JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
ASSAMESE AND NEPALI LANGUAGE SENTENCES BASED ON SYNTAX: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY
Dr. Himakshi Bordoloi
Gauhati University Guwahati, Assam, India
Received: 08.03.2020 Revised: 25.04.2020 Accepted: 14.05.2020
Abstract: Syntax is a significant level in linguistics. Word is a combination of sound and appearance and based on the meaning of the word, a sentence is constructed. A speaker can express his feelings better through sentences formed in this method. Syntax has a large span. Earlier, the traditional grammar included the types of sentences, extraction and contraction of sentences and the transformation of sentences into syntax, and it is only in the later times, the minutest analysis of sentence formation is incorporated in it. It is noteworthy that the real meaning of a statement can be realized only when the context, purpose, objective and the feelings of the speaker is known. Assamese and Nepali are two branches of the modern Indian Aryan language under the Indo-European language tree. The particular characteristics of both the language in context of syntax will be studied in our research paper. Analytical methodology is opted for while preparing this research paper. Keywords: Syntax, Assamese syntax, Nepali language
0.1 Introduction: The many sides of the Assamese language, the official language of Assam, are being practiced by the linguistic experts by using both Assamese and English languages. Similarly, Nepali, being the official language of Nepal and Sikkim, is practiced through the use of English, Nepali and now Assamese language. Assam has a great number of Nepali speaking people for which an effort has been made to make a deep study of the unique characteristics of both languages and trace the similarities and dissimilarities between these. 0.2 Methods: This research paper is prepared by using the analytical method in the study of the Assamese and Nepali language sentences. 0.3 Objective of the study: Assamese and Nepali, both the language originates from the same root. The main objective of our research is to conduct an analytical study of the sentence formation of these constitutionally approved languages. 0.4 Expanse of the research The main subject of the research paper is to study the grammatical classification used in the Assamese and Nepali language. 1.0 Subject-matter 1.01 The sentence formation process of Assamese and Nepali language
1.01.1 Although a word plays major role in sentence construction, it cannot be placed anywhere in a sentence. The three elements necessary for framing a sentence are – a. Expectancy b. Propriety of compatibility c. Proximity (Maral, 125) The aforementioned elements are chosen on the basis of the Assamese and Nepali language’s sentence formation. In this Assamese sentence- “Goruwe ghah khai” ‘goru’ (cow) is the noun, ‘Ghah’ (grass) is the objective and ‘khai’ (eats) is verb. As per the need of the sentence, the term ‘goru’ is turned into ‘goru + e= goruwe and ‘kha’ is added with the present tense third person ‘y’ to finally form ‘khai’ which denotes the verb ‘khai’ (eats). Although ‘ghah’ (grass) is used as an objective, the letter ‘k’ remains invisible. So, it can be seen that as the terms used in the sentence are being placed in appropriate positions, they have established a connection with each other and this means the compatibility and proximity both the qualities are expressed and the sentence is also fulfilling the expectancy of the listener. Similarly, if the same sentence is transformed into Nepali language, it will be something
2566
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
like this – “Gorule ghas khancho.” Like the Assamese sentence, here too gorule (noun), ghas (objective) and khancho (verb), the three words are used. In the Nepali language as well, the words are connected to each other based on their compatibility and have fulfilled the expectancy of the sentence by being meaningful. 1.01.2 There always are two parts in a sentence –Subject and Predicate. Subject means the main person or thing of the verb. On the other hand, every other verb and followers of a verb are called as Predicate. (Goswami, 177) For instance: Sentence no. 1 (Assamese) – Xoru loratue makok ghorua kamot xohay kori dise. Sentence no. 2 (Nepali)- Talla gharki kanchi churi aaj bozar janse. Sentence no. 1
Subject Predicate Xoru loratue makok ghorua kamot xohay kori dise
Extension Noun Extension Verb
Xoru loratue makok ghorua kamot xohay kori dise
Subject Predicate Talla gharki kanchi churi aaj bozar janse
Extension Noun Extension Verb
Talla gharki kanchi churi aaj bozar janse
1.02 An analysis of the syntax of Assamese and Nepali language 1.02.1 The grammatical analysis used in the sentences of a language is generally presented in the discussion of syntax. Such analyses vary from one language to another. Apart from the subject and predicate, these two phrases are there in a complete sentence- Noun Phrase and Verb Phrase. Noted linguist Bloom Field spoke about two types of sentence constructions- (194) 1) Exocentric construction 2) Endocentric construction Bloom Field has shown a picture to choose the proximity of the parts used in the construction of sentence and he has named it as Immediate constituent analysis. (195) The proximity of Assamese and Nepali language is chosen in the following manner – Sentence no. 1 (Assamese): Moi gitarkhon Sangitar pora porohiei bojaboloi anisu. Moi/ gitarkhon Sangitar pora porohiei bojaboloi anisu. Gitarkhon/ Sangitar pora porohiei bojaboloi anisu. Sangitar pora/ porohiei bojaboloi anisu. Porohiei/ bojaboloi anisu. Bojaboloi/ anisu. Again, if the sentence is divided as per the subject and predicate, it will be like this-
2567
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
Sentence no. 2 (Nepali)- Mā euta gitar Sangitabaat hiju bajaun laye. On choosing the proximity of the sentence, it will be like this- Mā/ euta gitar Sangitabaat hiju bajaun laye. Euta gitar/ Sangitabaat hiju bajaun laye. Sangitabaat/ hiju bajaun laye. Hiju/ bajaun laye. Bajaun/ laye. On dividing the same sentence, as per the subject and predicate, it can be shown in the following manner-
1.02.3 Generally, a sentence is formed in accordance with the rules of the construction of phrases. Such phrases of a sentence are of two types- a) Noun Phrase b) Verb Phrase For Instance- Sentence no. 1 (Assamese)- Dusto loratueaamataformutiaixorale.
