Macuiltianguis Zapotec

Lesson 5

Introduction

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In the previous lesson, we introduced tense and looked at how to put them into simple sentences. In this lesson, we focus on pronouns in MacZ and how to pluralize pronouns.

Singular and Plural Pronouns -- formal and informal parts of speech

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Previously we have used -ya' and -lù' in simple sentences. In this lesson we will expand our vocabulary to include other pronouns including first person, second person, and third person singular and plural pronouns in subject and object form. Formal 'you' may be familiar but probably less so for 3rd person formal, and even for 2nd person a comparison to Spanish 'usted' or French formal forms.

Subject

Object

Examples -- Singular Pronouns

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1. Rudiianà tu libru.
'He is writing a book.'

2. Rudiianà tu libru.
'She is writing a book.'

3. Abii ruya'acanà.
'They don't dance.'

Note: The pronoun for 'she' and 'he' are the same (nà). This contrasts with English and Spanish. While pronouns don't differentiate for gender, they do for formality.

Examples -- Plural Pronouns

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4. Ruya'atu'.
'We(exclusive) are dancing.'

5. Guyo'oriu' yeeda què' niulato'á.
'We bought corn for the girl.'

6. Guyo'ocanà yeeda què' niulato'á.
'They bought corn for the girl.'

Examples -- 2nd Person Plural-Informal Pronouns

7. ¿Baruya'ali?
Do you (plural) dance?'

8. ¿Biini rooli?
'What are you (plural) eating?'

9. ¿Biini ro'oli?
'What are you (plural) buying?'

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