Tama

In the Eastern Sudanic (Nilo-Saharan) language Tama event structure is expressed either by full verbs or by combinations of light verbs plus complements. Tama has a rather extensive case-marking system involving clitical elements which are attached to pronouns or to the final constituent in a noun phrase, which may be either the noun or a nominal modifier. This dependent-marking strategy is characterized by iconicity on the one hand and economy principles on the other, as manifested in particular through the use of Differential Object Marking.

Published online: 22 April 2009
https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.110.13dim