Simple past tense with split ergativity introduction
Simple past tense with split ergativity introduction
Can form basic past tense sentences understanding ergative alignment
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Min nan xwar.
I ate bread.
Te çi got?
What did you say?
Wê nameyek nivîsand.
She wrote a letter.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Di dema borî de, Kurmancî ergatîv e — di çavkaniya lêkerê de karker di rewşa rew de ye, lê kêşker di rewşa berê de ye:
| Niha (Nominatîv) | Borî (Ergatîv) |
|---|---|
| Ez dixwînim. (I read.) | Min xwend. (I read [past].) |
| Tu dixwînî. | Te xwend. |
| Ew dixwîne. | Wî/Wê xwend. |
Girîng: Di dema borî de, cînavka berê (min, te, wî, wê) tê bikaranîn, ne cînavka rew!
Common Error Patterns
Error with Simple past tense with split ergativity introduction
Review the rules for Dema Borî ya Sade
Min nan xwar.
I ate bread.
Min (oblique, not ez!) = I. Nan = bread. Xwar = ate. Ergative: agent in oblique case.
Te çi got?
What did you say?
Te (oblique, not tu!) = you. Çi = what. Got = said.
Wê nameyek nivîsand.
She wrote a letter.
Wê (oblique feminine) = she. Name = letter. Nivîsand = wrote.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises