e a s t h ey are I n En gli sh .

M ut u m ya c hi n a ma The man ate the meat

M u t a n e s u n c hi n ama The men ate the mea t

Vocati ve

In t heo c at i v e t he p ron o un
v y ou p rec ede s an
un q u al ifi ed n oun an d i s d i s t i n gu i sh ed f or g en der
, .

I n t he p l u ra l t he s i n gu l ar p r on ou n ma sc u l i n e may be
u s ed a s we l l a s t he p l u ra l p ro n o u n Th i s u s a g e p o i n t s t o
.

t h e s u pp o s i t i on t h a t t he p ro n ou n h a s de g en erat ed i n t o
an i n t er j e c t i o n p u re an d s i m p l e

K ai y aro l ka z o l Yo u boy ! c ome !

K e y ari ni a ! ki 2 0 You gi r l ! c ome !
M i j i n a ! M i ya s ame ka M y hu s ba n d ! Wha t has hap p e n ed to y ou P

“
In f orma l addre s s t he A r ab i c i n t erj e c t i on ya may
p rec ede t he p ron o u n or n o u n a s ,

Y a s i di 0 si r !
Y a ku I s rai l a w a ! 0 y ou I s rae l i te s !

Gen i ti v e 1

Thi s c a s e i s fo rmed by t w o su b s t an t i v e s c onn e c t ed by

of t he p o s s e ss ed ob j e c t s t an d i n g
“
t he p re p o si t i o n na , ,

fi r s t t he p o ss e s s or l a s t or i t may be formed by tw o n o u n s
, ,

i n ap os i t i on i n t he s ame order b u t w i t h n o c o p u l at i v e .

Th e at t er c on s t ru c t i on i s p erh aps l e s s c ommo n on t he

Wh o l e .

Na i n t he ma s c u li n e be c ome s t a i n t he f em i ni n e .

Th e se l on g f orm s are n ot v ery fre qu en t l y met wi t h ,

1
S ee p art i c ul ar l y un der P rop o s i t i on na.
46 THE HAUS A L AN GUA G E
h o w e v er b u t are sh ort en ed an d vary f or eu ph on y as
,

f o ll o ws
”
M a sc Na .
“
m d or om i tt ed if t he l as t , ,
’
v o w e l o f t he n o un pre c edi n g 1s a .

” ” ”
Fem Ta . t r l acc ord i n g t o di a l ec t a s we ll
, , ,
“ ”
a s eu ph on y I n Kan o r an d t are p re f erred b ut
.
,
“
i n S okoto I n Kan o n i s a ls o u s ed Fre .

qu en t l y t he r i s sc arc e l y h eard an d s o i t s eem s a s ,

if t h ere w ere t w o n o un s i n j u xt ap o si t i on a s i s ,

c omm on i n o t h er We s t Af ri c an l an gu a ge s eg . .

Y or u b a I g ara Nu p e , et c A l so t h e ma sc u li n e
, , .

f orm n i s c ommon l y h eard Wh ere t he fem i n i n e

w o ul d be t echni c a ll y acc u rat e .

Pl u ra l I n t h e p l u ra l n a l on e i s u s ed i n acc ordan c e
.
,

wi t h t he ru l e o f t he l an gu a g e t h at gen der i s n ot
re c o gn i s ed i n t he p l u ral n u mber .

Examp les
Y aro n s ari ki
- -
the boy of the ki n g
Y ar a n s ara ki
-
the boy
s of the ki n gs

Da n u w an a
- -
The s on f
o my mot h er— Le brot her c o u s i n , , ,
et c .

Y a t ma l am
- -

Y a r mal am ’
r es t s dau ghter
- -

the p i
Y a l ma l am
- -

Y a n mal am
’
Y aya n ma l am the p i s s r e
u ght s t da er
Y aya n ma l ama i t he da
u gh s of the p i
’
ter r es t s
A kw i a r ba k o th e s ngtra
s s he g er -
oat
’
A w a ki n ba ko the s ngtra
s s he g s er -
oat
’
M u t u m e n s ar i ki
- - c e
the hi f s ma n

I t i s t o be n o t ed t h at t he ac c en t on t he w ord rep re s en t
i n g t he ob j ec t p o ss es s ed i s ch an g ed , as
Y ari ni a the gi r l
’
Y ari ni a t
- -
s ari ki the c hi ef s gi lr
An o t h er w ay o f e xp re s s i n g t h e g e ni t i v e i s t he u se of
a p o ss e ssi v e p ro n ou n .

S ari ki ma t a u s a the c hi ef hi s wi f e

Examp l e of N ou ns i n ap p os i ti on
Bako gar i b a ka zo dadai ba A tra n ge c i ty to whi c h you have
s
n ever bef ore co me
48 THE HA US A L ANG UA G E

L ocati ve ca s e

Th e e qu i v a l en t o f t he l o c at i v e i s e ffec te d by man y p re
”
p o s i t i on s of p l a c e b u t es p ec i al l v by a
,

D o ki s hi n a t s aye a hai n y a The hor s e ta n ds i n the road

s
Baya n gi da
- -
be hi n d the ho u s e
A ba y a n gi da
- -
be hi n d the ho u s e ( b u t more e mp ha t i
c all y i n on e l o cal i ty be hi n d the
ho u s e )
 CHA P T ER I I I

AD J ECTIV E

AP AR T from n u meral ad j ec ti v e s whi ch Wi ll be t reat ed

,

s ep arat e l y t he ad j e c t i v e i s o f t w o ki n d s
, s i m p l e an d

ad j e c t i v e s sh o w g en der an d nu mber , bu t n ot
c as e .

Com p ou n d ad j ec t i v e s do s o a l s o e x c ep t , t hos e c om
”
p o u n ded wi t h da wh i ch sh o w n ei t h er
, .

G EN D ER
Th e f emi n i n e g en der i s f ormed from t he mas c u l i n e o f
”
s i m p l e ad j e c t i ve s by t he ad di t i on o f a ia , i ya or
ua u wa t o t h e s t em t he fi n a l v o w e l o f t he ma sc u li n e
,

f orm Wh ate v er i t may be bei n g dro pp ed

, ,
.

I n c om p o un d ad j e c t i v e s ei t h er t he s ame ru l e may be
f oll o w ed o r t h ere may be n o ch an g e b u t i n t he si n g l e ,
“ ”
c ase o f n ag ari , g oo d, t h ere i s an i n i t i a l ch an g e .

P L U RAL

In t hep lu ra l t h ere is no c at i o n o f g en der at al l

i n di .

Th e p l ur a l i s formed i n t he s ame w ay a s w i t h n o uns b ut ,

t h ere i s a p re f ere n c e f or t he v o w e l u a s a t erm i n at i on .

D ER I VA TI O N

S i mpl ead j e c t i ve s are t h o s e wh i ch c ann o t be deri ved

from o t h er p a rt s o f sp ee ch .

49
50 THE HA US A L ANG UA G E
Com p ou n d adj e c t i v e s are f ormed f r o m n ou n s w i t h t he
” ”
p re fi x e s n a of, mai o wner, mai ras or ma ra s
“ - -
,

t h e c o n t rary o f m ai
“
da wi th an d bab u wi thou t ,
.

I n addi t i on t o t he f ore g o i n g t he p re s e n t an d p a s t
p art i c i pl e s are t reat ed as ad j e ct i ve s Th e pre sen t .

p art i c i pl e i s f ormed by mai or ma “

bei n g pre fi x ed
t o t h e v erb s t em Th e p a s t p art i c i p l e
. is fo rmed by an
am pl i fi c at i o n o f t h e s t em .

S IMP L E A D J ECTI V ES

F EM . P LU R AL I
EN G L S H

al gas h a al gas a 1, al gas u gree n

ba ka b ab aku (S ) , b aba ki (K) b ac
l k
baba bab u n a mai ny a , bi g

bab a is in real i t y a n o u n m ea n i n g great n es s )

ba n za b an z ai z ai ( S ) b an z ay i ( S ) ,
w orthl es s
da i n y a dai n y u dai n y oy i
, fres h
do gu a do gay e ( S ) , do gu n a ( K ) ta l l
fara f arf aru or f arf a ru ( S ) farf are ,
whi te
( K ) faraye farare
, ,

Ga j ere ga j era ( S ) , ga je ru gaje ra i

,

gajer i a ( K )
gu rgu a gu ragu
ja j aj aye
ka rama , karam u , karam a i
ka ra mi a
ka n ka n w a ka n a n a ka n ka n a, ( K)
kada n kada n
a a ra
k k h ka b ra ra
ke kas a , ke ka s u
ke ka s as hi a
or a
k i
m u gu n i a
ra ma mI a

ra w a y u (S) , ra w ay a i (S)
s abab i , s ab u i
s h u do di , s h u du n a
t s o fa fi ,
t sofi
wo fu n a ( K)
y o f a if ai ( Za n f )
y ara n a i , y ara n o n i ( bo t h 8 )
da a w a
D uka du ya
 A DJECTI V E 51

CO M PO UN D A D J ECTI V Es

l Formed wi t h n a
.
, f ow i t
, h a n o un Th e s e are v ery .

f e w b u t s ee al s o ordi n a l
,
n u mera l s wh i ch are f ormed a l s o
,

by t h i s met h od
Na ari
Na w ara i

2 .Formed wi t h mai “
o wner o f , an d a n ou n Th e
.

c on st ru c t i on 1s ob v 10 u s , an d an u n l i m i t ed n u mber of
ad j ec t i v e s c an b e made i n t hi s w ay
M A S O an d F EM
. P LU R AL . EN G L I S H FRO M

M a i a nf a ni
-
ma s u a nf a ni -
u s ef u l an fa ni u s e
M ai ara h a-
ma s u arah a -
c heap ara h a c heap n e s s
M a i fa di -
ma s u fad i -
broad fad i breadt h
M ai ga s ki a
- ma s u ga s ki a -
tr u e ga s ki a tr u t h
M ai h a nk a l i m a s u h a n ka l i
- -
p r u de n t h a n ka li = c are et c , .

M ai kari fi -
ma s u kari fi -
s tro n g kari fi i ro n s tre n gt h
,

M ai ke ao -
ma s u k eao -
fi ne keao be a u ty
M ai rai -
mas u rai -
l i vi n g rai l ife
M ai t s ad a
-
m as u t s ada -
dea r t s ada dear n es s
M ai z u c h i a
- mas u z u c hi a -
brav e z u c hi a heart
M ai z uru fi-
ma s u z uru fi -
deep z uru fi = dep th

3 . Th e c on t rary o f t he f oreg o i n g c l a ss o f c om p ou n d
”
ad j ec t i v es i s f o rmed by s u ffi x i n g t he p art i c l e ra s a t o -

m i
”
an d an e q u a ll y l ar g e n u mber o f ad j e c t i v e s c an
“
,

be f ormed i n t h i s way .

For mai ra sa mara s

-
1
i s o f t e n u s ed t he mean i n g ,

be i n g t he same b u t ma i ras a i s n ot ch an g ed f or gen der

, ,

wh erea s mara s bec ome s marashi a i n t he f em i n i n e

M AS O . F EM P LU R AL . EN GL I s H
M ai ras a kari fi
- - mai ras a kari fi ma s u ra s a
- -
p o wer l es s
kari h
M aras kari fi or
-
ma ra s hi a kari fi m aras a kari fi p o wer l e s s
- -

m ara s hi n kari fi- -

M aras h a n ka l i
-
ma ras h i a h a n ka l i m ara s a h a n kal i f oo l i s h
- -

M ara s ka c hi a
-
mara s a ka c hi a u n c i r c u m c i s ed -

”
4 . Da wi th c om p o u n ded wi t h n ou n s makes ad j e c t i v e s
, , , .

Th e s e ad j ec t i v e s c an on l y be u s ed p red i c at i v e l y an d n e ver
at t ri b u t i v e l y Th ey are Wi t h ou t an y i de a o f gen der an d
.

O f t e n p ro n o u n c ed mara .
52 THE HA US A L ANG UA G E
nu mber An u n l i m i t ed n u mber o f ad j e c t i ve s c an be made
.

i n t h i s wa y
D a keao fi ne
-
D a h a n kal i c arefu l -

D a a nf a n i -
use ul
f D a nau yi heavy -

D a ara h a c h e ap
-
D a rai a l i ve -

D a bam d i ffere n t
-
D a y u n gw a hu n gry -

D a ya w a ( s h or t e n e d t o d i a w a )
-
m an y
Th e o pp o si t e o f t h e s e mean i n gs i s e ff e c t ed by t he u s e
“ ” “ ” “ ”
o f bab u wi thou t ( l i t , ba no t ; ab u .
,a thi ng ) , ,

B ab u k eao -

B ab u a n fa n i -

PR ES EN T P AR TI CI P L E
Th e p re s en t p art i c i p l e ( so c a ll ed ) i s f o rmed by t he -

p re fi x e s mai
“
an d
“
ma t he f ormer be i n g o f S o k o t o
o ri gi n t he l at t er o f Kan o
,
1
Wi t h t he f orm er t he V e rb .

s t em rema i n s u n ch an g ed b u t wi t h t he l at t er t h e st em ,

i s ch an g ed f or g e n der an d n u mb er
MAS C . F EM P LUR A L .

M ai a i ki
-
mai a i ki ma s u a i ki
- -

M a a i kac hi
-
ma ai kac hi a ma ai kat a
- -

M a i az u m i
-
mai az u m i ma s u az u m i
- -

M a a u mc h i
-
z ma az u m c hi a ma az u mt a
- -

M a i ara-
mai ara ma s u ara
- -

M ai aro -
mai aro ma s u aro
- -

M a a ri
-
ma ar i a ma ara
-
l e di g -
n n

M ai s o -
mai s o ma s u s o
- -

M a s oy i
-
ma s o y i a ma s o ya
- -
,

ma s o w a
Th i s p art i c i p l e i s fu r t h er t rea t ed un der t he verb .

PA S T PAR TI C IP L E
Th e p a st p a rt i c i p l e p a s s i v e a s i n al l l an gu a g e s c an be , ,

u s ed a s an ad j e c t i v e I t s fo rm at i o n i s e x am i n ed u n der
.

t he v erb
MAS C F EM
. P L UR A L . EN G L I S H

A rare arari a arar u l e t or borro w ed n

R a mt a c h e ra mt a c hi a ra mt at u
Th e f ormat i on o f t he f em i n i n e an d p l u ra l is s t ri c t l y
re gu l ar .

1
A c c ord i n g t o M i s c h li c h .
 A DJECTI V E 53

US E OF NO UN S As A D JECTI VES
”
Name s o f c ou n t ri e s en di n g in be -
c hi c an u s ed as

ad j e c t i v e s b u t u n ch an g ed f or g en der or n u mber
,

Hau sa nc hi Ha u s a
L arab a c hi ( K ) L arab a n c hi ( S ) A rab,

F ul a n ch i Ful a
Tu ran c h i Eu rop ea n
S u da nc hi A fr i c a n

M g na a a l arab ac h i A ra b s p ee c h
a
D ki n s u da n c hi
- -
S o u da n e s e hu t
a
D ku n a n s u da nc hi
- -
S o u da n e s e hu t s ( ho u s es )

R i ga l h a u s a
- -
Ha u s a c l oth
R i gu n a -n ha u s a -
Ha u s a c l ot hs
F o r li v i n g t hi n gs t h e s e f orm s are n ot u s ed Th e p er s o n a l .

form s are u s ed i n a pp o si t i on , an d S h o w g en der an d n u mber

D o ki b a l arabe -
A r ab ho r s e
D a w a ki l araba w a A rab hor s e s
R a go b a h au s h e -
Ha u s a ram
R a gu n a h a u s a w a Ha u s a rams
A kw i a h a u s a Ha u s a s he goa t -

A w a ki h a u s a w a Ha u s a s he goa ts -

or a w a ki h a us a
R ED UP LI O A TI O N
S i mp le
ad j ec t i v e s c an be redu p li c at ed Th e i r mean i n g .

may be i n s ome c a s e s em ph a s i s ed t h ereby b u t e q u a l l y ,

”
t he i dea t o be c o n v eyed i s s ome wh at or s omet hi n g
l i ke .Thi s c an be be st s een from e x am p l e s
K ada n kada n v ery l i tt l e or v ery s ma ll

bu t
Yaro m u gu m u g u s h i k e = S h i n a He i s l i ke a bad boy
kama n yaro m u gu
Do go do go s hi ke S hi n a He is ta l l i s h
kama n do go
S abo s ab o s h i ke = S hi n a ka ma n s abo It i s l i ke a n ew on e
Ba ki ba ki -
bl ac ki s h or dar k bl u i s h
Ba ki n kerr i n v ery bl a c k
Far i far i
-
whi t i s h or grey
Ja ja
-
reddi s h
S hu d i -
s hu di l i ght bl u i s h
K ore ko re -
l i ght gree n
NO TE —The . mas c u l i n e si n gu l ar f orm s eems al o n e to be u s ed .
54 THE HA US A L ANG UA G E
Com p a re a ls o
K u l ku s a ery n ear
'

v
I na da a a
w t tu r u ba ke okeo w a I have ( kn o w) a n ot her p at h a
,

v ery good on e

S YN TA !
1 . Wh ent he ad j e c t i v e i s u s ed at t ri b u t i v e l y i t may
e i t h er f oll o w t he n ou n i t qu a l i fi e s , a gree i n g wi t h i t i n
g en der an d n u mber , or i t may p re c ede t he n ou n w i t h t he
c o pu l at i v e p re p o s i t i on n na of, a gree i n g i n g e n der
an d n u mbe r Wi t h t he l at t er me t h od , h o w e v er , t he
.

pl u ra l i s l e ss c ommonl y f ou n d .

Ex am p l e s o f ad j e c t i ve f o ll o w i n g

M A S C U L IN E S I N G U L A R .

T a gan i gi d a mai keao S he s a w a fi n e ho u s e

K ai m u t u m mai ga s ki a n o Yo u are a man of tr u t h
T a s a z an e mai zi n ari a D oe s s he p u t on garme n ts of go l d
M i n c n e da w a 7 W a n i i ri n ja What i s gu i n ea c or n 5’ A s ma l l
- -
.

n kw aya ka n ka n e
-
( No t e c o n ki n d of gra i n
s t r u c t i o n w i t h t w o ad j e c t i v e s )
T a z u ba ru a kada n S he p o u red ou t a l i tt l e water
S u ka s a t a c h i ki n W a n i da ki o -
They p u t her i n to a n u n p l eas a n t
bab u keao room
M u t u m mara s ku rd i kama n
-
A p oor ma n i s l i ke a ki n g wi t h
s ar i ki mara s kari fi s h i ke-
ou t p o wer

FE MI NI N E S I N G U L A R
M ache t g i a ar
t n a a k ul a da A g ood w oma n ta kes c are of her
i y al i n t a f am i l y
K e di a t akw arai c h e Yo u are a good da u ghter
M ac e
h mai u -
t az me a n a za mn e A f a s t i n g w oma n s i t s yo n der
c ha n
P LU R AL
Di a n i t a c h e
- -
n i n a n u a n c h i re s u are p l u c ked
The r i p e fr u i ts
.

K i b a eu di a n d ur u m i n i n a n u
- -
D a w a ki mas u gu d u s u n a c h a n
G a da w a ki mas u gu du c h a n
Bat u r e daya w a ya m u t u ( No t e
t he c o n s t r u c t i o n )
Gi ve t hem the r i p e f r u i t s of
d u r u m i tree
Yo n der are ga ll op i n g hor s e s
S ee the hor s es ga l l op i n g t here
M a n y whi te men d i ed
56 THE HA US A L AN GU A GE

P redi cati ve Us e of the A djec ti v e

“
The v erb t o be i s em p l oyed t he f orm ,
ne be i n g
en c l i t i c a s a l s o i s i t s fem in i n e f orm
,
ch e b u t t he
“ ”
f orm ke i s u s ed wi t h a p ro n ou n
Ni t al a ka me I am p oor
D a ki -
n - n an ka n ka n e no Thi s room i s s ma ll
K arre da ku re ge ra ma mu eu ke The dog an d the fo x w ere l ea n
M as a n n an a n t oy a su ? ii, A re t he s e c a ke s ba ked ? Yes , t hey
t ol ay u n o are ba ked
h
Ba d ka m u t an e eu ke mi a gu b a N ot a ll men are bad

Al l ad j e c t i ve s f ormed wi t h da be i n g from t h e i r n a t u re
,

on l y p red i c a t i v e , t he verb t o be i s u su a l l y i m pli ed .

The f orm o f p ron o u n t h a t i s u sed i s t h a t en di n g i n

”
“
na f or t he mo st p art I t i s t o be n o t ed t h at i n t he
.

n e g at i v e f orm t he na i s c a st off

S hi n a da kea o It i s fi n e ( l i t I t i s wi th fi n e n e s s )
.
,

S u n a da h am T hey are d i ffere n t

Bi s a t a n a da rai t u ku n The a n i ma l i s s t i l l a l i v e
S h i n a d a ara h a ( t s ada ) It i s c heap ( dear )
D o ki m ai gu du S hi n a da
. a nf a n i A hor s e whi c h ga l l op s we ll i s of
kw a rai great u s e
Ba n i da y u n gw a I am n ot hu n gry
B a s hi da n a n y i kama -
n-s a u ra It i s n ot heavy l i ke the res t of the
n kaya
-
l oads

Ci rcu mlocu ti on to avoi d Us e o f A djec ti ves

In mo s t We s t A fri c an l an gu a ge s i t i s f ou n d t h a t t he
n u mber o f ad j e c t i v e s i s v ery s ma ll .

Th ey are n u merou s i n Hau s a b u t n e vert h el e ss man y , , ,

c om p o un d w ord s whi ch are t reat ed as ad j ect i ve s are

readi l y d i v i s i b l e i n t o t h ei r c om p o n en t p art s whi ch are
n ot ad j e c t i v e s an d an y i dea t h at an ad j e c t i v e i s bei n g
,

mad e u se o f c an be c a st a s i de .

“ ”
Be si de s t he u se of da t he t w o c ommon e st met h od s ,

i n Hau s a f or e x p re ssi n g t he e qu i v al e n t o f t he ad j ec t i ve
“ ”
i s t he u se o f t he p rep o s i t i o n g are to towards wi t h , , ,
“
a n oun an d t o u se t he v erb y i al s o wi t h a n ou n Th e
, .
 A DJECTI V E 57

”
v erb i
j, to hear, f eel , is al s o so u s ed ,
but t o a more

A b i nc hi n - -
ar e s hi for Thi s food i s hot
nan za fi g
n n a n S h i n a da z a fi
A b i n c hi - -

Z u ma dad i gare t a Ho n ey i s s w eet

M u t u me n w o fi b a ya t aba fada
- -
A w ort hl es s ma n n ev er sp ea ks the
n ga s ki a b a
-
re s hi n ku m i a
,
tr u th he i s s hame l es s ,

gare s hi

a yim u rn a I am gl ad ( l i t I ma ke joy )
.
,

Ya yim i n i ku n c h e It i s ( too ) n arro w for me

Ru a n ga S hi n a da z afi , b ai y i Thi s water i s hot a n d n ot c o l d
,

sa n y i b a

Na 11 dadi I am hap p y (li t .

, I fee l sw eetn e s s )

CO MP A R I S O N

Th e de gree s o f c om p ari s o n are e x p re ssed by a c i r cu m

l oc u t i o n i n Hau s a t he same a s i n o th er l an gu ag e s i n We s t

Comp arati ve Degree

1 . U se o f fi , su rp as s , wi t h an ab st rac t n oun .

Ya fi ni kari fi He is tro n ger tha n I ( l i t he

s
s u rp a s s e s me ( i n ) s tre n gt h )
Y a fi ui da ka ri fi ( No t s o goo d as t h e fore go i n g)
D o ki ya fi r a go gi r i m e A hor s e i s bi gger t ha n a ram
Ya fi s hi ka ram i or ya fi s hi He i s s mal l er t ha n he ( The l a t t er
ka n kan t a i s t he m or e c orre c t u s a ge ka n ,

ka n t a b e i n g a n o u n w h erea s ,

karam i i s a n a dj e c t i v e )
Ya fi ko w a gi ri ma He i s grea ter t ha n a n y on e
D a ki n na n ya fi da ki n c h a n Thi s room i s bi gger t ha n that
gi ri ma
M i ku n a s o ya fi w a n n a n ? What do a n t better t ha n t hi s P
y ou w
R i ga l n a n t a 6 w ac ha n keao Thi s c o a t i s better t ha n t ha t
D a na ya fi n a ka t s a w o , am ma M y s o n i s ta l l er t ha n yo u r s bu t ,

n a ka ya fi n a w a ka u ri yo u r s i s s to u ter t ha n mi n e '

M u t u m w a n da a b i t a ga s ki a The ma n w ho p u r s u e s tr t h i s u

k
a fi w a n da e rat s e h ai n y a hap p i er t ha n he who fo ll o w s
ari n z u c h i a
- -
error
S hi maif a dda n o , a mma mat as a He i s a q u arre l s ome ma n bu t hi s ,

t a fi s hi ya w a - n ma ga n a -
w if e ca n wra n gl e more tha n he
58 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

Tafi a da ra n a t a fi t a fi a da fari T ravell i n g by day i s more t i r i n g

n wata
ga j i a t ha n travel l i n g by moo n l i ght
-

M i h e no ka ke s o w a n da ya fi Wha t do y ou wa n t better t ha n t hi s
.

w a n n a n 1’
‘

I n s e n t e n c e s wh ere i n En g li sh c om p ari s o n i s e x p re ss ed
“ ”
by ad v erb s fi wi t h an ab s t r ac t n ou n i s u s ed i n
,

Hau sa
Da -
n - c h i a kO -
n - z ab u a ya fi da n ‘
The yo u g gu i n ea fo wl gro ws more
n -

c h i akO n - k aza s aml i n-

gi ri ma q u i c kl y t ha n the yo u n g c hi c ke n
- -

( s am l i n gi ri ma q u i ckn es s of
z

gro w t h )
J i ki ya fi ku n e 11 ( p ro v erb ) The body hear s better t ha n the ea r
Ka fi s hi yi
-
n - ch i n i ki , do n Yo u trade better t ha n he f or t hi s
,

w a n n a n n a s o n ka dafi s hi re as o n I p refer you to hi m

No t e a l so
A l l ah a kber da ku God is more p o werfu l t ha n y ou

2 To. c om p are i dea s n ot t h in gs t he w ord s g ara

, ,
“

“ ” “
an d gu m a are u sed ; als o gw an da i n a
si m i l ar s en s e i n Kan o pri n c i p all y
Gara h akka It i s better s o
G u ma yao d a ji a Better to d ay t ha n ye s terday
D a n a y i kar i a gara e n m u t u I w o l d rather di e t ha n te l l a l i e u

D a n a amre s hi gu ma m u gu n R at her t ha n marry hi m may a n e vi l

-

c h i w o ya kam a u i s i c k e s s s e i z e me n

D a bab u w a w a gw a n da da w a w a It i s better to have a foo l t ha n n o

( p ro v erb ) on e

3 .B et t er a s app li ed t o h eal t h i s e x p re ss ed by t he
” ”
ron gomi
“ “ “
n ou n s dama an d wi t h ji to feel , .

K a ji dama ya fi ji a ? D o yo u f ee l better t ha n yes terda y

Na ji ro n go m i yao I f ee l better to day -

Na ji d ama y a n z u ; a z a b i ya I js e l better n ow ; the f ever ha s l ef t

z

s a ke u i me
K a ji dama kada n D o you f ee l a l i tt l e better
S hi t al a ka n e u i ma i n a da ,
He i s a p oor ma n bu t I hav e
, ,

ku rd i da dama mo n ey i n moderat i o n

4T o e xp re ss t he En g li s h t oo wi t h an ad j e c t i v e
.
“

se v era l met h od s are ado p t ed

(a ) Co mb i n at i on o f t h
”
e mat eri al p art i c l e ma
wi t h t h e v erb fi to su rp as s ,

M afi ku n c h e Too n arro w
 A DJ ECT I V E 59

”
( b) f o l l o w ed by t he p rep o si t i on ma
Yi , to do ,
Y a y i m i n i (f or ma n i ) w u ya
. It i s too di fi i cu l t for me
K u rd i n s a i a y i m i n i ya w a
- -
The p r i c e i s too m u c h for me

Th e mea ni n g o f v ery i s e qu all y c o n v eyed

Ts i a t a y i ma s a ya w a He was v ery p oor

( c) B y t he u se of fi .

Ya fi ni w u ya It i s too di fi i cu l t for me
Na n y i n kaya n n an ya fi Thi s heavy l oad i s too m u c h for my
ka ri fi na s tre n gt h

(d) By t he v erb faskare , over o c me , et c .

“

Y a fa s kare ni da u ka It is too h eavy fo r me to I (li t .

,

It i s beyo n d my s tren gth l if ) t

B ab u ab i n da ya f as ka re mu t a ne N o thi n g i s too d i ffi c u l t th e
En gl i s h
“
5 Th e verb faye
. exceed i s u s ed a s an e qu i v al en t
, ,
“ ”
f or fi I t may a l s o be t ran s l at ed
. very or t oo
Y ara s u n faye da w o ri gi The boys w ere v ery fo n d of p l ay
Gi da n ga ya fay e ka n ka n t a Thi s ho us e i s too s mal l
K a fay i b ari ko n c h i Yo u je s t too m u c h
“ “
6 . T oo an d v ery may al s o be e x p re ss ed by t he
p rep o s i t i on g are , towa rds

A bi nc h i -
n - na n z a fi
ga res h i Thi s food is h ot (i m pl y i n g t oo
ho t t o e at )

It may h ere b e ob s erv ed t h at wh ere i n En g li s h w ords

o f a c om p arat i ve f or c e are u s ed i n Af r i c an l an g u a g e s ,

e x act l y t he same mea ni ng i s c o n v eyed by mere l y ma ki n g a

po si t i v e st at emen t o f whi ch t he f oreg o i n g 18 an e x am p l e
,
.

7 ore M used ab so l u t el y l n En g l i s h c an be e x p re ss ed
by the n oun ’
k ari ab u nda nce
, .

Ba n o. s o kari ; ya i ss a I do n ot w ant more it is e n o u gh

“
8 . Yi , do , may al s o be u s ed i n t h e s en s e o f e qu a l to

K u ra t a fi dam i s a ka ri fi n ji lu , The hyae n a i s tro nger tha n

'
s th e
amma b a t a yi i t s ba n z e t i b a , eo ard bu t
l p ,
i s n ot eq u a l to h er
ina c ti vi ty
60 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

S up erla ti ve D egree
Th e su p erl at i v e de gree i s e x p re ss ed by
”
1 Fi
. to s u rp as s f o ll o w ed by
, , d u k a al l ,

Y a fi d u ka kari fi
. He i s the s tro nges t ( l i t He e xc el s .
,

a l l ( i n ) s tre n gt h)
M ut u m e n na n ya 13 d u ka Thi s ma n i s the c l everes t of al l
h a nk a l i
A ll a h y i fi d u ka gi ri ma Go d i s the greates t of a l l
Wa n n a n y a fi d u ka n au y i
. Thi s i s the heavi es t
2 B y g aba n du k a da before all
.
- -
,

Y a n a ( or s hi me) gaba n d u ka He i s the s tro n ges t

- -

da kari fi
S h i n e gaba n s u d u ka
- -
He i s th e greate s t
3 B y g aba ga d u k a before all
.
,

A m ma Te b i b s hi n a da bara s h i B u t Tebi b had a s erva n t

,
who w a s
n o baba gaba ga b aru a n s a chi ef of al l the s erv a n t s
d u ka
4 By.
ga , to, onl y
Ya n a ( or sh i n e ) da kari fi ga He i s s tro n ge s t
d u ka
“
5 . r ed u p li c at ed f orm o f fl i s s omet i me s u sed
A in
f orm i n g ei t h er c om p arat i v e deg ree or su perl at i v e
Wa n n a n ma fi fi c hi da ga w ada n an Th i s ( i s ) the bes t of t hes e
6 Th e w ord v ery i n En g li s h may be e xp re s s ed by
.

”
f aye an d i n ot h er w ay s a s s een u n der t he c om p arat i ve
,

M aka fi s u n faye t a l a u c h i Bl i n d men are v ery p oor

Itmay al s o be exp re s s ed by redu p li c at i on

K ada n kada n Very l i tt l e

NU M ER A L S

The Ca rdi na l s
( T h o s e gi v e n
fi rs t a re i n c o mmo n e s t use )
D a i a ( p ro n o u n c e d ge n era l l y dea gu da
Bi u
Uku
 AD JECTI V E 61

F u d u h u d u i n K a t s i n a di al e c t )
P
H (
O Bi ar b i a l b i a t ( i n S o ko t o )
, ,
D
O
o o
Q B k i . W ri t t e n ba ko i
W T o ko s . Wr i t t e n t a ko s
D
C

10 Go ma
11 Go ma s h a da i a or i n c o n t i n u o u s c o u n t i n g s h a da i a
, , f or s h or t
12 Goma s ha b i u or s h a b i u
13 Go ma s ha u ku or s h a u ku
14 Go ma s ha fu d u or s ha f u d u
Go ma s h a b i ar or s h a b i ar
16 Go ma s ha s h i dda O r s h a s h i dda
Go ma s ha b o ko i or sh e bo ko i .

18 A s hi ri n b i u bab u or a s hi ri n ga i ra b i u
19 A s h i ri n da i a bab u or a s hi ri n ga i r a da i a or bab u da i a
20 A s hi ri n i s b i r i n ; h a u y a ; l a s o ( S ) ; go m i a b i n
,

21 A s hi ri n da da i a
22 A s hi ri n da b i u
28 T a l at i n b i u bab u
29 T al a t i n da i a bab u
30 T al a t i n ; go m i a u ku ; l a s o da go ma ; ha u y a da go ma
40 A rba i n ; go m i a f d u u

50 Ham s i n
60 S i tti n
70 S e b b ai n
80 Ta ma ni n
90 Ti s s a i n
Th e fore go i n g de c ade s c a n a l s o b e c o n s t r u c t e d w i t h go m i a , l a s o ,
an d hauya
9 8 D ar i ga i ra b i u ; dar i b i u bab u
9 9 D ari ga i ra da i a or dar i da i a bab u
100 D ar i ( deri ) ; m i a ; m i n ya ; za n gu
150 M i a w a h am s i n or dar i da h am s i n
200 M ot i n ; met ai n ( N ot dar i b i u )
3 00 D ari u ku
400 A rba mi a ; arba m i n ya
500 Ham s a m i a ; ham s a m i n ya ; dar i b i ar
D ari s hi dda
7 00 D ari bo ko i
8 00 D ari t o ko s
9 00 Al u ga i ra mi a
D u b u ; a li f ; zam bar ( r a re ) ; za ngu go ma
Al u w a mi n a
y
AJ11 w a me t 1u
D u b u ( or a li i ) da da ri u ku
A l u w a arba mi a
Al u w a h am s a mi a ( or m i n ya )
Du b u da dari s hi dda
D u b u da dari bo ko i
62 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

Al fi n ga i ra met i n
A l fi n gai ra m i n ya ( or mi a ) ; al fi n a ra dar i
g i
A l fi n ; a lf a i n ; zambar b i u ( N ot d u b u bi u )
T al a t a ; zambar u ku
A rba ; zambar f u d u
Hams a ; zambar b i ar
S i t t a ; zambar s h i dda
S ebaa ; zambar bo k o i
T ama n i a ; z ambar t o ko s
zambar t ara
Tes s aa ;
Zambar go ma
Zambar dari
Zambar m et i n
Zambar d u b u ; zambar al i f

( 1) N otes on the Ca rdi na l s

Guda .
— Th e w ord gu da mean s head or u n i t I t i s“
.

o ft en u s ed t o g et h er wi t h t he ot h er n u meral s bel o w t en a s .

i
w ell a s be n g u s ed a l on e n s t ead o f dai a
i “
as — “
uda
” ”
g ,
“
dai a or guda s i m pl y 1 ; gu du u ku , 3 ; ashi ri n ,

da gu da bi ar 25 ( S ee fu rt h er u n der s yn t ax o f n u meral s )
, . .

Goma s ha da i a et c — ”
I n c o u n t i n g t h e g o ma i s c o m
,
“
.

moul y om i t t ed f or bre vi t y a f eat u re w hi ch i s al s o f oun d ,

i n mo s t o t h er We s t Af ri c an l an gu ag e s wh ere t he e xp re s
s i o n i s t o o l o n g or c u mber s ome .

A s hi ri n bi u ba bu —Th e t w o n u mbers n e xt be l o w t he
.

”
dec ade s are ex p re s s ed by u s i n g b ab u n othi ng or wi thou t , ,
”
or g ai ra l ess as ,
— “
t a l at i n d ai a b ab u
,
”
29 ; “
d ari gai ra ,

bi n , 98 . Thi s s y s t em i s al s o app l i ed t o t he t w o de c ade s

be l ow t he hu n dred s af t er t he fi r st hu n dred a s met i n “
,
”
g ai ra ashi ri n 18 0 , .

Ha u ya —Th e meani n g i s a s core an d i t i s o nl y u s ed i n

.
,
” ”
c o u n t i n g c o wr i e s a s h au y a b i u
, 40 ; b au ya u ku 60 , , .

La s o 20 i s al s o u s ed i n c o u n t i n g c o wr i e s
, , .

Z angu 100— Us ed i n c ou n t in g c o wr i e s
, .

Gomi a Th e p u re Hau s a p lu ra l f orm o f g oma

.
-
“
It .

w a s t h e f orm i n u s e be f ore t h e i n t rod u c t i on an d c ommon

a cc e pt an c e o f t h e Arab i c f o rm s f or al l n u mera l s bet w een
20 an d 100 I t i s st i ll p re f err ed amon g p art s o f
.

t h e p o p u l at i o n t h at h a v e c ome l e ss u n der t he Arab i c

i n flu en c e an d are un ed u c at ed Th e merch an t s edu c at ed
.
,
 64 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

Ti s sa i ni -
n- mu ty of u s n i ne
D ari n mu or dari n i n mu
- -
a hu n dred of u s - -

Al i fi n mu - -
a t ho us a nd of u s
Ku y ou su ,t hem may b e s u b s t i t u t e d for mu as n e c e ss ar y
, , ,

as

D ai a -
n - ku on e o f y ou dai a -
n - eu on e o f t hem
Bi u -
n -s u t wo of t hem

For t he n u mbers abo v e t w o h o w e v er i t w oul d s eem , ,

t o be bet t er an d c ert a i nl y more u su a l t o u se a more

, ,

e xt en ded ph rase a s ,

F u d u da ga ehi ki n ku -
f o u r of y ou
-

Bi u da ga c hi ki n mu - -
two of u s
D ai a n s u s hi n a c h e w a w a n n a n
- -
O n e of t hem was s ay i n g thi s meat
n a ma da ki ba i s fa t

Wh en t he c ardi n al n u mber re p res en t s t he wh ol e o f t he

a s s emb l ag e i n st ead O f a p ort i o n a s abo ve t he suffi x di , ,
-

i s added .

Da i a di n n a n t hi s on e - -

Bi n d i n n an t h e s e tw o
- -

D u ka u ku d i n n a n a l l t hree o
f t hes e - -

F u du di n s u the f o u r of t h em
- -

Bi ardi the fi ve
S hi d dad i the s i x
Bo ko i di the s ev e n

To k s di t he e i gh t
o

T arad i t he i e n n

Go ma di t h e ten
D a ri di the h u n dred
D u b u di the t ho u s a n d

( 4) S yn ta x of Cardi na l N umerals
Th e c ardi n al n u mera l s u su a l l y f o ll o w t he n oun
qu ali f y Th e n ou n as a ru l e t ak e s t he p l u ral f orm t h
.
,

t hi s i s n ot i n v ari ab l y t h e p rac t i c e an d t he n u meral two ,

e s p e c i all y al mo st i n vari ab l y f o l l ow s t he n ou n i n t he si n gu l ar
n u mber .

I f t he n u meral p re c ede s i t o n y d o e s s o i n s u ch c a se s as
l
,

t h o s e gi v en i n t h e p re vi o u s p ara g raph an d n i s u s ed a s ,

a c o p u l at i v e .

M ut u m bi u two men
S hi na da b i n d i ga da b aki bi u He has a do u bl e barrel l ed -
gu n
Ka a ni a w a ki t a l a t i n Gi ve me thi rty goa ts
 A DJECTIV E 65

Ki ka w o mi ni moda z i n ari a Br i n g me a m i ll i o n go l d cup s

z a mbar d u b u
I n a t ama h a mu t an e da s u ka I t hi n k the p eop l e who w ere c a u ght
kama t ar e da ui b a s u fi b a w i t h me w ere n ot more t ha n two
da ri b i u ko dari u ku or three hu n dred
Na ga ni t agu ay e b i u a n y as hi e I s aw two twi n c hi l dre n thro wn o n
eu b i s a h ai n y a s u n a ku ka the road c ry i n g
R aku mi n mu da i a O n e of o u r c ame l s
S u d u ka b i u s u n m u t u The two of them d i ed

A ft e r su ch n ou n s a s t h o s e c om p ou n ded wi t h “
mai a
s i m p l e n ou n may be i n s er t ed be f ore t he n u meral
M as u ga s ki a mut u m as hi ri n da da i a
-
Twe n ty -
on e r i ghteo u s men

Wh en ou n i s qu al i fi ed by bo t h an ad j e c t i v e an d a
t he n
c ardi n a l n u meral t he n u meral may be p l ac ed i mmed i at e l y
,

a ft er t he n ou n w i t h t he ad j e c t i v e n ex t t he l at t er be i n g ,

t rea t ed a s i n a pp o s i t i on t o t he n oun

Ido -
dai a mai gi ri ma ga
n - sa ,
-
, One of eyes a l ar ge o n e was
hi s , ,

t s a ka u h a n c hi
- -
o n the m i dd l e of the n o s e
M u ka t a fi da bar u a n Tebi b We w e n t wi t h tw o of Tebi b s s erva n ts
’

’
,

b i u da bara n s ari ki t ar e da
,
- o
a n d w i t h the ki n g s s erv a n t to ,

ba w a n s e dai a kuru ma
- -
, get her wi t h a s l ave who was deaf

Guda — Th e . f o l l owi n g are e x am p l e s of t he u s e s of gu da ,

G u da naw a Ho w ma n y 3’
K w o i gu da na w a n a s ay eru a ne 7 How ma n y e ggs are t here for s a l e
G u da gu da O ne a n other
S hi do gu da da t a t s i re
, ( Ij he ta ke s one the ot her es c ap es
,

G u da gu da i a d ai a: O n e at a ti me

”
Da i a . D ai a , wh en u sed c o rrel at i v el y c orre sp o n d s wi t h ,
“ ”
t he e xp re ssi on t he on e t he o t h er

M a c h e da i a t a n a da d uki a da ~
O n e wo ma n had mu c h p rop er ty ,
ya w a m ac he da i a t a n a da
, the ot her woma n had bu t l i tt l e
d uki a kada n p rop erty

D ai a c an al so be t rans l at ed t he s ame
M n d uka m u ka z a mn a ga w u r i dai a We a ll s at at the s ame pl ac e
8 11 duke da i a n o
. T hey are all the s ame
E
66 THE HA US A L A NGUA G E

D ai a c an ne v er be used i n de p en den t l y a s a n oun as

it may be in En gli s h . A c on c re t e n o un mu st al w ay s
be added
M u t u m da i a s hi n a kora mutu m O n e man i s dri vi ng two b efore
bi u hi m

Th e c ardi n al s c an be
sed a s ad verb s u .

Y a yi ku ka da i a Y a y i ku ka
. He c r i ed ou t o nc e He c ri ed ou t .

bi u tw i c e T hi s i s li t erall y He mad e
.

on e c ry e t c , .

Na i i da i a da i a I u n ders ta n d a l i ttl e
Th e v erb t o be i s u s ed wi t h n u meral s a s f o ll o ws
K u rdi n s a b a eu daya w a ; z am I ts p r i c e i s no t m u c h ; i t i s
bar dar i da h am s i n n e c o wr i es
( 100 050= z ambar dar i da gu da h am s i n )
,

5 . Etymo l ogy of N u mera l s

T a ki n g t he l an g u a g e s o f We s t Af ri c a a s a wh o l e t he ,

c ommo n e st s ys t em o f n u merat i on i s on a bas e o f fi v e ,

more or l e s s di s gu i s ed or e vi den t wi t h th e hi gh er n u mber s

,

on t h e ba s i s o f t w e n t i e s ( s c ore s ) .

Th e Hau s a n u merat i on on t he o t h er h an d i s p u rel y

, ,

den ary li k e s e v eral l an gu ag e s t o t he s ou t hw ard o f i t an d

,

t o t he s o u t h eas t w ard -
I n Hau s a t h o u gh t h e i n t rod u c t i on
.
,

o f t he A rab i c h a s d i sp o s s e s s ed man y o f t he p u re l y i n di g en ou s

n ame s t he o l der n ame s are st i ll u s ed f or c o u n t i n g c o wr i es

, ,

whi ch i t i s more c on veni en t t o deal wi t h i n t w en t i es— t h at

i s t he s u m o f all t he fi n g er s an d t oe s ma ki n g
, on e man ,
”
c om p l et e .

Th e f o l l owi n g are t he et ymo l o gi e s o f mo st o f t he

n u meral s
Da i a — Un c ert ai n an d d iffi c u l t t o t rac e a s i s t he w ord ,
“
f or on e i n v ery man y l an gu ag e s .

Gi l da — Com p are “ ”
gu d i o i n D oai ; ”
gad e i n B ode ;
”
ad s i i n Ngods i n
g .

—
B i u C om p are fu l “
i n R on ; v ul i n S u ra ; b ol o
” “
i n B o l an chi ; vu c l i n M on t ol ; v el i n An kw e ; fio
i n Gu r k a ; b ab i n A n gas .

”
Uku — Com p are “
ku n “ “
( ku l i n S u ra kun in
M o n t o l , An kw e , an d Gu rk a ; ku n u i n B o lan chi , Tan g a l e ,
 AD JECTI VE
'

67

an d A w ok ; kw an i n An ga s ; “
k o an i n Ngods i n ; “

“ ” “ ” “
a kc an i n B ode ; ko i n D oai ; ku j i i n Bu t a .

”
F udu — Co mp are fu du i n Ngods i n , D oai , an d B ode ;
“

” “ ” “ ”
fu di i n Bu t a ; f odo i n B ol an ch i ; p u i n R on ;
“ ” “ ” “ ”
f ei r i n S u ra ; f er i n An kw e an d M on t o l ; fi er
i n An ga s .

Bi a r — Com p are b eddi

. bad i i n B o l an c hi ; p ad
”
i n S u ra ; p ad i n M o n t o l , Ank w e ; pf ad i n
”
D oai ; “
f ad i n Ngods i n ; p at e i n Anga s ; p u at i n
“

T an g al e an d A w o k .

S hi dda — O f A rab i c ori g i n

. .

Bo ko i ( ba ko i ) — If t he n u mera l s s e v e n an d e i gh t , as w e l l
.

as s omet i me s s i x an d n i n e , are ex am i n ed i n t he l an gu ag e s
men t i on ed i n c onn e c t i o n wi t h t h e f ore g oi n g n u mera l s , i t
“ ”
i s f o un d t h at t h e f o ll o w i n g s y ll ab l e s re p re s en t fi ve
“ “ ” “ ”
an ch i ,
“
S u ra , p o B o l b au , b o ; M on t o l , pa
“ ” “ ” “ ”
An kw e , po pu ; An g a s
, p”o Th ere i s i n t h e s e,
.

“ “ ”
s yll ab l e s s o me s i m i l ar i t y t o ba in bak o i , b u t t hi s
s yl l ab l e i s n o t f o u n d i n Hau s a i n an y o t h er n u mera l As .

“ ”
t o t he s e c o n d s y ll ab l e i n bo k o i , i t s eem s t o h a v e n o
rel at i on s hi p an yw h ere .

Tokos — No s u re et ym o l o gy s eem s t o o ffer i t s e l f f or t h i s

.

”
n u meral ei t h er “
To i s t h e roo t f or
.
“
fi ve i n t he
”
BaNt u l an g u ag e s , an d “
ko s may be c onn ec t ed w i t h
”
uk u . I t w o u l d re q u i re t o be e x p l ai n ed, t h o u gh , h o w
a BaNt u roo t s h o u ld h a v e c ome i n .

Co mm — Com p are gu ma i n Ngods i n ; g oma i n ‘

”
D oai ; gu amo i n T an g a l e .

Th e de c ade s t w en t y t o n i n e t y are all o f A rab i c ori g i n ,

b u t li t t l e ch an g ed .

Da r i i s a p u re Ha u s a w ord .

M i n ya an d mi a — B o t h o f A rab i c ori g i n . .

Z angu — Un c ert ai n . .

M eti n an d mc la i n — A rab i c . .

“
Du bu i s a l s o f o u n d i n Kan u ri a s d ub u deb u in
T eda B ag i rm i Lo n g o n e M a n dara ; an d t hb a i n Cop t i c
, , , .

A l i f — A rab i c
. .

Za mbar — Co m p are di omb er i n S o n gh ay

. .

A lfi n A rab i c
.
-
.
68 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

O R D I N A L NU M B ER S

Th e o rd i n a l n u mber s are f ormed by p refi xi n g t he

g eni t i ve p art i c l e t o t he c ard i n al s n a f or t he ma scu li n e , ,
“
ta f or t he f emi n i n e ( t h ere bei n g n o p l u ra l ) wi t h on e ,

e x c ept i o n .

“
Thi s ex c e pt i on i s t he fi r st an d a s i s c u st omary i n mo st , ,

l an gu ag e s We st Af ri c an i n c l u ded i t i s n ot f ormed from

, ,

t h e w ord on e I n Hau s a t he w ord n a fari

. i s deri v ed -

“
f rom t he v erb f ara to begi n ,

F EM .

ta-
far
i
ta bi u
-

t a u ku
-
,
et c .

As i n o t h er We st Afri c an l an gu ag e s a ft er t en w h en ,
“
,

t he n u mera ls be c ome c om p o u n d w ord s t h e ord i n al f orm i s ,

c ommon l y dro pp ed an d t he c ardi n a ls are re v ert ed t o

, .

Con n e c t ed w i t h t he ord i n al n u mber s an d f ormed i n t h e

same w ay are s ome adj e c t i v e s
MAS C .

N a baya -

Na gaba -

Na t s a k a-

Na b i s a -

Na ka s a -

Far ko fi r s t K ar s h e l as t

Examp l es f
o S yn ta x f O rdi na l s
o

Na zam n a ga w uri n a n a far i -

I s at do w n i n my p l a c e fi r s t
M u t u m u ku eu t a s h i b i u da ga ,
L et t h ree men get up two of t hem ,

c h i ki n s u eu dau ko ru a n a
- -
, to dra w water the t hi rd on e to
,

u ku n eu s h i n e mo i t a c h e
- -
f et c h w ood
Far ko n da w a ki
- - The firs t of the hor s e s
K ar s h e n da w a ki
- - Th e l a s t of the hor s es
D a s u n h a ke t are da i a b i u a , , Whe n t hey had c ros s ed on e two at , ,

n a u ku s u n ks i s s a w u r i n ka s a
- - -
the t h i rd t hey rea c hed dry l a n d
Y aro ya y i s u ku a ra ku mi s o The boy ga l l op ed the c ame l t hree
u ku ,
a n a f u d u ya t afo ya
- t i mes at the fo u rt h he c ame he
, ,

da u ki y ari ni a ya aji et a b i s a too k up the gi r l he p u t her on ,

ra k u mi ns a hi s c ame l
 AD JECTI V E 69

A D VER B I A L NU M B ERS on MULTI P LI CA TI VES

Th es e are f ormed by p refi xi n g t o t he c ardi n a l s s o ,

or a s i t i s s omet nn es p ron ou n c ed
,
s au ,

S o dai a
~
o nce So bi u twi c e S o u ku t hree ti mes
- -

S o goma
-
ten ti mes S o dari hu n dred ti mes -

D eri vati on
Thi s seem s t o be t he s ame w ord a s s au foot p ri nt or ,
-

sol e of the foot an d s o i n c omb i n at i o n wi t h t he n u mera l s

,

i t ac qui re s t he i dea o f a st e p Com p are t he c orre s on di n g

p
.

u se i n Twi o f p en g a s troke ; i n M en de h ei ma s i tti ng

, ,
“ ”
down ; i n An g as shi a foot : a ll o f whi ch g o t o p ro v e
,
”
t h at s o i s a n ou n .

S yn ta x
So da i a ku ma
-
O n c e a ga i n
So n a w a ka t a fi
-
S o ko t o Na How of te n hav e you bee n to S o ko to 9 .

t a fi S o ko t o s o u ku
Uku u ku bi u n a w a ke n a n
-
-
I hav e bee n to S o koto t hree ti mes
Tw i c e three are how m an y

D I S TR I B U TI V ES

Th e di st ri bu t i ve nu mera l s are f ormed by re p eat i n g t he

Ya ke day a s hi ll i n g go ma go ma He w a nt ed th em ou t by ten s hi ll i n gs
( K e daya =
( ) ki r ga ( K ) )
S
Ya bada ri gu n a b i ar b i ar ga He av’e fi ve c l oths to ea c h of
g the
yara n s ar i ki
-
c hi ef s s o ns
Y a s i ke an b i u b i u He s e n t t hem two by two
Ya bada da i a da i a ga ko w a ne He gav e on e to ea c h of t hem
11 an
K ada ka ki r ga ku rdi n ka s h i dda Do not co u n t yo u r c o wri e s in e
si x s
s h i dda , ki rgas u b i ar b i ar c o u n t them i n five s
Bi as u d u bu d ub u P ay t hem a tho u s a n d ea c h

Exa m les a ki n

Na w a awa n How ma ny eac h

G u da n a w a How ma n y i’
K w o i gu da n a wa na s a y e ru a How ma n y e ggs are t here for s a l e
na 1
Ne w s n aw a a n asa y eru a ( or How m u c h are they s o l d for eac h
a kes a y esda eu )
70 THE HA US A L AN GU A GE

Na w a a n as ay es da s u 7 How m uc h are t hey (a s a o e) wh l

N i ka n b a ma a i ki t a n a k u rd i
-
I gi v e my s e rva n ts two hu n dred a n d
met i n da h am s i n h am s i n fi f ty c o w r i es ea c h da i l y
kw a n a da i a da i a
M a s s ara ku rdi n s a go ma s h a b i a l I n d i a n c or n i s fif tee n c owr i e s a p i e c e -

s h a b i a l n e kw a n a ki n dama n a
- -
i n the w et s ea s o n
D o i y a gu da n a w a ka s ayo ? T a How ma n y y ams di d y ou bu y ?
dar i u ku a ba ki n h ams i n Three hu n dred c o wr i es wort h a t ’

h am s i n fif ty ( c o wr i es e ac h)
I t wi ll be n o t i c ed f rom t h e abo v e sen t en c e s t h at i n
re p e at i n g t he n u mera l t o f orm t he d i st r i bu t i ve i dea i f i t ,

i s c om p o u n d o n l y t h e l at t er p art i s re p ea t ed .

FR A CTI O N A L NU M B ERS
Th e se are wi t h t he e x c ep t i on o f
, a h al f borro w ed ,

from t he Arab i c an d are rarel y u sed

, .

Hal f i s exp re ssed by sh ash i o f wh i ch t he et ymol o gy

”
,
” ”
i s n ot kn own or “
rab i
, f rom raba to di vi de Each
“
, , .

o f t h e s e w ord s may be t ran sl at ed by a p art i n st ead o f

“ ”
an e x ac t h al f an d t hi s i s f oun d t o be a l s o t h e c a se i n
,

man y ot h er We st A f ri c an l an g u ag e s .

Th e fra ct i on s o f A rab i c ori gi n are

S ul us i a t hi rd
R ubui a fo u rth , a q u arter
Hu mu s i a
S u du s i a s i xth
S u b ui a s eve n t h
S u mu n i or t u mu n i a n e i ght h
T u en i a n i n th
Us h u ri a te n t h
The p l u ra l s ”
” ”
a re s u l us a i , ru b u ai ,
u s h u ra i , et c .

A ll t h e s e n u mbers c an be e x p re s s ed by a c i r c u m l o c u t i o n ,
whi ch i s al w ay s re s ort ed t o f or fra c t i o n a l pa rt s s mal l er
t h an a t e n t h .

O n e el even th = da i a ( or gu da ) c h i ki n go ma s h a da i a
- - -

O ne t welfth = da i a ( or gu da ) c h i ki n go ma s h a b i u
- - -

O n e thi rteen t h dai a ( gu da ) c hi ki n go ma s h a u ku

- z - -

T hree s even ths s u b u ai u ku

- z

A t en t h as app l i ed to a t i t he or l an d t ax i s c al l ed
za k a .
 C HA P TER I V

THE P R O N O UN

p ro n oun i s d i vi ded i n to t he f o ll o wi n g c l a ss e s
1 Pers on al
. .

2 R e l at i v e
. .

3 D emo n st rat i v e
. .

I n te rro g at i v e .

I n defi ni t e
I
O .

G R e fl e xi v e
B
.

Q Em ph at i c .

O
O R e c i p ro c a l .

1 THE
. P ER S O N A L PR O N O UN

Th e pers on al p ron o un sh o ws g en der n u mber , ,

1 G d — Thi s i s d i st i n gui s h ed i n t he 2n d an d 3 rd
( ) a r en
p ers o n s si n gul ar o n l y Al l t he ot h er p er s on s si n gul ar an d
.
,

pl u ra l are o f c ommo n g en der

, .

2
( ) N u m b er — .Th e p l u ra l p ron ou n s are i n di c at ed by
di fferen t w ord s f rom t h e s i ng u l ar an d are n ot f ormed from ,

t he s i n gu l ar by t h e ad d i t i on o f re g u l ar p l u ra l t ermi n at i on s .

Th e 2n d p ers o n i s h ow e ver p o ssi b l y an ex c ep t i on

, , .

( 3 ) Cas e . Th e v o ca t i v e i s d i st i n gu i shed i n t he 2n d
” ”
“ “
p ers o n si n gu l ar a s kai ! ma sc
, ke l f em t h ou gh . .
,

t h e s e are i n rea li t y o n l y t he di sj u n c t i v e f orm s o f t he

p ers on al p ron oun Th e ob j e ct i ve c a s e h a s di fferen t f orm s
.

from t he n omi n at i v e i n t he si n g u l ar b u t n ot i n t he ,

Th e g eni ti ve c as e i s f ormed i n al l p ers on s e xc e pt t

” “ ” “
by t he u s e o f t he pre p o si t i o n o f 11 ( n a ma sc .
,
“ ”
t f em wi t h ph on et i c v ari at i on a s a p refi x
.
, ,

72
 PR O NO UN 73

t o t he ob j ec t i v e f orm . Th e l st pers on si n gu l ar h a s a
sep arat e f orm , as wi l l be seen Th e dat i v e i s f ormed
.

“ ”
wi t h t he p re p o si t i on ma t o t he ob j ec t i v e f orm .

S p eci a l Us es
f the Persona l Prono u n
o

Th e 3rd p ers on a l p ron oun i s u sed i n Hau sa n ot onl y

as a sub st i t u t e f or t he n oun b u t al so as a n ec e ss ary
,

c om p l emen t t o i t wh en n omi n a t i v e I t t hu s a ssi st s t o

.

i den t i f y t he g en der o f t he n ou n Th e t en s e o f t h e
.

v erb i s a l s o de p en den t u p on t he p ron oun whi ch t ak e s ,

d ifferen t f orm s e i t h er w i t h or w i t h ou t t he a ssi s t an c e o f

,

S ta temen t of the Vari ou s F orms of P ers ona l Prono u n

A B C D
m al
'

, ni ni na na
kai ka ; kai ka ka
ke ki ki ki n
s hi s hi ; s a ; 1 ya ; i (y e ) y a, i
i ta ta ta ta

ka n a
ki n a
s hi n a ; ya n a ;
2

yi n a, ye n a
t ana

m u na m u n ka ; m u ka 3
mu u m u,
al s o
mu a ma ,

ku n ka ; kuka ku u , ku al s o
ku a
s un a s u n ka ; s uk a 1 al s o
s uu , 8 1 s u a,
sa

Ni a i s i n t erro ga t i v e.S ee u n der i n t erro ga t i v e p ro n o u ns .

Ya n a 1s c o m mo n l y w ri t t e n , b u t rare i n c o n v e rs a t i o n
9
.

M u nka 18 of S o ko t o ori i n ; m u ka of K a no or i gi n
3
g .
74 THE HA U S A L A NGUA GE

H
-
na -
ta
-
n -
ka -
r- ka ; l ka or t ka
- ~ - -

-
n- ki -
r- ki ; l ki , et c
- -
.

-
n se-
; -
n - s hi -
sa ; l s hi
- -
n a s a ; n as h i ; nai
-
n-ta l ta
-
n at a

K L
t w a a m a n i m i ni ma n a
, ,

t k a a ma ka ma ,

t kia ma ki m i ki ,

aa
t s ; t ai . t a s hi m as a; mashi ;
m i s hi ; mai
ma t a
t am u mamu; mu mu;
m u n a ; ma n a
maku m u ku
mas u ; m u s u
“ ” “
I . r are i nt er ch an g eab l e f or eu ph on y
t, , .

H an d I Th e c o pu l at i v e may be om i t t ed
. .

”
3 rd p er s on “
sa i s o f K an o ori gi n ; “
s hi o f Born u
“ ”
ori g i n B ot h are i n g en eral u se b u t
. i i s more ,

c ommon l y h eard i n S o k o t o an d Kat si n a .

”
I n K an o “
ma s s i s h eard f or ma s a
.
“
t a ss f or
t a sa et c , .

Us es f F oregoi n g F orms
o

A Di sj u n c t i v e
. . Us ed i n a n sw er t o qu e s t i o n wh o
B O b j ec t i v e
. .

0 U s ed wi t h aori st t en s e
. S i m p l e f orm . .

D U se d wi t h p a s t t en s e
. .

E Co n t i n u o u s t en s e u s u a ll y p re s en t
. It , . e n t ai l s a
sp ec i a l v erb c on s t ru c t i o n wh i ch i s e x am i n ed u n der t h e

v erb .

F Us ed wi t h n arra t i v e pe rf ec t t e n se
. .

G U s ed w i t h fu t u re
.
 P R O NO UN 5

H P o sse s si v e
. i n s e p arab l e , wh en t hi n g p o sse s s ed is

I . P o s s es s i ve i n s e p arab l e , wh en t hi n g p o ss e ssed is

J P o sse s s i v e s e p arab l e wh en t hi n g p o sse ss ed i s ma sc u l i n e

. .

K . f em i n i n e .

L D at i v e
. .

M R edu p l i c a t ed
. .

Exa mp l e o f Pos ses s i ve P ron ou n i n Combi na ti o n wi th N ou n

at er
M yf h Plu u b an en a
o r
Y u (m ) f hat er . u b a n e n ka

o r at r
Y u ( f ) f he . u b a nen ki
Hi s f h
at er u b an en s a
Her f h
at er u b a n en t a
at er
Ou r f h u b a n en mu
o r at er
Y u f h u b a n en k u

T e r at er
h i f h u b a n en s u

M y mot her
Yo u r mot her
Yo u r f ) mot her
.

Hi s mot her
Her mo ther
O u r mo t her
Yo u r mot her
T he i r mot her

N otes
“ “
I u walka , for l wi t h o t h er n ou n s r or “
( 1) n etc .
,
”
“
t may be u s ed f or eu ph on y I n t h e s e f orm s 11 i s “
.

o ft en su b s t i t u t ed f or t or i t s v ari an t s i f t he p o s s e ss or
i s a man I t s eem s as i f t h ere i s an ob j e c t i o n on t he
.

p art o f a man t o a pp l y a fem in i n e f orm t o hi m s el f h ow e ver ,

c orrec t g rama t i c all y A s i m i l ar d i si n c l i n at i o n i s ob serv

.

ab l e i n o t h er l an g u a g e s as i n Fren ch wh en a ft er s on “
,
” “ ”
e xc e ll e n c e e ll e w o u l d be s t ri c t l y c or re c t b u t t he ,
“ ”
t e n den c y i s t o re v e rt t o il at t he fi r s t p o s s i b l e
o pp ort u ni t y .

2
( ) Fo r m s w i t h ou t c o pu l a t i v e Th e s e are i n c ommo n
.

u se an d are a re v e rs i o n t o t he s t at emen t o f t h e p o s s e s s i v e
,

ph a s e by w ords i n app o s i t i on o nl y a s h as been d i s c u ssed ,

76 THE HA U S A L ANGUA G E

“ “ ”
un der t he n oun O r i t may be t h at bo t h n an d t
.

“ ”
h a v e bee n mod i fi ed f or e u ph o n y i n t o r whi ch a fter ,
“ ”
l on g a i s sc arc el y h eard .

( 3 ) Th e p o ss e ssi v e p ro n ou n i s i n c orp orat ed i n t he word ,

an d t he ac c en t i s t hu s mo v ed t o t h e n ew p e n u l t i mat e
” “ ” “ ”
a s ub an mu
,
“
u w as a u b an éns u
, , .

S yn ta x o f P ers ona l Pronou ns — N omi nati ve

1 . Th e p ron ou n a gree s wi t h t he su b j ec t w i t h whi ch

i s in a pp o si t i o n i n p er s on g en der an d n u mber , ,

Y aro a ga n i The boy s ees

h
Y ara a eu ga n i m u t u m b a The boys do no t s ee the man
M a c h e t a t afo The woma n co mes
M a t a b a s u t afo b a The wome n do no t come

2 .Th e same rul e i s ob serv ed when t h ere are more t h an

t wo p redi c at es be l o n gi ng t o t he s ame su b j e c t .

'

K ura t a t af o t a ka w o n ama t a The hy ee a c ame s he bro u ght meat

, , n , ,

b a y é s ga di a n t a da i t a ku a s he gav e i t to her offs p r i g a n d

, n ,

t a t aba kad an s he too t as ted a ti tt l e

Nam i j i a kama b ab e ya dar The man c a ught a l o c us t he ti ed i t
, ,

i me s ya aje up he l a i d ( i t) as i de ,

3 . Tw o or more o un s
n in appo si t i on are f o ll o w ed by
a pron oun i n t he pl u ra l
Y aro da u b ans a s u n a z u a farau t a The boy and hi s f at her are go i n g
( li t , c omi n g) hu n t i n g
.

Yari n i a du u w a t a, s u d u ka bi u, The gi rl a n d her mot her , bot h of

z u c hi a ns u ta ba c h e t hem , the i r heart w as bro ke n
Th e om i ss i on o f t he 3 rd pers on al pron ou n i s v ery rare
“ ”
e x c ep t ( 1) i n poet ry or pro v erb s ; ( 2) be fore n a i e , . .
,
“
shi n a etc are sh or te n ed t o n a
, .
, ( 3 ) w i t h t h e v erb
“ ” “ ” “ ”
t o be ke or n e
,

’
Yaro - ya c he ba w a n s ari ki
n - n an - -
The boy a i d the c hi ef s s l ave had
s

ke ( or s h i ke) d a do ki the hor s e

Gama ka fi ra w a kan y erda s u ab o B ec a us e the hea t he n bel i ev e i n evi l
(p o eti c) ( no n rel i gi o n )
-

Y aro n a n a da m i rda n c h i ki b e - -
, M y boy has gr i p es he c a n n ot e as e
,

s h i i y a baya n gi da - -
hi ms elf
Wu y a na n a yi m i ni z o gi M y neck hu r ts me
 PR O NO UN 77

Ra s hi -
na t uo
'

ka n c hi w a ke ak Havi n g no “ tuo o ne mus t eat bea n s

”
before go i n g to bed “
( Tu o
is a s ort of p orr i d ge of gu i n e a
c or n— a s t ap l e d i s h ) .

Wa n i mac hi ji ba ki na nan A bl a c k s n a ke was l y i n g there

kw a n c h e

Comb i n at i o n o f p ron ou n s
M u is da mi L et us go, yo u a nd I

Examp l es f
o S yn ta x f
o P os ses s i ve P ro noun

I N S EP A R A B L E
Yo u r ( p l u ) da u ghter .

A bi n a-
M y t hi n g my p rop erty)
Y a r u w a mu
- -
O u r s i s ter
Z u c hi a t a b a t a s o b a w ar i n rua ( l i t my heart) di d n ot l i ke the s mel l
- -
.
,

of the w ater
M a t a r w an e n e ke n an 7 M a t a t a
- -
Whos e wif e i s t hi s S he i s m i n e
c he
En n a a b o ki nka 7 Where yo u r fr i e nd
is
K a zam n a ga h a n u n da ma n a - -
S i t at my r i ght ha n d
M u gu n gat a ri n ka ya fi s are ka
- -
A bad a x e i s better t ha n a n offer to
ba ni (p rov erb) cu t ( li t Yo u r bad a xe i s better
.
,

t ha n the c u tti n g y o u gi ve me or
w i l l do for me )
Ga ri n s u b a da gi ri ma b a The i r to w n was n ot l arge
K ada ku kafa gi da n za n e D o n o t p i t c h my te n t t here
n a n an
En n a ma t a nka 7 Where is yo u r e ’
w if 5

“
Al t h o u gh mata i s f emi n in e n i s c ommo n ly u s ed , .

— ”
Th e more c orrec t u se i s mat a ka or mat a r ka I f t he
- -
.

mean i ng w ere Wh ere are you r w omen 7 “

mat a be i n g ,
”
t he p l u ra l o f mach e n w o u l d be c orre c t ly u sed A s
, .

wi ll h o we v er be seen u n der p rep o si t i o n s t h ere i s a t en den c y

, , ,

t o u se t he ma s c u li n e f o rm na an d t o i n ore t h e
g
fem i ni n e .

S EP A R A B L E
Ya t a s a Hi s s i s ter
K a ba n i n a w a Gi ve me my o w n
N i ba ka n a ka I s hal l gi ve you yo u rs
S u ka c h e n a w a n i n e 7 t a c he
, They s ai d Whos e i s i t P S he s a i d
ma s u n as u d u ka , to t hem F or al l of y o u ,
78 THE HA US A LAN G UA G E
M a c h e t a c he y ari n i at a t a n a da
, The wo ma n s a i d my dau ghter i s
,

keao t a ki b a t a da k eao b a bea u t i fu l bu t) yo u rs i

, , ( s not
bea u t i fu l
A kw i a n a n t a w a c h e The goat i s m i n e
Gi da n ga n a ku ko n a s u n e ? B a I s t hi s ho u s e yo u r s or the i r s It
n am u b a m e i s n ot o u r s
T am u c he It i s o u r s a t h i n g o f fe m i n i n e
ge n d er )
K o w a y a c hi s h i n kafa r ra n c h e Whoe ver eat s borro w ed r i c e i t i s h i s
t a s a ya c h i ( p rov erb ) o w n he eat s
S u ka t a s h i da i t a da ba i w a t a t a They aro s e bot h s he a n d her s l ave
.

I n s t e ad
o f t he p o s s e s s i v e or g e n i t i v e c as e t he dat i v e
may be f ou n d
Ch i a w a da ka re n a i t a t a ka n The gra s s y o u des p i s e may p i er c e
t s o ka n e ma ka i da n u ( p rov er b) yo u r eyes

P l u ral P os s es si ve Pronou n s
I t h a s been s ee n t h at i n t h e ad j e c t i v e t here i s n o
di st i n ct i on o f g e n der i n t he p lu ra l n u mber Th e s ame .

a pp li e s t o t he p o s s e s s i ve p ron ou n s Nou n s wh i ch are .

fem i n i n e i n t he s i n gul ar are t h ere f ore wi t h ou t g en der

i n t he p l u ral .

Th e f o l l o wi n g e x am p l e s i ll u s t rat e t hi s
a a aa
M t t s Hi s wif e
a a
M t n sa - -
Hi s wif e a n d al s o hi s w i ve s
o a a
D k t M y c omma n d
D o ko ki n a M y c omma n ds
K afa t a s a Hi s l eg
K afaf u m s a -
Hi s l gs
e
M at a t as a ta ba t a a mre Hi s w i f s p i l her
e
o t ma rr i age , i . e .
,

bro e marr a e vo ws
k her i g
M ata -
n - sa s uk a beri s hi Hi s w i v s l f hi m
e et
Ot h er e x am p l e s o f t he p o s se s s i v e p ro n ou n an d s ome ,
”
o f i t s i d i omat i c u se s are g i v en u n der t he pre p o s i ti on n a
,
.

Th e ob j e c t i v e p ro n oun f o ll o ws t he v er b
Ya b a u i
. He gave it me
K a b a n i da n a Gi ve me my c hi l d
N a b a ka I gi v e ( i t) y o u
S a i ya ga n i ka i Un t i l he s a w y ou ( w i t h e m p h a s i s
on y ou
Na son ka i I l i ke y o u
M u k a ma s hi We c a u ght hi m
80 THE HA US A LAN GUA G E

2 R ELA T I V E
. PR O N O UN S
S i m pl e f orm w i t h ou t C o pu l at i ve
m .
, f .
, an d pl u .

wi t h c o pu l at i ve
ma s c a n d p l u . .

fe m .

Com p o u n d
ma s c u li n e
fe m i n i n e
p l u ra l

Th e sh ort an d t he l on g f orm s are c ommo n l y i n t er

ch an geab l e t o su i t t he eu ph on y or em ph a si s o f a s en t en c e .

”
I n t he sh ort f orm t he c o pu l at i v e p re p o si t i on n of may , ,

be i n sert ed or o mi t t ed eu ph o n y be i n g h ere a l s o t he ,

p ri n c i p a l i n flu en c e
M ut u m a n ds s hi n a z u a or
w . The ma n who i s c omi ng
M u t u me n da s h i n a z u a
- -

M ache w a dda tana zua or The woma n who i s c om i ng

M a c h e da t a n a z u a
M u t an e w ada u da s u n a z u a or The p eop l e who are c om i n g
M u t a n é n da s u n a z u a
- -

D oki da ya gu d u ya fad i or The hor s e tha t ra n a w ay fe l l

D o ki n da ya gu d u y a fad i
- -

For ab u w an da the thi ng whi ch

, , t he abbre vi at ed f orm
i s t he on e in c ommo n u s e ab i n da .

O bjecti ve Cas e

I n t he ob j e c t i v e c a s e a p ron ou n may or may n ot fo l l o w

t he v erb
A b i n da n a ga n i za n i fad i or Wha t I ha ve s ee n I wi l l re l ate
A b i n da n a ga mi s hi za n i fa d i
D aki n da a n kagi n a ya r u s h e j i a or . The ho u s e w hi c h wa s bu i l t c o l l ap s ed
D aki n da a n ka gi n a s hi ya r u s h e ye s terday
!

i ia
A l w i a da ka g . a ni or A kwi a -
r- da The goa t whi c h you s aw

ka ga n i
 PR O NO UN 81

A ddi ti on o f Persona l Prono u n

Wh en t he
rel at i ve p ron ou n i s u s ed w i t h a n ou n i n t he
n o mmat i v e c a s e i t i s f o ll o w ed by t he p er s o n al p ro n o u n
t he same a s i s t he s i mp l e n o un

Y aro w a n d a ya gu d u The boy that ra n a way

Ex c ep t i o ns are f o un d
I ta c he da ke yi n h a n ka l i ga S he i t wa s who was ki n d to the
ba yi sl av e s

Etymology

A
c l u e t o t he et ymo l o gy o f t he re l at i v e p ron ou n s i s
.

fu rni s h ed by t he o pt i on a l u s e o f t he p er s on al pron o u n
l n t he ob j ec t i v e c a se i n s u ch a s en t e n c e a s

M ut u m a n da ka n emes hi for
w The ma n whom y o u s ou ght
m u t u m w a n da ka n e ma
I n mo st We st Af ri c an l an g u a g e s t he re l at i v e p ron o un i s
ab s o l u t e l y n on e x i s t en t , or at l ea st v ery p oorl y i n di c at ed ,
-

c o -or di n at e se n t en c e s be i n g u n i v er s al l y u s ed If , t h ere .

“ ”
f ore , from t hi s an al o gy da be n o more t h an t he c on
j u n c t i o n an d, Hau s a f u rn i sh e s an e x am p l e o f a l an gua g e
i n whi ch t he p r i m i t i v e c on s t ru c t i o n i s i n u s e s i de by s i de
w i t h t he more ad van c ed wh i ch h a s been de v e l o p ed from
it . A cc ordi n g l y , t he abo ve qu o t ed s en t en c e c an be t ran s
l a t ed i n t he f orm i n whi ch t he ob j e c t i v e p ro n o u n i s u s ed
M utu m da ka ne m es h i The ma n an d y ou s ee k hi m
T hi s isa l s o sh own i n t he f oll o wi n g s en t e n c e
Da kaya da mu ke da su A n d the l oads w hi c h we have
M as hi - n -
na n da na s o ki The s p ear w i t h whi c h I p i er c ed
u b a n ki da s hi yo u r fat her
Wha t t he w a i n t he l o ng er f orm s may me an e x ac t l y
i s ob s c u re b u t i t i s t he same w ord as i s f o u n d i n t he
, .

l e n gt h e n ed f orm s o f t he demo n s t rat i v e p ro n o u n s an d i n

t he i n de fi n i t e p ro n o un s Th at i t h a s an i n de p en den t
.

F
82 \
THE HAU S A L AN GU A GE

v al u e i s s een from st u dyi n g t h e a ct i on o f t he gemt i v e

c o pu l at i ve embodi ed i n t he w ord s .

” “ “
In “
w a n da - -
,
i
t h e ma sc u l n e f orm n i s na , , . .
, ,

rema i n s u n ch an g ed a s i t m u st wh en f o l l o w i n g w ord s
h avi n g a ma scu l in e meani n g .

” “ ”
In “
w a d da -
wa -
s eem s t o ac qu i re a fem i n i n e
,

mean i n g from t he w ord i n t he f em i ni n e g en der wh i ch

“ ”
i t f o ll o ws Th e 11 t h ere fore be c ome s a modifi c at i on
.

of t “ ”
,
as “
l
”
or r “ ”
et c Wadda i s t h ere f ore
”
, .

“ “ ’
deri v ed f rom wa l d a or wa t da f et c
-
, an d t he - -

, .
,

i n t er ven i n g add i t i on a l c o n s o n an t h as t h e e ff e c t o f en su ri n g
”
t h at t h e v o w e l o f wa sh al l be sh ort as i t i s i n w adda .

I n t he p l u ral whi ch i s o f c o u r s e t he s ame f or bot h

,
”
gen ders t he s ame p e cu li ar p l ura l t erm i n at i on
,
“
da i s
f ou n d whi ch i s a l s o f o u n d i n t he demo n st rat i v e pro n oun s .

W =
“ ” “
ada u da i s t h ere f ore c om p o s ed o f w a da
( da
p l u
-
.

s u ffi x ) n da- -
.

Th e p l u ral f orm w ed an da i s c on t rac t ed i n K at s en a

an d S o k ot o t o an d i n Kan o an d Zari a t o
”
wan da ,

Fur ther Examp l es

Nomi n at i v e re l at i v e l o n g f orm , de p en den t

,

Fada w a n da b a ka i y a b a a mai s ai The fi ght w hi c h y ou fi n d too m u c h

w a s a ( p r ov ) .
for t r n i n to p l ay
yo u u
A b u b u a c h a n w a da n da n a ga The t t at ] s ee m ov i n g yo n der
hi n gs h ,

m o t s i n s u ko b i ray i n e ko
, are t ey mo n keys or do gs
h
karn u ka
b da
A in na g ni , w a a n da ya fi In my Op i n i o n the bes t t hi n g for u s
a a
nf n i s ai mu t afi to do i s to go
O b j e c t i vere l at i ve l on g form de p en den t
, ,

A b i n c h i w a n da s hi ke s o The food he l i ke s
M a t a t a i da i a w a dda ya ke s o O ne of hi s w i v es who m he l oved
Ba eu ka s h e m u t u m e n a n w a n da
. They do n ot ki l l the ma n who s to l e
ya s a c h e do ki the hor s e
D a mb ari a ya c h a i n y e gu t s i a t a The mo u s e ha s eate n my n u ts whi c h
w adda ui ke s o n c h i g ob e -
I w a n ted to eat to morro w
- -

S h ortform n omi n at i v e de pe n den t

A b i n da b a n a ka b a n e ka ka The t hi n g t hat , is no t yo urs how
z a ka bay e s ? ca n
yo u gi v e it a w ay ?
 P R O NO UN 83

S h ort f orm ob j e ct i v e de p en den t

, ,

W a ni gar i ne da uw a ka z a t a Where i s the to

wnto c yo r
w hi h u
ka i ka ? mot er h o
i s g i ngto ta ek yo u ?
R i ga n da ka ba ni t a t s ofa
- -
. c oa The c
t whi h yo u g va e me i s ol d
Y a t a fi gar i n n a n da ya s o ki
- -
e t He w n to t at to
h wn ere
wh he
s ar i ki ya m u t u tabbed s c e t at
the hi f s o h d ed
he i
S u n g oda ma s a b ay i n da s u ka T ey o h sh w ed a e c
hi m the s l v s whi h
ka ma t ey h ha d ca t
u gh
Ba ni da ra ku ma da z a n ba ka I a e h v no c ame to e
ls gi v you

I n de p e n de n t f orm n omi n at i v e
W a n da kari a y i ma s a a l h eri , s h i He to who m yo u do ki n d n e s s a nd
ko , a ka n ki y i n g od i a he ref u s e s to be gratefu l i s a boor
ym
,

b ut “ e ( p rov ) .

Wa n da ya s ay e m u da ga B or n u He who bo u ght u s i n Bor n u

I n de p e n de n t f orm ob j e ct i v e
T a ba s u ru a da fa ra uf arau S he ga ve t hem w ater whi c h was very
cl ear
I na s o w na da u w a ka t a b a ka I w a n t t hat whi c h yo u r mot her gave
o o o
(S k t ) yo u
Ba ni da a da u w a ka t a ba ka
w n , I have no t tha t whi c h yo u r mot her
a n da wa n a ya ba ni
sa i i n a da w ga v e yo u I hav e o nl y t ha t w hi c h
,

my el der brot her gav e me

M ata -
m B or n u
-
a i ki n s u da i a ke A s to t he wome n of Bor n u t here i s
nan w a n da na s ani o n e ki n d of wor k t hey do w hi c h
I kn o w

Tw o co- ordi n a t e s se n t e n c e s may be su b s t i t u t ed f or

t he u se o f t he rel at i v e
Ga j i r i gi , s ua n en e s u n a c hi ki ? S eet ha t boat ,
who are i n i t ? f or
Who are i n the bo dt whi c h I s ee

U se o f mai
M u mas ua i ki mu gu n t a We who w or k i n i qu i ty

3 . D EMO N S TRA TI VE PRO NO UN

Th e demon s t rat i v e p ron ou n has t wo form s O n e s t an d s .

be f ore t he n o un an d t he s yll ab l e wa en t ers i n t o i t s

84 THE HA US A LANGUA G E

c om p o si t i on ; t he o t h er f o ll o ws t he n ou n an d i s t he sa me
”
w ord l e ss t he wa .