2568
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
Sentence no. 2 (Nepali)- Sipalu chikarile euta bagh guli gorer maryu.
The aforementioned sentences of both the language have become complete sentences on the merge of the noun phrase and verb phrase.
2.0. Classifications of Assamese and Nepali sentences 2.01. Classifications of Assamese sentence: An Assamese language sentence can be divided into three types based on its phrases – 2.01.1 Simple Sentence 2.01.2 Complex Sentence 2.01.3 Compound Sentence (Maral, 139) 2.01.1 Simple Sentence: Generally, an Assamese simple sentence starts with subject and the predicate follows the subject. E.g. i) Moi bhat khau (I eat rice) ii) Tumi schoololoi ketiya jaba? (When will you go to school?) 2.01.2 Complex Sentence Generally, if seen from the angle of the meaning of a complex sentence, there use to be an important sentence and this important sentence use to be dependent on another less important sentence. Such a less important sentence is associated with the important sentence through prepositions like ‘if’, ‘as’, ‘when’, ‘which’ etc. For example- i) Jodi Nayana aahe, moi bojaroloi jam (If Nayana comes, I will go to the market)
2569
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
ii) Jodi rati hoy, tente moi najau. (If it gets dark, I won’t go) 2.01.3 Compound Sentence: Multiple simple or complex sentences are joined through a connecting preposition to form a compound sentence. For example- Trishna ahil, taik iman log dhorile, tai nogol. (trishna came, she asked her to go with her, but she didn’t go) 2.02. Assamese sentences can be categorized into five types, based on its meaning- 2.02.1. Descriptive sentence 2.02.2. Commanding sentence 2.02.3. Interrogative sentence 2.02.4. Exclamatory sentence 2.02.5. Indicative sentence Each of these types, has its positive and negative variants- 2.02.1. Descriptive sentence Positive- Lokabadya xamuh amaar sanskritir apurugiya xompod. (The folk instruments are valuable assets of our culture) Negative- Lokabadya xamuh amaar sanskritir apurugiya xompod nohoy. (The folk instruments are no valuable assets of our culture) 2.02.2. Commanding sentence Positive- Tumi adhyaytu kailer bhitorot xekh koribo lagibo. (You will have to finish this chapter by tomorrow) Negative- Tumi adhyaytu kailer bhitorot xekh koribo nalage. (You will not have to finish this chapter by tomorrow) 2.02.3. Interrogative sentence Positive- Tumi jaba neki? (Will you go?) Negative- Tumi nujua neki? (Won’t you go?) 2.02.4. Exclamatory sentence Positive- Iss! Taar aji ei doxa hol. (Oh! This is what has happened to him today) Negative- Iss! Taar aji ei doxa hobo buli bhoba nasilu. (Oh! I never thought that this will ever happen to him) 2.02.5. Indicative sentence Positive- Bhogobane teuk kripa korok. (May God bless him) Negative- Bhogobane teuk kripa nokorile. (God did not shower his blessings on him)
2.02 Classification of sentences in Nepali language There are two types of classifications in a Nepali language sentence: 2.02.1. Based on its construction 2.02.2. Based on its functions (Nepal, 218)
2.02.1. Based on the construction of Nepali sentences, these can be divided into eight types- 2.02.1.1. Simple Sentence 2.02.1.2. Compound Sentence 2.02.1.3. Mixed Sentence 2.02.1.4. Long Sentence 2.02.1.5. Short Sentence 2.02.1.6. Equivalent Sentence 2.02.1.7. Parallel Sentence 2.02.1.8. Inverted Sentence
2.02.1.1. Simple Sentence: Like an Assamese sentence, a sentence with subject and predicate is also called a Simple Sentence is Nepali language. E.g. i) Daju ayu ii) Daju bozar nagatrar ghar ayu. 2.02.1.2. Compound Sentence: A sentence formed by two or more sub-sentences is called Compound Sentence. E.g. Meru haatbaat euta kalam jharu ro bhasiyu. 2.02.1.3. Mixed Sentence: An independent sub-sentence and a dependent sentence together form a Mixed Sentence. E.g.
2570
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
Mo ramruri porherthulu manse bhoyer xamajma santi laan chanhanchu 2.02.1.4. Long Sentence: Two or more sentences connected with infinitive verb, forms a long sentence in Assamese and Nepali language. E.g. Mo schoolbaat aayer khana khayer gosi aalikoti xuyer bozarma janechu. 2.02.1.5. Short Sentence: Generally, the simple sentence is known as the Short sentence, but it is not formed of noun, objective, verb as is usually seen in the simple sentences. The meaning of the sentence is integrated in the meaning of one word only. E.g. Dinuhush, Choin, Khanchu etc. 2.02.1.6. Equivalent Sentence: The equivalent sentence in Nepali language is formed by connecting several predicates of same rank with a subject or by connecting several subjects of same rank with a predicate. (Adhikari, 115) E.g. Mo hawama basti bachauchu, Akash kheti gardasu ro sangsarka nyunyataharu purna garna khujdasu. 2.02.1.7. Parallel Sentence: two or more sentences constructed by connecting units of similar types are called Parallel sentences. E.g. Bhagavatma xachchaihudoina, Byas thog bondoson, Pashupatinath, tunga xunson, hejlin chandan bonds, …… murkha bondson. (Devakota, 50) 2.02.1.8. Inverted Sentence: The natural form of sentence construction in Nepali language Noun + Objective + Verb. But sometimes, to express the spoken and written feelings in poetic language, this serial form is broken to Verb + Objective + Noun and a sentence is constructed. Such sentences which jare constructed by changing the grammatical rules, are called Inverted sentences. A usual sentence is – Mo hiju ghar gayaku thiye. Inverted sentence- Mo/ hiju ghar gayaku thiye. Ghar/ gayaku thiye hiju mo. Hiju/ ghar gayaku thiye mo. Etc 3.0. Based on the functions, Nepali sentences can be categorized into three types - 3.01. Interrogative 3.02. Definitive 3.03. Mixed meaning
3.01. Interrogative sentence: The sentences in which an interrogation or question is asked, are called Interrogative sentences. E.g. Timi kaha janecho? Topai kaha bosmuhunchu? 3.02. Definitivesentence:Those sentences that express a desire or the feeling of mind, are called Definitive sentences. E.g. Timru kura molai ramro lagyu. 3.03. Varied meaning sentence: The sentences that express an idea, command, desire, request etc., are called Varied meaning sentences. E.g. Topaiku jatra shubh hoch.
4.0. Conclusion On the basis of our analytical discussion of the Assamese and Nepali language sentences based on syntax, we can say that as both languages originates from the same family of language; there are adequate similarities between the sentence construction processes. Although, the usual form of simple sentences is Noun- Objective –Verb, these are also seen to be used with changes in their places. This act of connecting words always remains invisible in the positive sentences of Assamese language, but in a Nepali language sentence, this connecting verb is very essential. Similarly, in an Assamese negative sentence, the negative sounding word ‘na’ is also added before the connecting verb to mean ‘naiba/nai’. But in a Nepali language negative sentence, ‘na’ is added always after the connecting verb. Moreover, in an animalistic or inanimate Assamese sentence, in both cases ‘aase’ verb is added to mean an existence. But to mean an existence in the Nepali animalistic and inanimate sentences, different verbs are seen to be used. However, the sentences of both languages have more similarities when it comes to the complex, simple, compound etc sentences. To speak the truth, the primary elements of the sound, parts, phrases, syntax of every language in the world are the same. This means, there are some kinds of similarities in the construction process of sentences.Hence, there is much
2571
JOURNAL OF CRITICAL REVIEWS
ISSN- 2394-5125 VOL 7, ISSUE 09, 2020
relevance in finding a unity in the sentence construction of Assamese and Nepali language, both of which belong to the Indo- European group of languages.
REFERENCES: Moral, Bhagaban. Asomiya Byakaran Jyoti, The Assam State Textbook Production and Publication Corporation Limited. Guwahati, 2015, 125, Printed Goswami, G.C., Asomiya Vyakaranar Moulik Bisar, Bina Library, Guwahati, 1999, 177, 194, 195, Printed Nepal, Ghanshyam. Lama Kabita, Uccha Madhyamik Nepali Vyakaran Ra Rachana, Ekta Book House, Kahmandu, 2007, 214, Printed Adhkari, Hemangaraj. Prayogatmok Nepali Vyakaran, Sajha Prakashan, Kathmandu, 1907, 115, Printed Devcota, Laxmiprasad. Laxmi Kabita Sangrah, Lalitpur, Sajha Prakashan, Sapakhana, 1905, 150, Printed Phukan, Patgiri Dipti. Asomiya, Bangla aaru Oriya bhasar tulonamulok adhyayan, Banalata, 2012 Gautam, Deviprasad. Nepali Bhasa Parichay, Sajha Prakashan, B.S. 2041 Sarmah, Sibaraj. MadhyamikNepali Byakaran & Rachana. Janapakhya Prakashan, 2007
2572