Pronouns Part 4 "Sikami anna Sittam"

Many, if not most Malayo-polynesian languages have at least 2 forms for the word "We". This is so that any ambiguity may be avoided. For example, when I say: "We are from the Philippines." It is unknown whether or not "we" includes the person being spoken to. Of course if the person being spoken to is not from the Philippines then it is obviously not referring to him or her.

"Sikami"

Sikami is the exclusive form of "We". This means the speaker refers to all persons except for the one being spoken to. It has 3 forms.

• Mi
• Kami
• Sikami

"Mi"

"Mi" tends to be used with the markers: "nga", "y" This happens when a second verb is attached to the sentence. For example:

• Memi nga innan - we are going to see
• Apammi y kitu - we are going to take the dog.
• Ina'mi y payung - we took the umbrella.
• Kanammi y bavi - we eat pork.

"Kami"

"Kami" is used with "ma+verb" or "na+verb" sentences.

• Umay kami mamalasa - we are going to do groceries
• Nangalek kami ta kamosi' - we were looking for sweet potato leaves.
• Mangagal kami ta kalesa - we are going to call for a horse buggy.

"Sikami"

"Sikami" is used to emphasize who is doing what and is often followed by "Y".

• Sikami y nadjan ta balena - We were the ones staying at his house.
• Sikami y nappapoli' ta takem - We were the ones who got your car fixed.
• Sikami y nappaga ta madjan - We were the ones who paid the maid.
  

"Sittam"

Whereas "sikami" indicated exclusiveness, "Sittam" indicates inclusiveness. This means that it includes the person being spoken to; meaning all of us. There are 2 forms.

• Tam
• Sittam

"Tam"

"Tam" is the standard and most commonly used form of "We, inclusive" that is used.

• Umay tam mabbakasion - Let's go on a vacation.
• Kumattam ta Macdo' - Let's eat at Mcdonalds.
• Ina' tam yayya ganguri - We took him earlier.

"Sittam"

As with all the previous pronouns, "Sittam" indicates emphasis and is followed by "Y"

• Sittam y namegafu ta laban - We started the fight.
• Sittam ngamin y nanguffun ta nisa - All of us helped her.
  

Vocabulary
Verbs

Ina' - took
Nangalek - looked for
Mangagal - call
Nadjan - stayed
Nappapoli' - fixed
Nappaga - payed
Namegafu - started
Nanguffun - helped
Mabbacasion - to go on vacation

Nouns
Payung - umbrella
Bavi - pig
Kalesa - calesa (a type of horse drawn buggy)
Laban - a fight

Adjectives
Ganguri - earlier (indicates earlier time)


To be edited (Thanks James!)