FO R M S TA N D I N G B EF O R E THE NO U N F o a m F O LL O W I N G
MA S C . F EM . ma s c .F EM .

w a n na n wa na n
- -n - n a n
, n - ga

w a ga, -

w a r ga - -

T hes e w ada n n an
- - -
n - n an , -
n ga -
n - n an , -
n ga
w a da n ga
wa h n,
-
c a -
n- c ha n
wa r h n- -
c a
Tho s e w ada -
n- cha n w ada n -
h n -
c a -
n- c han
IN D EF I N I TE P L U R A L
w ada w ada

Exa mp les

Thi s hors e w a n n a n do ki
w a n ga do ki
Thi s mare an an w
go d i a
w a ga god i a
T hes e hors e s w a da n n an daw aki da w a ki n - -
n an ,
w a da n ga da w a ki da wa ki -
n ga

T hes e mares w a da n n a n
go di y o y i ,
w a da n ga
go di y oy i
T hat ho rs e w a n c h a n do ki do ki n c h a n
- -

do ki c h a n

O ther Exa mp les

NA N L i t a fi n n a n , l i t a fi n ga
~ -
C HA N hai n y a - r- chan
M u t an e n n a n - -
yaro -
n- c ha n
M a c h e n an -

M u t u m e n n a n , m u t u men ga
- -
m u t u me -
n- c ha n
K ofal ga
A bi n n an
- -
ab i - n - chan
Ka s a n ga
 P R O NO UN 85

Etymology
” “
“
Nan ,
ch an an d ga are t he e qu i v al en t s o f t he
,
“ '

ad verb s h ere an d t h ere Th at t h ey are n ot ad v erb s

.

at all i n Hau s a may be ded u c ed from t h ei r em p l oymen t .

Th ey are i n f a c t n ou n s an d are t reat ed a s su ch Hen c e

,
.

t he c o pul at i v e n s o t h at li t erall y t ran s l at ed

L i t a fi n n a n l i t afi n ga m ea n the boo k of t hi s p l a c e
- -
,
- -

L i t afi n c h a n - - the boo k of t hat p l a c e

R i ga l c h a n
- -
the c oat of t hat p l a c e

Th e s ame c on st ru c t i on i s i n w a n n an an d w a n ga - -
,
- -
,

t h ou gh wh a t
“
wa may be p re c i s e l y re qu i re s fu rt h er
ex am i n at i on .

A s h a s been e x p l ai n ed u n der n ou n s t he c o p u l at i v e may ,

be omi t t ed l ea vi n g t he t w o n o u n s i n app o s i t i o n Hen c e

,
.

t he f o ll o w i n g e qu i v a l en t s are e qu a ll y c orre c t
W a n a n fo r w a n n a n L i t a fi n a n for l i t afi n n a n - -

R i ga c h a n f or r i ga l c h a n - -

Wh en i t s o u n d s bet t er t he c op u l at i v e i s c ommonl y
o mi t t ed.

“
Th e f ac t t h at n an an d ch an are n o u n s i s fu rt h er
born e ou t by t h ei r u s e s w i t h p re di c at e s .

“
S hi n a n an
”
He i s at thi s p lac e Com p are shi n a
.
“
.

gi da .
”
He i s at home I t i s t o be n ot ed t h at wh en e v er
.

”
a v erb h a s t o be p l ac ed a ft er t he p ro n ou n en d i n g i n n a ,

t he v erb be c ome s a su b st an t i v e Th i s i s ex p l ai n ed u n der

.

t h e v erb .

“
Th at n an i s n ot an ad v erb o f p l a c e i s st i l l fu rt h er
“ ”
born e ou t i n t he ph ra s e shi ke n an s o i t i s ,
.

Th e s e w ord s n an an d ch an are p robab l y i n t h em

” ”
s e l v e s c om p o u n d w ord s Th e p art s n a an d ch a “
.
“

re p re s e n t p re s en t an d d i s t an t p o s i t i on “
N is a .

f orm at i v e s u ffi x o f s ome k i n d I t may be c onn e c t ed wi t h .

t he l o c a t i v e s u ffi x o f Kan u ri a l s o or i t may be t h e
,
“ ”
p rep o s i t i o n n of wi t h a s omewh at d i fferen t u s ag e
, , .

“ "
Th a t t he fi n al n i s v ari ab l e an d s e p arab l e i s born e
“
ou t by on e e x am p l e mi j i n al mat a i n a p oem c all ed
- -

“
M u t an e z i n a
”
( fo o t n ot e g i v e n i n Ch arl t o n s
’ “
Hau s a
R eadi n g B o o k
86 THE HA US A LANGUA GE

From t he f ore g oi n g itbe s ee n t h at an y ch an g e f or

c an
t he c o pu l at i v e a l on e b u t i n t he l o n g ,
” “
w a ga -
or w a r ga i t i s n ot qu i t e
,
- -

6 an y ch an g e a s t h e g e n der ,

o f t he c opu de p en d s u p on t he u n ch an g ed p rec edi n g

”
s yl l ab l e or w ord
“
wa .

Remar ks on Us ages , etc .

Th e l on g er are n at u ral l y more em ph at i c t h an t he sh ort er .

Nga i s a d i al e c t i c v ari at i o n o f n an .

Wa n g a ”
w ag a are S o k o t o an d Z anf ara f orm s
, .

Wai men ( ma s c”) an d

“ ’
w a i en.
( fem ) are Kat si n a
f orm s o f Wann an et c t o whi ch pl ac e t h ey are rat h er
, .
,

st ri c t l y c on fi n ed .

Wan kai i s a Z ari a f orm f or w an ch an wi t h o u t ,

i n fle c t i on f or g e n der us ed by t he t al ak aw a Z ari a .

Exa mp l es of S yn ta x
W a n n a n m u t u m t a l a ka ne Thi s ma i p oo r
n s

K i ko i ya ma n i w a k a n a n Tea c h me t hat s o ng
Q
Y aro n ga s hi n a y i n fada T hat boy i s fi ght i ng

Wh i l st ch an “
e x p re ss e s s t ro n g l y d i s t an c e n an

c ommo nl y i n de fi ni t e .

D o ki n ga n aka b a n a i y a s ay i n s a Thi s hors e of yo u r s I c a n n ot bu y i t

Ba n a s o n c h i n t u o n n a n
- - - - - -
I c a n n ot eat t ha t food
M a s u kaya b i u n ga eu s a k e ka
-
T hes e two c a rr i ers have c ha n ged
ya n s u t he i r l oad s
’
I n t he t ran s l at i o n o f t he L ord s Prayer n an is gi v e n
an em ph at i c u s e , as , K a b a mu ran an ga ab i n c hi -
n yao
-

”
da g o be Gi ve u s thi s
. da y ou r da i l y bread .

M w a da n a n u ku a n h a i f c mu ga
u We t hree w ere bor n at the s ame
g i ar da a
i p l ac e
Din . ya a
t s hi da w u ri w a da n a n Had he tarted earl y the hors eme n
s

m a s u da w aki da b a s u t a r o d no t h ve ov erta ke n hi m
w ul a

e
s h s hi b a

(I n the l as t s e n te n c e wada n a n is e s s e n t i al l y wea k ) .

88 THE HA US A L ANGUA GE

Wann a n c an be u s ed i n de pe n den t l y a s a n oun

W a a n ya kare
nn Thi has fi i hed s n s

W a n a n b n a s s hi b
n a o T hi s ( m ) I do t l i ke hi m
a an no

W a a n e w ay o da n ba ki
nn n Thi s i s the advi c e w hi c h I gi ve
a yo u
W a n n a n barao n e Thi s i s a t hi ef
W a n a n am i j i b a ma c h e n e
n n T hi s i a ma l e ot a femal e s n

W a n en e w a n n a n a k ofa r daki n a Who i s t hat at the door f

- -
o my
ho e 9
,

us .

FI NA L “
N
“
It may h ere be n ot i c ed t h at a fi n al n i s s omet i me s

m
added t o n ou n s e s p ec i al l y at t he en d o f a phra s e or s en t en c e
,
.

“ ”
I t 1s n ot a fi r l y e x p re s s ed n an d I S s omewh at n a sa l
, .

I t i s p o s s i b l y p ri mari l y e u ph o ni c b u t i t c omm onl y h as,

t he e ffec t o f e x p re s s i n g em ph a si s an d s o p u t s t he n o u n
,

i n t o t h e defi ni t e st at e or i n o t h er w ord s i t has t h e e ff e c t

, , ,

o f t he defi n i t e art i c l e I t s u s e i s opt i on al

. .

“
Thi s fi n al n w as n ot re c ogni s ed by t he o l der wr i t ers
on Hau s a p o ssi b l y be c au s e i t i s more c ommo nl y u s ed i n
,

t h e c en t re s o f t h e Hau s a c o u n t ry t o wh i ch t h ey h ad n o t
cc e ss an d be c au s e i t i s more app aren t i n w ri t i n g t h an
a ,

i n sp e ak i n g .

A s i t i s a det ai l o f t he l an gu ag e t h at h a s rec ei v ed m u ch
di sc u s si on o f l at e i t may be h ere st at ed t h at a n ot
,
“
d i s s i m il ar u s e o f n i s f ou n d i n at l east on e o t h er
W e s t Af ri c an l an gu ag e I n f ar d i st an t T emn e f or i n
.
,
”
s t an c e ,
“
ng o cc u r s at t he en d o f s ome p ron ou n s an d
ad verb s t o ma k e a c on v eni en t t erm i n at i on wh en t h ey
are u sed at t he en d o f a prep o si t i on or ab so l u t el y .

Al s o a s an e x te n s i on o f t hi s u se i t e x p re s se s em ph asi s .

I t i s h o w e v er qu i t e d i s t i n c t f rom t he art i c l e wh i ch i s
, ,
“
a prefi x i n t h at l an g u ag e I f t h ere f ore t hi s u s e o f n
.
, ,

e xi st s i n on e o t h er l an gu ag e be si de s Hau s a t h ere wi l l ,

u n dou b t ed l y be f ou n d ot h er l an gu ag e s wh i ch h a v e a
s i m i l ar p r ac t i c e .

Thi s 11 i n Hau s a i s n ot t o be c on fu s ed wi t h t he
“ ”

p rep o si t i on o f Th e l at t er i s o ft en w ri t t en at t he en d
.

o f a n o u n wh en i n reali t y i t i s c o n n e ct ed wi t h t he
n ou n t h at f o ll o ws Wri t i n g i t at t ach ed t o t he fi r st o f
.

t w o n o u n s i s mere l y a c o n v en t i on I t m u st h o w e v er .
, ,
 PR O NO UN 89

be added t h at in ome i n st an c e s i t i s h ard t o s ay wh et h er

s
“ ” “ ”
t he n is real l y t he p rep o s i t i o n or t he sp e ci al n

h ere re ferred to

U ba n ya c h e da keao The f at her s ai d

r i ght
,
al l
Y a c h e da u ba n He s ai d to the ( or hi s ) f at her
Y a fi t a a gar i n He l ef t the to wn
D a ga baya n M u s a ya yi ya ki Af ter t hi s ( or be hi n d t hem ) M u s a
made war
Ba n s a m i ma ga ni n b a I di d n ot fi n d the med i c i n e
D u k a gari n b a ma c h e ma i kea o I n th e who l e to w n t h ere w a s n o
kama t a t a w oma n a s bea u t i fu l a s s h e
Y a t afo ga w u r i n e n da ma c h i ji He w e n t to the p l ac e where the s n a ke
s hi ke w as
Ya c h e da ma t a n ku n ga ma a i ki
. He d to the w ome n have y ou
s ai ,

n abi nchi n ?
-
fi n i s hed p rep ari n g the food ?
M u t u me n ya c h e da s ar i ki The ma n s a i d to the c hi ef

Wi th Words other tha n N o un s

D om i n t a h a n b are ka ga a ddi n i Th at i t may ki c k y ou a way fro m
re l i gi o n
K u yi ab i n c hi
“
i ri i ri
-
”
kam i n M a ke ready ev ery ki n d of food
en zo before I c ome
Ex am p l es o f t he ab s e n c e o f fi n al n are nu mero u s
i n t hi s grammar .

4 . I N TERR O GA TI VE PRO N O UN
Th e fo ll o w i n g p ro n o u n s are u s ed in a s k i n g qu e s t i o n s
I ndep en den t F orms
S I NG UL A R PL U R A L
MAS C F EM . MAS O . F EM

Who ,
w hi h c w a,
w n ,a e
w a n en e
mi ,

mi ne ,

mi ne n e
A ttached F orms
Whi c h w ane w ache w a da n e

Etymol ogy —Th e l o n g er form s are m ade up wi t h t he

ma sc u li n e an d f em i ni n e f orm s o f t he verb t o be s u tfi x ed
90 THE HA US A L ANGUA G E

“
to wa an d du p l i c at ed in t he l o n g e st f orm s for
em ph as i s .

P l u ra l — Th e p l u ral o f t he i n dep en dent f orm s i s made

”
by t he p er s on al p ron o u n s u they p refi x ed t o t h e s t em , ,
” “
wa . Thi s u s e o f t h ey t o f orm t he p l u r al o f n o u n s et c ,
.
,

i s fo u n d i n o t h er l an g u ag e s i n We st Afri c a an d i s di s ,

c u ss ed i n t h e ch apt er s on t he p l u ral an d t he p ro n o u n i n
Th e L an gua g e s o f We s t A fri c a
I ndep enden t F orms —Wh en u s ed i n de p en den t l y be f ore a
v erb t h ey re qu i re t he 3 rd p er s on al p ro n ou n a s
w ere n o u n s Wh ere t h e l att er i s om i t t ed t he rea s o n s
.

are t he s ame a s t h o s e gi v en f or t he n o u n s u n der p ers o n al

p ron ou n s .

Examp l es f
o S yn ta x

( M A S C UL I N E F O R M S )
Wa ke c h a n 7 or W a n e ke c h a n 7 Who i s t here
W a ka ke 7 or Wa n e ka ke 7 Who are y ou
K ai w a n en e 7 Who are you
W a ya y i w a n n a n 7
. Who ha s do n e t hi s
W a n e ya y i w a n n a n 7 Who has do n e t hi s
M u t u me n n an w a n en e 7
- -
, Who i s t hi s ma n 1?
En ji w a L et me hear who / i . ewho s s ay
so ?Thi s i s i n a er ns w t o t he
”
s u m m ons wa1 ka z o
, you are ,

to l d to c ome
Wa n en e w a n n a n 7 Who i s thi s i’
Wa n ene c hi ki n s u 7 - -
Whi c h of t hem
W a n c h e ( or w a n e ) s hi n a i ya Who ca n bu y i t
s a i y en s a 7
Chi ki n ku - -
wa ke z ua tara n t a da Whi c h of y ou i s c om i n g hu n t i n g
ui 7 t me
wi h
W a ya fada ma ka l abar i nan ? Who has to l d you t hi s n e ws
Wa n e mai ki ddi ? Who i s the dr u mmer
W a je s hi ga r i j i a 7 Who wi l l e ter the water ho l e
n -

“
Dan wa n en e S on 0 who i s i t s on of s o a nd s o
- - - -

W a ke da Ii t a fi n sa r i ki 7 - -
Who has the hi f s ’
k9 c e boo .

Wa n en e n a k u d u ka ya c hai n y e Whi h of you has

c t n al l the ea e
n a ma d u ka 7 meat
?

I t wi ll be n o t i c ed from t h e f ore g o i n g e x am p l e s t h at t he
”
di fferen t fo rm s w a w an e , an d w an en e
,
are l arg e l y

u s ed to su i t t he e u ph on y o f t h e s e n t e n c e .
92 THE HA US A LAN GUA GE

I n dep end en t F orm ap p li ed to Thi n gs

NO G EN D ER AND NO PL UR AL

M i ya fadi 7 M i n e ya fad i 7 What di d he s a y 1?

M i n en e ya fa di 7 What i s i t he s a i d
K a n a yi n m i n e 7
- -
What are you do i n g 1?
M i n en e w a n n a n 7 What i s thi s
M i n e ya s a ka z o 7 What has made y ou c o me
M i n en e s h i n a c h i t u ma ki n a 7 -
Wha t i s i t t hat de s troy s my s heep
M i n e da En gl i z ? What i s i t i n En gl i s h 9 .

Fada ma n i mi n e n e s u 7 Tel l me w hat t hey are

M i ya far u 7 What ha s hap p e n ed 2
M i za n i y i yao 7 What s hal l I do to day -

M i n en e w a ni ab i n na n 7 -
Wh at i s t hat ot her t h i n g
G u d u n mi ki ke y i 7
- -
What are y ou r u n n i n g a w ay for
K uk a n mi k u ke y i
- -
What are yo u s ho u t i n g for

F orms coup l ed wi th the N ou n —M as cu l i ue S i n gu la r

Wa n e m u t u m ya gu d u 7 Whi c h ma n has ru n a w ay i ’

W a n e yaro s h i ke da h i ma 7 Whi c h i s the d i l i ge n t boy li t .

,

Whi c h boy h e i s w i th d i l i ge
W a n e l a u ni t s u nt s u s hi ke da What c o l o u r i s the bi rd
s hi7
Wa ne l k o a c hi ya 20 7 What t i me di d he come or
Whe n 9 .

Wa n e m u t u m ke n an w a n da Who i s the man t hat was c a u ght

a ka ka ma ji a 7 yes terday
W a n e i ri n h a l i gare s a 7
- -
What s ort of c hara c ter has he
Wa n e l o ka c hi n e y a n z u 7 Wha t i s the t i me n ow 9 1

Here “
w an e i s ma sc u li n e t o ag ree wi t h h ali If a “
.

“ ” “
femi ni n e w ord i s su b st i t u t ed f or h a li w an e t ak e s ,

t he f emi n i n e f orm .

An e x c ep t i o n as t o a greemen t o cc u rs wi t h t he w o rd
”
i ri
, ki n d i n t he phras e , what k i n d O f T o al l i n t e n t s .

an d p u rp o s e s i t s e xi s t e n c e i s i g n ored a s t o g en der an d i t ,

i s t rea t ed as p ar t o f t h e i n t erro ga t i v e p ro n o un i t s e l f

W a n e i ri n m u t u m 7
- -
What ki n d of ma n 1?
W a c h e i ri n ma c h e 7
- -
What ki nd of w oma n 7
Wa da n e i ri n mu t a n e - -
What ki n d of men 7
 PR O NO UN 93

Forms coup led wi th the N ou n — F emi n i n e S i n gu la r

Wa c h e ari n i a t a ke hi da ma 7 Whi c h gi r l i s d i l i ge n t ?
Wa c h e a i n ya ya ta fi 7 Whi c h road has he go n e
Wa c h e ma c h e c he w a na n What woma n i s t hi s t ha t c ome s
a dda ta 2 0 7
w
W a c h e i ri n fi t il a k e n a n 7
- -
What s ort of l am p i s t hi s 9
.

M u t u m mai du ki a w a c h e , i ri -
n As re gards a r i c h ma n what , ki n d
ri ga s hi ka n s e 7 of dre s s doe s he p u t o n 9 .

F orm joi n ed to the N ou n , P l u ral

Wa da n e mu t a n e ke nan 7 What men are t hes e

‘
01

Wa da n a n m u t a n s s u a n en e 7 , What men are t hes e

Wa da n e ma t a s u n a ku ka 7 Whi c h w ome n are s c ream i n g

Pos s es si ve I n terrogati ve P ron ou n

Thi s i s f ormed by p u tt i n g n a of be f ore t he i n t er , ,

ro g at i ve p ron o u n .

I f s t an di n g a l o n e t h e l o n g er f orm s are u s ed na

w an e 7 n a w an en e 7 -
n a w ach e 7 et c -
.

I f a cc o m p ani ed by a n ou n t h e s h or t f orm i s c ommo nl y

u s ed n wa
, f oll o w i n g t he n o u n
-
.

If t he ob j ec t p o s s e s s ed i s f emi n i n e t he p rep o s i t i o n 11

b ec omes e tc a s w i t h n ou n s .
, .

I n t he p l u ral n wa i s f o un d o f c ou r s e i rre sp e c t i v e
,
~ -

, ,

o f gen der
Na w a n e n a
-
ya ba c h e 7 Whos e o t
is l s ?
D O ki n wa nen e
- -
ke n a n 7 Who s e or e t
h s i s hi s
D o ki n na n na w a h e h e 7
- -

D O ki n w a k e n a n ?
- -

D i a r w ac hec he ki ke 7
- -
Whos e da u ghter a re yo u
D i a l w a ki ke 7
- -

Di a t w a ki ke 7
-

Y aya n w a s u nka y i w o ri gi n a n 7 Whos e c hi l dre n have p l ayed here

’
M a t a n w a t a ka w a gi s hi ri 7
-
Whos e w i f e w as tu r n ed i n to s a l t 6
94 THE HA U S A L A NGUA GE

Ba n s a ni ba na w an en e I do no t kn o w who s e
T u ma ki -
n - wa ke nan 7 Who s e s heep a re t he s e 9 .

I n terrogati ve l s t P ers onal Pron ou n

Th e l s t p er s o n al p ron o u n has a s p e c i al i n t err og at i v e

fo rm . I t i s chi e fly u s ed i n a n sw er t o a qu e s t i o n .

Ni a 7 Is it I 9 .

Ni a n a fada ma ka 7 I s i t I w ho s a i d s o
Ni a c h e ? I s i t I / ( fe m .
)

5 . I N D EF I N I TE PR O N O U N S

S I N G UL A R PL U R A L
M AS C . F EM . B O TH G EN D ER S

S omeo n e , omet hi n g a w a n i
s , a a
w t w a da n s u ,
c er ta i n p ers o n or t hi n g . w e ns u, w a su
Us ed ad j e c t i v a ll y a n d
p ro n om i n al l y

A n ot her wam w a da n s u
A n y on e ev ery o n e ea c h k o w a
, , ,

on e . U s e d a s a p ro n o u n ko w a n e ,

ko w a n e n e
A n y, every Us e d a s a n ko w a n e
.

ad j e c t i v e a n d i t p re
,

c e de s t h e n o u n
A n yt hi n g everyt hi n g kom i
, ,

w hat s oe ver i t be w hat k om i n e

,

s oe ver ko mi n en e

It w i ll be n o t i c ed t h at t he i n defi n i t e p ron o u n s whi ch are

“ ”
c om p o s ed w i t h t h e p art i cl e ko h a v e t he s ame form s
a s t h e i n t erro g at i v e p ro n o u n s

S o an d s o
- - w a me
S u c h an d s u c h a t hi n g kaza
The o n e the ot her w a ni a ni wat a w aa
w t
S ome ot hers wa s u a s u w a da n s u
w w a da n s u
No on e b a k o w a bab u k o w a
,

N o o n e w ho b a w a n da bab u w a n da
,

N ot hi n g b a ko m i bab u k omi
,
96 THE HAUS A LA NGUA G E

Ko wa n e, et c . ad j e c t i v al
,

K o w an e yaro ya t afi h ai n y a Ea c h boy w e n t a d i ffere n t road

da h a m
K o w a c h e y a ri n i a t a t a fi ha i n Ea c h gi r l we n t her road
ya n t a
K o w a c he s afi a a n a da da mu na Ea c h mor n i n g bl es s i n gs are added
a l barka to us

Examp l es of S yn ta x
Wa n i
ad j e c t i v a ll y
, et c .
,

Wa n i m u t u m ya y i kari a S ome man has l i ed

Wa t a ma c h e t a y i kari a S ome w oma n has l i ed
W a s u mu t a n e s u n y i ka ri a S ome men h av e l i ed
M u ru b u t a ma ga n a n wa ni L et u s wri te the s tory of a ma n ,

m u t u m da na ji da ga B or n u w hi c h I h eard i n Bor n u
Ba n t afi w a ni w u r i ha I di d no t ’go a n y where
D o ki n w a n i m u t u m ya m u t u
- -
S ome o n e s ho r s e i s dead
Na n gari n dai h a w a ni mai
, Here i n t hi s to wn i n deed t here w as , ,

s a i da z u ma s ai w a n e n o on e s o l d ho n ey e x c ep t s o a n d s o - -

Wa n i p ro n o mi n al l y ,

M a s all a c hi nan a kw oi , w a ni That mosqu e i s t here an y on e i n ,

a c hi ki ? A a b a ko w a
, s i de ? N o no on e ,

Ni k o i ya ga w a da n s u I s hal l tea c h others

Wa n i ya t afo da ga Had i j a S ome o n e has c ome f rom Had i j a

Wa n i = a n o t h er o t h er s ad j e c t i v a l l y
,

Bab u w a ni s ar ki d u n i a T here i s n o ot her ki n g i n the worl d

W a t a ra n a A n ot her day

Wa n i a n o t h er p ro n om i n all y
, ,

N a ka b a ya fi n a w a ni b a Yo u r s i s n o t heav i er t ha n a n y ot her s
’

Ni k o i ya ga w ada n s u I s ha l l te ac h ot hers
Us e of w ani in s i n gu l ar f or p l u ra l ( S o ko t o )
Wa n i mu t a n e ya t afi gar i
-
n S ome p eop l e w e n t to the c o u n try
Ba u c hi t ar i t ar i of B a u c hi i n l ar ge n u m bers

K om i , et c .

A ko i ko m i c hi ki n ra m i 7 - -
Ist here a n yt hi n g i n the ho l e
Y a fa di kom i a m ma b a n ji b a He s a i d s omet hi n g bu t I di d no t
h ear
K om i n e ta ro k o A l l a h, A ll h a Whatever i t was s he a s ked God ,

ya ba t a God gav e her

K om i da ka ba n i n i ke so Whatev er you gi v e me I l i ke i t
Ko m i ka y i us s o . Whatever y ou do I l i ke i t
 P R O N O UN 97

A b i n da ka ke y i d u ka Whatever
y ou do
Bab u k om i c hi ki n ram i
- -
ot
N hi n g i n the h l oe
Ba s hi fad i k om i b a He s i n hi n g
a d ot
Ba s hi y i ma ki k o m i He w i l l do
y ou n o h arm
S ar i ki n K a n o ya fada ma s u bab u c e
The hi f of K n s i a o a d n othi n g to
t hem
Ba s u c he b a ko m i The di d a n yt hi n g
n ot s a y
Ba ya b eri kom i s ai gas u s u ka He eft n ot hi n g bu t the feat her s
Wa -
ne

T hi s i s li t era l l y Wh o is it 7
’
En n a w a n e 7 Where i s what hi s n ame 7 s
Ya c h e, da ga gari s ara ki n w ane He s a i d— ( I c ome f rom) the c o u n try
”
O f Ki ng S ome body .
(
a
Ki ng
is in p l u ra l )
Wa n i w an i , et c .

Wa ni far ke ya ta fi Ka n o , w a ni O n e trader goes to K a n o , o n e to

ya t afi S o ko t o S o koto
Wa t a ma c h e t a y i dar i a w a t a , O n e woma n l a u ghed , the ot her c r i ed
t a y i k uk a
Wa da n s u s u n a c hi n n ama w a d
- -
, S ome eat meat ot hers , do no t eat it
a ns u b a s u c hi b a
Wa da ns u mu t a n e s u n a ki w o S ome m i n d camel s ot hers ,
w or k the
ra ku ma wada ns u s u n a n oma
, f arm s

S u ndry N egati v e I di oms ( a l s o u nder A dverbs )

s ee

Ba ab i n da bab u There i s n ot hi n g s hor t

Ba b u da i a ns u . Bab u dai a N ot on e of t hem
c hi ki n s u

f or ba kowa
Ba wanda
Wan da t he re l at i ve p ron ou n i s made u s e o f i n s t ead
, ,
“ ”
o f k o w a i n n e g at i v e s en t en c e s S u ch sh ort sen t en c e s .

as
“
B a k o w a ch an ”
et c are ex c ep t l on s
,
.
,
Wl t h a .

de p en den t s en ten c e b a w an da i s u s ed .

Ba w a n da zaya y i s hi s a i ui N o o n e s ha ll do i t bu t me

Here b a k o w a w o ul d be qu i t e i n c orre c t .

” “ “
“
B a k o w a may be t ran s l at ed by n obody b u t b a ,
” ”
w an da ya “
t h ere i s n o on e w ho I n t he l at t er .

i n bo t h En gli s h an d Hau s a t h ere i s a rel a t i v e

o f t w o c o ordi n at e s en t en c e s
Bab u w a n da ya s a n s hi
’
There was n o o’n e kn ew hi m
A b i n da fada w a s u n fadi b e What the ki n g s c o u n c i l order s no
o

wa n da s hi ke da i k o s hi s a ke on e has the p o wer to c ha n ge

G
98 THE HAU S A L ANGU A G E

6 . R EF L E! I VE PR O N O U N

Th e refl exi v e p ro n ou n is f ormed wi t h t he ai d

“ ”
n o un kai head
, .

K ai n a
K ai n ka or ka nk a
K ai n ki or ka nki
K ai n s a or ka n s a
K ai n t a or ka n t a
K ai n mu or ka n m u
K ai n ku or ka n ku
K ai n s u or ka n s u

Examp l es of S yn ta x

S o ka i n ke , w a n i ya ki ka ; ki L ov e yo u r s elf ot her s wi l l hate you ;

,

kai n ka w a n i ya s o ka hate yo u r s e lf o ther s wi l l l ov e y ou

,

Ba ya k u l a da kai n s a b a , ya s a He c ared n ot for hi ms elf bu t he s et

kai n s a ( or ya ma i da h a n ka hi m s elf to s ave ot her s
l i n s a ) gar i n c h e t o u w a da n s u
Y a ba t a ka n s a He des troyed hi m s e lf
T a ga m u da ku da s u n a dafa S he met s ome fl i e s w ho were c oo k
ka n s u i n g for them s e l v es ( s tory )

7 . EMP HA TI C PR O N O U N

Th e s e are si m i l arl y t o t he re flex i v e p ro n ou n s formed

, ,
“ ”
wi t h kai head wi t h t he ad di t i o n o f t h e p rep o s i t i o n
, ,
“
d a wi th
,

Ni da kai n a I mys elf

K ai da kai n ka or kai daka n ka you yo u r s e lf ( m ) .

K e dakai n ki or ke da ka n ki y o u yo u r s e lf ( f )
.

S hi dakai n s a or s hi da ka n s a he hi m s e lf
I t a dakai n t a or i t a da ka n t a s he her s e lf
M u da ka i mu or mu daka i n mu daka n mu we o u r s e l ve s
K u dakai nk u or ku daka n ku you yo u rs e l ve s
S u daka i n s u or eu daka n s u t hey them s el ve s
Th e ob j ec t i v e f orm s o f t he f oreg o i n g o n l y d i ffer i n
t he 2n d s i n gu l ar an d 3 rd f em i n i n e s i n gu l ar wh i ch are ,
“ ” “ ” “ ”
ka dakai n ka , ki daka i n ki , t a dakai n t a .
100 HA US A L ANGUA G E

Wi t h da
M unyi m u r na da j u n a We rejo i c ed t
wi h on e n th a o er
Za ku y i n fa da da j u n a
- - fi t t
You wi ll gh wi h on e no h a t er
M u n a s o y ey a da j u n a mu gama-
, We are at e o
f ll ws hi p ea c h
ko w a ya n a b a a b o ki n s a ga s ki a ot er e c a e eac
h b us h t us s r t hi s
re d
f i n
Wi t h ga

S una t aba ku rd i ga j u nan s u T hey di vi de the mo n ey amo n g

t hems e l ve s
 CHA PTER V

T HE V E R B

PA R T I

DER IV A TI O N

Th ere are i n Hau s a p ri mi t i v e an d deri ved v erb s .

Th e ori gi n o f t he f ormer c ann ot be a sc ert ai n ed from t he

“ ”
l an gu a g e i t s e l f
. A mo n gst t h em are s u ch v erb s a s c hi ,
” ”
eat ;
“
sh a dri n k ;
,
“
ji hear
, .

D eri v ed v erb s are f ormed i n a v ari et y o f w ay s It is .

a l w ay s by t he ad d i t i on o f a su ffi x ei t h er wi t h or w i t h o u t
,

s ome mod i fi c at i on o f t he st em n e v er by mean s o f a

,

Cla s s 1

An i n det ermi n at e roo t rec ei ve s a fi n al v o w el e x p re ssi n g

re st , or mo t i o n t o , or mo t 1o n from , as

D a uki , ta ke u p ; da uko, ta ke up an d gi v e me ; da u ka ta ke , up a n d
ta ke a way .

K a w o , c arry to me ; kai , ca rry or c arry a way .

Glas s 2

S uffi x ta to f orm verb s from n o u ns a s ,

Ts orata to fr i ght e n
, on e, fro m ts oro fear, .

101
102 THE HA US A L A NGU A G E

Gla s s 3

R ed u p li c at i on t o f orm fre qu ent at i v e or i n t en si t i v e verb s ,

Bu ge -
b u ge fro m , b u ga , s tr i ke .

O r by p art redu p li c at i on a s ,

R araba s c atter fro m , , raba , d i vi de .

Clas s 4

T o an i n det erm i n at e root ch e or t a i s added t he ,

f ormer h avi n g rat h er p re sen t an d fu t u re meani n gs an d ,

bei n g f re qu en t l y i n t ran si t i v e an d t he l at t er h a vi n g a p ast

,

meani n g an d a t ran si t i v e s ens e a s ,

M a n c h e a nd ma n t a to f or get , .

Glass 5

Cer t ai n p ri m i t i v e v er b s t a k e a n u mber o f su ffi x e s Th ere .

i s p r ac t i c a l l y li t t l e or n o ch an g e o f mean i n g at t ach ed , b u t
t h ey h a v e sp e c i a l u s e s an d may ch a n g e t he v erb f rom a
,

t ran s i t i v e on e t o an i n t ra n s i t i v e on e , an d vi ce ver sa As .

each f orm c an be c o n j u g at ed t h ey c an be t reat ed a s ,

se p arat e verb s as m u ch a s are t he v erb s i n Cl a ss 1 .

” “ ”
Th e su ffi x e s i n qu es t i on are da s hi ye s '
-
, ,
-
,
” ”
s , s da a s-
,

Ba bada ba s hi bay e s b ay es da to gi v e
, , , , , .

Z u ba zu b a s z u b a s da to p o u r
, , , .

Gla ss 6

Ny e may be ad ded t o g et h er wi t h s ome sl i gh t

modi fi c at i on o f t he v o w e l o f t he roo t I t i s an i n t en si t i v e .

p art i c l e .

Chi to ea t ; c hai n y e to devo u r

, , .

Cla s s 7
A n o un is s e l dom u s ed a s a v erb , b ut man y
verb s in En g l i sh c an o n l y be t rans l at ed i n t o Hau sa
 104 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

wi t h t he p a ssi v e f orm whi ch wi ll be exp l ai n ed i n i t s

,

p rop er p l ac e .

Wh en t he p ron ou n h as t he t erm i n at i o n n a i t i s
“

g en eral l y f ou n d t h at t he v erb en d s i n a al s o ( S ee .

u n der t h i s t en s e i n ch ap t er on v erb ) .

Th e f oll o wi n g are e x am p l e s o f t he f ore g o i n g ch an g e s

app li ed t o a c ert ai n n u mber o f v erb s
Bu ga , r i ke
st

Y a b u g1yaro He s tr u c k the boy

Bu gi yaro 1 Hi t the boy !
b e
Y a u g s hi He beat hi m
b ed c
Na u g u hi I s tru c k a s to n e
a
Bu g s hi B ea t hi m
b a
Na u g ka fat a ga d u c hi I s tr u c k my f oot a ga i ns t a s to n e
b
I n a u gu n yaro I am beat i n g the boy
b or b ug u n
I n a u gu n s a (- -
s hi ) I am beat i n g hi m
a
Bu g ko fa l K n o c k a t the door

“
Th e t erm i n at i on 0 doe s n ot s eem t o o cc u r wi t h t hi s
”
v erb I n all t he e x am p l e s o f b u g a g i v en abo v e i t i s
.
“

s een t h at t he s en s e o f d i re ct i on sc arc e l y app li e s I t m u st .

t h ere f ore be a s s u med t h at t he v ari at i on s are al l f or

eu ph o n y wh i ch w i ll be app aren t i f an at t em pt be made
,

t o u se t he wro n g v o w e l .

D a u ka , t a k e

D a u ki l T a ke i t !
D a u ki ri ga T a ke the c l ot h
N a da u k e t a I too k i t
D a uka t a ! T a ke i t !
Y a da u ka kaya He too k u p the l oad
Za n i da uka l ri ga
- -
I am go i n g to ta ke the cl ot h
D a uk o l T a ke a n d br i n g i t here
D au ko s h i T a ke i t do w n
Y a da u k e s hi He too k i t up
D a u ke s u T a ke t hem a w ay !
K u da u ki kaya T a ke u p yo u r l oads
D a u ki s ab u n i mai i s s a
-
T a ke e n o u gh s oap
S ame

He re c e i vedthe l c ot h
A pcc e t o
the cl th
I h v a e re e ed
c iv it
 V ER B 105

S ama t a A cc ep t i t !
Na am u do ki
s I hav e rec e i v ed the ho r s e
Na s a m u mu t a n e I f o u n d the men

Hai n y a t a s a m u t here i s a road or the road i s fo u n d or n ow e xi s t s

; , ,
.

Thi s i s t h e p a s si v e v erb al form a n d ha s n o c o n n ec t i o n w i t h t h e

,

s c a l e o f v o w e l s i n d i c a t i n g d i re c t i o n et c )
, .

M i ya s a m e ka Wha t i s the matter wi th you

K om i ya s a ma s e
. Whatev er befa l l s hi m
Ba ya s am u ya s hi ga He c o u l d not e n ter
Ya sa m u w a t a gu da He 8 en t on e mo n t h
Na s a m u ron go mi na , s a mu I f ee better
da ma na s a m u s a n k1
,

Kama
Na ka m e do ki
. I c a u ght the hor s e
N a ka ma yaro a b i s a do ki I ca u ght the boy on the hor s e
K a ma ! Cat c h i t a n d go 1
Ka m o ! C at c h i t a nd c ome I
Y a ka ma hai n ya He too k hi s ro ad
Ba ni ka ma I wo u l d n ot bel i ev e ( i t)
Y a kam u ki fi He c a u ght t he fi s h
K i fa y o n a w a m u nk a ka mo How ma n y fi s h hav e w e c a u ght ?
D a ga gar i n a n ki s h i ru a t a kam o I n t hat l a n d t hi rs t s e i zed the p eo p l e
mu t a n e
Ku maye s mam u ra ku ma mu da R et u r n to u s the c a me l s t hat you
ku ka kam u ha v e ta ke n

D amre

Na da mre ka ya I ti e the l oad

Na da mra fi t i l a a b i s a kaya I ti e the l amp on the l oad
A da mra s i li u
y da ma ba u n i a
Ch i ns s h l la be bo u n d on t he i r
( oe t i c ) r t
i gh a nd l ef t ha n ds
Anp amre kaya d uka A re a ll the l oads ti ed up
K omo

Ko m o l Co me ba c k !
K o ma 1 Go ba c k !
Ya k o ma da ki n s a - -
He has re tu r n ed to hi s ho u s e
Ya k o mo da h i na He has c ome ba c k to my ho u s e
Tu n b a a koma b a Un t i l there i s n o retu r n
En mu kom o mu f u t a ra n a da i a , Whe n we come ba ck we wi ll re s t
ka n a mu t a fi eu one day t he n w e wi l l go fis hi n g
,

”
K omo , k oma be i ng rad i c al l y v erb s o f mot i on
, , it is
“ ” “ ”
n ot p o ssi b l e f or t h em t o t a k e t he t ermi n a t i on s i , e ,
106 THE HAUS A L ANGUA GE

“
or u an d t he s ame a pp li e s t o o t h er v erb s wh i ch
c ann o t be d i ss oc i at ed from an y i dea o f mot i o n
D a woyo

R e tu r n here 1
R et u r n t here I

Gu du
Gu du l R u n ( a way )
G u do l R u n to me !
K a dda ka gu d u ! D o n ot not ru n a way !

Y a fi t a da s hi He we n t off wi t h it
R a na ta fi ta
. The s u n ha s r i s en
Y a fi t a n a gar i He has tu r n ed ou t we l l
Fi t o 1 C ome ou t !
En da ra n a t a ke fi t o w a Where the s u n comes ou t fro m
N em a , s ee k
Ba w a n a ya t a fi n e ma n yaro , - -
M y s l av e
has go n e to l oo k the
b a ya s am e s hi b a , kai ka t a fi boy He ha s n ot
. hi m .

ka n e mo s h i D o y o u go a n d l oo k hi m
S u ka c h e ku n e mo ma s a ma c h e T hey s a i d fi nd a wi f e for hi m
A i ki , end
s

Na a i ki w a ni K a n o I hav e s en t s ome on e to Ka n o
Na . a i ko w a n i n a n I s en t s o me one here
Y a ai ko n i He s e n t me here
Y a a i ki n i He s en t me there
S ar i ki ya a i ko a ga i s h e ka The c hi ef ha s s e n t to s a l u te y ou

K o i ya , t ea c h Koi y o, l ear n

A ll a h s hi ko i ya m u na ha i n y a n s a M ay God teach u s Hi s wa y

Fada t e l l,

Ya fa da ma n i He to l d me
Ya fad i ga s ki a He sp o ke the tr u t h
M un a fad i b a mu h o i y o
, ba We te l l ou we do ,
n ot hi de
K u n ji fa mu n fad i
, D o you i s ten , we s ay

Fad i fada fa l l
, ,

Ya fa do da ga b i sa do ki He fe l l off the h or s e
 108 THE HA US A L ANGUA G E

Deri ved Verbs , Cla ss 3

R ed u p li c at i o n t o f orm i n t en si t i v e or fre qu ent at i v e v erb s .

Ei t h er t he wh o l e v erb 1s re p eat ed , or more c ommo n l y onl y

t he fi r st s yll ab l e

Bu ge b u ge , to bea t mu c h fro m b u ga to s tr i ke
b u b u ga , b u b ugi
Chai n y e c ha i n y e tt o
to be gl u o n u s c h ai n e
y to devou r
Chi c h i ka to fi l l up c hi ka to
Fa kake ro e
to g p for 7 fa k e to
G u s h e gu s h e ,
-
re e t y
gus h o u t f q u n l to gus h
gu rgu sa or a da y
bu n ntl
S a n sa n ch e e xp l ai n m uc h u nd er
, to kn w o
s ta n d mu c h

tear to p i ec e s a a
ts g ear
t
p i c k u p o r ou t tara a
to g ther
to s ha ke up wal k
, 7 za ga to s ha k e
,

a bo u t w lka bac k
w ard and
s

S o s oke to p i er c e t ma n y
wi h
hol es

Ya b u b u gi yara He beat the boys wel l

M u t a n e s u ka b u b u ge t a t a m u t u The men beat her t i l l s he d i ed
M u n ka s o s o u b a n e n mu
- -
We hav e l ov ed ou r fat her s
Z a s u ru ru b u t a t a ka rdu y are go i n g to wr i te l etter s
K u ka ka s h e ra gu n a K t l l s heep
Y a ka ka s h e s u d u ka He e xterm i n a ted t hem
K a dda dai a j i t a y i sa gara mai L et her n ot be heard c a l li n g f o wl s
ki r ki ra p oe t i c ) wi t h a l o ud v o i c e
!
K u da da n a a b i n c hi Eac h on e of you ta ke s o food
I n a s o n ga ga i da mai n y a
-
I wi s h to s al u te eac h of the el der s
S u n a ga ga n i n mu t a n e
- -
T hey s ee men
S h a s ha f es u da t s u ma Wi p e ea c h of them wi th a rag
I t i s to be n ot ed t h at wh en e ver t h ere i s a red u p li c at ed
f orm o f t he verb an d t he n ou n i s i n t he p l u ral t he n oun ,

u s u a l l y h a s an i n de fi ni t e s en se .

D eri ved Verbs . Clas s 4

“
I n t hi sc l a ss are v erb s whi ch may en d ei t h er i n ch e
”
or ta t h e s e t ermi n at i on s be i n g ad ded t o t h e root whi ch
,

ha s n o se p arat e e xi st en c e as a w ord Th e meani n g i n

.
 V ER B 109

ei t h er c a s e is t he same i n En g li sh , b u t t h ei r u ses
8

Th e f oll o wi n g are s ome verb s o f t h i s n at u re

M a n c he f or get
B ache des troy l o s e ,

K wa n c h e l i e or l ay do w n to s l eep
J i e he tu r n u p s i de do wn
Ji rki c h e
Lal a c h e ( 1) be i d l e ; ( 2) p er i s h
R u b u c hi w i r te
R i ki c h e ( 1) be c o nfu s ed ; ( 2) c o nfu s e
Th e f orm en d i n g i n ch e i s more c ommon l y i n t ran si t i v e .

Thi s f orm i s u s ed f or p re feren c e w i t h p re s en t an d fut u re

“ ”
meani n gs .Th e form i n ta h a s f or p re feren c e a
t ran s i t i v e an d a p a st mean i n g .

“
Bec au se a v erb en d s i n ch e i t doe s n ot i n v ari ab l y
f o ll o w t h at t h ere i s a f orm i n t a .

“
I t i s f urt h er t o be n o t e d t h at t he ta form c an n ev er
“
be u sed as a su b s t an t i v e Th e ch e f orm i s c ommon l y.

”
u s ed a s su ch h o w e v er a s
, l a l achi i dlen es s
, , .

N a ji c he kori a I t u r n the c a l aba s h up s i de do wn

Na j i t a k ori a a bi sa -n - ta I t u r n ed a c al aba s h u p s i de do wn
ov er i t
Na ru b u c hi li ta fi I wr i te a boo k
Na ru b u t a s u na n - -
se a b is a l i tafi I wrote hi s n ame u p o n the boo k
K a da ka ma n t a D o n ot for get
A b i n na n ya ba c h e
-
ma ni I have l o s t t hi s t hi n g
S u ba c h e t are They p er i s h to get her
M a li ka ya b a t a n s u The a n ge l s ha l l afi l i c t them
Ya ba t ay h ai n y a He l o s t the way

Deri ved Verbs . Clas s 5

” ”
To t he t e rmi n at i o n s , -
da , s hi , s ,
-
ye s ,

yes da
-
i t i s n ot p o s s i b l e t o as s 1gn an y p recl s e mean mg
i n En g li s h .

Th e e ffe c t o f t h ei r add i t i o n t o t he p ri m i t i v e v erb i s t o

mak e i t t ran s i t i v e i n t ran s i t i v e , c au s at i v e , or by ma k i n g
,

t he w ord i t se l f l o n g er t o su pp l y s u i t ab l e w ord s t o ma k e a
st at emen t more f orma l or di gn i fi ed .

Al l f o rm s c an be c o n j u g at ed .
1 10 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

Th ei r e ffe ct u p o n t he p ri m i t i v e v erb c an be be st s een

from i l l u st rat i on s
D a — Th i s may be t he p re p o si t i o n wi t h
.

. I n an y c a s e .

t h at re n deri n g w i ll s at i sf y t he ma j ori t y o f i n s t an c e s o f i t s
u s e qu i t e c l earl y

Ba gi v e Bada gi v e u p
S ay i bar ter S a i da barter wi th = s el l
Tara c o l l e c t Tarda c ome up wi t h ov erta ke ,

“ ”
In mon o syll ab i c verb s en di n g i n i da i s s h arp en ed,

to u
ta as ,

K u y i t a a i ki Get o n wi t h yo u r wor k
Bi t a h ai n y a n a n Go by t hi s ro ad
S ee f u r t h er e x a m p l e s u n der yi i n c h a p t er x1i .

Yes gi v e s an i nt ran si t i v e f or c e
Bay e s gi v e up

If da is
added t o ye s a t ran s i t i v e f or c e is re su med .

Na baye s I gi ve u p Na b a y es das hi I gi ve i t u p
S g i ve s i n t ran si t i v e f or c e .

S hi g i v e s a t ran si t i v e f orc e t o an i n t ran si t i v e i ve

v erb , b u t i s added t o t ran si t i ve v erb s wi t h ou t of
meani n g I t t ak e s a p ron o un onl y a s di rec t ob j e c t , n ot
.

a n o un .

Examp l es
Tra n s i t i v e
Ba, gi v e .

Ya ba ni ku rd i He gave me the mo n ey
Y a ba s hi i t a He gave her to hi m
N0 TE . Ba i s o n l y f o l l o w ed by the re c i p i e n t as a s e c o n d d i rec t
obj e c t i f the l atter i s a p ro n o u n I f a n o u n bada i s u s ed The
. .

rel at i v e p o s i t i o n of the two obje c ts i s c ha n gea bl e .

B ad a al w ay s re qu i re s a p rep o si t i on bef ore t he i n d i rec t

ob j ec t .

Ya bada ku rd i ga mu t a n e He gave mo n ey to the men

N a ba da ku rd i ga ka i I gave the mo n ey to you
N a bada i t a gare s hi I gav e her to hi m
N a bada s hi ga ka i I gav e hi m ( or i t) to you
112 THE HAUS A LANGUA GE

Ya sa ye s ( s aya s ) He s ol d ( i t)
K a s a y es a b i n da b a ka i y a s o
fi

S e l l ( i t) — whatever you may n ot wa n t

D a K el o w i s u n s a i da n i They s o l d me to the K el ow i
S u n sa ye ui w u r i n w a ni m u t u m
- -
T hey s ol d me to a c erta i n ma n
S u n s a ye s m i ga S a l a h b i n O m er T hey s ol d me to S a l a h bi n O mer
I na s o ka kai z a n e n n a n w u r i - -
I wa n t y ou to ta ke t hi s c l ot h to the
n di la l i , s hi
-
s a i da s h i Ida n . bro ker to s el l Whe n he has s ol d
.

ya s ay er ka karb i ku rd i ka
sa y o ma n i ra go , ka ka w o
s a u ra -
n - ku rd i
D o ki -
n - n a n n a s a y e rua
a n s a y es da s h i
K a t a fi ga w a n i ka s a i yo
N a wa n a w a a kes a y es da s u
Na w a a n a s a y e s da s u
S u n a s ay es ua du ki a n s u
A b u b ua d u ka a mb a y es garen i
i t ta ke the mo n ey a n d bu y f or me
a ram . Br i n g ba ck the re s t of
the mo n ey
me As , I s t hi s hor s e f or s a l e ? N o, i t was
ji a s o l d ye s terday
Go to s ome on e el s e a nd bu y
How m u c h ea c h
How m u c h are t hey ( i n a l u m p )
T hey are s e l l i n g t he i r good s
A l l t hi n gs are de l i v ered u n to me

NO TE — i s f o u n d as a p ho n et i c var i at i o n for
“ ” “ “
. r s, bu t 3 is
a l way s emp l oyed at the en d of a s e n te n c e .

Bata , t o l o s e , sp oi l
Ya ba t a da ku rdi n s a He l o s t hi s mo n ey
Y a ba t a da s hi He l os t hi m or i t
Y a b a t a s h e s hi He l os t hi m ( or i t)
Y a ba t a s He l os t ( i t)
S hi yaro n e, s h i n a b at a s ua He i s a boy a n d wi l l sp oi l it

B a c he , t o b e oi l e d
sp

Th e ari o u s form s o f
v ba t a a re u s e d f o r t hi s v erb , c
w hi h i n i t s l ef
a dm i t s of n o v ar i a t i o ns
A b i n n a n ya ba c h e ma n i
- - I have l os t the t hi n g
Y aro ya ba c h e ma t a The boy was l o s t to her

F i ta , a e
to t k out , go ou t

Ya fi ta da m
ut u m He p u l l ed the ma n ou t
Ya fi ta da
s hi He f reed hi m
Ya fi s he n i He rel ea s ed me or p u l l ed me ou t

Ya fi t as He p u l l ed ( hi m) ou t
N a fi s h e ka I d i s m i ss y ou
Y a fi t as da i g s a r a -
He too k ff hi s coa t
o

S h i fi s h e mu i ki a ut no m a z i n a He s ep arates u s from the w or k of

( p oe c
t i ) ad u l terers
S u sa fi t a s u a k u rko n o
(
“
. Fi t a T hey made the gu i n ea w orm c ome
s ua is
”
fi t a s wi t h t h e t ermi ou t

a o
n ti n na
 V ER B 1 13

T a s hi , to ri s e
“ ” “ ” “
O t h er form s t a sh e , t ay es , t ay es da ,
”
t as o .

S a i dai a da haba y i j a ki
s hi t He o u l d merel y l if t up hi s c hi n
w
b erbera ( p oe t i c ) a nd bray l i ke a n a s s
Na t ada ma n zo I s e n t a me s s e n ger
K a t a s h eni da sa sa fe Wa ke me v ery ear l y
En n a ta s h e y a ra n ku ku a z o
. I f I ra i s e u p you r c hi l dre n w i l l ,

y ou c ome ?
Ha da ri ya t a s o ma s u a c hi ki n The s torm des c e nded on t hem i n
da j i the f ores t

Chi , ea t

K i c hi n a ma ! Eat meat y o u i s fem i n i n e )

N a c hi s h e s hi I gav e hi m to eat I fed hi m ,

Ya c hi da do ki da da w a He fed the hor s e wi t h gu i n ea c or n

Ya c hi da s hi da da w a He fed hi m wi t h c or n
Ya c hi y es He has f ed or eate n (i t)
,

J efa , t h ro w
Na jefé da a b u I t hre w a thi n g
Na jefada s hi I t hre w i t
Na jefa s h é s hi '
I t hre w i t
Na j efa s I t hre w
” ”
Ot h er f orm s jefshi , jefas da , j ei da jefada
a l s o f o u n d as s hep t a an d s heb da .

A jefo ha r t a ka rdu -
n- a i ku u am u We s ha ll be p l ac ed a cc ord i ng to the
( p oe t i c ) l i st o f ou r deeds
Yas or y es t o t h ro w a w ay
,

Na ya da s hi
( y a da = y a r da
- =
- I t hre w i t a w ay
y a s da
Na yas he s hi I t hre w i t a way
Ya y a s He t hre w ( i t) a way
Ta ya da za n e S he t hre w off her c l o th

T ara a s s e mb l e
,

Y a t ara mu t a n e He c ol l ec ted the men

Y a t ara s u He c oll ec ted them
S u ka t ara ga ri T hey are of on e to wn
U w a m u ka t ara We hav e on e mot her
Ya t arda m u t a n e He a s s embl ed the men
Ya t ara da eu He coll ected the m
114 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

Ya t ar s h a eu He a s s embl ed t hem
Y a t arda c h i w u t a He w i l l c o n tra c t a d i s ea s e ( p oe t i c )
N a t arda s h i I ertoo k hi m
ov
Y a t ara s He c ol l ec ted ( t hem)
K a t a rs hi mu ] 1 dad i ( p oe t i c ) Hel p u s to f eel hap p y
K a da dai ka t ara h a n u ka do n A l t ho u gh y ou p u t bot h yo u r ha n d s
t s oro n b eri ( p o e t i c )
- -
to i t f or f ear of l os i n g i t
Ts aya s t a n d ,

O t h er form s —t s a i t s a yi t s ai s hi e t s ai s a
, , ,

Na t s aya da i da i I s ta n d u p r i ght
Y a t s aya It i s fi n i s hed
Ni n a t s aya ga li t a fi n a n I hi t u p o n t hi s boo k
M al a i ku eu t sa i da u ga z u ga n t a
z The a n gel s wi l l l i f t u p the bel l o ws
p o eti c)
Da ya fara c h e w a s u n t s ai sa sa Whe n he be ga n to s p ea k t hey
s top p ed hi m

N a t s ai t s e s h i I got bef ore hi m

K o w a n e za s hi t sa es da w a n n a n Whoev er s ha l l deta i n t hi s ma n s ha l l
m u t u m zaaka s s e s hi be ki l l ed
S u n s a n i mi ya t s ai s hi e n i h a ka T hey kn e w what del ayed me s o
K a wo ,
bri ng
K a u da ( = ka w o da ) ta ke a way abro gate ;
, K a w as da , remove ,

ka w a s , ka u s h i di s p er s e ;
Chi r a, av e
s

Ya c hi rada m u t u m da ga ru a He s av ed the ma n from the water

Ya c h i rada ui da ga m e . He s av ed me from the water
Ya c hi ra s hé s hi He s av ed hi m
Ya . c h i r as He s av ed ( hi m)
Z u ba , pour
Ya ada rua
z ub He p o u red the w ater ou t
Ya z u b ada s h i He p o u red i t o u t
Ya z u b s h é s hi He p ou red i t ou t
Ya z u b as He p ou red ( i t) ou t or It gu s hed ou t

Zu b as da mi a T o e xp ec torate v i o l e n tl y

A m s a , a msa s hi an s w er
Bi , b i s h e f ol l o w
’
M u ro ke t a a l a s hi b i s h e mu We bes ee c h the Ex al ted O n e to
h ai n y a d i re c t ou r s tep s
Ch e t a , c h et a s s av e
Is sa , i s h e , i yes, i yes da rea c h
116 THE HA US A LA NGUA GE

“
f jl Us e o
’

Th e v erb 31 i s c omb i n e d w i t h s u b s t an t i v e s or
”
ad j ec t i ve s s i m i l arl y t o yi an d m u st be e qu all y reg arded
,

a s a f orm w ord -
Ji t s oro to be afrai d , ji b au s hi be , ,
’’
a n gry ji k u mi a feel p i ty
, ji dadi be p leas ed
, , .

The ob j e c t wh i ch i s i n d i rec t i s ex p re ss ed by add i n g t h e

p o sse ssi v e p ron ou n t o t he n o u n
Ba ka ji ta u sa y i mu Yo u f e l t n o p i ty or u s
Ba na ji n da di n h aw a n ki
- - - -
I do n ot fee l c om ortabl e r i d i g y ou
, n ,

ku ra hy az a n

K a ji da d i n ha w a n a
- -
D y ou l i ke r i d i g me o n

D eri ved Verbs — Clas s 8

No un s an d verb s o f s ame f orm

Y a fadi ma s u He s a i d to them
D a ya kare fa d i n -s a Whe n he had fi n i s hed hi s sp e ec h
D u n i a t a l al a c hi The worl d p er i s hes
L al a c hi Id l e n es s
Ba ma ga n a D o n o t ta l k !
D o n A ll a h ya badam u s o -
n Be c a u s e God has gi v e n u s a l ov e
kw a na s l eep

Ta mb aye n n a n da ka ke y i
-
The qu es t i o n y o u a s k ( ma ke )
K a n a yi n ma ga n a Ha u s a
- D o y ou s p ea k Ha u s a
K o i ya n a S h a i t a n The tea c hi n g of S ata n
S u dora ki ra They ra i s e a c ry
Y a ki ra s hi He c a ll ed hi m
S u n a ma ga n a ba nz a T hey ta l k n o n s en s e

PA R T I I

DI V I S I O N or V ER B S

V erb s are o f t w o ki n d s— t ra n si t i v e an d i n t ran s i t i ve .

Th e t ran s i t i v e v erb re qu i re s an ob j e c t .

Th e i n t ran s i t i ve verb den ot e s a s t at e fee lin g or a c t i on , ,

whi ch t ermi n at e s i n t he doer or a gen t .

S ome v erb s i n Hau sa are ( 1) o nl y t ran si t i v e ; ot h ers

 V ER B 1 17

( 2) o nl y i n t ran s i t i v e ( 3 ) s ome p r i mar i l y

or t he ot h er
, on e ,

may be u s ed i n the o pp o s i t e s en s e w i t h o u t an y ch an g e o f
f orm an d ( 4 ) y et ot h ers by t a ki n g an ad di t i on t o t he st em
c an be rec o gni s ed a s t ran s i t i v e a l o n e or i n t ran s i t i v e al o n e .

Thi s l a s t f ea t u re i s n ot f ou n d i n t he En gli sh l an gu ag e ,

wh ere t h ere i s i n g en eral n ot hi n g i n t he l oo k or app earan c e

o f a verb u n l e ss i t s i n t ran s i t i v e c ou n t erp art i s k n o wn
,

ra i se ri s e ; s et s i t ) wh i ch ren der s i t p o ssi b l e t o t ell

, , ,

wh e t h er i t i s t ran s i t i v e or i n t ran s i t i v e .

Cau s at i v e v erb s are o f c o ur se a ll t ran si t i v e

, , .

Th e f o l l o wi n g are ex amp l e s o f t he d i ff eren t ki n d s o f

t ran si t i v e an d i n t ra n si t i v e v erb s

( 1) Verbs on l y Trans i ti ve
Ga n i to , s ee ji , to hear ka w o , to br i n g

( ) Verbs
2 o
n l y I n tran s i ti ve

20 , c ome t afi , go za m na , si t do wn

( 3 ) Ver bs both Tran s i ti ve and I n trans i ti v e i n M ean i n g

te n d a flo c k gra ze feed
Ki w o , , ,

B oy e h i de hi de o n e s e lf be hi d
, , ,

Chi ka fi l l be fu l l
, ,

( 4 ) Verbs whos e F orm I ndi cate whether Transi ti ve or

I n tran s i ti v e

Tran s i ti ve
V er b s f o rmed f rom n o u n s w i t h s u fi i x ta ( s ee c l a ss
“

“ ”
2 o f deri v ed v erb s ) ; a l s o v erb s e n di n g w i t h ta whi ch
“ ”
ha v e c orre s p on di n g i n t ran s i t i v e f orm s e n di n g i n ch e .

”
Th e t erm i n a t i o n “
s hi ( s”ee der i v ed v erb s , c l a s s
“
a l so t he t erm i n at i on y esda .

I n tran s i ti ve
Th e t ermi n at i on ch e u s u a l l y ; a l s o t he t erm in at i on
y es a l s o v erb s en di n g i n u wh i ch are f ormed f rom
t ra n s i t i v e v erb s by t he ch a n g e o f t h e fi n a l v o w e l M an y o f .

t he l a t t er are u s u a l l y f o u n d o n l y i n t he 3 rd p er s o n s i n g u l ar ,

an d so a mi ddl e v o i c e may be s ai d t o be p rod u c ed .

118 THE HA U S A L ANGUA GE

“
Th e s u ffi x wa may be added t o t hi s form (s ee
ex am p l e s u n der p re s en t p art i c i p l e ) .

Thi s i n t ra n s i t i ve en d i n g 11 — m u s t be c are fu l l y d i s t i n
”
gu i s hed f rom t h e t erm i n at i o n n wh i ch man y t ran si t i v e
,

v erb s t ak e wi t h o u t c ea si n g t o be t ran si t i ve e i t h er f or
, ,

e u ph on y or t o i n di c at e ab s en c e or n eu t ra l i t y o f di rec t i on .

The s e are di sc u ssed i n c l a ss 1 D eri ved Verb s , .

S ome I n tran s i ti ve Verbs i n u

Bu d u , to be op e n b u de to op e n,

B u gu , to be beate n b u gs to beat ,

D ad u , to be i n c rea s ed da de l e n gt he n
,

D af u , to be c oo ked dafe to c oo k
,

D amr u , to be bo u n d damre to b i n d ,

Far u , to hap p e n fara to be gi n

,

Fa s u , to be bro ke n fa s h e to brea k
,

F u r u , to be bu r n i n g fu ra to ki n d l e
,

God u to ap p ear
, goda to s ho w ,

Ga m u to meet gama to o i n
'

, ,

Ha i fu to be de l i v ered
,
h a i fe to e get
,

K af u to be f as te n ed
,
kafa to f a s te n
,

K ar u to be added
,
kara to add ,

K a s u to be s l a i n
,
ka s h e to ki l l ,

K u n t u to be l oos e n ed
,
ku n c h e to u n t i e ,

M a t s u to be n arro w
,
mat es to sq u ee z e ,

M u t u to di e
,

Na d u to be ro l l ed u p
,
n a de to c o i l
,

N i ku to be gro u n d
,
n i ka to gr i n d
,

R ab u to dep art
, raba to d i vi de
,

R a gu to be de c rea s i n g
, ra ge to l e s s e n
,

B e t u to be s wi n gi n g
, re t o to s ha ke to an d
,

R uf u to be s hu t
, r uf e to s hu t
,

S a n u to be kn o w n
, s a ni to kn o w
,

S hi mf u du to be s p read
, s h i mfu de to s p read ,

T ar u to be a s s embl ed
, t ara to c o l l e c t
,

W az u w a s u to be d i s p er s ed
, ,
w a s a to d i s p er s e
,

Y i w u y i u to be do n e
, , y i to do
.

Z u b u s u b u to be gu s hed ou t
, , z u ba to p ou r
,

Thi s f orm i s u s ed a reflexi v e s en s e an d al so fo ll ows

in ,

t he s ame v erb in t he p as s 1v e v o i c e f or emp has 1s

M ut u ya b u gu
m The ma n i s beate n
D u n d u ya daf u The ya rn i s c oo ked
K ofa t a b u d u The do or s ta nds op e n
K ofa t a m i n The door i s s hu t
120 THE HAUS A LANGUA GE

su b st an t i v e v erb I n t he l at t er c ap ac i t y
. it u u s a ll y
re qu i re s t he c om p l emen t t o p re c ede i t
D a ka ke or K a i , da ka ke Yo u are a free ma n
S a n i a t a ke It a
is c ow

D a n a ke n a n T my
hi s i s s on
S h i da n a s hi ke He i smy s on

En n a ku ke 7 Wh ere are y ou
S hi ke n a n So it is
Ba da ka ke b a Yo u are a ree
n ot f ma n
Ji a u i ke n a n n i da i a Y s e terd y I
a ere a o e
w as h l n
Y a ri n i a da ka ga n i i t a ke n a n r
The gi l y ou s ee i t i s s he
K a t a fi ke n an ha r abada Yo u are ea act
l vi n g i n f ever
f or

Ne

Thi s f orm i s u su all y e n c l i t i c I f a p ron ou n i s added i t

.

may f oll o w i n i t s c ap ac i t y o f c om pl emen t b u t i f t he p ers o n ,

i s t he 3 rd s i n gu l ar i t i s c ommo n l y om i tt ed
,

Ni no It i s I
Da n e ni I am a free man
Da ne ka i Yo u are a free ma n
K ai ari ki
ne s Ni s ar i ki n e A re yo u the c hi ef ? I am the c hi ef
Y aro n e or l es s ,
c ommo n l y Y aro It i s a boy
n e s hi
K a i da n s a n e Yo u are hi s s on or A re you hi s s on
K a n o da gar i kara m i n e . K a n o w as former l y a s ma ll to wn
Ni da nfa ri n o, 9 11 n o n a baya I am the fir s t bor n t hey are after
,

me

“
I n t he f o ll o w i n g e x am pl e s ne be c ome s en c li t i c to a
wh ol e s en t en c e
Gu ru b i -
n- i do b a i do b a ne ( p rov )
. A t i t u te for the eye i s n ot
s u bs the
eye
A l la h ya b a n i
s hi ne It was God gav e i t to me
Wa ni m u t u m mai ha l bi n e s hi n a A c erta i n hu n ter had a w if e
da ma c h e
Ba za ka ka i u i w u r i n ma l a m i n Wi l l you n ot ta ke me to t hi s ma l l am ?
na n ba ne !
M u ku ma d a
uk sh ai du ne ga We a l s o are a ll wi t n e s s es of thi s
w a n na n
Com p are t h e f oll ow i n g
A l l a h s h i n o abada God is eter n i ty ( or for ever )
A ll a h s h i n a ko e n n a God i s every where
 V ER B 121

Che
“
Thi s f em i n i n e f orm may be su b st i t u t ed f or n e, but
“ ”
n ot f or ke

D i a c h e ni I a m a free woma n
D i a c h e ki Yo u a re a
free woma n
S a n i a c h e i t a or s a n i a c h e It i s a co w
Ba di a c h e ni b a I am n ot a free woma n
I t a ma c h e c h e It i s a woma n
Ni , fa , b a a kw i a c h e b a , ma c h e A s f or me I am n ot a goat I am
, ,

c h e ni a woma n
K a ma da w a n i b a w a n i b a c h e L i ke n e s s to a n ot her i t i s n ot the
( p ro v ) . s ame p er s o n

( Th e ou n phra s e b a w an i b a i e n ot an other en d s i n
n , . .
, ,
“ ”
a an d s o i s t reat ed as f em i n i n e probab l y by a v ery
, ,

p edan t i c mall am ) .

Ni ch e i s n ot f o u n d b u t o n l y n i n e o f wh i ch e v er
g en der I n Di a ch e n i t he femi n i n e f orm i s u s ed aft er
.

”
di a , ni bei n g t reat ed as a c om pl emen t .

Emp has i s on the P ron ou n

If em ph asi s i s re qu i red on t he p ron ou n i t ,

t he be gi n n i n g o f t he s en t e n c e

S hi da na n o He i s my s on
I t a di y at a c h e S he i s my da u ghter

I di oma ti c Us es
f ne o

Ne i s s omet i me s added al mo s t p l eon as t i c all y t o t he

en d o f an an sw eri n g se n t e n c e f or em ph as i s .

In an swer t o su ch a qu e st i o n as Wh at do y ou w an t t

Na zo w u ri n ka no I have c ome to s ee you ( l i t I have .

,

c ome to yo u r p l a c e i t i s ) ,

Na s a ni no I kn o w f
o c o urs e
“
S ome o f t he e x am p l e s gi v en un der no abov e al so
ex em p li fy t hi s .
122 THE HAUS A LAN GU A G E

Ne , p re c eded by the p ro nou n s omet i me s s t a n d s bef ore

,

t he main s en t en c e f or t he s ame p u rp o s e

S hi n e, s h i ke s h a kka azaba -
n He i t i s , he do u bt s the p a i n s of he ll
la khi ra
S h i n e, n a fa da ma ka Iti s as I to d
l you
S hi n e, u b a n a yara goma He i t i s , the f h at er of ten boy s

O mi s s i on f P ron oun
o

Th e 3 rd p er s onal p ron oun si n gul ar i s s omet i me s om i t t ed

”
W I th ne . Thl s 1s c ommo n i n n e g at i v e s en t en c e s

S ari ki da do ki for S ari ki s hi

no The c hi ef has the hor s e
n e da do ki
B a n za far i n i do bab u ga n i
- -
A br i ght eye that c a n n ot s ee is
( p ro v ) . wort hl e s s

Al s o omi tte d wi t h ke

En n a ke y i ma ka z o gi Where i s the p a i n 9 .

Y a o da gob e ke s a gi n i -
n- ri j i a T o - day an d to - morro w are l i ke
da a l u ra ( p ro v ) . ha vi n g a w e l l du g w i t h a n eedl e

A ft er t he rel at i v e p ro n ou n
S u na t areya da d uka -
n- ab i n da T hey w ere c o ll e c t i ng ev eryt hi n g t hey
ke ga res u had

Th e v erb to be i t s el f i s o f t en un ders t ood

A koi A l l a h , b a s hi gaba s , b a s hi T here i s a God he i s n ot i n the
,

ya ma ea s t he i s n o t i n the w es t
,

Ga s ki a nki Yo u are r i ght (l i t yo u r f ) tr u t h)

( .
,
.

Da -
zom o w ay o gare
n- -
i ( ga res h i ) The yo u n g hare i s c u n n i n g
En n a s ar i ki 7 Where i s the c hi ef ?
K u rdi n sa n a w a 7 How m u c h i s i t

O ther Ways of exp res s i n g “

to be

“ ”
Th e form o f t he p ron o un endi n g i n na is u s ed , t he
“ ”
v erb t o be i t s el f be i n g u n ders t ood .
124 THE HA U S A LAN G UA G E
Th e f ol l o wi n g is ob sc u re
Ki -
e ma en z a ki s hi g a ki s hi ga Bu t y o u , i f yo u are go i n g to e n ter .

ki ka w o e n ter a n d br i n g i t
Fu tu re
“
U se o f z ama
K a zama da You wi l l become free
K i za ma di ya (f) .

Ba ka zama da b a Yo u wi l l not b ec ome free

Na z ama ma l a m i I s ha ll be c ome a p r i es t

To have
Hau s a agree s wi t h Wes t A f ri c an l an g u age s o f wh at
all
1
”
e v er gro u p i n h a vi n g n o au x ili ary t o h a v e .

T o de sc ri be p o ss e ss i on t he p re p o s i t i on da w i th i s , ,

u s ed Th e form o f t he p ron ou n whi ch acc om p an i e s i t i s

.

”
mo st c ommo nl y t h at w i t h t he su ffi x n a Th e au x i l i ary .

ke i s h o w e v er als o n ot u n c omm onl y u s ed

, ,

I n a da ku rd i I hav e mo ey n

S u ke da s u T hey hav e t hem or are wi th t hem

Th ere i s h ow e v er a sli gh t d i s t i n c t i on i n maki n g u s e o f
, ,

t he f ore g oi n g For i n st an c e i n I n a da s hi an d Ni ke
.
,

da shi ”
— t he fi rs t i s u s ed i n ma ki n g a pl a i n s t at eme n t ,

and t he s ec o n d f or p re f eren c e i n an sw er t o t he qu e st i o n

Who h as i t 2

T o ex p re ss t en s e —
t h at i s, p oi n t o f t i me — ad v erb s are
ad ded

I nada s hi y a n u z e
I hav i t n o w
Wa n da ya ke da s hi da ya b a ui He who ha d i t before gave i t to me
“
I n s t ead o f da i t i s o ft en p o ss i bl e to u se some o t h er
p re p o s i t i on su ch as g are .

O t h er ex am p l e s o f t he u s e o f da may be f o un d un der
pre p o si t i on s .

1
The a u t h or ha s n ot fo u n d a s i n gl e i ns t a n c e of t he c o nt ra ry .
 V ERB 125

Mean i n g c on v eyed by u se o f t w o n oun s i n app o si t i o n ,

”
on e f o rmed wi t h
“
mai
Da ki s hi y o y i n a n bab u ma i da A n d t ho s e r i v a l w i v e s had n o
-

c hi l dre n

PA RT IV

CO N J U GA TI O N or THE V ER B

Th ere are t w o v oi c e s —ac t i v e and p assi ve .

Th ere i s n o ch an ge o f f orm f or mood b u t t w o p art i c i p l e s ,

are di st i n gui sh ed .

T en se c arri e s n o i nfl ec ti on o f t he st em b u t t he p ron ou n s ,

are su b j ec t ed t o s ome modi fi c at i on an d p art i c l e s are added

,

i n c ert ai n t e n s es .

Th e f o ll o wi n g i s t he c on j u g at i on o f s o to l ove li ke , , ,

wan t
A cti ve Voi ce

I t i s t o be n ot ed t h at i n t he n e g at i v e bo t h b a are p u t
“ ”
in i n all t en s e s , b u t t he s ec o n d b a i s o ft e n om i t t ed i n
p rac t i c e .

A om s r on CO M M ON T EN S E
AFF R I M A TIV E N EG A TI VE
us . s o a l s o ui s o ba
. na ba
so or ban
ka s o ba ka s o b a
ki so ba ki s o b a
ya so ba ya s o ba

ta so ba t a so ba
mu so ba mu s o b a
ku so ba ku s o b a
eu s o ba su s o ba

PR ES EN T I
ba ni b a al s o ba
so so ba
ba ks s o b a
.

ba ki 8 0 b a
ba s hi , ya , i s o ba ,

ba ta s o ba
ba mu so ba
ba ku so ba
ba su so ha.
126 THE HAUS A L ANGUA G E

P R ES EN T II
ni ke s o a l s o n a ke ba ni s o ba
ka ke s o
ki ke s o
s h i ( ya , y i ) ke s o
t a ke s o
mu ke s o s ame as n e ga t i v e of Pre s en t 1
ku ke s o
eu ke s o

PA ST I

s a me as a ori s t

P A S T II

s ame as a ori s t
( ) m u n ka s o S )
(é
,

K) , ku n ka s o H
K) , s u n ka s o ( S)

F U TU R E I
n aa s o , u s s o be . n o. s oba
kaa s o , ks s o ka ka s o b a
kii s o , ki s o ba ki s o b a
s hi i s o , s h i s o ba S hi s o b a
yaa s o, ya so ba ya s o b a
taa s o, ta so ba ta so ba
mu u 8 0, mi x s o ba mu s o b a
ku u s o, kfl so ba ku s o b a
s u u s o, s u s o ba su so ba

”
“
mu a
$ 7
R ob i n s on gi v e s ,
cc
ma , ku a, s aw
pl ura l .
128 THE HA US A L ANGUA G E

IM P ER A TIV E
2 (m .
) s o, ka s o
(f .
) so, ki s o
ku so

”
K ar is
f ou n d f or k ada i n Kan o “
.
“
Ba is al s o
“ ”
s omet i me s su b st i t u t ed f or k ada b u t , is
a ft er t he v erb .

ba a s o ni ba
ba a s o ka b a
ba a s o ki b a
a s o sa ba a s o s hi , a s osa , ba
ba asota ba
ba a s o mu b a
ba a s o ku b a
ba as o s u ba

P R ES E N T I .

a nas o na a n a ka mn at a ba a nas o n a ba b a a n aka mnat a

ba
a n as o n ka a n aka mn a rka ba a n a s o n ka ba b a a n a ka m n a rka
ba
(f )
. a n a s o nk i a n a ka mn a rki ba a n a s o n ki ba b a a n aka mn arki
ba
a n as o n s a a na ka mnat as a b a a n a s o n s a s hi ba a n a ka m n a
a n as o n s hi ba t as a ba
anas o n t a a n a ka m n a t at a b a a n as o n t a ba b a a n a ka m n a t a
ta ba
a n as o n mu a n aka mn a rmu b a a n as o n mu b a ba a n a ka mn ar
mu b a
a n aso n ku a n a ka mn a rku ba a n a s o n ku ba b a a n a ka mn a rku
ba
a n a s o ns u a n aka mn a rs u ba a n a s o ns u ba b a a n aka m n arsu
ba
P R ESE N T I I
ba as o n i ba

s ame as ao ri s t
 V ER B 129

P R ESE N T II I N V E R T E D
.

T o c orre s p o n d t o t he a c t i v e form ui , s u ke
ni a ke s o ni a ka s o
kai ake s o kai a ka s o
ke a ke s o ke a ka s o
s h i a ke s o S h i a ka s o
t a a ke s o t a a ka s o
mu a ke s o mu a ka s o
ku a kes o ku a ka s o
s u a ke so s u a ka s o

( S ee n o t e o n Fre q u e n t a t i v e c
i n A ti v e .
)
PA S T I
a us o n i
a n s o ka
a n s o ki
a n s o sa , a n s o s h i
a ns o t a s am e a s aor i s t
a nso mu
a n s o ku
a ns o s u
PA S T 11

sa m e a s aori s t

F UT U R E I
b a aa s o n i b a
b a as s o ka b a
b a aa s o ki b a
b a aas o s hi b a
b a aa s o t a b a
b a a a s o mu b a
b a a a s o ku b a
b a aa s os u b a

F U TU R E II

za a so n a za a ka mn at a ba z aa s o n a ba ba z a a ka mn a t a

ba
2(m .
) z aa so n ka z aa ka m na rka ba z aa s o n ka ba b a z a a ka m na rka
ba
(f ). za a so n ki z aa ka m na rki ba zaa s o n ki ba b a z aa ka m n a rki
ba
13 0 THE HAUS A L AN GUA GE
3 (m ) . z aa s o n s h i z a a ka mn a -
t asa ba z aa s o n s hi ba z aaka mn a
aa
t s ba
(f ). z aa s o n t a z aa ka mn a t a t a ba z aa s o n t a ba z aa ka mn a
t at a ba
z aa s o n mu z aa ka mn a rmu ba z aa s on mu b a b a z aa ka mn a rmu
ba
z a a s o n ku z aa ka mn a rku ba z a as o n ku ba b a z aaka mn arku
ba
z a as o n s u z aa ka m n a rs u ba z aa s o n s u ba b a z aaka m na rs u
ba

The s e are oun f orm s aft er z a su et c =they wi ll go

all n ,
.

to the l ov i n g of them Th e p os s e s s i v e p ron ou n i s masc u li n e

.

”
a ft er s o an d f em i n i n e aft er k amn a .

— — ”
Com p are Z a s u ka m n a r mu They wi l l l ov e u s Zam u ,

k am n a r s u We wi ll l ove them
- -
, .

Th e n ou n f orm i s n ot al w ay s s t ri c t l y ad h ered t o h en c e , ,

z aas on i , z aasoka, et c .

FR EQ U EN TA TIV E
ba a ka n s o n i ba
ba a ka n s o ka b a
ba a ka n s o ki b a
ba a ka n s o s hi b a
ba a ka n s ot a b a
ba a ka n s o m u b a
ba a ka n s o ku b a
ba a ka n s o s u b a

S U B J U N C TIV E IM P ER A TIV E
A ND

SU B JU N C TIV E I M P ER A TIV E B O TH

i
It s seen t h at t h e s e f orm s are t he s ame a s i n t he aori s t .

N O TE .
—I n orego i n g te n s e s s hi a n d s a are c om mo n l y
the f
i n ter c ha n geabl e the f ormer be i n g p ref er abl y S o koto the l atter
, ,
K a n o d i a l ec t .
 13 2 THE HA US A L ANGUA GE

se qu en c e t h ey t oo a ssu me a su b s t an t i v al f orc e an d are

“ ”
j oi n ed wi t h t he c o p u l at i v e n .

WA N A T I O N USE D
OR YA TE R M I

En n a ka n a t a fi a Whe n are you go i n g

S h e kara go ma ya n a t a fi a ha r He had bee n trave ll i n g fo r ten year s
u b a ns a ya h a n a s h i u n t i l hi s f at her s t ap p ed hi m
En n a u b a n ka S hi n a t a f o w a Where i s you rfa ther He i s c om i ng
Ta n a z u a K a n o S he i s c om i n g ( go i n g) to K a n o
M u n a s o y ey a da j u n a mu We a e at f r i e n d s hi p wi t h o n e
a n otger
D a n a ga n s hi s hi n a t afi a ( or ya Whe n I s a w hi m he was trave l l i n g
ke t a fi a )
S u n a i s o w a gu l b i ( A s) T hey were gett i n g n ea r the r i ver

I n t he
f o ll o wi n g sen t en c e t he n ou n f or c e is st ren gt h en ed
by t he add i t i on O f a p er s on al p ron ou n
S hi n a t a fi a t as a s ai ya gam u da He tr ave l l ed un ti l he met the toad
kw a do

UN C HA N G ED F O R M

K u l u m gar i ya w ay e i n a add u a A l w ay s at day brea k I p ray

S aa n da ka t ada s u s u n a fa da da Whe n y ou c ame u p o n t hem w ere
j una ? s u na y i t hey fi ght i n g ? T hey were
En n a S h i n a z a m n e Where i s he s tay i n g

W I TH D I R EO T O B J EC T
I na gi n a ram i ( for I n a gi n a -
r I am d i ggi ng a hol e
ra m i )
M i ka n a y i t I n a y i n a i ki ( or Wha t are you doi n g ? I am wor ki n g
- -
1

i n a a i ki )
I na s o n u ba n a
- - I n a s o n A ll a h
. I l ov e my f a ther I l ove God
- -
.

I n a ji n y u n gw a da ki s h i rua
- -
I am hu n gry and thi rs ty
K a n a y i n a i ki 2 A re y ou wor ki n g
‘
- -

M u n a ka m n a t a s a gama ya ri -
We l ov e Hi m f or He firs t l ov ed u s
gaya ya ka mn a c h e mu
I n a s o n s a da s hi kua s hi n a s o n a
, I l ov e hi m and he l ov es me ( N o t e
t h e p o s s e s s i v e form i n s o na -

S U B O R D I N A TE V E R B S A D D ED

I na so- n-k a w a ma l am i ( for i n a I w a n t to bec ome a ma ll am

so m -
ka wa r ma l am i )
- -
 V ER B 13 3

I n t hi s
s ent en c e s o i s masc u l i n e an d k aw a en di n g , ,
’
in a f em i n i n e Com p are
, .

K a n a s o ka ka w a ma i maga n i D o y ou wa n t to be c ome a do c tor ,

in wh i ch all t he f orm s are pu re v erb s

I na s o- n - s aye -
n- t u rm i gom a I wa n t to b u y ten c l ot h s tr i p s
-

N EG A TIV E

Th e n a t erm i n at i on o f t he p ron ou n is dro pp ed , bu t

t he v erb i s s t i ll t reat ed a s a s u b s t an t i ve

K ada n b a ka t s oro -
n- a l l a h b a s hi I f yo u do n ot f ear God He doe s
o n ka
s n o t l ov e y ou
Ba s u s a m u -
n - ab i n c hi T hey fi n d n o food
M u gu n mi a b a ta k are w a a Bad s o up doe s n ot get fi n i s hed i n
t u ku n i a ( p ro v ) . the p ot
G ul b i n a b a s h i c hi n m u t u m M y r i v er doe s no t eat a man i n the
t s a ka s a i ge i e W u ka ( r i dd l e). m i dd l e bu t at the ba n k A kn if e .

( whi c h c u ts a t the ed ge )
K o w a ya h a l be za ki b a s hi Every on e s hot a t the l i o n bu t di d
s am u n s a - -
n ot get hi m

Ba ka s o n a ; n i ma ba n i s o n ki , , You do n ot l o ve me a n d I , I do
n ot l o v e y ou

Com p are , on t he o t h er h an d
Har gar i d u ka ya as hi s u n
t yi , T he n a l l the to w n aros e t hey try , ,

sun yi , ba eu s am u b a t hey try bu t t hey do n ot get hi m

,

Th e fol l ow i n g are ex am p l e s o f pu re n ou n s u s ed a fte r

”
p ron ou n i n na t h u s c o n fi rm i n g the ch an g e O f v erb s
-
,

i n to su b s t a n t i v e s i n t h i s t en se
Tu n i ns a ro S i nc e I wa s a boy
yi s hi na m u gu
.

D on s ar i I -
n s h eri a
-
l
Be c a u s e the c hi ef t8 u nj u s t i n hi s
j u dgme n t

Th e f o ll owi n g is an ex am p l e o f m i x ed i di om
I na ao - n e n t a mb a y e ka i tead I w a n t to te ll
ns y ou
o f I na ao - n - t a mb ay e n ka or i n a
s o en t a mb a y e ka

S ee n o t e l a t er
, , on om i s s i o n of p ro n o u n i n t hi s te ns e .
134 THE HAU S A L ANGUA GE

As w i t h n oun s t he c o pu l at i v e may be om i t t ed
,

K u l u m kul u m s u n a ka s h e mu t an e T hey are ki ll i n g p eop l e wi h t out

( for ka s h e m mu t a n e)
- -
c ea s e
As wi t h pu re n ou n s s omet i me s t he c o pu l at i ve p re p o si t i on
,

is n ot p u t i n t o i t s p ro p er g en der

I n a ki rra n ka for i n a ki rrarka

- -
I am ca l l i n g y ou
S ai ya ga n i ga w a a n a da u ka n s a Exc ep t he s ees the c orp s e be i n g
z u a w u ri n b i z n e
- -
ta ke n to the c eme tery
Etymol ogy
I t i s t o be n o t i c ed t h at t he p ron ou n i n na c ann o t be
“ ”
f oll o wed by an y o f t he f orm s o f t he v erb t o be , e g . .

S hi n a gi da He i s at home
S hi n a n a n He i s here
S u n a b aya T hey are be hi n d

From t h i s i t i s c l ear t h at t he t w o word s are n ot i n t he

s ame re l a t i on t o ea ch o t h er a s t h ey w ou l d be i f t he c on
n ec t i n g li n k o f the v erb t o be w ere p o ss i b l e b u t omi t t ed ,

i n p ra c t i c e .

It m i ght t h ere f ore be assu med t h at t he s yll ab l e ”n a

, ,

O f t he p ro n o u n i s n o o t h er t h an t he p re p o s i t i o n o f n ot ,

re adil y t ran s l at eab l e h o w ev er u n if orm l y i n t o

, of as
, ,

i n deed i t i s n ot i n man y o t h er c as e s al s o .

US E OF R ESE N T I
P . W I TH F U T U R E M EA N I N G
K a da n na fus h e t a , ku n a b a u i I f I p u l l her ou t wi l l you
, gi v e me
i ta en y i ar i m e ? her i n marr i a ge ?

I
W TH P A S T M EA N I N G
I na t ama h a s hi ba n i ku rdi n s a I t ho u ght he wo u l d gi v e me al l hi s
d u ka mo n ey
O MIS S IO N or P R O N O UN
Th e pers o n al p ron ou n i s a n ec e ss ary ad j u n c t t o t he v erb ,

t he l at t er bei n g i n c om p l e t e wi t h o u t i t I f a n o u n p re c ede s .

t he v erb as t he su b j ec t t he 3 rd pers on al p ron o u n s t ill

,

h as t o be em pl oyed .
13 6 THE HA U S A L AN GUA GE

n arrat i o n i t i s o ft en c on v en i ent t o t rans l at e it by t he

i m perf ec t t e ns e .

Th e ob j e c t u su al l y p re c ede s t he s en t en c e
M i ku ke y i A i ki mu ke y i What are y ou do i n g ? We a re
w or ki n g

If t he l att er s t at emen t h ad n ot been made i n an sw er

“
t o a qu e st i o n , i t w o u l d be i n t he f orm o f M un a yi n -

ai k i .

M i su ke y i y a nz u S u na c hi Wha t are t hey do i n g n ow ? T hey

n- a b i n c h i ns u are eat i n g t he i r food

m
Fro t hi s e x am pl e i t i s s een t h at t he i dea o f c on t i n u i t y
is st ron ger i n Pre s en t 1 t h an i n P re s en t I I
. .

M i ku ke kaw ow a ? A b i n da What are y ou br i n gi n g ? What we

m u ka s am u c h i ki n ka s u a - -
f o u n d i n the mar ket
S u ka c h e, d o m i m u ke fa s a w a T hey s a i d Why are we del ay i n g
,

I n t he f oreg oi n g t he n o u n f orm o f t he v erb is u s ed .

U ba n a mi ke or u ba n a n i ka s o I l ov e my fat her
so

S hi u i ke s o or s h i n i ka s o I l ov e hi m
S h a n u ya ke ka s h e or S h a n u He ki l l s o xe n
s hi ka ka s h e
D a n a ga n s h i ya ke t a fi a Whe n I s a w hi m he was travel li n g
K o w a ya ke y i s h i Whoev er s ha ll do i t
A b i n da n a ke s o The t hi n g w hi c h I w a n t
M i ya s a meku ku ke ku ka , Wha t i s the matter wi th you t hat
you are ho wl i n g

A per fec t s en se may e v en be f oun d

Tu n da, h ar kw a n aki n an , For a l o n g ti me bac k ti l l t hi s day ,

mu t a ne -
n R i m o eu ke p es s h i
-
the p eop l e of Ri mo hav e p l u n dered
n - h a i ny a the road

Al s o a fut u re s en s e
Chi ki a n n a n l o ka c hi ka ke
-
n- w A t t hi s ea s o n w i l t tho u t he n res tore
s
ma ar ( maya s ) w a Is ra i l a da to I s rae l t he i r ki n gdom
mu ki
 V ER B 13 7

P as t I
Thi s i s t he t en s e t h at i n d i c at e s si m pl y p as t t i me ,
an d it
is O f t e n be s t t ran s l at ed by t he p erf e c t i n En g l i sh

D a ga e n n a m u t u m e n a n ya t afo ? Whe nc e ha s t hi s ma n c ome ? He

Y a fada ma n i ya fi t o da ga to l d me he c ame fro m K a n o 1 .

’
Ka n o Ba n s a n ab i n da ya do n ot kn o w wha t has bro u ght hi m
.

ka w o s hi b a
K u n ra t a y e t u fa fi Have c ot e
y ou hu n g u p the l h s
T a c he da m u : ku n ga m u da ad
S he s i meet a
to u s : di d you
w a n i s z u c m a i da u ka n n ama - -
c erta a a c arry
in p g n mea t ?
i ng
M u ka c he, mu n gam u da s hi We s i : w e
ad met hi m
Na s o s hi , s h i ku a s h i n a s o n a I o ed
l v too o e me
hi m, he l v s
Ni , na y i m u r n a I re o c ed
j i
K i n ga ni D i d y ou s ee i t ?
K i n s a n ab i n da y a ka w o n i gar i n o
D i d y ou kn w w h t a bro u gh t me to
nan t
hi s co
un try?

Pas t I I
Thi s p a s t on l y d i ffers from t he prec ed i n g i n t he pl u ral
f orm s an d i n t he 2n d p er s on si n gu l ar f emi n i n e I t i s t o
, .

be n o t i c ed t h at i n p a st t e n se I t he 2n d p er s o n s i n gu l ar
.

f em i ni n e a l s o t a k e s a t erm i n at i on Th ere are f our u s e s .

O f t hi s te n s e i n q u e st i o n s ; ( 2) i n ma t t er s o f f a c t ; ( 3 )
i n n arrat i on ; ( 4) f or emph as i s .

Th ere i s n o n e g at i v e f orm t h at o f t he Pa s t 1 bei n g

, .

u s ed

En n a ma ga n i -
n- da ki ka d ebo ? Where i s the med i c i n e you he l p ed
yo u r s e lf to ?
M i ki ka a ni What have you s ee n
M ut u m a i a s u n ka b u ga They have beate n a man
D a ku na na w a s u n ka gi n aP ‘
How ma n y hu t s hav e t hey bu i l t
En n a mu t a n e s u nh a kw a na Where hav e the men s l ep t
F u l a ni s u mka c hi Ka n o The F u l a n i c ap t u red K a n o
M u m u n ka h u ge s hi We hav e beate n hi m
K u k u n ka y i a i ki You ha v e wor ked ( w e ll )
S u s u n ka y i s a t a It i s ( i n deed) t hey who have s to l e n
S a a n da m u ka ko mo m uka ga Whe n we c ame b ac k we s a w that
ka y a n mu d u ka s u n ba c h e a l l o u r l o ads w ere s p o i l t
M u ka t a fi ka s u a m u ka z a m n a
, , We w e n t to the mar ket, w e s a t do wn ,
m u ka y i c hi ni ki m u ka ko m o, we di d trade , we hav e ret u r n ed
Y a ns h e s u n h a z o Whe n di d t hey c ome
13 8 THE HA U S A L AN GUA GE

In de p en den t s en t en c e s t h ere may be a fu t u re Si gui

fi c an ce

l da n s u k a
gobe zo I f t heyc ome to morro w -

s u nh a
I y a y en t a ga n e ta su n a Her p are n t s s ee i n g her rejo i c ed and
m u r na da ku ka s ho u ted

F u tu re I . an d II

Th ere are t wo f ut u re t en s e s wi t h t he s ame mea n i n g .

I n on e t he v erb remai n s an d i s t rea t ed a s a v erb t hrou gh

ou t . I n t he o t h er t he v erb s t em b ec ome s a su b s t an t i v e
i n t he sa me mann er a s i n Pre se n t I .

Fu t u re I i s f ormed by a redu p li c at i o n o f t he v o we l
.

o f t he p ron ou n t h ou gh s ome w ri ter s c ons i der t h a t i t i s

,
“
an a t h a t i s a pp en ded t hrou gh ou t .

Fu t u re 11 i s f ormed by em pl oyi n g t he v erb za ni et c

.
, .
,

I wi ll go As on e s ay s
. z ani Ka n o I am goi ng to Kan o , ,

s o t he Hau s a a l s o s ay s z an i z am n a I am goi n g to s i t
“
, ,

down . Th e i dea o f ac t u al mo t i on i s modi fi ed t o t h a t o f

fu t u r i t y 1
.

O t h er t e n s e s may a l s o h a v e a f u t u re S i gni fi c an c e from

t he c o n t e x t I t i s t h e p rac t i c e wh en tw o fu t u re te n s e s
.

f oll o w each o t h er t o u se Fu t u re 11 fi rs t f o ll o w ed by .
,

Fu tu re I .

Examp l es o f F u tu re I . w i thou t O bject

Kaa z ama t a l a ka Yo u wi l l be c ome p oor

Gob e da s a s afe mu t a s hi We wi l l s tart v ery ear l y to morro w -

K o m i z aa y i ma s u b a s ua b eri ba Whatev er may be do n e to t hem ,

they wi l l n ot gi v e i t u p
K ada n b a ka z u ba mai c hi ki n -
I f y o u do n ot p o u r o i l i n to the
fi t i la t a m u t u l amp i t wi l l go ou t
Ni t a fi ga s ar i ki da n i c h e ma s a I s ha l l go to the c hi ef a n d s ay to
hi m
B ab u ab i n da z aya s a s ua t a ba n i N ot hi n g he c o u l d do wo u l d ma ke
t hem to u c h me

1
S ee The L a n gu a ge s of W e s t A fr i c a , c ha p t er on t he v erb .
140 THE HAUS A L AN GUA GE

Examp les o f Us e f
o V er b S tem F orm o
f Verb when N oun
F orm i n Exi s tenc e
M a t a c ha n ta c he ba za t a t afi That woma n s a i d s he wi l l n ot go
ba s ai mu n 20 before w e c ome
Ba z a ka i y a da u ka n t a (f o r - -
You c a n n o t ta ke i t u p q u i c kl y
da u ka r t a ) ma z a
- -

A m ni a a b o ki n a ya n s h e z a s h i Bu t whe n wi l l yo u r fr i e n d come
t af0
Ya n s h e za m u tafi Wh en sh al l we go

“
If the v erb i t se lf h a s a p re p o si t i o n a l t erm i n at i o n , 11
“
i
i s om t t ed Th s a pp l e s t o t he deri v ed v erb s i n da
i . i .

“ ”
Th ere i s al s o n o n i f t h ere i s an i n d i re c t ob j e c t , e i t h er
p r ec eded or n ot by a p re p o s i t i on
Za s hi ga i da s araku n a n s a He i s go i n g to s a l u te hi s c hi efs
Tal a u c h i b a z aya ka u da ya n c hi P ov erty o u ght n ot to ta ke a w ay
ba freedom
Wa t a ra n a da z am u t afi a ga O n e day a s w e w ere go i n g to the
go n a f arm
Za s u y i ma s u T h ey wi l l do to t hem
Wa n i i ri n ma ga n i
- -
z a ka ba ni What ki n d of m ed i c i n e wi l l y ou
gi v e to me
K o w a ni za s hi t s ay es da w a n na n Whoev er s top s thi s ma n w i l l be
m u t u m z aakas s hes hi ki l l ed

Th e c o pu l a t i v e n bei n g , o f t e n om i t t ed i n t he g en i t i v e
c a s e i s a l so omi t t ed wi t h
, t h i s t e n s e c ommo nl y w i t h
,

n eg a t i v e

Z a s hi ha l a ka d u ni a He w i l l des troy the w l or d

F u l a n i b a z a s u fada m u b a -
The F a
u l n i w i l l n ot gh fi t as

( C ommo n l y — F ul a n i b a z a s u y i fada da mu b a ) .

”
A f t er yi , do, i t i s s all y om i t t ed
u u .

B ab u i t a c h e , ka ka zan yi w ut a There i s n o wood ho w can I ma ke

,

fire
Za ka yi t a fi a You are go i n g to trav e l

Thi s i s s o e sp ec i a ll y if t he si mp l e verb stem i s u sed

,

an d a p ro n o u n i s t he d i r ec t ob j ec t I t seem s a s i f t he .

mai n t e n an c e o f t he s u b s t an t i v al i dea w ere t oo m u ch o f

an e ff or t an d t he c o n st ru c t i o n t oo c u mber s ome .

M i z a i kai mu Ha u s a ?
-
Ya c h e z a s hi w a n ke t a
What w i l l ta ke us to the Ha us a
cou n try
He s a i d he wi ll was h i t
 V ER B 141

I n t he f oll ow i n g ex am p l e s t he p ers on a l p ron ou n i s

“
rep ea t ed a ft er z a su i n order t o en su re a pure v erb

Da Fu l a ni s u ka ga ni b a z a s u Whe n the F u l a s s a w t ha t t hey w ere

s a m u n n a s ara
- -
s u ka c h e
, ba no t go i n g to get the vi c tory
, t hey ,

za s u s u y i fad a b a s a i d t h ey w o u l d n o t fi ght ,

Z a s hi ya ko i ya ma s a kari a He wi l l tea c h hi m f a l s e hood

Freq u en ta ti ve
Thi s i s f ormed by t he i n s ert i on o f t he p art i c l e kan “

be t w een t h e p ro n ou n an d t he v erb I t h a s ( 1) a i re .

q u e n t at i v e o r h ab i t u a l u se ; ( 2) a s u b j u n c t i v e or c on

c es s i v e s e n s e ; ( 3 ) a s en s e o f n ec e ssi t y or c ert ai n t y or
1

S hi ka n y i ha kka He i s i n the ha bi t o f do i n g s o
Bi ri ya ka n y i ba u n a , h al i n s a ke A mo n key a l way s does mi s c hi ef i t
,

n an i s hi s n at u re

A l kema b i s a d u c hi A ll a h s hi A gra i n o f wh ea t on a ro c k God

ka n b a t a ru a gi v es
i t water
K i ka n ta fi , ki ka n ku n c h e en Yo u ca n go a n d l oo s e t hem
W a n da ya ka n c hi a ma n a b a ya He who p l ay s f a l s e wi t h f r i e n ds hi p
i s sa a c h e da s hi abo ki h a i s no t wort hy to be c a l l ed a fr i e n d

Uw a t a ka n ki da n t a Ca n a mo th er hate her c hi l d
Wa n da ya c hi gi gi ni a , c hi ki ns a Who ea ts the (f r u i t of the) fa n
( or s hi ) ka n y i c hi wo p a l m , h i s be ll y w i ll be s u re to be
ya
s i c k ( af ter i t) ( N ol a T hi s i s
.
—
nota fa c t ) .

Wa ya ka s hi g a ( ka = ka n ) Who ca n e n ter ? ( S ee p re v i o u s
n o t e o n t he t e n s e
)

Etymo l o gy
“
M i sc hli ch c o n si ders t ha t kan i s in all prob ab i l i t y
“
an abbre vi a t i o n o f k an a , then , before

Eu n a ga ni ma c h e ka n a ui , If I s ee a woma n I wa nt her
s o t a = ni ka n s o ta
En ya ga ni ku ra ka na ya gu d u I f he s ees a hy cen a i t r u n s a way
= y a ka n gu d u
142 THE HAUS A LAN GUA GE

S u bju ncti ve M ood an d Ten s e

Th ere is nos ep arat e f orm f or t h e su b j u n c t i v e mood i n
a n y t e n s e e x c e p t t he l s t p er s o n s i n gu l ar whi ch c arri e s ,

g en eral l y rat h er a fu t u re sen s e I t s p ri n c i p al u s a g e i s

.

c o n c e s si ve or i n t erro g a t i v e Th e o t h er p er s o n s are t h e
.

s ame a s i n t he aor i s t t e n s e

I na s o en t a fi I wa n t to go
I n a s o S h i ( or ya ) t a fi I wa n t hi m to go
K a y i n u fi ka t a fi D i d y o u i n te d to go n

Na y i k o kar i e n ko m o I s ha l l try to c ome ba c k

N a a i ke s h i s hi ka w o d o ki I s e t hi m to br i n g the hors e
n

Na c he e n t a fi e n ka w o s h i
, I s i d may I go a nd f et c h hi m
a

N i ma e n z o e n k w a n t a M e too l et me c o me a n d l i e do w n
,

U w a t a t a c h e e n t a fi e n w a n ke t a i ll other s a i d I m u s t go a n d w a s h h er
T a c h e t a t a fi t a w a n ke S he s a i d l et her go a n d wa s h ( i t)
K a n a e n t a fi e n c h i n ama — na T he n I wo u l d go a n d eat my meat
Y a c h e za n i e n ga n i ma kar i n He s a i d I wi l l go a n d s ee the en d
-

d u ni a of the eart h

Y a c h e ma s a S h i gi n a ma s a He to l d hi m to go a n d di g a gr av e
ku s hi ey a f or hi m
B a n a s o e n p a s s a ka n ka b a I do not wa n t to brea k yo u r head
K ada s u m u t u T hat t hey s hou l d n o t di e
K a da n ama ya t a s h i L e s t the game s ho u l d s tart

I mp erati v e

I n t he s i n g u l ar t he p ro n o u n i s om i t t ed wh en s ec o n d
v erb i s t h ere , b u t n ot u su a ll y o t h er wi s e
Ta fi ka c h i Go a n d ea t
K a t afi . K u tafi Go ! ( s i ng a n d p l u )
. .

K ada ka b u ga D o n o t s tr i ke
K ada s u t a fi t u ku n a T hey m u s t n ot go yet
Ba ma ga n a ! D o n ot ta l k !
“ ”
Th e v erb beri ,
l eave, l et, i s l arg el y us ed f or gi v i n g
order s et c
,
.

B er mu t a fi L et us go
B er e n d u ba t u ku n a e n da t a ke L et me s ee firs t wh ere s he is

S ome t i me s ,
f or em ph a si s , t he p ro n o u n p rec ede s a s w el l
a s f o l l ow s t he v erb
K a i i ka Hea r ke n t ho u !
K i je ki gu r i n s ari ki Yo u , go th e to c hi ef or , y ou , go to
wh ere
the hi c ef i s
 144 THE HAUS A L ANG UA G E
t he n o t i o n t h a t a p a s s i v e w a s n ec e ss ary , an d t o p rod u c e
i t mere l y made u se o f t he n at ura l me t h od , a s st at ed
ab o v e , b u t w i t h t he ai d o f an ob s ol et e f orm o f t h ey
— amel y
n a
, .

Th i s i s a s i t a pp ear s from t he p res en t day p oi n t o f vi ew -

.

Wh a t a c t u a ll y t oo k p l a c e p robabl y i s t h at a forei gn i n flu x
, ,

o f p o pu l at i on w hi ch p o ss e ss ed a p a ssi ve v oi c e i n t h eir ow n
“ ” “ ”
l a n guag e a n d al s o t he w ord
,
su f or t h ey bro u ght ,

i n t h e s e n ew e l emen t s wi t h a s li tt l e di s ru p t i o n t o t he
“ ”
ex i s t i ng l an gu a g e as p o s si b l e Su a t t a ch ed i t s elf t o
.

”
t he ac t i v e v o i c e an d t h e ob s o l e s c en t
, a mai n t ai n ed
i t s e x i s t en c e o n l y i n a n art i fi c i al u s ag e .

“ “
R e g ard i n g a as s u si m pl y t he t ran sl at i o n o f t he ,

v ari ou s p a ssi v e f orm s i s s een t o ru n h armo ni ou sl y wi t h

t he a c t i v e v o i c e
Pres en t I
A n as o n a s u n a s o n a
z t hey l ov e me
Ba a s o ni ba = ba s u s o n i b e
. . t hey do no t l ove me
A n a s o n ka = s u n a s o n ka t hey l ov e y ou
A n a ka mn a rka = s u n a ka m n a -
r t hey l ov e you
ka
P res en t I I
A kes o ka su ke s o ka or ,

A kc s o n ka = s u ke s o n ka t hey l ov e you
A keka mn aka = s u ke ka m a n

ka or A keka mn arka
,
su ke z

ka mn a rka t hey l ove you

S h i akes o = s h i s u ke s o
,
t hey l ov e hi m
S h i a ka s o = s hi s u ka s o
,
t hey l ov e hi m
P as t I
A n s o mu = s u n s o m u t hey l oved u s
Ba a n s o mu ba = ba s u n so mu b a t hey di d n o t l ov e us

P as t I I
A kas o ku = s u ka s o ku t hey have l oved y ou
A n ka s o ku = s u n ka s o ku t hey have l ov ed y ou
B a a s o ku ba = ba s u s o ku b a t hey di d no t l ov e y ou
Fu tu re
A a s o s u = s u a s o eu they wi l l l ov e t he m
Z aa s o n s u = z a s u s o n su

B a z aa s o n s u ba = ba
. zas u s on s u ba t hey wi l l n ot l ov e th e m
 V ERB 145

Frequ en ta ti ve
A kan s os u = s u ka n so su t hey are al l l ov ed

S u bju ncti ve
A s o s hi = s u s o s h i ( l et t he m) l ov e hi m
K ada as os h i = ka da 8 11 s o s h i l et t hem n ot l ov e hi m

In
pl ac e o f a p ro n oun a s di re c t ob j ec t ( i n t he ac t i v e
ren deri n g ) a n ou n may be su b st i t u t ed
A n a b u gu n y aro do n mu gu n t a The boy i s beate na cc o u n t of
on hi s
1 as . bad deed s
Gari a ke c hi y an z u The to wn i s be i n g ta ke n no w

If by wh om i s added t he a c t i v e v o i c e i s re v ert ed t o
f or pre f eren c e
Ton a w a s u ke c hi n gar i - -
Th e A s h a n t i s a re t a ki n g t h e t o w n
I f t he f o ll o w in g s en t en c e from M i s chl i c h i s c orre c t t he
p a ssi v e may be adh ered t o i n t he P a s t I I t en s e . .

A n ka c hi gari da t o ma w a The to w n was ta ke n by the A s ha n t i s

A n ka , A ka
“
Th ere i s a great t en den c y t o u se f orm s an k a
( a k a ) i ns t ead o f t he ac t i v e v oi c e i n
1 Q u e s t i on s . .

2 Narra t i o n . .

3 Em ph a s i s . .

Yau s he a nk a b u eka Whe n were you beate n

En n a a n ka ga ne u Where were you s ee n
D om i a n ka s a c h e d o ki Why was the hor s e s to l e n 5’
2 and 3
Ji a a n ka b u ge s u T hey were bea te n yes terday
Ji a a ke y i
w a n na n ab u Yes terday t hi s t hi n g w as do n e
Tu n da de wa a n kas a c h e do ki The hor s e ha s bee n s to l e n a l o n g
ti me
A ka y i s a n s a ni ; da s a fi a t a y i , The c amp wa s p i tc hed ; whe n mor n
a ka t a s h i ; a ka y i t a fa da ha r i n g c ame t he aro s e a nd f ell to
a ke ka s s h e mu t a n e w oje n t a l a fi ght i n g u n t ya bo u t 3 000 men
i

t a ; ka n a a ka de na were ki l l ed ; t he n t hey c ea s ed
K
146 THE HA US A L ANGUA GE

It wi ll be n o t i c ed i n t he last exa m pl e t h a t i t i s i mp o ssi b l e

i n En g li sh to k ee p t o t he p as si ve c o n s tru c t i on t hrou gh o u t .

Th e ac t i v e mu st be re s ort ed t o .

Pas s i ve wi th I n transi ti ve Verbs

Th e p a ssi v e f orm al s o be u sed i n Hau s a wi t h i n

c an
t ran si t i v e v erb s Th e ori g i n o f t he p a ssi v e f orm a s st at ed
.

abo v e i s t h u s f u ll y em ph a s i s ed

A n az u a da eu They are be i ng bro u ght

= S u n a z u a da s u T hey are c om i n g wi t h them
A nj e K a n o T hey we n t to Kan o

S p ec i a l Us es of Pas s i ve F orm
Th e p a ssi ve is o ft en u s ed in an i m p erat i v e s ens e
En ka w o ru a ? a ka w o S hal l I br i n g w ater ? Br i n g i t or
l et i t be bro u ght
A sa su t afi c h a n , a dau ko ka y a mu , L et s ome on e go t here a n d ta ke ou r
a z o da su w u ri n mu l oad s a n d br i n g t hem here

A real n ou n may be u s ed wi t h a p a s si v e p refi x i n t h o se

t e n s e s wh ere t he v erb ac qu i re s a su b s t an t i v a l i dea

Ba n debo w a ni b a do n a n a ru a I di d no t a e a n y o u t o n a cc o u n t
t k
of the ra i n
Z a ma n i n n a n a n a y u n gwa I n t ho s e t i me s t here was hu ger n

A n s h e ka ra b i u b a i ru a b a For two y ear s t here was n o ra i n

Baya n a n s h eka ra d u n i a t a i da d i A f ter a year t here was p ea c e

Al s o
A na ua n
-
T here up o n
A n a h a ka
- -
nan

I n t he p a s s i v e a s w e l l a s i n t he a c ti v e v o i c e t he v erb
roo t i s o cc a s i o n a l l y redu p li c at ed i n t h e p l u ral T hi s gi v e s .

a di s t ri b u t i v e f orc e
A n ka s o s u T hey have bee n l oved ( a l l of t h e m
t o ge t h er )
A n kas os os u T hey hav e bee n l ov ed ea c h o ne
Wi t h s p e c i a l a t t e nt i o n )
148 THE HA US A L ANGU A GE

“ “
p re se n t ten s e f orm ke j u st a s i f i t w ere na . To
c om pl et e t he an al o gy n i s i n s ert ed

I na fa da ma ka kamada a ke y i n I e
wi l l t l l y ou ho w tu o i s ma de
tuo
A ke- -
sa mu n s u T hey w ere ca u ght
“ “ ”
v erb ha s t he t erm i n at i on
If t he da , t he n is of
c o u r s e omi t t ed
Ha r ya zo w u ri n da a - ke - s a i da Un t i l he c ome to the p l ac e wh ere
bay i t hey s o l d s l av es

THE I N F I N I TI VE

Th e f ac t t h at t he i nfi n i t i v e i s a n o u n i s n ot l o s t s i gh t o f
i n Hau sa I n re n deri n g su ch s e n t e n c e s a s
.

1 . T o s l e e p i s p l ea s a n t
2 . I w i s h t o go
t he i n fi ni t i v e may be em p l oyed , t h ou gh i n s ec on d
e x amp l e a c i r c u m l o cu t i o n may be ado p t ed .

Th e abo ve may be t ra ns l at ed a s f o ll o ws
1 . Beri c h i ya y i da di
Beri c hi da da d i ya ke
Beri c hi ya n a da dad i
2 I na
. s o - n - t afi a
I na s o en t afi

Th e f o ll o wi n g se n t en c e s f u rn i s h e x am p l e s o f p u re n ou n s ,

or verb s us ed as n ou n s ,
ln t he s ame p o si t i on
S u t a fi ha l b i T hey to s hoot
go
S u t afi gi da T hey ome
go h
M u ka t a fi f a ra u t a We w e n t hu n t i n g
S u n t a fi c h i n t u o - - -
n -s u T hey have go n e to eat t he i r food

S ome t i me s t h e p rep o si t i on ga , to, i s added

K a i , b a ka gi ri ma b a ga a i ki Yo u a re too s ma l l for wor k
( or ga yi
-
n- a i ki )
M n t a fi ga s ha - n - hi s ka We go to ta ke th e ai r
 V ER B 149

Examp l es of I nfin i ti ve i n Nomi nati ve Cas e

Gu du , gado n mat s o ra c hi ne ; T o ru n i s the i n her i ta n c e of a
t sa y a w a , na ma i ka ri fi n c o ward to s ta nd ( l i t s ta nd i n g)
.
,

z u c hi a t hat of a brav e ma n
Ga n i e m
, ba c hi b a , karre ( s hi ) T o s ee i f n ot to eat mea n s the dog
ka n kw a n a da y u n gw a ( p ro v ) . w i l l s l eep hu n gry
Ga ni n sa da k ea o
- -
It i s bea u t i fu l to s ee ( l i t The s ee i n g
.
,

i t i s bea u
Na sam u wa ni a b u da ka m s i , I fo u n d s omethi n g s weet s mel l i n g
c hi ns a bab u da di bu t n ot good to eat

P L UR AL
Chi ye c hi y e ya fi c ha n y ew a T o eat a l i tt l e at a ti me is better
( p ro v ) . t ha n to devo u r

I nfin i ti ve as D i rect Object

Za ki ya 11 ku ka n t a The l i o n heard her c r i es
Ha l bi a w u t s i a ya fi ku s ku re It is better to hi t the ta i l t ha n to
( p ro v ) . m i ss
I na s o - n - t afi a I w a n t to go

I nfi ni ti v e as I ndi rec t O bjec t wi thou t P rep os i ti on

M u n ta fi c h i n a b i n c h i- -
We w e n t to eat food
Ya t afi n ema n do ki - -
He ha s go n e to s ear c h for the hor s e
Na z o t a mbaya r ka n e - -
I c ome to as k y ou

I nfin i ti ve as I n di r ect O bject wi th Prep os i ti on

Na a i ke s hi gar i
-
n- k awo -
n- d o ki I s e n t hi m to br i n g the hors e
In Fu t u re T en s e 11 i t . i s, o f c our s e , t he i n fi ni ti ve
i s u s ed a ft er z a n i et c , .

Na ra s s a ab i n da z a n y i I do n ot kn o w wha t to do L i t . .
,

I am wi tho u t the t hi n g I s ha ll do
Y a y i t e r k o da z aya kama He made a trap a nd he w i ll c a tc h
ku re ge a wea s el
In ch a sen t en c e as He h eard u s c ome t he Hau sa
su
“
,

c ons t ru c t i on 18 He h ea rd ou r c om i n g k ee pi n g c ome
”
,

s tri ct l y a s a n o un
Ya i i m o s i mu -
He heard u s mov e
b ut
Na sa me s hi z a m uc I fo u nd hi m s i tt i n g do wn
150 THE HA US A LA NGU A GE

Th e f o ll o wi n g are e x am p l e s o f t h e
m o od i n s t ead o f t he i n fi n i t i v e ei t h er wi t h or w h ou t a
c on j u n c t i on
WI THO U T
I na s o s h i ( or ya ) t a fi I wa n t hi m to go
Y a s o ki s ar i ki n da ma s hi n n a n He p i er c ed the ki n g wi t h t hat s p ear
- -

da u b a n gi da n s a ya b a s hi ri ko w hi c h hi s ma s ter gave hi m to
ho l d
K a y i n u fi ka t a fi t D i d you i n te n d to go 9
‘
1

N a ik e s hi s hi ka w o do ki I s e n t hi m to br i n g the hor s e
.
a
F a d1 en ] i L et me hear ( l i t S p ea k s o t ha t I .
,

hear )

W I TH
Na a i ke s hi do n s hi ka w o do ki I s e n t hi m to br i n g the hor s e
”
( For do n , dom i n . or gar i n m ay b e s u b s t i t u t e d )

I ns t ead o f a su bord i n at e s en t en c e t w o c o ordi n at e -

s en t en c e s may be em p l oyed
S u n t afo gi da n s u s u n a rab a w a T hey c ame home to d i vi de i t
Ba n a ku n o da za ku s a n z a ma n u It i s n ot for y ou to kn o w the t i mes
T a s hi go gar i t a n a n e ma n m i j i S he e n tered the to wn l oo ki n g for a
- -

t a y i amre hu s ba n d to marry hi m

Us e of the F u tu re Tens e
Na a i ke ( m u t u m ) w a n da z a s hi I s e n t s ome on e to br i n g the hor s e
( or z aya ) ka w o do ki
N a k o i ya ma s a yada ( or ka n da I ta u ght hi m how to c l ea n the gu n
or w ada ) z as h i ( or z aya ) w a n ke
b i n di ga
Ni b a r u a n a b a n e eu n e z a s u I t i s n ot my b u s i n es s
, , T hey are .

y i s hi the p eop l e to do i t

f Us e o Prefi x “
mai
Ka n a da m u t u m mai t ay a ma ka Hav e y ou a n y on e e
to h lp you

No t e al s o f o ll o wi n g
M un ji t a u s ay i e n ra b u a da s hi We w ere s orry to l eav e hi m
152 THE HAUS A LANGUA G E

Vari ou s Examp l es o f S yn ta x
M ut u m ma i ru fe kofa A ma n who s hu st the door , i . s .
,

D oor op e n er-

M al am i ma i ru b u t u ya n a zam u c A ma l l a m i s s i tt i n g yo n der wr i t i n g
c han
M u ka n e ma mu t a ne ma i s u t a fi -
We l oo ked f or on e ou l d
w ho w (li t .
,

Ba l ma c ap abl e of) go to Ba l ma

No 2 .

N ou n F orm 1

Th e o t h er f o rm o f t he pre s en t p art i c i pl e i s a s u s ed i n
En g li s h i n t he s en t en c e s I am c omi n g
”
, He i s k illi n g ”
, ,
“
et c . I t i s f ormed by add i n g wa t o t he v erb s t em .

Thi s p rodu c e s a n ou n f orm an d n ot e v ery verb i s c ap ab l e

,

o f t aki n g i t Bei n g a n ou n f orm t he p ron ou n t h at pre

.
,

c ede s i t i s t he on e en d i ng l n n wh i ch s u ffi x 1s dropp ed
-

i n t he n e g a t i v e I n t he 3 rd per s o n t he f orm o f pro n o u n

.

“ ” “
sh i n a i s p re ferred t o yan a
Zo
Iya
S aya s ( of s ay e )
S hi n a fi t o w a He i s c om i n g o u t Ba s hi fi t o wa He is n ot c om i n g
( a c t u al l y n ow ) ou t ( a c t u a l l y n o w
)
Th e s e h a ve be s i de s su pp l emen t ary mean i n gs
, ,
.

( 1) F u t u r i ty
I na u w z a or ui kc z ua I am c omi n g or I wi l l c ome
I n a t a fi at a I am go i n g my j o u r n ey ( T h i s i s .

t h e p o s s e s s i v e p ro n o u n a t e n d of
t he n ou n )
S u ka c he b a m u b ay es u a T hey s a i d we wi l l n ot gi v e ( i t)
( 2) Po s s i bi l i ty or A b i l i ty

S hi n a y i n w a b a s hi y i n wa Can i t be do n e 1? I t c a n n ot be do n e
G ul abe s u n a ket aru w a 7 Ca n the r i ver s be c ro s s ed

1
S ee der i v e d n o u ns c l a s s
, 8
 V ER B 153

Ba t a a mru a or au ru a marr i a geabl e

S he i s n ot
Ba n a dam u a
. I am n ot to be a n n oyed or a s to n i s hed
A bi n n a n
-
ya
-
fa s u b a s h i T hi s t hi n g i s bro ke n i t i s n ot ,

gert u w a rep a i rabl e

I ri n n a n b a s hi geru w a
- -
T hi s ki n d c a n n ot be i mp rov ed
Y a n a y e n ka n ru a da l a u j e s h i n a He c u t the w ater wi t h a s i c kl e he
da mre w a s hi n a aji y ew a s a i t i ed i t u p a n d s et i t a s i de u n t i l
ru a ya
y i s arar i the water made a n op e n s p a c e

I f t he pre s en t p ar t i c i pl e i s n ot u sed a seri e s o f co ~

ordi n at e s en t en c e s may be f ou n d
S u ka kama h a i n a , s u n a w a ka , They too k the road s i n gi n g ( a n d)
s u n a y ebo n A l a h p ra i s i n g God
- -

PA S T PA R TI CI P L E
Th e p a s t p art i c i pl e i s a p u re ad j e c t i v e f ormed from t he
v erb s t em by a redu p l i c a t i o n o f t he l a st syll ab l e f or t he
mo st p ar t
MASC . F EM . PL URAL FR O M I
EN G L S H

R u b u ta o he ru b u t a ohi a ru b u t a t u
R uf af e ru fa fi a rufa f u
S a n an e s a n a ni a s a n an u
154 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

Examp les of S yn ta x
A K an o a koi t a ka rdu ru b u t at u A t Kan o are ma n y wr i tte n boo ks
daya w a
K a n o a koi ru b u t a t u n t a - -

kard u daya w a
K ada ka t afi w u r i n s ar i ki s a i D o n ot go to the c hi ef u n t i l y o u s ee
- -
,

ka ga k ofa b u da di a or K ada hi s door op e n

ka t a fi w u r i n s ar i ki s a i ka ga
- -

b u da di a l kofa
- -

B o i ya n a n dai n y e c he wa da n ga
, T hi s yam i s fres h tho s e ho wever
ku a dafaf u n e are c oo ked
L e m u da ka ka w o ma n i b a The l i mes y ou bro u ght me are n ot
n u ua n u b a n e ri p e
Y ara n a n l a l a t a t u n e da s u n a
, T hes e boy s are c orr up ted whe n ,

s amar i a kaki al i s u s h i n e ya s a
, t hey w ere yo u n g t hey were n e
gl eeted ; t hat i s w ha t c a u s ed i t
Ya damra fi t il a ju y ay a a b i s a He ha s t i ed the l amp o n the bo x
a da ka u p s i de do wn
Za kara ya zam n a a daki ma t a c h e The c o c k l ay i n the room dead

V ER BA L A D VER B S

Th e se are f ormed from t he verb st em wi t h t he p refi x

” “
an d
“
a w hi ch may p erh aps be t he p rep o si t i o n on
, ,
”
t he fi n a l v o w el i s ch an g ed t o e as ,

A b u de from b u d u op e n A jef e fro m j efa t hro wn

A da ri me da mre t i ed Ak afe kafa f a s te n ed
Af al ke fal ka w a ked A kw a n c h e kw a n t a l a i d do w n
A fi fi ke fi fi ka flo w n A ku n c h e ku n c h e l oo s ed
A f u re fu ra ki n d l ed A ma c eh m ut u dea d
Af u c h e fu t a re s ted A ma n c he ma n t a f or gotte n
A b ad i e h ad e s wa l l owed ra aye
A t ra t ay a hu n g
156 THE HAUS A L AN GU A GE

Za i s t he re v er s e o f zo , c ome an d s o mean s g o
, .

Y a ka ya ki ( f ) c ome here
Im era ti v e
.

Y a ku c ome here ( p l u ) j .
p

nfi Jekl (f )
0

3 3Im era ti v e
‘

Je is al s o us ed i n t he ordi n ary w ay p re c eded by

t he p ro n ou n
Za ni K a n o I go, or
w i ll go, K n to a o
Na b i ku ha r w u ri n da z a ku o o to I c e yo u
f l l w y ou
wi l l t he p l a
are o to g i ng
K e je ki Go t o h u ! (f ) .

Ni ma z a en je u i en rama ab i n da I re e e mys e lf
A nd wi l l go a n d v ng

u ba n a ya y i m i n i my at er on f h
Y a t a fi ya je s ar i O ba n
. e t ed He w n a nd ki l l hi s f h
at er

I M P ER S O NA L V ER B S

Th ere are two i m p ers o n al v erb s in Hau sa “

ako i
“
( a kw 0 1) an d w ai ( w ae ) .

A kwoi
A kw oi mea n s there i s Th ere i s n o ch an g e f or t en s e
.
,

t i m e bei n g i n d i c a t ed by ad v erb s

Tu n a mafar i a koi A l l a h God has bee n s i n c e the begi n n i n g

or T here i s a God ever s i nc e the
begi n n i n g
S o me t i me s t he 3 rd p er s o n al p ro n o u n p l u ral f o ll o w s in
an sw er t o a qu e s t i o n , a s Ak w o i su There are .

A kw o i su daya w a , ba a ra s a s u T here are pl e n ty ,

t hey are n ot
wa n t i n g

Wai ( wa e)
Wai ya ch e he s ays I t i s al w ay s u s ed wh en th e
, .

sp eak er i s n ot sp eak i n g on hi s ow n au t h ori t y I t i s n ot .

”
u ni v er s al l y i n t er ch a n g eab l e w i t h ya ch e .

W a i ku t a fi He s ay s you m u s t go or you are

to go
Wa n i yaro ya 2 0 w ai s h i A u d u A c erta i n boy has c ome he s ay s he ,

i s A ud u

N O TE —M i l l er s ay s thi s i s a Z ar i a i d i om .
 V ER B 157

o f i m p er s on al v erb s may al s o b e
“ ”
o f t he n ou n s au ra ,

S a u ra kada n mu u gama ai ki n mu In a s hor t ti me we s ha ll fi n i s h ou r

wor k
S a u ra kw a n a u ku I n t hree day s or T here i s
days

Yi
Th e verb yi is O f t en us ed a s an i m p er s on al v erb .

Y a y i ku s a It i s n ear
S ee in c h a p t er o n i d i om s u n der y i
 C HA PTER VI

A D V ER B S

A D V ER B S may be d i vi ded a s f o ll ows

1 Pl ac e
. .

2 Ti me
. .

3 M ann er
. .

4 A ffi rma t i on an d Ne g at i on
. .

5 I n t erro g at i on
. .

M o st ad verb s are ei t h er c om p o un d w ord s mad e up

wh oll y or p art l y from ot h er p art s o f sp ee ch or i n re g ard , ,

t o ad verb s o f p l ac e i n p ar t i c u l ar s ome n o u n s are u s ed

,

wi t h ou t an y ch an ge O f f orm .

Th ere are s ome w ord s wh i ch are c l as sed u n der ad verb s

o f mann er an d t i me O f wh i ch i t i s h ard t o de c i de wh et h er
t h ey are n o t be t t er c l as s ed a s c o n j u n c t i on s a do u b t whi ch
,

i s e qu all y c ommo n t o o t h er We s t A f ri c an l an gu ag e s .

S ome We s t Af ri c an l an g u ag e s a mo n g wh i ch may be
,

men t i on ed Y oruba Efe an d M en de h a ve l on g l i s t s o f

, ,

i n t en s i t i v e ad verb s . Th e s e w ord s are very c ommo n l y

a t t a ched t o c ert ai n v erb s a l on e an d c an n ot be u s ed w i t h
,

o t h er verb s Hau s a i s q u i t e de fi ci en t i n t hi s re sp ec t b u t
.
,

s eei n g t h at man y o f t h e s e i n ten s i t i ve s h a ve an ap p rox i ma

t i on t o t he roo t o f t he verb t o wh i ch t h ey are a t t ach ed
wh en n eeded i t may be ass u med t h at th ey are deri v ed
,

f rom t h at ve rb I f t h at be c on fi rmed a g erm O f t he

.
,

s ame i dea li e s i n Hau s a i n t he u se o f t he n e u t er f o rm

”
en d i n g i n u f o ll o wi n g t h e p ri n ci p al verb ( s ee un der
di vi si o n o f v erb s ) .
 160 THE HAUS A L ANGUA G E

S hi n a n a n a He i s here
Ba s h i n a n He i s not here
20 n a n C ome here
A je b i n d i ga n a n P u t the gu n here
Ba s h i da ga n a n He i s n ot here
T u ma ki d u ka s u n a n a n Ba eu A re a l l the s heep here T hey are
d u ka na n b a n ot a ll h ere
M i z a ki y i n a n a Wha t wi ll y ou ( f ) do here.

D a ga c h a n n a ga n i a b i n ma m e ki
- -
T here I s a w a w o n derfu l t hi n g
N ote t hat the adverb p rec edes for emp ha s i s
'

D a ga nan m u ka t a s hi mu ka i s s a From t here we s tarted ( and)

,

nana w e rea c hed here

D a ga w u r i n n a n
- -
T here or from t here or from t ha t
p l ac e
D a ga n a n ha r c h a n From here to t here
D a ga c h a n h ar n a n From there to here
A b o ki n a s h i n a ( or y a n a ) n a n M y fr i e n d i s here
Tu n ya n s h e ka n a n a n z am u c How l o n g hav e y ou bee n s i tti n g ( or
l i vi n g) here ?
N O TE — I f wu r i n n a n
. - w ere u s ed i t wo u l d fo l l o w
-
zam u c

S u n a n a n z a mn e da s h i T hey are s i tti n g t here wi t h hi m

I na t ama h a kw a n a ki s hi da da ga I t hi n k i t i s s i x days from here to
n a n z ua
ga B or n u Bor n u

Tare
M ut a n s d uka sun a t afi a are t A l l the p eop l e are trav el l i n g to get her

T are is d i s t i n c t from tari very ma n y

En da, wu ri nda
S u ka t a mb ay e sa e n da ( or w ur T hey a s ked hi m w here hi s mother
da ) u w a s a t a ke
in w as
En da h a l i m u n i keao n e ; e n da
,
Where ere i s c ha rac ter u nfavo u r
th
b a h a l i b a k ea o m u n i n e
,
abl e ap p eara n c e co u n ts for
( p ro v erb ) n ot hi n g ; w here t here i s n o
c hara c ter good l oo ks are of n o
avai l
Ba e n da b a n t a fi b e T here i s n o where I hav e n ot bee n
Ta fi e n da z a ka Go to yo u r de s t i n at i o n

N i sa, da ni s a ,
et c .

Ba t ure s hi n a n i s a t u ku n The Eu rop ea n i s ar ofl

'
s ti ll
Ba t u r e b a s hi n i s a The Eu rop ea n i s n ot ar
Na ga n s hi da ga n i s a I afar off
hi m
’
s aw
Y a ts aya da ga n i s a He s tood afar ofi
 A DV ER B 161

K ada n ku t a fi a da ga garemu
ni s ,
I f y ou go fa ra way from u s do n ot ,

kada ku s hi da ni s a da ga u ba n e n c amp far from yo u r p aren ts

s uku
M u t afi w u i
’
r da ni sa L et u s go to a fa r p l a c e
Ba n ga n su b a, s u n a da ni s a I have n ot s ee n t hem t hey are
, a
o
l n g w ay ( fi
R u a n i s a ya ke da ga n a n
’
The w ater far rom ere
is f h
D e n gi n a s u n t a fi n i s a du k s un M y c o tryme a e o e far a way
un n h v g n ,

rab u da ui t ey a e
h arted rom me
h v all p f
Y a y i ni sa It i s fa r
S u na tafi a s u n y i ni s a T ey e a o h w nt l n g wa y

Ku s a da ku s a et c , , .

S hi n o ku s a ga ren i He i s n ear me
N 0 TE . K u s a ga re rea l l y ma ke s a p rep o s i t i o n .

Ba ka ga ni b a ya ku s a gare ka Yo u do n o t s ee h e i s n ear you

Y a ku s a c h i ka da ru a It i s n ear l y fu l l of w ater
S h i n a ku s a da s hi He i s n ear hi m ( Pre p o s i t i o n h ere )
.

S h i n a ku s a ns a He i s n ear hi m ( N o u n h ere ) .

D a ga ku s a From n ear
Ga s h i t s a ka n i n kul ku s a S ee hi m i n the m i dd l e v ery c l os e
K us a da j u n a Cl o s e to ea c h ot her
Y a ku s a m u t u a He was n ear l y dead
R a n i ya ku s a z a kua The dry s ea s o n i s n ear
R a n a t a ku s a f a do w a The s u n i s n ear l y s ett i n g
ya ku s a kare w a Hi s wor k i s n ear l y fi n i s hed
Y a kus a fa du a He a l mo s t f e ll

Th e l as t fi v e e x am p l e s sh o w t h at t he f ac t t h at ku s a
i s al w ay s a n o u n i s n ot l o s t s i gh t O f Th e su cc eed .

i n g v erb t ak es a n o u n f orm ( i n wa an d ku s a an d
t he v erb are t h u s t w o n o un s i n a pp o s i t i on

Y a y i ku s a It i s n ear ( no t he i s n ear )
K u y i ku s a Come n ear

K o en n a w u r i d u ka
,

Al l a h s hi na koen na . A ll a h s hi n a God i s every where

w u ri d u ka
K o en na s u n s ha gi a sun ko s hi Wherever t hey dr i n k beer t hey , get
dr u n k
K o e n n a ka t a fi Al l a h s hi n a na Wherev er yo u go God i s t here

D abara ,
da u ra
S u j er u da i da i b a na s o s u ts aya L et t hem f a l l i n p rop er l y I do .

da u ra da j u n a n ot w a n t t hem to s ta n d on e
( s l i ght l y ) i n fro n t of a n ot her
L
 162 THE HA US A L AN GU A GE

Gaba baya ,

S u n a t afi a gaba i na bi n s u da ga They are w a l ki n g i n f ro n t I am ,

baya f ol l o wi n g t hem be hi n d
K i w u c h e gaba ru a n M ad i n a
,
-
Pas s on the w ater of M ed i n a i s
-
,

b a ku s a b a n ot n ear
Ba s hi i y a s hi da u ki kay a ns a He c a n n ot c arry hi s l oad on
n a n gaba

Bi s a ka s a ka l ka s et c
, , , .

S hi n a da ga b i s a n i n e da ga He i s on top I am u n der n ea th
, ,

ka l ka s
Y a s h i do da ga b i s a He c ame down from a l of t
K ada n ka ka i s hi b i s a ka ka w o , Whe n y ou hav e c arr i ed i t u p br i n g ,

s h i ka s a i t do wn a ga i n
K ai b i s a Carry i t u p
Ta i n y a s hi ! s h i da u ka kaya a He lp hi m to c arry i t u p
bi s a
M u fa d i ka s a We fe l l do wn
Z am n a ka s a S i t do wn
K u aje ka s a P u t i t do wn
S afko ka l ka s da ga i t a c h e Come do wn from the tree

Waj e
Ya fi t o w a j e He c ame o u ts i de
Waj e m i ght eq u a ll y w ell be c al l ed a n o u n here i n the
obj e c ti v e c a s e af ter fi to
Su n fi ta w a j e s u n y i ya ki They w en t o u ts i de an d fo u ght a
battl e
Ts a ka n i
A je t s a ka n i Put i t bet wee n
Chi ki
M uka s am u yara s un a w o ri gi We fo u n d s ome boy s pl ay i n g i n s i de
da ga c hi ki
S a c h i ki P u t i t i n s i de

Ga n gare . Us e d w i t h h i l l s
Ga n gare d u c h i A c ro s s the mo u n ta i n s
K e tare us ed wi t h w t a er as w e l l as l a n d
K e t are gul b i -
n - n an A c ros s t hi s r i ver
K e t are c h a n That s i de
K et a t e d u c hi Over the ro c k
164 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

D agan a n t here up on
( Y a n s h e W h e n 9 s ee i n t erro a t i v e ad v erb s
g .
)
K o y au s h e at a ny t i me i mmed i atel y al ways , ,

S a a n a n l o t u n a n l o ka c h i n an
-
,
-
, no w t h es e days
-
, ,

z ama n i n a n kw a n aki n an
-
,
-

S a a d u ka l o ka c h i d u ka l o t u a t a n y t i me
, ,

d u ka
Wa n i l o t u a n ot her ti me
Tu n da de w a ( S ) l o ng s i n c e
B ade w a l on g s i n c e
D ada i ever Us u all y w i t h n e ga t i v e ; .

never
D a w u ri D a u r i ( S )
, of o ld for mer l y ,

D a far i ( S ) at firs t
Chi ki n da far ko ( K ) -
a t fir s t
D a s afe ear l y mor n i g n

D a ma re c h e at eve n i n g
D a der e at n i ght
Zama zama -
af ter a l i ttl e t i me
S O daya w a of te n ma n y t i mes ,

+Baya ga af ter ( Pre p r ea l l y ) . .

B aya n w a n n a n
- -
af ter t hi s
TA ga b a i n f ro n t
Gaba ma l ater on i n the fu t u re ,

Na n gaba he n c ef ort h i n f u t u re ,

Gaba da i a ( S ) at o n c e
Ba ki da i a ( K )

K u ma a ga i n m ore a l s o , , ,

D eri v ed fro m koma t o re t u r n ,

Z O ku ma Come a ga i n
Bab u ni s a ku ma No f art her
Ba n i da ku rd i daya w a ku ma I have n o more mo n ey a t al l
A ka n y i s u da ka s a a ka n y i
- - -
, They are made of eart h t hey are
- -
,

s u da i t a c h e ku ma made of w ood a l s o
Wa n i l o ka c h i z a a y e n ka s a a Whe n wi l l t hey ki ll a bu l l aga i n i n
- -

ka s u a ku ma the mar ket

A u d u ya y i s a t a ; M a h ma ya y i A u du has s to l e n M a h ma has al s o
s a t a ku ma s to l e n ( T hi s d oe s n ot i m p l y .

t h a t M a h ma h as s t o l e n a ga i n ,

i e a s e c o n d t i me ) . .
,

K a n a , ka n , ka n da
al s o be l o w u n der before
. S ee

K a n a u i ka n t a fi u i kan c h i T he n I u s ed to go I us ed to ea t ,

t u ona my f ood
_
B ai e ri n a ga n i s ar i ki ka n a F i rs t I s aw the c hi ef t he n the
, ,

ga l adi ma da kar s h e s ari ki n

,
m i n i s ter l as tl y the head bu tc her
-
,

p awa
 AD V ER B 165

Hari o ya ki ra ni s o - bi u , ka n a na A ga i n he c al l ed me t wi c e t he n I ,

a ns wered
I na son Al l a h , ka n a a b o ki n a I love God before ( the n ) my fri e n d
K a n eu gama Before t hey ha v e do n e
K a n da t a rab i ka ( p o e t i c ) Before i t p ar t you
K a n da n a je da ga n a n Before I go from here

D ada = K a n a
S u ka fi de n ama dada s u n a b i da They s ki n n ed the a n i mal , th e n t hey
n - wu t a ( be ga n ) to l oo k for fi re

K am i n

K a m i n ru a s hi t a s o Before the ra i n started

S a i ka s hi ri a ka m i n na zo Yo u m u s t get ready by the ti me I
c ome
S hi ga da ki kam i n ma s u ga yy a Go i n to the room before th e as s em
su zo bl age c omes

Har ra n a ta fad i Un t i l the s u n s ets

Ha r yao Un t i l to day -

Y a n a t a fi a h ar y a n z u ; b a ya He w astravel l i n g u n t i l n o w he ,

gama b a di d n o t meet hi m
Ts aya har ya t a fi Wa i t ti l l he has go n e
K a j i ra ui h a r e n z a ka Wa i t t i ll I c ome
Y a t a mb ay e t a he r s o u ku He as ked her t hree t i mes
Y a j i ra h a r ru a y e eu z u ba ka s a He wa i ted u n t i l the ra i n c ame ( l i t
Waters p o u r on the ea rt h )
Na ri k e a s i ri n n a n h ar ga I hav e kep t thi s s e c ret u n t i l n ow
y a n z u ( yao ) ( to day )
-

K a da ka ma i de ma ni da n a b a r You n eed n ot ret ur n my s on to me

n a gam u da ka i da ga c hi ki n -
u n t i l I mee t y o u i n the ot her
l a khi ra wo r l d

Har i o
Hari o m u t u me -
n - ua n , ko u b a n t a, a
A g i n the s ma n ,ame or p er hap s i t
ya za ka ya ma i s hi et a was h er f h , at er c ame ( an d) made
ret r
her u n

S ee e x am p l e u n der ka n a

Tu n bara S i n c e l as t year
Tu n da s afe S i n c e mor n i n g
Tu n ji a ba w a s hi ke, a m ma yao O nl y es terda y he was a sl a ve but
db
,

da ne to y he i s f ree
166 THE HA US A L A NGUA GE

Tu n a mafari ek oi A ll ah God has bee n s i n c e the be gi n n i n g

( li t , S i n c e i n the begi n n i n g t here
.

i s God )
Ub a n ka ya n a da rai ? A a, ya I s yo u r f at her al i v e ? N o, he has
m u t u t u n i n a yaro bee n dead ever s i n c e I was a boy
K u t u ba t u n b a ku m u t u ba R ep e n t before yo u di e
Tu n da S i n c e a lo n g ti me ba c k . Thi s i s
di s t i n c t fro m t u n da , whi l e ,
et c .

Tu n da a ko i da ki From the firs t t here has bee n a hu t

( here )
Tu n da bab u s ai A ll a h From the be gi n n i n g n ot hi n g bu t God
Comp are “
tu n a mafar i abov e
Tu n da = tu n l okachi n da
Tu n da n i ke ku l u m n a fad i Ever s i n c e I w as bor n ( l i t I was )
, .
,

ga s ki a I have a l ways sp o ke n the tr u t h

T u n da an kah ai fen i b an ga ba t u re Ever s i n c e I w as bor n I have n ev er
ba s ee n a whi te ma n

Tu n da , w hi le
T u n da s u n a c hi ka bi n di gan s u Whi l s t
they are l oad i n g t he i r gu n s
dori n a t a t afi n i s a the hi p p op o tam u s we n t fa r a way
I n a s on chi t u o n a da s afe t u n da I wa n t to eat my food i n the ear l y
b a s hi y i b a s ai n yi mor n i n g before i t gets c ol d
T u n da b a s hi kare maga n a n s a Bef ore he had fi n i s hed tal ki n g
T u n da ya m u t u b i rni ya z ama S i n c e he d i ed the ci ty has bec ome
w ofi des o l ate
Tu n i t u n t u n i tu n dadewa
, , . Th e l a s t i s a s t ro n ger form
Y a t afi K a n o t u n i He has a l re ady go n e to K a n o
Na rab u da gi da t u n i I l ef t home l o n g a go
Na y i s hi t u n t u ni I di d i t very l’o n g ago
K ari fi t ara n e, a n t afi ma ka ra n t a I t i s n i n e o c l o c k e v ery body has
,

t u ni go n e to s c hoo l l o n g ago
K a s hi mfi da t uf a t u n i Hav e you sp read the c l ot h yet ?
K a t oya gu ra s a t u ni 7 Have y ou ba ked bread re c e n tl y
I n a j i ra n ka t u n da dew a
- -
I have bee n wai t i n g for you a l o n g
t i me
Ya m ut u t u n da dew a He d i ed l o n g s i n c e

Tu ku n a as y et ; n ot y et ( i n n e ga t i v e s e n t e n c e s )
,

A bi nc hi ya kare ? T u ku n a b a I s the f ood ( l i t fi n i s hed ) ready ?

, .
,

ya n u n a b a s ara i N ot yet i t i s n o t p rop er l y c oo ked

,

Ba n c h i ko m i b a t u ku n a I hav e n ot eate n a n yt hi n g yet

Ba ya 2 0 b a t u ku n a He has n ot c ome y et
168 THE HA U S A L AN GUA GE

Da a da u ka ab u d uka c hi ki
s uk Whe n they had ta ke n everyt hi n g
n —ar i s u n s a w u t a of the to wn t hey s et fire to i t
g
D a s afi a ya y i m u ka t a s h i Whe n i t was day l i ght we s tar ted
D a marec h e ya y i Whe n i t wa s eve n i n g
D a gar i ya w ay e Wh e n the da wn had co me

’
S aan da, ( S aa da ) lo kachi n da, l otu u da , wo kac hi nda
-
w h e n ( re l a t i v e )

S aan da na s a m u dama Whe n I am better

L o t u n da n a t a s h i b a n a ] 1 l afi a Whe n I s tarted I di d n ot feel w lle
ba
Ku n zo da s afi n ga ? I m u ka ‘

, D i d y ou c ome thi s mor n i n g ? Yes ,

z o, a m ma kw a n aki n da m u ka w e c ame bu t whe n we c ame y ou

,

zo ka n a kara t u w ere read i n g

S aa -
n an , l ot u -
n an , l o ka c hi -
n an , z ama n i -
kwa n a ki
n an , -
n an ( or s aa
n -n an , at t hat t i m e

L o t u n a n i n a t ama h a s h ekarat a I t hi n k I was e l eve n years of a ge

s h a da i a t he n
S aa n an M u s a ya t afo The n M us a c ame
Al s o
D a ga ra n a n an a n as u ku a -
n- do ki O n tha t day t h ere w ere hor s e rac e s
da a n ab u ga b i n d i ga a nd s ho ot i ng

Wa n i l o tu , et c .

Wa n i l o t u s hi kan ka w o l abar i S omet i mes he br i n gs good n e ws ,

n a gari da , w a n i l o t u m u gu s omet i mes bad

K ar s ke

( S ee e x am p l e un der Kana

Yao , gobe , ji a , et c . Us u a l l y at be gi n n i n g of s e n ten c e s

Y a o b a mu t afi b a ma ka ra n t a T o d ay we di d n ot go to s c hoo l
Ji a n a ji l abar i da u i ke s o T o day I heard the n e ws I l i ked
-

A n an an

A n a ua n da s afe Af ter t hat, i n the mor n i n g

 AD V ER B 169

Ya n zu , K oy an zu
Yanxu y a n z u N ow a t o n c e
'

Hal ya zua
yan z u Up t i l l n o w
Ya c he B tu a re
s hi t afo yan zu He s a i d , L et the w hi te man c ome
at o n c e
K oya n z u na yi ko da na gap I wi ll do ( i t) at on c e tho u gh I am
t i red
K oy a n z u na t afi L k o oj a J u s t n ow I go to L o koj a

Koy a u s he
I n a t u n a w a ko y au s he I am a l ways remember i ng i t

D ada i

o t h er w ay s of e x p re s s i n g n e v er u n d er n e v er
S ee .

M u t u m e ka ma n w a n n a n dada i
- -
I hav e n ever s een a ma n l i ke t hi s

b a n ga n i b a
Ba k o gar i b a ka z o dada i b a A s tra n ge c i ty to whi c h y ou hav e
n ev er be ore c ome
f
D ada i b a n ga n i b a a n a daf a I n ev er s a w date s c oo ked before

Ba n y i s a t a dadai I hav e n ever s to l e n

N an da nan .
( Us u a l l y in arra t i o n )
n

Ka y i s hi nan da n an Do i t at o n c e

D a ga n a n

D aga n an s ari ki ya c h e Af ter t hat or t here up o n

, , the ki ng

s ai d

B a wu r i , da u r i
Na 31 ma ga n a na n da w u ri I hav e heard that before

( S ee e x am p l e un der ka n a

Da sa fe , da marec he, et c .
, o
p i n t s of t i me . Da i s t he
p re o
p si ti n o
wi t h

M uka t a s hi da dere We s tarted at t ni gh

I n a t a ma h a s u n a i ke w a da ns u I thi n k t hey s e n t s ome p ers o n s a w ry
da ga c hi ki - n dere n an -
d u r i n g the n i ght
Gob e da s afe mu t a s hi To morro w we s ta r t
-
170 THE HA US A L ANGU A GE

Zama zama or s ama s ama

- -

Ba n 11 b a s ai s ama s ama -
I o n l y heard a l i tt l e

Bay a ya (a p re p o s i t i o n in real i t y )
D a ga baya ga w a n n a n thi s
Baya ga b eri n gi da n s a - -
l eav i n g home
Baya ga m u t u a r ka n u at a - -
na 11 the deat h of my you n ger s i s ter
l abar i - n ya ki -
I heard r u mo u r s of war

A gaba

Al l ah ya sa kw a n aki n s a a gaba God p ro l o n ged hi s l i fe

Ga ba ma
Ga b a ma-
S hi z ama da L ater he wi l l be free
Gaba ma -
i n a da ku rd i In the f u t u re I sh al l hav e
mo n ey

N a n gaba

Na n gaba b a ka n a kara He n c efort h do n ot do it agai n

Ga ba da i a ba ki da i a
-
,
-
, gabada i

M a s u ka y a eu zO gaba da i a , ba The c arr i ers m us t al l c ome to get her ,

da i a dai a b a by o n e
n ot on e
K a n a ga n i dari s u n a t afi a ga b a da i You m i ght s ee hu n dreds wa l ki n g
abo u t at on e ti me
D o m i b a ka z o w u ri n a ga b a da i a Why di d you n ot c ome to me at
be o nc e
K u beri at aru at afi gaba dai a L et t hem a s s em bl e a n d go al l
to get her
Ba ki dai a m u t a s hi We wi l l s tar t a l l at o n c e

I di omat i c e x p re ss i o n s an d c i r c u m l o c u t i on .

S ome ad v erb s o f t i me i n En g li s h may i n Hau s a be

e x pre ss ed i di omat i c all y , o r a c i rc u m l o c u t i on may be
ado pt ed Th ere may al s o , h o w e v er , be a c orre sp o n d i n g
.
172 THE HA US A L ANGU A G E

Whi l s t
’
Wa zaya yerda w a n i ya c h i Who wi l l a gree to a n ot her s ta ki n g
s aro t a t a s a ,
s hi ko ya n a da ra i hi s ki n gdom whi l s t he i s s t i l l a l i v e

S ee u n der p re p o s i t i o n c h i ki n -

D u fu ya y i ku s a It wi l l s oo n be dar k .
( Li t D ar k
n es s ma kes n ear )
S u n dry Exp res s i o n s f
o T i me
D are - n Jl a an s a c h e kaya gu da
-
O n the p re v i o u s n i ght a l oad wa s
s to l e n
Y a o kw a n a u ku ban c hi k o mi It i s n ow t hree day s s i n c e I have
ba eaten a n yt hi n g
D a ga c hi ki n s h e kara n a n
- -
I n t hat year
S u n y i ma s a a i ki kw a n a s hi da T hey wor ked for hi m s i x or t hree
kO u ku days
K ada n s u n kw a n a dere u ku ko When t hey ha d s tayed t hree or fou r
fu d u n i ght s
M u ka zam n a daga n a n kw a n a ki We rema i n ed t here ma n y day s
daya w a
Gob e n s a ( = gobe n s a) O n the n e xt day
- -

Ya o s h e kara n m u goma s h a b i ar I hav e ha d t hat j ar f or e xa c t l y

'

- -

da u i da b u t a n a n fiftee n year s

3 . A D V ER B S OF M A N N ER

Th o s e mar k ed are al s o u s ed a s c on j u n c t i on s .

Bal e ( S ) , ba l e i a ( S ) , b a rs he ma
-

( K ) , b al a n t a n a b al
a n t a , b ars h e ( K ) m u c h more m uc h l es s ,

D ai dai p rop er l y equ a l l y to get her

, , ,

form l y
D ai a n e
-
ready c omp l etel y
,

D a ki r , d e k e t w i t h di fi i c u l ty
‘

D ol e (S ) = t i l as ( K) wi t h f or c e
Fa c h e m u c h l e s s ho wev er fa a nd
,

t o be
Gaya K =
( ) kw a rai e xa c tl y
Gi rs h i s u dde n l y

Ha ka , ha ka n a n so

Ha l ama p er hap s
 AD V ER B 173
’

al on e
a l i tt l e ( al s o a n a d j e c t i v e )
K ama ( n o u n ) , ka mada kama n da ho w l i ke a s
, ,
*
KO even S ee u n der c o n j u n c t i o n s
.

K o ka ka a n y ho w
Kw ara i ( S ) e x a c tl y p rop er l y ,

i n an y c a s e of n e c e s s i ty of a s u rety , ,

t he n do ! A c om ma n d O f u rge n c y
,

qu i c kl y
a l o n e e xc ep t et c A l s o p re p o s i
, , .

ti on an d c o nj un c ti o n
e xc ep t
p rop er l y
Tar1 ma n y ( A n o u n = a b u n da n c e)
.

Ti l a s ( K ) wi t h f or c e
W ada ( S ) yada ( K )
, , a wa ( Za n f ) ho w the ma n n er i n whi c h
,

o n e c e s s i ty
f
Wa t a ki l a p er hap s

ae
B l , et c .

Na y i m u r n a do ki da i a ba l e i a I rejo i c ed for o ne hors e mu c h more

ov er two
Ba ya t afi M a s ar ba ba l e M a kka He di d n ot go to Egyp t m u c h l es s
to M e cc a
Ba l e fa mu dada It i s m u c h better for u s to wa i t

D a i dai

“
Thi s i s p o s si b l y n o t t he s ame w ord a s dai dai a
c o n t rac t i on o f da i a dai a
M a i da t a n a m o t s i , b a t a t s aya The tabl e mov e s i t doe s n ot s ta n d
da i da i b a ev e n l y
S u n a gi n a da ku n a b i u dai da i They bu i l d two ho u s es a l i ke
Ba n ji da i da i ha I di d n ot hear c orre c t l y

Dai a ne ( = it is o n e, u n i t y)
S un yi a i ki n s u da i a no T hey di d t he i r wor k c omp l ete l y

D a ki r , da ket

D a ki r na s a mu ha i n y a I fo u n d the road t
w i h di fi i c u l ty
 174 THE HAU S A L ANGUA GE

Caya ( K) kwara i

Y a gu d u gaya He ra n e
w ll

Gi rs hi
Gi rs hi na a n i ku ra
g S u dde n l y I s aw the hy cen a
Gi rs h i ya m u t u S u dde n l y he d i ed

Ha ka
Gara h a ka or G u ma ha ka Better s o
Ha ka s hi ke I t i s so .
(In re p l y
to q u stia e on
or as a s or c a o
t Of pun tu ti n i n a
sp e e c h)
K O b a ha ka b a O r i s i t n ot s o ( U s e d at e n d of

q u es t i o n )
Y a c h e h a ka He s a i d s o ( or t hu s )
I n a fada ma ka h a ka s h i ke I te ll you i t i s s o
W a n i i ri n s a n da ke n a n
- -
da What ki n d of s t i c k i s t hi s , i t i s so
n a n y i h a ka ? heavy
Ha ka da gi ri ma S o bi g

Ha kan an
Ha ka n e n s hi ke It is re p l y t o a
so (i n e o
q u st i n )
Na n da n a n ya m u t u a s h e ! , ii, He d i ed i mmed i ate l y ; t at
ah, y es , h
h a ka n e n n e is so

Ha l ama
M u n e m i h al ama mu u s am u L et us l oo k, p er ha p s w e s ha l l fi nd it

K amada , kama n da ( K ama -

n )
I na fada ma ka kamada akey i s hi I
wi l l te
l l y ou ho w i t w as do n e
O b a n gi ji ya ba s hi ya kom o The L ord ra ted to
g n hi m t hat he
kama n da s hi ke da sh ul o d be c ome
as he w as bef ore
Th e o u n ka ma fro m w hi c h ka ma n da i s mad e u p ( kama
n ,

n da ) i s u s e d w i t h a n a d v erb i a l s e n s e w i t h t h e c o p u l a t i v e
-
, n

Y are ya y i kama n u w a n s a - -
The bo y i s l i ke hi s mot her
D a ra n a t a fara t as hi i n a ga n i n t a Wh e n the s u n bega n to r i s e I s a w
kama n t a n a fi t a da ga c h i ki n
- i t a s t ho u gh i t w as c om i n g ou t of
g u l b i th e s ea

K ama n ya s h i ga ar i A s he e n ter s the to w n

g
-

K ama n b a eu s a n ka b a
- A s i f t hey di d n ot kn o w you

K o ( s ee c o nj u n c t i o n s al s o )
Ba n ga n i kO da i a ha I have n ot s ee n eve n on e
17 6 THE HA US A L ANG UA G E
S ai a n ji ma Good by e for the p re s e n t -
( Li t . .
,

t i ll you have w a i ted )

S ai a n j rma kada n Wa i t a l i tt l e I n a l i tt l e whi l e .

S ai l a fi a Q u i te we l l A rep l y s a l u tat i o n .

S a l b a rka ? s a i a l bar ka
z N ot hi n g bu t t ha n ks N o t h a n k y ou .

S a i ga i s u a N ot hi n g bu t t ha n ks Li t o nl y a . .
,

s a l u tat i o n

S ai a mb i deka ( Wa i t ) t i l l you are s e n t for

S ai a n kw a n a b i u Good by e f or a n i n defi n i te t i me -

Li t Un t i l y ou hav e s l ep t twi c e
.
,

S ai kada da i a n a ga n i I s a w o n l y on e c ro c odi l e
S a i ka da w o Un t i l you ret u r n
Bab u ba w a ko da i a da ga c hi ki There was n ot a s i n gl e s l ave i n the
n gi da s ai ui
-
ho u s e e xc ep t me
S a i u ba n a ya c he ma n i Bu t my f at her s a i d to me
K afa t a d u ka s ai j i n i
-
M y f eet were n ot hi n g bu t bl ood
S a i m u t u me da i a a ke s a s hi ya O n l y o n e ma n wa s made to c l i mb
ha w a bi s a i t a c h e . the tree
Y a c h e ma s a s ai ya a i ka w u r i He s a i d to hi m he m u s t s e n d a n d
’
n s ari ki n S o ko t o ya t ambay
- -
as k the ki n g of S o koto fir s t
s fi 1
Y a c h e ma n i bab u ko m i s a i He s a i d ot hi n g to me e xc ep t t ha t
n
l afi a a ll w a s w e l l
S hi n e, s hi ke s h a ka a z aba n -
He i t i s he do u bt s the p a i n s of hel l .

l a khi ra ; s ai ya gam u da w u t a Wa i t t i l l he meets the fire a n d he

ya ka n c h e ka i t e ro ( p o e t ry ) w i l l s ay A l a s I
,

En b a ka da ku rd i b a ka da If you hav e n o mo n ey you have

ko m i , s a i kare n ot hi n g y o u are o n l y a do g
,

A b i n da ki ke s o s ai en ba ki A n yt hi n g y ou ( f ) l i ke I wi ll gi v e i t
.

y ou

S a i da i

M un ki ra ka s ai dai b a ka j i m u We c a l l ed bu t y ou di d n ot h ear
ba
S anu . S ee a l s o der s al u t at i o n s
un

Y a t afi s anu ( sa n u s a nu ) He we n t s l o wl y (very s l o wl y )

S ara i
Ya yi ma ga n a s ara i He sp ea ks c orre c t l y

T i l a s ( a n o u n by ori gi n)
K a ma s hi t i l a s S e i ze hi m by f or c e
A m ma ka s ha ru a n a n da t i l a s Bu t y ou dr i n k t hi s w ater from
n e c e s s i ty

Y a ki z a ku a do n w a n n a n ya s a He refu s ed to c ome
,
so he for c ed
s hi t i l a s hi m to
 A DV ER B 177

Y a kama t a mai han kal i da dere A pr u de n t man o u ght to s tay at

z am n a w u r i dai a s hi , home at n i ght He s ho u l d n ot go
.

w o s a i t i l a s ko w a n i ya
, ou t e xc ep t for c ed to s a y by s o me , ,

ko w a n i y a ki ra ka t i l a s body dy i n g or ca l l i n g you i m
p erati vel y

T ar i ( a n o u n )
Tu ra w a s u n a t ara s o j a gaba s da The whi te men are c o l l e c ti n g s ol d i er s
K u ka w a t ar i t ar i e as t of Ku ka i n v as t n u mbers
Wataki l a
Wot aki l a o b a n ka s hi zo ku w a Perhap s yo u r fat her wi l l c ome too
Waji b
WaJi b mu do hai y as u ( p oe t ry ) We o u ght to ta ke e r road
th i

Wada yada , , a wa (t hes e are n o u ns )

Yada a n kay i za n i fa da ma ka Ho w ( = the way) i t was do n e I wi l l
te ll
you
K a i y a gaya m i ni yada m u t u m e A re you abl e to t lle me how thi s
n - na n ya m u t u ma n i d ed

F ormati on of Certa i n A dverbs

ad verb s are f ormed from ad j e c t i ve s i n En gl i sh
I n Hau s a c orre sp o n d
”
add i t i on o f t he suffi x l y .

i ng ad v erb s— wh i ch may a l s o e qu a ll y be ad j e c t i v e s — are

“ ”
f ormed f rom n ou n s w i t h t he p re p o si t i on da wi th , .

Th e f o ll o wi n g are a f ew

mor n i n g

Da ni s a

D a ga s ki a tr u l y Da h a n ka l i c are u l l y
D a a wa ma n y Da r
wu i of o d

D a a ri fi p o werf u l l y Da kafa on foot

D a dadi p l ea s a n t l y Da gu d u wi th run n i ng

Ba gus hi da kari fi Bea t hi m we ll

Y a t a h da kafa He we n t on f oot
 78 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

Th e u se a s ad v erb s o f s i m p l e ad j e c t i ve s or o t h er s o f
di ff eren t f ormat i o n f rom t he f ore g oi n g i s n ot u n kn o wn
Y a fi t a n a gar i He has t u r n ed ou t we l l
En da ya s h i ga d u ka ka b i s h i Wherever he e n ters y ou fo l l o w hi m
En da z a ka d u ka a d u ni a Wherev er you go i n the wor l d

Th ere al s o t he u se o f t he i n t ran s i t i ve verb f orm i n

is .

u , u s u al l y i n t he 3 rd p er s o n I t a cc om p an i e s i t s
.

p aren t v erb an d i s probab l y an i n di c at i on o f t he ori gi n

,

o f t h o s e i n t en si t i ve s i n o t h er l an gu age s s o man y o f whi ch ,

h av e t he s ame root as t he verb t h ey acc om p an y

A da mres hi s h i damr u Ti e i t t i ght

O t h er e x am p l e s are gi ven un der t he v erb .

“
Th ere are s ome ad verb s i n En g li sh su ch a s v ery , ,

t o o m u ch et c whi ch are ren dered i n Hau s a i n a

, .
,

v ar i e t y o f w ay s
Very

By R ed u p l i c a t i o n

Fari fari v ery whi te ,M a z a ma z a v ery q u i c kl y ,

K ada n kada n v ery l i tt l e ,

Wi t h c ol o u r s t h e s e c o n d p ar t may b e m od i fi ed .

Far i fet f et fet (S )

-
,
-
v ery w hi te
Fari fer fer fer ( K )
,
-

L a fi a l au or l a u l a u -
v ery w e l l
Ja w u r w u r w u r
-
,
-
v ery red
B a ki ki r i n ki r i n ki r i n
,
-
v ery b l a c k

U w a t a t a n a da ra i a m ma t a M y mot her i s a l i ve bu t s he i s very

t s ofa da ga s k e ol d

S ee a l s o e x am p l e s u n der kw a ra i .

T oo too m u c h
,

Na fay e c hi I ate too m u c h

Na c hi na f ai fay c

Q u i c kl y
K a da ka dedi ka y i ha n z eri D o n ot de l ay , ma ke has te
En ka k o m o da s am l i e m ba ka If y o u c ome ba c k q u i c kl y I wi l l
l ada gi ve y ou a re ward
18 0 THE HA US A L A NGUA GE

Fada w a s u n ka c h e, l a, b a ka b e . The c o u n c i l l ors s a i d No do

, , n ot
s hi gi v e i t hi m
Ba ab i n da z a n c hi T here i s n ot hi n g for me to eat

Ba i s s omet i me s u s ed a s a n e g at i v e f orm of
i n t erro g at i o n

Ka ji ba D o y ou n ot hear

“
S ome t i me s on e ha i s om i t t ed , e sp e c i al l y if s e vera l
c c ord i n at e s e n t en c e s f o l l o w ea ch o t h er
-

Ba ui da ku rd i , b a ni da ka ri fi ba If I have no mo n ey I am p o werl e s s

Babu

Wi th p ron ou n s is ften
o i n terchangea bl e wi th ba

Bab u ko m i or b a k o m i b a N ot hi n g at al l
B a k o w a or b a b u k o w a N o body
Bab u ko w a da ya y i rda da s h i T here is n o on e who be l i eved i n hi m
B ab u n i s a N ot f a r
Bab u ru a n ka ( i d i o m ) It doe s n ot c o n cer n y ou
Bab u ab i n da ka n a i y a y i T here i s n ot hi n g y ou ca n do
Bab u m a i t a fi a ga r i j i a da dc re N o on e goe s to the w e l l at n i ght
Bab u m u t u m da ya t aya ma s a N o on e he lp ed hi m
B a ab i n da bab u T here i s n othi n g s hor t
Bab u dai a n s u or bab u da i a N ot on e of them
c h i ki n s u
D a bab u w a w a gara da w a w a It is better to o wn a foo l t ha n
( p ro v erb ) ot hi n g
n
K o mi ya ba c h e h a n ku r i a bab u Ev eryt hi n g goe s wro n g where
or n e bab u ( p ro v erb ) p at i e n c e i s wa n t i n g
’
D o n bab u n a u w a n s u c h i ki Be c a u s e t he i r mot her s (f ood ) was
n ot am o n gs t the ot her ( d i s he s of

f ood )

Examp l e of ba bu for ba wi th Verb

S ar ik i n an b ab u s hi da da T hat ki n g ha d n o s o n
En ka t a fi bab u i n a gafert a ma ka I f y ou go I w i ll n ot p ardo n y o u
M u n c h e ma s u , mu bab u z am u We s a i d to t hem, We wi l l n ot dr i n k
s h a n o n o w u ri n ku mi l k wi t h y o u
 AD V ER B 18 1

5 . I NTERR O GA TI VE A D VER B S
K a ka (K) How In
wh at ma n n er 9 T hi s
. w ord is
n ot co
up l wi t h ed o t he r ad v erb s as in t he
En gl i s h p h s s , ra e How fa r Ho w
s oo
n 7
As (8 ) How
Y a u s he When
Tu n ya n s h e t ‘
S i nc e whe n
Wa n i l o ka c hi What ti me 9 .

Na w a How ma n y How m u c h
D o mi ( = do -
n- mi ) Why 5’ O n acc o u n t of what 9 .

Gari n mi 7
- -
Why 49 O n a cc o u n t of w hat ?
Ba 2 N ot ( S ee u n d er A ffi rma t i v e an d N e ga t i v e
‘

ad v erb s ) .

Where
Whe n c e
K a ka, A a
K a ka ka h e I K a ka ki ke
‘
Ho w are you ( m or . f .
)
K a ka i y al i nk a How i s yo u r f am i l y
K a ka s u n a n ka What i s you r n ame
D a ka ka z a ka t afi a ya ki bab u A nd how w i ll y ou go to war wi t h
fada w a n o ofi i c ers 9 .

K a a n i ka ka s u y i gi n a ga D o y ou s ee how they di g u n der

ka ka s hi n ka s a gro u n d ? K a ka i s n o t d i re c t l y
- -
(
i n t erro ga t i v e h ere ) .

K a ka zan yi cn s am i w annan How s ha l l I be ab l e to fi n d t hi s

ma s hi ? sp ear ?

Ya u s he
Y a n s h e ka z o n a n
Y a n s h e s ar i ki s h i n a gi da
Y a n s h e zam u t a fi a
barao ya ber i gar i
Tu n y a u s he
( u s u al l y wi t h pre s e n t a n d f ut u re )
Whe n di d y ou come here
Whe n wi l l the chi ef be at home
Whe n s ha l l we go 1’
Tu n ya u s he
S i n c e whe n has the thi ef teft the to wn

Wa n i l o ka c hi a l s o wa n i s aa ? wa n i l o tu
Wa ni l o ka c h i z aay en ka s a a Wha t ti me wi l l t hey ki l l a co w i n
ka s u a ku ma the mar ket aga i n ?

N a wa
Y aro na n s he ka ru n s a n a wa How ol d i s thi s boy
Nawa How old i s thi s hor s e 7
G u da n a w a 1 How ma n y t’
18 2 THE HA US A LAN GUA G E

Na w a n a w a How m uc h eac h
K w o i gu da n a w a n a s ay erua ne 7 How ma n y eggs are there for s al e
Na w a n a w a a na s a y eru a How mu c h are t hey s o l d for eac h 9.

N a w a a n as ay es da s u How m uc h are t hey al l

Ku n a w a ku ka t afi w u i r -
n -s at a How ma n y of y ou w e n t to the p l a c e
w here the t hef t too k p l ac e

D om i , don mi

D o m i ka che h k a a Why do y ou s ay s o 9 .

D om i ka zo Why have y ou c ome

Gari n m i
Gari -
n- mi s u n ka ba c h e Why are t hey l o s t ?
En n a
En n a s hi
ke En n t a kc a Where i s he 9 Where i s s he
.

a ae a
D g nn afo
ku n t Where h av e you c ome from
a
En n ka fi t o Where hav e y ou c ome from
a
En n ha n kali n ka Where i s yo u r s e ns e
En na da ank Where i s yo u r s on
En na za a
k Where are y ou go i n g
a
En n ka ke Where are y ou
a a az m e
En n k n e n Where are y ou s tay i n g
a da
En n h a i n y a r gi - -
Whi c h i s the way home 9 .

En na marab a a da
i n w nn n What i s the d i ff ere nc e bet wee n t hi s
a c a
w n h n 2
‘
and t hat
B ab marab
u i t s a kan i n s u T here is d i ffere nc e bet wee n t hem
no

a a a
K a ta m b ay es a , En n u w s A s k hi m w here hi s mot her i s
a a a
En n s u n a n ka ( = k k s u n a n ka) What i s yo u r n ame
a da a a
En n rua n ka w nn n What hav e y ou got to do w i t h t hat ?
a a a
En n a z en c hi n w n n n - -
What does t hi s mea n

F or A dverbs . I n terrog .

How
B e s i d e s b e i n g t ra n s l a t e d by a w a or kamada v ari o u s
n

c i r c u m l o c u t i o ns are n e c e s s ary t o re p re s e n t t hi s En gl i s h w ord

D a ga K a n o z ua K at si n a na da I s i t far from Ka n o to Kats i n a ?
a
ni s
D a ga n a n ki n gi n mu ( or , s a u ra
- -
How l on g bef ore we reac h the
n- mu ) n a w a m u i s s a K w ara K w ara ( Ni ger ) ? Ho w ma n y wee ks
 184 THE HAUS A LA NGU A G E

1
Gaba n -
i n f ro n t of
1
Baya n -
behi n d
Ts a ka r ( a l s o -
ts ka a -
n i n m i ddl e of
Ts a ka ni n -
bet wee n
1
Ch i ki - n i n
1
W oj e -
n bes i de o u ts i de of to ward s
, ,

S hi ya l ( S ) -

A ba ki n -
i n e xc ha n ge f or
K ama r ( K ama - -
n l i ke
K u s a r ( ku s a n
- -
n ear S ee a l s o 5 K u s a da
.
‘

Gu n -
to at the p l a c e of
,
1
W u ri n -

Bi gi ri n ( K )-
i ns tead f
o
G u rb i - n ( Z a ni )
M ai maki - n ( S )
Ta m ka r -
li k e
Ba t u - n wi h t refere n c e to
K afi n -

Oomp Prep os i ti ons formed wi th da wi th ,

Ba m- da d i ffere n t from
D abara da i n f ro t f a n d n ear o n e a o ther
n o n
D a u ra da
Gam i da o et er wi t h
t g h
Ku s ada n ear to
Tare da together wi t h
S aba da -
on a cc o u n t of

O ther Comp ou nd
P rep os i ti ons
D a ga f rom
Th i s p re p o si t i on c an be c ombi n ed wi t h man y o t h er s as , ,
”
D ag a ch i ki n f or ch i ki n et c etc , .
, .

A, at , o n

M uk a b eri kaya mu a - w a ni g ari We have l eft ou r l oads at a n o ther

to wn
Tafi a a h a n kal i S l o w trave ll i n g
A h mad u ya s am u m i ki a h a n u A hmad u has a bo i l on hi s r i ght
n dama
-
ha n d
Tu n a mafar i a kei A ll a h God ha s bee n s i n c e the begi n n i n g
D a s u n ka k e t ar e da i a b i u a Whe n they had c ro s s ed on e two at
, , , ,

n a u ku s u n ka i s s a w u r i n ka s a
- the t hi rd t hey re ac hed dry l a n d
- -

M i ku ke y i a n a n -
What are you do i n g there 1?

1
A = on, may or ma y n ot b e p re fi x e d t o t h e s e .
 P R EP O S I T I O NS 18 5

A z ab al al l a h u a ra n a -
l l a kh i ra
-
The p a i ns of God day of
on the
j u dgmen t
Na t u ra m u t u m a ru a I p u s hed the ma n i n to the water
Y a fad i a m a He f e l l i n to the wa ter
Y a fada ru a ( R ob i n s o n ) He fl u n g hi ms elf i n to the wa ter
Ha l b i a w u t s i a ya fi ku s ku re T o hi t the ta i l i s better t ha n to m i s s
( p ro v erb )
Y a fi eu d u ka a da u ka n kaya He was better tha n they all i n c arry
- -

i n g a l oad
Y a koma a c h a n a B orn u He re tu r n ed yo n der to Bor n u
D a a n kas h eka a ba n za You wo u l d hav e bee n ki ll ed f or
n ot hi n g

D a, w i t h . Al s o b y , o f, et c .

I ns t ru m e nt
Y a b u ge s hi da b u l a l a He beat hi m wi t h a w hi p
Y a y e n ke s hi da w u ka He cu t i t wi t h a kn i f e
K a c hi ka s hi da ru a F i ll i t w i t h w ater

A c c o m p a ni
me n t
Tafi da s hi T a ke hi m a way or go wi t h hi m
Y a 2 0 da s hi He bro u ght hi m or c ame wi t h hi m
S u n s a i da n i da kel o w i They s o l d me to the K el owi i e , . .
,

t hey traded me wi t h the K el owi

Po s s e s s i o n ( s ee al s o u n d er a u x i l i ary v erb )
S u n a da b i n d i ga T hey hav e a gu n
Ba mu da a b i n c h i We have n o food
I n a da s hi a nd Ni ke da s hi I h av e i t
En b a ka da da b a ka da fari
, I f y ou ha ve n o s o n y ou have n o
n c h i ki
-
hap p i n es s
I na da kafa ( i d i oma t i c ) I h av e a ( bad ) l eg
M a n n er
T afo da gu d u Come q u i c kl y i e c ome r u n n i n g
, . .
,

Da mi a ka n y i su Of what are t hey made

M i s c e ll a n e o u s o t h er Ex am p l e s

T a fada ma n i da Ha us a S he to l d me i n Ha u s a
M i n e da B ugli x Wh at i s i t i n En gl i s h 9 .

Na ga j i da s a ku a b i s a ra ku mi I was t i red o r i d i g on the ca meln

K a y i h a n ka l i da d u ni a Be c aref u l o the wor l d

S u ns fada da mu t a n e c hi ki n
.
-
T hey were fighti n g wi th the p eop l e
ka s u a i n the mar ket
Ka gai ma ni da u b a n ka S a l u te yo u r f at her for me
186 THE HAUS A L AN GU A GE

D a dad i - n c h i-
N i c e to eat
S u n ki ra n i da s u n a n a , or , s u n y i T hey c a l l ed me by my n ame
ki ra n a
S ai da n o n o n ma c h e a n as ay e n s a
- -
O n l y for the brea s t of a woma n i s
i t to be s o l d
Da bab u w a w a gara da w w a a R at her t han to be w i t ho u t ( ev e n ) a
( p ro v erb ) f oo l , i t i s better to hav e a fool
( w i t h you )
Ya cheda s hi He s a i d to hi m
Na l u ra da ba l i n ka I wi l l l oo k i n to yo u r c hara c ter
‘

K u y i kama da s ar i ki Yo u are j u s t l i ke the ki n g

Y a k o m o da baya He ret u r n ed ba c k
Ba n s a n i da gu ba a c hi ki ba I di d n ot kn o w t hat t here was
gu ba p oi s on i n i t
”

K a y i m u r n a da ga n i n u b a n ka - -
A re y o u p l ea s ed to s ee yo u r f at her
K are ka m u t u da ba u s hi n ku ra - -
D og, y ou wi l l di e of hatred to the
( p ro v erb ) ky a n a
I na m u r n a da ga n i n ka I a m p l ea s ed to s ee y ou
Da i s us ed ea d of da ga
i n st

Ku du da K u ka w a S o u t h of Ku ka wa
Gaba s da ru a s u n a ns a S h ar i Ea s t of the r i ver c a l l ed S har i

Da i s us ed in c o m p ara t i v e st at e m e nt s
Y a o mu n fi na ji a da bi u T o day we have ( do n e) more ( t ha n )
-

[of ] yes terday by two

Na s a ya fi n a w a da s h i dda Hi s e xc eed s m i n e by s i x
Y a fi n i da keao He w a s more bea u t i fu l t ha n I
N a fi s o w a n n a n da w a n n a n I p ref er t hi s to t hat
Da is us ed wi t h ou ns
n to ma ke a d j e c t i v e s a n d ad v erb s , as

Da h a n ka l i c arefu l or carefu ll y
’
Ga, t o , et c .

It is fo u n d in c o mp any wi t h o t h er p re p o s i t i o n s , as
“
bi sa ga,
baya ga ,
”
et c .

M ot i o n
S u n t a fi ga w a n i gar i T hey we n t to a n ot her to wn
S i m p l e D at i v e

Ya fad i ga s ar i ki He s a i d to the c hi ef
Y a fa d i ga s hi He s a i d to hi m ( M ore . u su al
ma
188 THE HA US A L ANGUAGE

O nl y us ed befor e p ro n o u ns

M u t u me n na n far i n j i ki gare - i
- - - -
Thi s man i s p op u l ar
S u s ay e eu gareku T h ey bu y t hem f rom y ou
Ba t u re n a n , s hi n e z a a b a s hi eka -
T hi s i s the whi te man to whom you
g are s a wi l l be gi v e n

B ar, t o ( s ee a l s o a d v erb s )
Na se m u t u me -
n - nan ab o ki -
n I ap p o i n t t hi s man yo ur trave l l i n g
ta fi a - r- ku , s h i kai ku h ar comp a n i o n he wi l l ta ke you as
,

br
i ni -
n- K a n o l afi a far as the c i ty of Ka n o i n s af ety
N O TE Bi r n i Ka n o is a l s o fo u n d , the two no u n s bei n g i n ap p os i t i o n .

M a, to, for
M a may be c o m e mi or mu fo r e upho n y (S )
Ya fa da ma ni He s a i d to me
Ya fada ma ka ( m ) ma ki or . He s a i d to you
m i ki ( f ) .

Y a fada ma s a ma s hi m i s h i mai
, ,
Y a fada ma t a
Y a fada mam u m u m u m u n a
Y a fada ma k u m u ku ,
Y a fada ma s u m u s u ,
Y a fada ma s ari ki
N a go de ma ka
K a w o ma n i ru a e n s ha
Y a gaya ma n i l abar i
K ada ka fada ma ko w a l abar i
, He s a i d to hi m
He s a i d to her
, ,
He s a i d to u s
He s a i d to y ou
He s a i d to t hem
He s a i d to the c hi ef
I t ha n k you ( formal )
Br i n g me w ater to dr i n k
He to l d me the n e ws
D o n ot te l l a n y on e the n e ws

M ea ni n g for

K a r i ke ma ni Ho l d ( i t) for me
N a da ka n t a ma s ar i ki I w a i ted for the c hi ef
K a y i ma n i s h i mfi da r gado - -
S p read my bed f or me
K a ga i ma ni da a b o ki n ka S a l u te yo u r fr i e n d for me
K a w o ma ni do ki Br i n g my hor s e
A ka da u ra w a ma s a da w a ki s u rdi They were s addl i ng the hor s es
hi m
 PR EP OS I TI O NS 18 9

Of
Ba t u re ya ka s h e ma s u m u t u m The whi te ma n ki ll ed ma n y of t hem
t ari da do ki t t e r hor s es wi h h i
S u n ka s h e ma T u ra w a m u t a n e T ey ed of the A ra bs ma n y men
h ki l l

A c hi ki n w a ni gar i a n a c h e ma s a I n a c erta i n to w n c all ed D a n ga

garra

Fro m
T a b i da mas u m aga ni S he s o u ght med i c i n e f rom t hem

Wa
Thi s is p robab l y an ot h er f orm o f ga c om p are guri

O nl y u sed be f ore n o u n s , n ot bef ore p ers o n al p ron oun s ,

an d u s u a ll y wi t h v erb s t o t e ll (K )
Na da ka n ta w a s ar i ki I wa i ted for the c hi ef
K a da ka gaya w a ko w a D o n o t tel l a n yo n e
Y a y en ke w a s ari ki ku n e He cu t ofi the c hi ef s ea r ’

K afa r w a ni b a t a y i w a w a n i Th e foot of on e ma n c a n n ot wa l k
-

t a fi a ( p ro v ) .
f or a n ot her
S u ka sa i yo w a d u m m e n a n ba i w a T hey bo u gh t a s l avef o r the p u mp ki n

N a ( 11 ; or d , m f or n ) ( m ) .

T a ( t ; or 1 r for t )
, a n d m od i fi ed of t e n t o a n y l e t t er of t he of
al p h abe t w hi c h may be gi n t he fo l l o w i n g w ord
Thi s p re p o s i t i on i s o f t w o gen ders an d t h at f o rm i s u sed ,

whi ch agree s w i t h t he gen der o f t he fi rst w ord I f h o w e v er .

, ,

t he fi r st w ord i s pl u ral t he ma sc u li n e f o rm i s u se d
, .

Wh en t he sh ort f orm i s u s ed w hi ch i s gen erall y t he c as e , ,

i t i s en cli t i c t o t h e fi r s t w ord i n e n u n c i at i o n b u t n ot i n
mean i n g 1
.

’
D a - n sa ri k i ( da n
-
s ari ki ) The c hi ef s s on
’
Y a l s a ri ki ( S )
-
The c hi ef s da u ghter
Ya r s ar i ki ( K )
Y a t s ari ki

1
In ordi n ary t e x t t he n e t c i s w ri t t e n as p art o f t he fi rs t
, .

w ord T hi s w or k h o wev er be i ng a i t i s n e c e s s ary t o

di s t i ngui s h i t c l ea rl y an d s o i t i s joi ne g
.
, , ,

,
ra m mar
i th h y p h e ns t o ea c h w ord
(

i t c o nne c t s .
190 THE HA US A L ANGUA G E
’
Y ay a n s ari ki- -
The c e c hi l dre n
hi f s
’
Y ari ni a t - s ar i ki -
The c e hi f s
’
M a t a r s ar i ki
- -
The c hi ef s
M a t a n gar i
- -
The wome n to wn
M a t a n s a (f o r ma t a t a s a
- -

A bo ki n t afi a t a - - -
M y tra e
v l li n g c om a o
p ni n
D a n u wa ns a
- -
Hi s brot er be a e
h ( c us da n u wa
is s ma c
) .

Da ma t a u s a s a u ra s hi dai a A n d of hi s w ome e t ere

n ( wi v s ) h
was l
f et
on e hto
im
S arar i d d u n i a ( rare )
- -
( Po e t i c ) . a
The p l i n of the eart
h
D a ki d d u ni a ( rare )
o -
( Po e t i c ) . e o d
The ho u s of the w rl ( = the w l or d )
Wu t a l ki ama ( Po e t i c )
- -
. The fi re
of the day
of j u dgmen t
R a l ki ama
- -
( Po e t i c ) . The day
of j u dgmen t

N is j oi n ed to man y n oun s t o mak e p rep o si t i ons as , ,

” ” ”
w u ri -
n, kai -
n, chi ki n o f whi ch e x am pl e s are gi ven
-
,

l at er .

I t i s us ed wh en ad j e c t i v e s p re c ede t he n oun ,
t h ereby
maki n g t h em i n reali t y n ou n s .

Baba l kaza - -
f or ka z a baba A bi g fo wl
“
As baba en ds i n a i t h as t o be t reat ed as a
f emi n i n e w ord Wh en , h ow e ver , t he s e c on d w ord i s on e
.

o f i m p ort an c e , esp e c i al l y a p er s o n , i t s eem s t o h a v e a

dom i n at i n g e ffe c t u p o n t he p re p o si t i on ; s e
B aba -
n -s ar i ki The bi g c hi ef
Baba -
n- ra go The bi g ram

A l so
S ab o n w a t a
- -
N ew moo n
S h a s hi n gar i n a
-
za n i ba s h i I wi l l gi v e hi m the ha lf o f my
ki n gdom
Al l a h s hi ba ka ya w a -
n - ra i M ay God gi ve y ou a l o n g l i fe
Y aw a r rai i s al s o f o u n d , an d i s c o rre c t , a s yaw a i s
- -

a f em i n i n e w ord ; i t i s l e ss fre qu en t l y h eard , h o w e ver , n ot

bei n g s o eu ph on i ou s .

“
Th e l on g f orm i s u s ed ( 1) i n p oet ry , ( 2) wh en n a
i s t h e fi rst w ord i n t he s e n t en c e , ( 3 ) wh en a p ron o un
i n t er v en e s , ( 4 ) wi t h t he c ardi n al n u meral s t o f orm t he
ordi n al , ( 5 ) f or em ph a si s or c l earn e ss , an d ( 6) wh en t he
p rev i o u s w ord i s n ot a n o un
N am u me It i s ou rs
’
Na s ar i ki me It i s the c hi ef s
192 THE HA US A LA NGU A GE

I f t hi s p ro v erb w ere f ormed li k e t he p rec edi n g , f or ta

” “ ”
i
g a da k u ra t h ere w o u l d be gai s u a r k ura “
K aram- -
.

”
ban i , w hi ch be gi ns t he s en t en c e , i s n ot c on t i nued wi t h ,
“ “ ”
an d ta p ert ai n s t o a kwi a
Ga s ki a n ki You ha ve s p o ke n the tr u t h
K ari a n s u They have l i ed
Na s ome t i me s f o un d
is i n s t ead of s hi n a . S ee
u n der p er s o n al p ro n o u n s .

Examp l es of
f omi tted o

L afi a j i ki arz i ki n e Hea l t h of the body i s p rosp er i ty

L ai fi baba ro w a l a i fi yaro ki a w a
, The fa u l t of age i s mea n n es s the ,

f a u l t of yo u t h i s l a zi n es s
G i da b i u ma ga ni gobara ( p ro v ) Two ho u s es are a remedy aga i ns t
.

fire
Y a n mat a gi da n mu da fari b a ki Th e da u ghter s of our ho us e ha ve
.

Tab eri a a whi te mo u th F ufu s t i c k

.
- .

( R i dd l e ) Th e f u fu s t i c k be i n g -

i n c o n s t a n t u s e w i t h p o u n di n g
c or n h as a l w ay s i t s en d w hi t e n e d
Ba s u c hi s hi n c h i ko w a b a They do n ot eat the food of an y on e
K u m u t a n s yam ma You men of the w e s t
M u t a n e zi na A d u l terer s
K w a n a m u go ma m u n a t a fi a
-
We h av e bee n trav e l l i n g ten d ays
M u ka ber i kaya mu -
We hav e l ef t o u r l oad s
Thi s s eem s t o be c ommon l y s o wh en fi n al a i s l on g
S hi fi s h e mu a i ki mu t a n e z i n a He s ep arates u s from the w or k of
adu l terer s

Examp l es of use o f M as s for F em

. .

U w a ns u T hei r mother
U w a n ma t a u s a M ot her of hi s wi f e
ya y i b i u
Z u c hi a ns a He wa s i n do u bt
er r a m u gu
D e ig n N i ght i s a c l oa k for the evi l ma n

It is c ommo nl y f o u n d t h at wh en t h ere i s a s eri e s o f

l i nked n o u n s s ome h a v e t he c o p ul at i v e an d o t h er s s t an d
,

i n app o si t i on u s u all y al t ern at e l y

,

Z a m gu r i n di a s ar i ki
’
I w i l l go to the p l a c e of the dau ghter
of th e ki n g
S una n s ari ki gar i n Wa n dara The name of the hi c ef of the c o u n try
of Wa n dara
 PR EP O S I T I O NS 193

Th e f oll o wi n g i s an e x am p l e o f t he u se o f t he p art i cl e
”
“
m ai “
as a su bst i t u t e f or n a
’
T a z o ku s a da wa ni gi da mai S he c ame n ear a c erta i n goat s
ho u s e

S ai , ex c e p t ( s ee al s o ad v er b s ) . Pro n o u nc e d s o ( s ay )
S ai w a n n a n O n l y t hi s
S ai la fi a O n l y hea l t h i e q u i te w e l l
, . .
,
’
S h i ku a da n s ar i ki n a n b a s hi A n d he the c hi ef s s o n ha d n o
da w a ni c hi ni ki s a i s ha n gi a - -
ot her bu s i n es s bu t to dr i n k beer

dom i n ( S ) gar i n ( Z a n i ) S ee al s o c o nj u n c t i o n s
D on ( K ) , , .

Thi s p rep o si t i on t ak es ei t h er a di re c t ob j ec t or a s en t en c e

Don ba wa da i a su n yi cc o u n t of on e s l av e t hey mad

ya ki On a
w ar
Y a ra g u do n kai n s a It i s d i m i n i s hed of i ts elf
Y a t afo w uri n a don gai s h e n i He c ame to me to s a l u te me ( be c a u s e
o s a l u t i n g me )

R i ki kare n ka do n kare n w a n i Hof d yo u r dog on a cc o u n t of the

- -

’
( p ro v ot her ma n s dog
M a hma du ya da u ki kaya gu da M a hmad a has ta ke n on e l oad for
do n ka n s a hi m s e lf

D om i n

Na je Ka n o dom i -
n - g ni - na I w e n t to Ka n o to s ee my fri e n d
a b o ki n a
D om i n ha ka na n On a cc o u n t of thi s
Y a c he do - n - mi b ai y i a u re b a 7 He s a i d why i s he n ot marr i ed
D o m i n s hi n a m u t u m ki r ki
- -
Be c a u s e he i s a v i rt u o u s ma n
K u ka da no y i do m i n ga n i n ka
. The c ry I made i n order to s ee you
D o m i n mi 7 What for

Gar i n ( s ee a l s o i n t erro ga t i v e a d v erb s )

Ya t a fi gari ga r
i n s aye n n a ma
- -
He w e n t to the to w n to bu y me a t
-

Ya t a fi gari n ya w o
- -
He has go n e to ta ke a wa l k

or ya z u a
Z u a -r ( = he is c o m i ng) or zu a ga t o ,

S u n tafi zua r Ka n o They w e n t to K a n o

S u n t a fi ya z u a K a n o T hey w e n t to K a n o
M u n a go di a z u a ga A l l a h We gi v e t ha n ks to God
Hal ya z u a y a n z u Un t i l n o w
Na ko mo z u a r gi da na - -
I c ame ba c k home
194 THE HAUS A L AN GUA GE

Y a t afi z u a - r- g aba s He we n t eas t
Z u a -r- m ut u a -
r- A h me du ya yi O n the deat h of A hmedu he bec ame
sar ki Ki ng
D a ga Ka n o z u a - r- K at s i n a na da I s i t f ar f rom K a n o to K at s i n a 9 .

ni s a 7

“ ”
I n t he f ore g oi n g t he r i s very c ommonl y omi t t ed
”
aft er z u a I t s e xi st e n c e i s h o w e v er s u pp ort ed by t he
.
, ,
”
al t ern at e ren deri n g o f ga .

K ai -
n, ka n , on t op of

D o ki s h i n a t s aye ka n ( or a ka n ) The hor s e i s s ta n d i n g i n the road

h ai n y a
M u ka gam u da s hi kai n h a i n y a - -
We met hi m i n the ro ad
S a t u ku n i a ka i n w ut a P u t the p ot on the fire

J o i n ed wi t h o t h er p r e p o s i t i o n s
Bi s a -
r- ka - n - do ki for a kai n do ki O n hors eba c k- -

O n t he b j e c t of
su

A ka i n m i ku ke z a n c h e Wha t are y ou tal ki ng a bo u t ?

M a n z a ni n - A l l a h s u n a w aa z i
-
The mes s e n ger s are t a l ki n g abo u t
a ka n a t u ba da beri n z u n u fi - -
rep e n ta n c e a n d for s a ki ng s i n
Y a s a da n u w a n s a a ka i n abo He p u t s hi s brot her before al l hi s
kai n s a d u ka f r i e n ds
Y a ba ni w a n n a n ka i n al ka w a l i He gav e me t hi s a cc ord i ng to a
da ya y i ma n i da p rom i s e h e made me l o n g ago
D a n s ar i ki ya y i fada da s ari ki Th e yo u n g c hi ef f o u ght wi t h the
a ka n s ara n t a c hi ef ov er the ki ngdom
Bi s a or b i s a al o ne
o
r, al s o b i s a -
n

D o ki s hi n a t s ay e b i s a r h a i n y a The hors e i s s ta n d i n g i n the road

- -

Y ara d u ka s u n t u ma b i s a r A l l the boy s j u mp ed u p on t he i r

-

ku jeri n s u c ha i r s
L o ka c hi n da a n a dau ka n ka b s a i Whe n y o u a re c arr i ed on a ma n s ’

ka i head ( a s a c orp s e )
S hi mfi da t u fa b i s a n t a S p read the c l ot h o n i t
K a n a b i s an a Yo u are on top of me

Wi t h ga
’
Gi da n s u b i s ga i s h i T he i r ho us e s up o p o s t s
n

Y a kw a n t a b i s a ga ga do n a He s l e p t o n my bed

W i t h o t h er p re p o s i t i o n s
Ya s a b ko da ga b i s a r kai n do ki He got off hi s hors e
- - - -
19 6 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

Ts a ka r a n d Ts a ka - -
n, m i ddl e of ( mo s t l y m a s c uli n e )
T s a ka n w o j e a h o i r i j i a
- -
There i s a w el l i n the mi ddl e of the
yard
Ts a ka n der e
- -
I n the m i dd l e of the n i ght
S u ka t afo t s a ka -
r- daj i T hey c ame i n to the m i ddl e of the
fores t
Ts a ka n i -
n,b et w e e n
Y a z am n a t sa ka n i n m u He s at do wn be twee n u s
A ma n a ke t s a ka ni n m u da s hi There i s f ri en ds hi p bet wee n hi m
an d me
Ts a ka ni n da ku n a mas al la c h i B et w ee n the ho us es s ta n d s a mosq u e
ya n a t s a e
Bab u mara i t s aka n i n s u T here i s n o di fi erence betwee n t hem
K o f o fi n Zari a t s a ka n i n s u da T here i s a l o n g d i s ta n c e bet wee n
ni s a th e gate s of Zar i a
Ba s hi t s a ka ni gaba s da ku d u He i s n ot bet wee n eas t a n d s o u t h
D om i n bab u gaba t s a ka n i n m u For t here i s n o e n mi ty bet w ee n u s
da ku an d

Ts a ka n i n a da u b a n ka ka s are D e ci de bet wee n m

y ou
e a n d yo u r f at her
da ga c h i ki n mu
Chi ki -
n, in

Chi ki n c h i ki n t a
- -
A c hi ki n da ki - -
C hi ki n s a
Chi ki n w a t a s h a w al
- -
Za ni t afi a r c hi ki n ru a-
D a i a c h i ki n s u
Chi ki n w a n n a n l o ka c h i ka
I n her be l l y
I n the hu t or room
Hi s be ll y or i ns i de i t
I n the mo n t h S ha wa l
- - -
I s hall w a l k i n the water
O n e of t hem
A t t hi s s ea s o n wi l t t ho u res tore
'

- -

mayar w a Is ra i l a da m u l ki to Is rae l t he i r ki n gdom

Jo i n e d wi t h o t h er p re p o s i t i o n s
Bi u da ga c hi ki n mu Two of us
T a fi t a da ga c hi ki n ru a - -
S he c ame o u t of the w ater
T a c h e ga c h i ki n gu l b i
,
S he s a i d I n the r i v er
,

No t e t he f o ll o w i n g
S u na c hi ki n du b a w a Whi l s t t hey w ere l oo ki n g
Woj e
ya l ( S ) b e s i de o u t s i de t o w ard s
-
n , s hi -
, , ,

W o j e n gaba s s h i ya l gaba s
- -
, To wards the ea s t- -

W o j e n ka s a l n a n
- - - -
T o w ards t hat l a n d
Y a w a i w a i s w ojens a ( or w u ri n s a) He t u r n ed to wards hi m
S u n t a fi w oje n K a n o T hey w e n t K a n o w ay -

W o j e n ku
- -
Wi t h y ou
S hi n a da ga w o j e ( a dv ) He i s o u t s i de .
 PR EP O S I TI O NS 19 7

Woj e -
n - nan O n t hi s s i de
D a ga w o j e n c h a n - -
O n t hat s i de
I n a t a fi a w o j e ( a dv an d n o u n ) . I am w a l ki n g o u ts i de
W o j e n dama , w o j e n hau n i
- - - -
O n the r i gh t s i de , on the l ef t si de
W o j e - n dari da as hi ri n n e
-
They w ere abo u t 120
K ama -
n, al s o ad v erb s ) M o s t l y ma s c uli n e
l i ke ( s ee .

K ama -
n- kw a n a u ku ya t ambaya Af ter abo u t three day s he a s ked the
mu t a n e men
Yaro ya i kama n u w an s a The boy i s l i ke hi s mother
K ama n ki n c h a n Li ke t hat ho u s e

T am ka r l i ke Al s o tam ka n -
, .
-

S u n y i ma s abo n mal a m t am ka T hey di d to the

- -
n ew mal l a m l i ke
n t s ofo n mal am
- ~ -
the ol d

Kus a -
r, n ear . A l s o ku s a - n . a l s o ku s d da
S ee

Ta ku s a m ut ua da dar i a S he n ear l y d i ed of l a u ghter

K u s a ns a N ear hi m
K u sa n n a n
- -
N ea r here

Wu r i -
n , at t h e pl ace of . A l mo s t i n v ar i ab l y us ed wi th a p ers o n
Z 0 w u ri n a Come to me
G u d u w u ri ns a R u n to hi m
Na 2 0 w uri n ka I ome to s ee y o u
c
A b i n n a n ya n a w u ri n a The t hi n g i s wi t h me
Ba n c h e l ai fi ya n a w u ri n ka I di d n ot s ay t hat the f a u l t w a s yo u r s
A lh a ki n da ka da u ka ya k o mo The s i n y o u c omm i tted has ret u r n ed
w uri n ka up o n y o u
A ns a w a ni w u ri ns a A n ot her w a s p u t i n hi s p l a c e
Ba ya b u de i do b a t u ku n a w u r i He i s i gn ora n t as regards re l i gi o u s
n kara t u
-
ed u c ati o n
A l l a h u ya bada d u n i a w u r i n God has gi v e n the w or l d to the
'
-

ba t ure w hi te ma n
W a n da ku ka 11 a w u ri na What y ou heard f rom me
Y a ko ma w u ri n u b a n gi ji A l l a h - -
He ret u r n ed to the L ord God
Y a i i ku m i a w u r i n u ba n gi ji He f el t a s hamed before God
Al l a h
Na 11 l a b a ri n ka w u ri n M a h mad a I heard of y o u f rom M a h madu

Ou n -
w hi c h i n t he n or t h er n d i a l e c t s i s s o m e t i me s
fo u n d as gu r i “ ”

M o s t l y u s e d w i t h a p er s o n

Z o gu n a C ome to me
Gu n c ha n
- -
Ov er t h ere
G u d u ga ns a R u n to hi m
A gu n f a re na n A t the p l ac e of the flo wer
1 98 THE HA US A L ANGU A GE

Gu rbi n ( Z a nf) M ama hi n ( S ) i ns t ea d of

B i gi ri -
n ( K) , -
,
-
,

Ya t a fi K a n o b i gi ri n S o ko t o He we n t to K a n o i n s tead of S o ko to
- -

Ba n i ra go gu rb i n a kw i a -
Gi v e me a s heep i n s tead of a
-

A ba ki -
n, in e x c ha n ge f o r
Y a t afi K a n o ba ki -
n-S o ko t o He w e n t to K a n o i n s tead f
o S o ko to

Bat u -
n, wi t h re fere n c e t o
Bat u -
n- mi Wi t h ref ere n c e to wh at

K afi -
n, b efore
K afi -
n - sh e kara n a wa g oro s hi I n ( bef ore ) ho w ma n y year s doe s
ke y i n yaya th e K o l a bear

Bamda , d i ff ere n t fro m a p art fro m ,

Ba m da Al l a h b a n i t s oro n -
Exc ep t God I f ea r n ot hi n g
ko m i
Ba m da w a n n a n b a u i da w a n i Exc ep t t hi s I have ot hi n g n

M i ka n a s o e n s a w o ma ka ba m What do you w a n t me to bu y fo r
da s hi n kafa y o u be s i de s r i c e

D ab ara
da da u ra da n ear t o al o n gs i d e
, , ,

S u t s aya da u ra da j u n a T hey s ta n d a l o n gs i de ea c h ot her

Y a t s aya da b ra n ka He s ta n ds n e xt beyo n d you
It a c h e n n a n s hi n a t s ay e dabra The tree s ta n ds n e x t to t hat tree
- -

n i t a c h e n n an
- - -

S ai ga m u t u m b i u da u ra da s u Bu t tw o men w ere s ta n d i n g
a t s ay e t he m

Gam i da t o ge t h er w i t h ,

D er i v e d fro m gama to jo i n fi n i s h , , .

Ya t u b e w a n do ns a gam i da s hi He too k off hi s tro u s er s toget her

wi t h i t

K u s a da , ku s a gare , n ear (
to als o
s ee ku s a - r)

S hi n a ku s a n a He i s n ear me
S hi n a ku s a ga u i
S hi n a ku s a ga re n i
S hi n a ku s a n ka He i s n ear y ou
200 THE HA US A L AN GUA G E

O MI S S I O N or PR EP O S I TI O N S
In a great man y c as e s c ert ai n p rep o si t i on s are omi t t ed ,

t h o u gh t h ey are n ec e ss ary i n En gli s h .

Local i ty . At , i n
The t wo o un s are t h en i n a pp os i t i on
n

N a t a fi ka s u a L o ko j a da l aas ar I we n t to the ma r ke t at L o koj a

i n the ev e n i n g
Bab u wa ni s ar i ki d u ni a T here i s n o ot her ki n g on the e art h
( S ari ki d u ni a“ i s a n e xp re s s i o n a l s o m ea n i n g ki n g of a b i g
“ ”

c o u nt ry s ar i ki , be i n g c hi ef of a t o w n mar ke t h ead
”
, ,

ma n , et c .
)
Ba s hi s ama He i s n ot h eav e n i n
S u n s a barao j ar u ya m u t u , T hey p u t the t hi ef i n gao l , a n d he
d i ed ( Jar u i s p robab l y a c or
.

r u p t i o n of t h e En gli s h gao l
Ya n mat a gi da n mu ku l u m The da u ghters of ou r ho u s e a l ways
a
w nk a . Mo da ( Ri . ddl e ) was h A d i p p er
.

Gari n ku , k n ada yaro ya y i I n yo u r c o u n try whe n a boy gro ws

gi ri ma , mi n en e a n ay i ma s a up , w hat i s do n e to hi m
a
S hi n K n a o He i s at Ka no
a
S u k kw n a a je
ji T hey s l ep t i n the bu s h
Ti me
Po i n t of T i me
K w an a ki n n a n b a n y i gi ri ma b a I n t ho s e da y s I wa s n ot gro wn u p
-

Chi w u t a n an b a za t a w o ri ke b a T hi s s i c kn es s w i l l no t hea l i n o n e
kw a n a da i a ko kw a n a b i a l b a
, day eve n fi ve are n ot e n o u gh ,

s u i ss a b a

The n o u n s a u ra re ma i ns may be u s ed , .

S a u ra kw a n a u ku mu n t a s h i or I n t hree day s more we s ha l l s tart

ka n a m u t as h i
Per i od of T i me
K wa n armu goma m u n a t afi a For ten days we have bee n travel l i n g
O mi s s i o n o f wi h t
I n a Jl -
n - ha u s hi ns a I a m a n gry wi t h hi m
Wi t ho u t i s re n dered by bab u .

Ba ka i y a s ay en s a bab u ku rd i Yo u c a n n ot bu y i t w i t ho u t mo n ey ,

l i t Yo u c a n n o t bu y i t no mo n ey
.
,
 CHA PTER V 111

CONJUNCTI O NS

No r a —S ome co nju n c ti o n s are ofte n c l a s s ed as adverbs a n d vi c e v ers é .

CO -
O R DI NA T N G I

A m ma , a ma n a ( not c oll o q ui a l ) bu t
a nd

bot h an d
had I I s ho u l d ( n ot)
t he n , i n deed
t herefore ( abo u t ; u s uall y i nt er
ro ga t i v e )
Gara , go a ma , gu ma rat her
e i t her or eve n
K0 ko e i ther , w het her
K o ka as w e ll as , l i ke as
Kua al s o
al s o ( n o t c o ll o q u i a l )
a ga i n . S ee u n der ad v erb s
too , l i ke wi s e

S U B O R D I N A TI N G
Bam da e x c ep t
D o n ( S ) D om i n ( K) bec a u s e i n order
, tha t .
( S ee
Pre p o s i t i o n s )
D o n kada , do n e n l es t
D o n w a n n a n , do n ha ka for t hi s reas o n
En , i da n ( S ) , ka n , 1 ka m, l kada n i f whe n
,

( K ) ku r ( Z )
En in order to t ha t,

I n da if . I n da da, Had I
I s ho ul d ( no t)
for
1
S ee al s o A d v erb s of Ti m e .

201
202 THE HAU S A L AN GUA GE

K ada ( S ) ka r ( K ) .
D o n o t l es t ,

K oda al t ho u gh, w he n , ev e n i f
S abada on a cc o u n t of
S ai e xc e p t a n d e t c
, , .

Z a ma bec a u s e

Nou n s U S ED ( wrrn P AR TI CLES ) IN S EN S E

o r CO N J U N CTI O N S

K ama n da - -
i n the s ame w ay ,
as s oo n as , l i ke as
K w at a ms hi ( S )
K ama n -
l i ke , the s ame
A mma

I n a du b en sa , a m ma b a n ga n e s hi I l oo ked for hi m bu t I di d n ot
ba s ee hi m
Da u w at a ku a t a n a ku ka , am ma A n d my mot her a l s o was c ry i n g
ka n e n a b a s hi s a n i b a k om i bu t my yo u n ger brot her di d n o t
kn o w a n yt hi n g

Da

Da da both , a nd, n ei ther no r i n n egat i v e

s en t en c e s , whether c o n d i t i o n a l s e n t en c e s
or, in .

Da c o n n e c t s w ord s as w el l a s s en t en c es
R a go da a kw i a The ram a n d the s he go a t -

Ba n a ku n e da za ku s a n a ma n u It i s n ot for y ou to kno w the t i mes

z

Ni t a fi ga s ar i ki da u i c h e ma s a I s ha l l go to the c hi ef a n d I s ha l l
s ay to hi m
D a ka ka za ka ya ki bab u fada w a it A n d ho w wi l l y ou go to war wi t h
’cers
no o fli
Ta c he mu b i u da ni da barao S he s a i d bot h of u s bot h I a n d the
t hi ef
Da ni da s hi mu d u ka m u n a t afi a Bot h I a n d he w ere wa l ki ng on
c hi ki -
n-k aya the t hor ns
I na so mu y i ga n a da ni da ka i I wa n t to hav e s ome c o nver s at i o n
wi t h y o u
Da ya s ha bam i da ya s ha bara s a
, , Whether he dr i n ks p a l m w i n e or
d u ka da i a n e he dr i n ks s p i r i t , i t i s a ll the s ame

Da may be om i tt ed i n n arrat i o n
M u t u m ya t a s h i ya da u ka a n da
, The ma n aro s e he too k a s t i c k he
s , , ,

ya gu d u a t afo ga w u r i n e n da
,
ra he c ame to the p l a c e w here n,

mac hi ji s i ke ya ka s h e s h i ,
the s n a ke was he ki l l ed i t ,

I n a c hi i n a s ha
,
I eat a n d dr i n k
204 THE HA US A LAN GUA G E

A n gay a ma ni wa n n a n l abari ko ,
I tol d t hi s n e ws whether i t i s
was ,

ga s ki a ne, ko k o t as u ni a c h e ,
tr u e’ or whet her i t i s a tal e I
, ,

o ho don t kno w I
S u n a c h e ko n a m u t u T hey as ked i f I was dead
A m ma b a n ji b a ko da i a ya m ut u , Bu ty I hav e n ot heard i f a n ybody
ko , w a n i ya h a l b i ki b i a d i ed or whether an y on e s hot an
arro w
K o = ev en , i n de e d ( an i n t e n s i v e )
Na ga n i ko s ari ki hav e i n deed s ee n the c hi ef
I
Ba mu s a mu b a ko al u ra n s u da i a We di d n ot fi n d ev e n o n e of t he i r
n eed l es

Ko ni da kai n a i n a t a fi da kafa E en I my s e lf was trav el l i n g on

v
a

foot
Da bab u rai rai ko kada n T here w as no s a n d t here , no t eve n
a l i tt l e
Ba t u re b a s hi t s oro m u t u a ko The w hi te man does no t f ea r de a t h ,

a n a ka s h es h i b a i ku l a b a ev e n if he i s to be ki ll ed he does
no t c are

K o ( 15 bab u da ki n a n
. Former l y t here was n o ho u s e at
a ll here

K o da here i s di s t i n c t fro m koda a l tho u gh ,

K0 may be u s ed at t he en d o f a s en t e n c e a s an

i n te rro g at i ve p art i c l e
M u t u m ya t a fi ko ,
D i d the man go

Here “
elli p t i c fo r ko b a h akk a b a or i s i t
ko is
"
,
“
no t so K0 . may al s o be u s ed i n t he m i ddl e o f t he
s en t en c e e ven spli t t i n g t he v erb
,

A ko n u n a ma ka t al a u c h i S ha l l p ov erty be s ho w n y o u

K o ka

Na s ani s ar i ki n - -
Ka n o ko ka I o c e
kn w the hi f of K ano as w lle
s ari ki -
n- S o ko t o a s th e c e
hi f of S k o oto
Kua

U s u al l y fo u n d wi th da , an d . Com p are u s e of ku ma .

Gob e u b a nka s hi z o ku a T o morro w my father wi l l a l s o come

A u d u ya y i s a t a ku a
I n a s o n s a da s hi ku a s hi n a s o n a
K o kua mu y a n Af ri c a m u n a
c hi n n a ma dai n y e
- -
Ni za n i t a fi a ga ka s u a da kai kua
z a ka t a fi a ga ka s u a .
A u d u has al s o s to l e n
I l i ke hi m an d he al s o l i kes me
- Eve n w e Af r i c a ns a l s o eat ra w
mea t
I s hal l go to the mar ket a nd you
al s o wi ll go to the mar ket
 CO NJUNCT I O NS 205

K u ma ( c o n j u n ct i o n ) . S ee a l s o u n der ad v erb s
Au du ya yi s a ta , M a h ma ya yi A u du has s to l e n M a hm a has a l s o
,

s a ta ku ma s to l e n

M a

En c l i t i c t o t he w ord i t
refers t o
Ni ma i n a t a fi a en n e ma d u ki a I too am go i n g i n s ear c h for r i c hes
S u ma b a s u da yaya They too had n o c hi l dre n
Bamda S ee u n d er Pre p o s i t i o n
.

Bam da A ll a h b a n i t s oro n kom i Ex c ep t God I f ear n ot hi n g

- -

D on S ee a l s o u n d er Pre p o s i t i o n
.

Y a y i kuk a do n mu n b u ga s h i
K i ra s hi don en b i ya s h i
D o n b a ka i i b a
Na s a ni Ha u s a kw a rai do n n i
da n Tu n t u me n e
- -
S u n a z o b i s a da w a ki d o n s u
ka ma ku
Y a o n a ta fi ga ma ka ra n t a do n e n
He ho wl ed be c a u s e we beat hi m
C a l l hi m s o t hat I may p ay hi m
Be c a u s e y o u do n o t u n der s ta n d
I kn o w Ha u s a c orrec t l y bec a u s e I
am a n at i v e of Tu n tu me
They are c omi n g o n hors e s to
c at c h you
I w en t to s c hoo l to day to s ee what -

ga ni ab i n da za s u go da ga y a n t hey w ere go i n g to s how to the

ma ka ra n t a s c hoo l c hi l dre n

Y a ba ni d u ka do n w a n n a n n a ya They gav e me al l t herefore I was

m ur n a gl ad
D o n kada s u ga n i w u t a da dere L es t t hey s ho u l d s ee the fi re by
n i ght

En , i da n , kada n , et c .

En ya y i kari a a b u ges hi I f he l i e s he wi ll be beate n

A s a m u e n a n ji ma kada n They wi l l be got if you w a i t a l i ttl e
Y a kama t a m u t u m z a s h i t a fi a s h i It behaves a man who i s go i n g a
n e ma gu z u ri en s h i n a y i h a n ka li j o u r n ey to l a y i n p rov i s i o n s i f he
e i s wi s
En b a ka da ku rd i b a ka da ga s ki a I f y o u ha ve n o mo n ey y o u ha ve n o
tr u th i e o n l y a r i c h man i s , . .
,

l i s te n ed to
Ida n ka na s o n s aro t a e m b a ka I f o u w a n t the ki n gdom I w i l l
y
gi v e i t you
K a da n b a n c he b a kar i a f I am yu at tel l i n g a l i e
K a a w a n ga m u t u m ya y i gu d u If thi s man r u n s he wi ll fa l l do wn
8 ili ? di
a
K ada n a mar n a ba za m u t a fi a b a If i t ra i n s we w i l l n ot g o

K ada n na tafi gare s a s hi fada I f I go to hi m he wi l l te l l me the

ma n i ga s ki a tru t h
K a n na s a k c hi I f I s et y o u f ree
K a ri n a m u ku ra n a I f I ma ke da y f r y o u do
'

,
ka da ku y i o ,
no t
are ( p ro v ) . ma ke n i ght for me
206 THE HA U S A L ANG UA G E
ders tood from co nt e xt
If un

A ko i l aya ka n a sa t a ga w u ya
, T here i s a c harm ( i f) y ou ha ng i t
, ,

ka n a y i s a t a bab u ma i ga n i on yo u r n ec k y ou ca n s tea l a n d ,

n o on e wi l l s ee y ou

En = i n order t o, t h t a
Y a t a mb ay e e n s u F ul a n i n o He we n t to a s k if t hey were F u l a n i s
Ta t a h gari en da u ka ka s h i a S he we n t to the to wn to ta ke her p ay
I n da da
I n da b a h a ka b a , da na gaya It i t w ere n ot so I o d have
s h ul
ma ka to l d y ou
Gama

Ba n s o t a fi b a g ama ba n g a n s hi I do n ot w a n t to go for I hav e n ot

b a t u ku n a s ee n hi m yet

K a da = b ec au s e n ot . Co m p are do n

K ada ka t a fi D o n ot go
K ada s u t a fi L et t he m n ot go
G u d u maza kada s hi w u c h eka R u n q u i c kl y l es t he p as s y ou
Na t a mb a y e eu do m i mu t a n e I as ked hi m why the men s ho u l d
kada s u t a fi n ot go
Y a a i k o ma n i w a t a b u du rua ka da He s e n t to me a c erta i n r
gi l ( to
en t ah b a r y a -
n- ma kara n t a eu s ay ) t hatI s ho u l d n ot go u n i l t
fi ta the s c hoo l c hi l dre n ca me ou t

Koda
K oda s hi ke ya ro s hi n a da ka ri fi A l t ho u gh he i s a boy he i s v ery
kw a t a i tro n g
s
K oda ya m u t u s hi yi ra i Ev e n i f he d i e s he s ha l l l i v e
K oen n a ka t a fi A l l a h s hi n a n a Wherever y o go God i s t here w i t h
u

t ar i da ka i k oda dere koda ra n a you whet her by n i gh t or by day

abada S

Thi s p re p o si t i on i s us ed wi t h a n oun or wi t h w ann an ,

an d t he ph ra s e may be t ra n s l at ed by s u ch a c o n j un c t i on
as bec au s e
Ni ku a i n a yi n ku ka s abada
- -
I too c r i ed be c a u s e I was t i red .

ga j i a L i t on a cc o u n t of f at i gu e

O r h ak a may be u s ed
Ba n i b a t a kurdi s ab a da h a ka t a I di d n ot gi v e her mo n ey s o s he
ta fi we n t
 C HA P TER I !

I NT ERJ ECT I O NS

oh

e x c l a ma t i o n of a s t o ni s h me n t I t i s i n a di fi ere nt
.

t o n e fro m aa = n o w hi c h h a s a l o w fa l li n g t o n e
, ,

A f, A p oh a n e x c l ama t i o n o f re c o l l e c t i o n
A ha e x c l am a t i o n of s a t i sfa c t i o n
Ai ah
A rr ( K ) , i rr ( S ) be off
A ra go on

A s he tru l y
a a a
A s h , h sh a n e x c l ama t i o n of p a i n or gr i ef
Aya u p I or i t does no t ma tter

Ga s a e x p re s si o n of di s gu s t s ur p ri s e ,

Ha ki ka tr u e
Habba hu bba e x p re s s i o n of a s t o n i s h me n t or i n d i gn a t i o n
,

K ai hi I y o u I
K a i t o , ka i c h o al a s
Ko e x c l ama t i o n of s u rp ri s e
L abada tru e
M a di l l a e x c l a ma t i o n of j oy a l s o u s e d as a re p l y s a l u t a t i o n
, ,

or o n re c e i v i n g a n a cc e p t ab l e gi ft
i t do e s no t c o n c er n me ( S ee e x a m p l e u n der c o n
.

j u n c t i o n ko
S anu s of t l y a l s o a sa l u t a t i o n
, A n e x p re s s i o n o f s y m
.

p at hy
a l l r i ght .Us e d o n re c e i v i n g a n order a n d s i gn i fy i n g
a c c e p t a n c e A l s o as an i nf orma l e x p re s s i o n of
.

t h a n ks
ta ke i t
u s e d i n dr i v i n g s h ee p a n d do n ke s
y
a l as A n e x p re s s i o n o f s ym p a t h y
.

e x c l ama t i o n of do u b t h e s i t a t i o n
,

0 . A rab i c
y es a ll r i gh t
,
 209

A h bad s erva n t
Yo u boy I
You
K ai wa da n a n y ara You boy s
A y a mu t a fi Up I l et u s go I
Ya s i di Y a ku m u t a n e 0 si r / You , 0 men
Ta k e t hi s s p ear
 CHA PTER !

S YNTA X

G ENERAL O B S ERV AT I O N S O N THE CO N S T RU CTI O N OF

S EN TEN CES

THE S U B J ECT
Th e su b j e c t may be c om p o sed as f o ll ows
i p ro n oun p er s on al
.
,
.

n o un or o t h er s u b s t an t i ve + p ers on al p ron o un
( n e v er n ou n al on e ) .

demons t rat i ve n oun p ers on al p ron o u n ; or ,

n o un demon s t rat i ve p ers on al p ron o un .

i v n ou n + p os s es s i v e p ron ou n + p ers on al p ro n o un
. .

v n o un + ad j ec t i ve or n u meral p er son al p ron oun

. .

vi t w o n oun s i n a p o si t i on p er s o n al p ron o un
.

p .

vii .t w o n o uns on e i n g eni t i v e eas e

, pe rs on al pron o un .

i n fi n i t i v e p ers o n al p ro n o un .

i x rel at i v e s en t en c e + p ers o n al p ron o un

. .

From t h i s li st i t c an be s een t h at wh at e ver t he n at u re

,

o f t he su b j e ct i t s p re di c ate m u s t be p rec eded by a p ers on al

,

p ro n oun Th e onl y c a ses i n wh i ch i t s omi ssi on i s p er

.

mi ss i bl e are i n p oet ry an d p ro verb s .

Examp l es
i Ya t a fi He w e n t
ii M ut u m ya t afi The ma n w e n t
iii . Wa n n a n m u t u m ya t afi
Thi s ma n w e n t
M u t u me n a n ya t a fi

210
212 THE HA US A L A NGU A G E

i ii .
( a ) Wi t h mai
Gari mai nesa The town is fa r
Wi t h ro n o u n c om p o u n de d wi t h n a
t he p

S hi n a baya He i s be hi n d
Wi t h da w i t h ( t h e s u b s t i t u t e for h a v e
A i ki da w u ya The wor k i s ha rd

Th ese p redi c at e s m ay be e xp an ded in v ari ou s w ay s

a t t ri b u t e s

A i ki ya kare d u ka The wor k i s fi n i s hed

al l
Y a ji s ara i He u n ders ta n ds p erf ec t l y

Mi i j -
n - t a s hi n e ma i s a i da -
n - z i n a ri a Her hu s ba n d is a s el l er of go l d

Y aro b a s hi da ka ri fi The boy i s n ot s tro n g

The Comp ou nd P r edi ca te

A c om p oun d p redi c at e c on si s t s O f t w o or more si m p l e

p redic at e s bel on gi n g t o t he s ame su b j e c t Th e p ers on al .

p ron oun h as t o be rep eat ed wi t h each

Y aro ya gu d u ya fad i c hi ki -
n The boy ra n a n d
f el l i n to the ho l e
ram 1

S p eci a l N otes on the Predi cate

By i di omat i c u s age t he n u mbe r o f t he p redi c at e does

n ot a gree wi t h t h at o f t he s u b j ec t .

A s i n gul ar n o u n will t ak e a p l u ral p redi c at e wh en t he

f ormer h as a c o l l e c t i v e s ens e
K asua d u ka s u n ha u ka The who l e mar ket w e n t mad dr u n k
D oki ns a d u b u i s b i ri n da b i ar Hi s caval ry was men
M u t u m d u ka ya gu d u They hav e al l ru n a way
W a ni mu t a n e y a t a fi gar i n Ba u c hi S ome men w e n t to the Ba u c hi
t a ri t a ri c o u ntry —a gr eat man y
 S YNT A X 213

Al s o t w o su b j e c t s may h a v e a S i n gul ar p redi c at e

Ko wa ya ri n a ka yaro da baba Ev ery desp i s es y ou boy a n d
on e ,

ka fi ri da M u s u l mi d u k ya gro wn u p h eat h e n a nd M u s u l
-
,

z a eka
g man al l revi l e y ou
,

Ba n ji b a b a n g a n i b a t a raba ka I di d n ot hear I di d n ot s ee
da za ure -
n- t ara ( p ro v erb ) keep s y ou o u t of the ha l l of
fi n es 1 e p roves an a l i bi
, . .
,

In c onn e c t i on wi t h t h es e t he f ol l o wi n g s en t en c e s may be

Ya t a fi gar i baba ya yi a i ki da su He e n t to a bi g to wn he made

w
wa r o n i t ( t hem )
Ba t u re ya ka s h e ma s u m u t u m The w hi te ma n ki l l ed of t hem ma n y
t ar i da do ki men a n d hor s e s

V erb s o f s ayi n g t h i n k in g seei n g et c g en eral l y i n t ro

, . , .
,

d u c e di rec t sp ee ch an d are n ot f o ll o w ed by an y c on

Na sa ni ka b a ui ab i n da ni ke so I kn o w ( t hat ) y ou wi l l gi v e me
w h at I w a n t
I na ta ma ha s h i na da rai ha r y a n z u I t hi n k he i s s t i l l a l i v e
Da m u ka za m n a n a ji s u n ay s o n Whe n w e ha l ted I heard t hat t hey
ta fia ya ki w a n ted to go to war
Da m u na ga ni s u na gu d u As we l oo ked t hey ran ofi

Th e re are a f e w i n s t an c e s i n whi ch t he p red i c at e p rec ede s

” “ ” “ ” “ ”
t he s u b j e c t Th e verb s are a kw oi
. za
"
je ya , , ,

( s ee un der t he V erb )
A kw oi m u t a n o da y a w a a ohi ki - n T here are ma n y p eop l e i n the
gi da ho u s e
A h o i All a h There i s a God
A kw oi s u T here are
Za m u gi da We w i ll go home
Go be za ka Ka n o To morro w you wi l l go to K a n o
Jeku Be off 3
Y a ka Come I
214 THE HAUS A L AN GUA GE

J
THE O B ECT

Th e O b j e c t is of two ki n d s
i D i rec t
. .

i i I n di re c t
. .

Th e n at u re of t he O b j e c t i s t he s ame as t h at of t he
su b j e c t .

D i rect O bjec t

Th e f o ll o wi n g are e x am pl e s of t he di re c t ob j ec t
i n g t h e c l as s i fi c a t i o n O f t h e su b j e c t
. i M u t u m ya b u ge s h i The man beat hi m
Na b a w a n i I gav e ( i t) ( to ) an other
M u t u m ya b u ga y aro The ma n beat the boy
i i i M u t u m ya b u ga w a n n a n
.

yaro The ma n beat t hi s boy

M u t u m ya b u ga yaro n a n
i v M u t u m ya b u ga y aro n s a
. The ma n bea t hi s boy
v
. M u t u m ya b u ga yaro m u gu The ma n beat the ba d boy
M u t u m ya b u ga yara u ku The ma n beat t hree boys
vi. M u t u m ya b u ga yaro da n s a The ma n beat the boy hi s s o n
vii. M u t u m ya b u ga da n u w a n s a The ma n beat the s on of h i s
- -

mot her i e hi s brother

, . .
,

viii . M u t u m ya t a h da u ka n kaya - -
The ma n has go n e to ta ke hi s l oad
i x M u t u m ya b u ga w a n da ya
. The ma n beat hi m w ho c arr i ed the
da u ki kaya l o ad
D o n b a ka s a m u b a ya fi Be c a u s e y o u c a n ot fi n d better n

w an n a n t ha n t hi s

Examp l e of Comp ou nd D i rec t O bjec t

M ut u m ya b u ga yaro da y a ri n i a The ma n beat the bad boy an d
mi a gu r
gi l

In Hau s a a di re ct O b j e c t i n t he f orm o f an O b j e c t i ve
phras e i s u s ed wh ere i n En gli s h a s u bord i n at e s en t en c e
i s f oun d

Al l a h s hi s a ke ta ra mu da l a fi a M ay God gra n t we meet i n h ea l t h ,

l i t M ay God br i n g abo u t
.
, ou r
mee ti n g i n heal th
Ya ga n i a n a s hi ga gi da M u ha m
-
n- He s a w them e n ter the ho u e of s

mad u da bam e M o ha mmed w i t h p a l m wi n e

N o rm— I f a n as hi ga i s trea ted as the equ i val e n t of s u n a s hi ga

the v erba l as p ect be co mes more p rom i n e n t t ha n the s u bs ta n t i va l .
 216 THE HA US A L AN GU A GE

S ome v erb s t ak e
Na ga j i da s u kn a b i s a raku mi
T a t u n a da mi ji n t a
T a m u t u da y u n gwa
N i b an y i rda b a da s h i
da w i t h t he i n di re c t O b j e c t
I t i red of r i d i n g on the c a mel
wa s
S he remem bered her hu s ba n d
S he d i ed of hu n ger
I do n ot be l i ev e i n hi m

NA TUR E OF S ENTEN CES

S e n t en c e s are
1 A ffi rmat i v e
. .

2 Ne g at i v e
. .

3 I nt erro g at i ve
. .

Th e affi rmat i v e s en t en c e i s a si m pl e s t at emen t i n an y

mood or t en s e Th e n e g at i v e s en t en c e i s f ormed from t he
.

”
affi rmat i ve s en t en c e by t he addi t i on o f ba ba
be fore an d a ft er t h e verb ( S ee u n der ad verb ) . .

A fi i rmati ve N e gat i v e
Y aro n a n s hi ke karam i Y aro nan b a s h i ke kara m i b a
Y aro n an s hi n a kara m i Y aro nan b a s hi karam i b a
Y aro nan s h i n a da w ayo Y aro n an b a s h i da w ayo

En gl i s h —T hi s b oy is s mal l T hi s b oy is c u n n i ng
, et c .

In s en t en c e s c on t ai n i n g a c omman d i f di re c t t he s ub j ec t ,

p ron o u n may be om i t t ed i n t he si n gu l ar , bu t n ot i n t he
p l ural

I n vert ed s u b j ec t s are f o u n d in Y ak a , co me ; “
Je k a ,
“ ”
go ; J ek u, go ( p l .
)
O ther Exa mp l es

Ta c he ma t a , ki ku n c h es u S he s a i d to her l oo s e t hem
Ba n s a ni ba ; fada ma n i e n ji I do n ot kn o w, tel l me abo ut i t,
li t , s o tha t I may u n der s ta n d
.
 S YNT A X 217

I n terrogati v e S en tenc es

I n t erro g at i v e s en t en c e s are f ormed i n t h ree w ay s

1 . Ch an g e o f t on e i n an a ffi rmat i ve s e n t e n c e .

2 . Wi t h i n t erro g at i ve p ron oun s .

3 . Wi t h i n t erro ga t i ve ad verb s s u ch a s ,
kO f or ,
” “
i n di rec t qu e s t i o n s esp e c i al l y ; b a l n ot ? Fa
“
then ? De i ndeed ?
1

Ni n o Is it I
K ai ka ke yi ma ni ma ga n a h a ka D o y ou s p ea k s o to me 3’
K a a n i ab i n n a n
g
-
Hav e you s ee n thi s t hi n g 9 .

A ko1 ru a c hi ki n r i j i a
- -
I s t here wa ter i n the w e l l 49

2
W a n en e ka ke ki ra b i ri Who m are y ou c a l l i n g a mo n key
M i za ka yi da s hi What w i ll you do wi t h hi m
3 A dv er bs
K urdi n s a n a w a Ho w m u c h i s i t
En n a u b a n ka Where i s yo u r fat her
Yau s he za ka kom o 1
‘
Whe n wi ll y ou c ome bac k
Ko
Ya t a m b ay e s hi ko s hi 1 0 kc b a He a s ked hi m i f he was c omi n g or
s hi 2 0 b a n ot
Ta c h e ko daga na n ru a M ad i n a S he ai d i s thi s the water
s , f
o

s h i ke M adi n a here it
Na t afo ko na n n o ru a M ad i na I ca me to s ee whether t hi s i s the
w ater 0 M ad i n a
K O ui n e Or i s i t ?
1

K O b a h a ka b a Or i s i t not so ( O ft e n ed us
aft er a n o t h er q u e s t i o n w h e n a
n ega t i v e a ns w er i s p o ss i b l e)

Ba
D i d y ou no t hea r
I s i t no t I

Fa ?
1

S hi fa 7 Wha t abo u t hi m
o a
A ns a k w ai ki n s a , s hi yaro nan Ev ery on e bee n gi ve n hi s wor k
has ,

fa 7 bu t wha t abo u t t hi s boy

A mba e a
ka n n ra b o n sa , ui de M you n ger brother has been gi v e n
Ba z aa b a n i h a ? yi s p ort i o n what abo u t me
,

S ha l l I n ot be gi ve n a n y
218 THE HAUS A LANGUA GE

Comp ou nd S en tenc es

Com p o un d sen t e n c e s are o f t wo ki n d s —e O ordi n at e

-
an d
s u bordi n at e .

Co -
ord i n ate
K u ri c hi a t a z aka t a n a yi n ku ka - - The dove c ame s he was c ry i n g ou t
t a n a c h e w a ga ma c h e —yi ku n
, , , ,

s he was s ay i n g to the w oma n

n u ki ki s h a ma ke yo u r gr u e l dr i n k i t
,

S u mka t a fi ga ba ki -
n- r i j i a ya
, c he T hey w en t to the mo u th of the wel l ,

ma s u ( a n d) he s a i d to t hem
A mma mu ba mu i y aw a mu y i Bu t we w e c a n n ot w or k
,

a i ki
Ba ni n e z an yi s hi ba Is it no t for me to do it

S u bord i n ate

S u bordi n at e s en t e n c e fi rs t
K ada n ka ba ni ku rd i n n a n u i
I f y o u gi v e me the mo n ey I s ha l l
- -

ba ka t a gi a gi v e y o u th e cap
K ada n n a t a fi kada n ka r uf e
, Wh e n I hav e go n e whe n y ou have ,

k ofa kada n w a n i ya z a ka kada

,
s hu t the do o r i
f a n y on e c ome s
, , ,

ka b u de do n ot op e n
S u bordi n at e sen t en c e l a st
a ra ya s hi ga ga i da n u mu
R i i do n The a n d goes i n to o u r eyes
s

hi s ka t a b u s a da kari fi be c au s e the wi n d bl e w s tro n g

220 THE HAUS A L A NGUA GE

3 Da i yal i s u n a l a fi a
. A n d are all the f am i l y w e l l ?
L a fi a l au , m u n a l a fi a Q u i te wel l , w e are al l w el l
l En n a l abar i l
.
‘
What i s the n e ws
2 S ai l a fi a
. It i s good Th e i n v ari ab l e fo r
.

mal re p l y
l . M araba maraba ( A rab i c )
,
Us ed aft er l o n g ab s e n c e
2 . S a n u s a n u madi l l a
,
T h a n k y ou
l . M araba da z u a We l c ome
2 Sanu S of t l y , i e t ha n k ou
. .

y
l . En n a z a m n a n gar i How i s yo u r s tay i n the to w n
2 . S a i a l b er i I t i s go i n g w e ll , p ro s p ero u s
1 . M a rha b i marha bi ( A rab i c )
,
S a l u t a t i o n o n re t u r n i n g from a
j o ur n ey
S a n u , ma di ll a I am w e l l t ha n k you
,

A l bar ka We l c ome
Al bar ka de Tha n k y ou for yo u r w el c ome
M ad i l l s
A l h u mdi ll i l a hi ( A rab i c )
Pra i s e be to God
S a l aam al a i ku m ( A rab i c ) Pea c e be w i th y ou
A l a i ku m s a l aam Wi t h you be p ea c e
B er ka (f o r a l bar ka ) Ho w do you do
B er ka da z u a Wel c ome
A ga i s h e ka ,
You are s a l u ted .Ho w do y o u do
I n go y a ( i n gw ey a ) R e p l y s a l u t a t i o n t o a n i m p or t a n t
p er s o n
S a i gobe Good by e t i l l to morro w
- -

S ai w a t a ra n a Good by e t i l l a n ot her day

-

S a i a n ji ma Good by e for a s hort t i me

-

A l l a h s hi dade da ra n ka M a God gi v e y ou l o n g l i f e ( t o a
c ci )
'

Gafara I beg you r p ardo n

Gafara da i
K a ka ka ji da s a i n yi Ho w do y ou feel t hi s c o l d weat her
L a fi a s a i n yi da god i a
, Q u i te we l l i n s p i te of the c o l d
K a ka ka kara ji da j i ki ? Na How are y ou f eel i n g I am
ji s a u ki ( K a n d Z ) f eel i ng better
All a h s hi kara ma ka s a u ki M ay God i n c rea s e yo u r hea l t h
, ,

A mi n A m en
Na i i dama Na s am u s a u ki
. I f eel better or am w el l agai n
( Zar )
A l l a h s h i a n fa n a s h i ( or t a )
-
M ay God p ro sp er i t ( on b i r t h o f
-

A ll a h s hi kea u t a a c hi l d )
K a ga i s h e s hi da y i n i S ay good n i ght to hi m
-

Gai m i ni da u b a n ka S a l u te yo u r f at her f or me
S ai ka ko mo Good by e t i ll y ou c ome a ga i n
-
 CO MM O N I DI O M A T I C EX PR ESS I O NS 221

NA MES or S EA S O NS , MO NTHS ,
DA Y S , A ND HO UR S
S eas ons
F u n t uru , or L o ka c hi n dar i Co l d eas o n the s eas o n of the
s ,

Harmatta n D e c e mber and

Ja n u ary
Hot s ea s o n — M ar c h
Ho tt es t p art of the hot s ea s o n ;
tor n ado s eas o n A p ri l a nd
M ay
D a mara Wet s ea s o n — J u n e to A u gu s t
Hot s ea s o n after ra i n —S ep tember ,

O c to ber
Harves t s ea s o n O c tober , N ov em
ber

M on ths

Th e se are t he A rab i c mo n t hs wi t h t he , n ames more or

l e ss c orru pt
M o h ara m
S afar
R ab i n l a u w al
Ba b i u l a h i r
Ji mada l ul a
Ji mada l u h u ra
R a j ab
Jaa b a n
Ra ma da n , ra mal a n , or w a t a n The f a s t mo n t h
-

az u mi
S ha u w al , w a t a n karama m s a ll a M o n t h of the l i tt l e p rayer
- - -

a a
Z u l h aj i , w t -
n- baba -
n -s al l a M o n t h of the bi g p rayer
Th e c orre sp o n di n g mon t hs i n t he Ju li an . c al en dar v ary
from year t o year .

D ays o f the
’
R a n l a h a di
’
Ra n l at i n i
'
R a n t al a t a
’
R a n l a ra b a
’
R a n al ha mi s
’
R a n a l ji mua , al ji ma
'
Ra n as s a b i t
222 THE HA US A L ANGUA GE

Hou rs the D ay
Ji ji fi F i rs t s i gn of da wn
K i ra n s al l a n afa ri C a ll to the fir s t p rayer
A suba D a wn
Gari ya w aye D a wn
S a sa f e V ery ea r l y mo r n i n g
S afe M or n i n g ( ge n era ll y )
Ha n t s i A bo u t 8 a m . .

W al a h a A bo u t 10 a m . .

Ra n a D ay t i me ge n er all y
R a n a t s a ka M i dday n oo n ,

Z o w all T i me s oo n after m i dday

A z u hu r A bo u t 2 p m . .

L aa s a r A bo u t 5 p m . .

M a gu ri b a Ev e n i n g
M ar s c h e Ev e n i n g
Li s ha A bo u t 7 p m ju s t after s u n s et
. .
,

F a du a r ra n a
- -
S u ns et
D ere N i ght
Ts a ka n dere
- - M i d n i ght
Kwana S l eep . A day of 24 ho u r s

Verbs . etc .
, u s ed i di oma ti ca l l y
Che
A ka c h e da s h i I t w as call e d a
Y a c h e da s u He s i a d t o t he m
Chi ka

Chi ka b i n d i ga L oad a gu n
Wo t s i ka ya c hi ka The l etter fi n i s hed
is
Chi ka m i n i a l kaw el i F u lfil yo u r p romi s e to

Ch i gar i C o nq u er the c o u n try

Ch i ka s u a T o mar ket
A n a c h i n ka s u a M ar ket i s on
K a s u a t a c hi
Fa t a ki s u n c hi r i ba The mer c ha n ts made a p rofi t
Na c h i I ta ke i t ( i n gamb li n g) or I wi n
K n c hi gaba kada n Go a l i tt l e i n f ro n t
Chi s aro t a S u cc eed to the s ov ere i gn ty
Chi l a fi a To get i n to s af ety e njoy p eac e
Chi ama n a M i s ap p rop ri ate a tr u s t L i t Ea t . .
,

a p l edge
S w ear o n the K ora n
A dor n o n es e lf
224 THE HAU S A L AN GUA GE

K o w a ya n o mi
hat si ( ya ) ka i Every on e o ws cor n ( i e good
who s . .

baba n ga ri ( p o et . deeds ) r eaches the great c i ty

( heave n )
Gob e da s afe na kai ka w uri n da T o morro w I wi ll take you to the
-

s u n a b i s u n a ya w o
p l ac e v hi ch they we nt to to take
a wal i
Kai doe s n ot n e c e ss ari l y m ea n t o a c t u all y c arry )
En n a ra n a t a ka i ka n a mu kai Where wi l l the s u n be whe n we
K a n o Y Z a t a kai c h a n re ach Kan o It wi l l be there
S u ka i s k i l bi ya ka w o They c ame to a water c ou rs e i n the
m a s op n g11 da j i
,

bu s h i t had w ater i n i t
,

K ara

I na k ara da a i I add o n e
Ba n k ara b a z akua I s ha l l n ot c ome agai n
Ba ya ara k c e a
ba h w He s a i d n o more
A i ki n s u z aaka ra s u T he i r wor k s ha l l be i n c reas ed
aa
S u n c h e ji ri gi n k s n b a s hi k
-
ara They s a i d the trai n s ha ll n ot c ome
da a
t a f o wa g I ku aga i n from L agos
a
A ll h u s hi kara ma a k al b erka M ay God i n c rea s e hi s bl e s s i n g o n
ou
Za ki ya y i ku ka s o dai a ~
, ba s hi T e l i o n c r i ed o nc e he di d n ot do
,

kara b a ya m u t u
,
s o a ga i n he d i ed
,

Ba s h i kara ga ni n s a He s a w hi m no more
Ba ya ka ra t a s hi b a h a r He di d n ot get u p a ga i n u n t i l
Ba t a kara ko ma gare s a S he di d no t ret u r n to hi m aga i n

NO 'rE .
— The n o u n form of the v erb i s requ i red after kara .

M a i da
M a ma d a a
i a k ns He p rof es s es
Ya ma di a k am a n gare t a He l i ked hi m
Y a ma y es da ma a a
g n He a n s wered
S uk a mayar (= maya da mag
s) Th ey rep l i ed and s a i d to t he m
ma
a na , s u ka c h e su
K a may es ba c k
Br i n g ( i t)
I n a ma y es da w a n e I be c ame l i ke s o a nd s o- -

Ya m e i s h e s hi He tra n sformed hi m
Y u n gw a t a ke ma i da yaro t s ofo Hu n ger t u r n s a boy i n to an
ma n

T a ke the a i r
E j oy the s hade
n

Get i n to tro u bl e
S mo ke tobacc o
 CO M M O N I D I O M A T I C EX PR ES S I O NS 225

Ya sa ma s u wut a He s et fi re to t h em
Na ka di l a l i n a
sa I ma ke you my age n t
Ni a
s s h i ta fi c jr oda I w i l l ma ke hi m get i n to the boat
h i ki n i i gi , k
s hi yerda ko b a ey rda ba whet her he i s w i l l i n g or n ot
S hi ya a
sa n a t s h i He made me get u p
Sa k sa a P u t i t do w n
a c
Y a s s hi h i ki n s n a fo He p l a c ed i t i n the bas ket
Na s a w n a do ba ki I wore bl a c k tro u s ers
ar ya
S i ki s a a ka da u ra do rd i The c hi ef made t he m s add l e the
ki s u
hor s e
N O TE . Sa has a c a u s at i v e f or c e whi c h may be tra n s l ated i n
En gl i s h ma ke or do .Yi i s n ot u s ed i n t hi s s e n s e .

S a mu

Ha i n y a t a s a m u T here i s a road
‘

Na s a m u l a fi a I a m better
Ha r s u s a m u am s a Un t i l t hey rep l y
Na s a me s a s hi n a kara t u w o t i ka n ka I fo u n d hi m wr i t i n g yo u r l et ter
-

S a u ra
”
Th i s i s a n o un mean i n g remai n der re s t , .

Y a yi s a u ra kada n There i s a l i tt l e l ef t
I s a u r a i gi a b i u a da mre
, Yes i t s t i l l w a n t s two rop e s to ti e
,

t he m
D a ma t a n es s a u ra s hi da i a A n d of hi s w i v e s t here was o n l y
l ef t o n e to hi m
’
Ba sa u ra n kw a n a ki daya w a n a n I n n ot ma n y day s t i me
gaba b a
Vari ou s u s es of Yi do mak e , , .

S ome o f i t s u s e s are very i d i omat i c . O ne v ari at i o n Of

f orm is f ou n d — n ame l y y1w u
, .

I n dep e n de n t
I di d i t
He di d i t or i t wi ll do , i t i s
s at i sf a c tory

S u na fa da da j u n a 7 S un a yi A re t hey fi ght i n g amo n gs t t hem

s elves T hey are
K u yi t a yi Go o n w i t h what y ou are do i n g
M yi t a y i
u We wi ll get to wor k
Ku yi ta t afi a Go o n
K k a a za a
k yi How w i l l y ou ma n a ge
K amadas hi ke y i Ho w i t i s do n e
a a
R n ta y i It i s day l i ght
226 THE HA US A L AN GUA GE

Wi t h D i re c t O bj e c t

Na y i s hi I hav e do n e i t
M un y i s hi da ka s a We made i t of eart h
K a n a y i ma ga n a Ha u s a D o y ou s p ea k Ha u s a
M u n y i ab u t a da n i da S hi He a n d I hav e be c ome fr i e nd s
Har ya y i s a i n y i Un t i l i t get s c oo l

Yi j oi n ed w i t h n o u n s o f t en t ran s l at ab l e
s i n gl e verb i n En gli s h a s ,

Yi ma ga n a
Yi za n c h e
Yi a i ki
Yi m u n a fi ki
Yi g od i a ,

Yi t afi a
Yi gi ri m a
Yi a er
lb i
Yi s at a

All o f t h e s e phra s e s t ak e i n di re ct O b j e ct s wi t h p re p o si
“ ”
t i on s . Th e i n di re c t o b j e c t i s pl ac ed bet w een yi an d
t he n o u n i t i s att ach ed t o i f t he p re p o si t i o n i n qu e s t i o n
“ ” “ ”
is ma to b u t af t er if t he p re p o si t i on i s da wi th
, , , .

Wi t ho u t I n d i re c t O bj ec t

Z u c hi a n a ya y i fari M y h eart rejo i c ed

Zu a mut u a A h ma d u ya y i s ari ki O n the deat h of A hmad u he
be c ame ki n g
Ya yi gi ri m e He ha s gro wn up
Ya yi a rz i ki It i s fortu na te
Y a y i k eao It i s good t ha t i s al l ri ght
Ya y i n a n y i It i s h eavy
Y aro ya y i kama n u w a n s a - -
The boy i s l i ke hi s mot her
Y a yi kara t u w o n ga w o c hi ka He wrote t hi s l etter ( do u b l e ob j e c t )

Wi t h I n d i re c t O bj e c t

M a

Ya y i ma n i mu n a fi ki He c heated ( betr a yed , dec e i v ed )

me
Na yi ma s a al he ri I treated hi m ki n d l y
Y a y i ma n i a l ka w a l i He made me a p romi s e
S u n y i ma s a s a t a They s to l e from hi m
S ari ki ya y i ma s a ka li y e The ki n g gav e hi m a n order
Y a yi ma n i gu du ma w a He c ame to my he l p
228 THE HA US A L A NGUA GE

E x a mp l e of the For m y i wu
’
Ta a l a da ya y i wota The e x a l ted on e who made it

“
Yi t ak e s
wh at s eem s t o be t he su ffi x da ( s ee
“
deri v ed v erb s c l as s 5 ) i n t he sh ar p en ed f orm t a
,
If .

t h i s e t ymo l o gy be c o rre c t i t i s n ot i n a cc ordan c e w i t h t he

,

c ommo n ph on e t i c ru l e s of t he l an g u age .

Kn yi ta yi Go o n w i t h what y ou are do i n g
Kn yi t a t afi a M ar c h
Ku yi t a t u ba R ep e n t
Yi t a a i ki A cc omp li s h the wor k
K u yi t a ka n ku D o t hat w hi c h ap p erta i n s to you
or do as you l i ke
I n S okot o , Z an fara ,
an d Kat s i n a wo i s c omm o nl y
“ " “ ” “
us ed f or yi ,
as wo t a k ard a ,
s en d a l etter ; wo
yak 1 wage war
, .

Examp l es of Ci rcu ml ocu ti on

S ar i ki ya ra s s u The c hi ef i s dead
bu t D o ki ya m u t u
, The hor s e i s dead
A b o ki n a b a s h i da l a fi a M y fr i e n d i s i l l
Wa i ri n S o ko t o b a ya ga n i
z
yan z u The v i z i er of S o koto i s bl i n d
A b o ki n a b a s hi da kafa M y fr i e n d i s l ame
b ut , Gu ra gu ne I n s p ea ki n g of a h or s e b e i n g l ame
a a
K k i y a l i n ka How i s yo u r f am i l y ( i n s t ead of
’
a s ki n g aft er a ma n s wi fe )
 B IB LI O GR A PHY
C
S HO EN , J F . .

V o c ab ul ar y o f t h e Ha u s a La n gu age an d Grammar
Gr am mar o f t h e Ha u s a La n gu age
Di c t i o n ar y o f t h e Ha u s a La n gu age
x t o D i ct i o n ar
y o f t h e Ha u s a La n gu age
Ha us a
RO B 1N S O N , C .

Ha usa La n gua ge, l s t e d i t i o n

2n d e d i t i o n
Ha us a Di c t i o n ar y, l s t ed i t i o n ( I 1 8 9 9 an d I I
. .

2u d e d i t i o n ( 19 06) ( Ha u s a En gl i s h
-
o n l y)
S pe c i men o f Hau sa Li t era t u r e

M IL L ER W, Ha us a No te s
. R .

M rsc a mon A Leh rb u c h der h au san i s ch en

, . S p rach e
ED GA R F , Li ta fi n a ta t s u n i yoyi n a Ha us a
.

HA R R 1S H Ha usa S t or i es
, .

CHA R L TO N L A Ha us a R ead i n g Boo k

,
.
 r ed t
P i nt a

Th e Edi n b u r gh Pr e s s
9 an d 1 1 Y o u n g S tree t
.