Second person agreement allomorphy in Masarak

Abstract

Masarak (also known as Masalit, sometimes spelled Massaleit), an endangered Nilo-Saharan language spoken in Darfur, is characterized by complex agreement patterns, particularly in the second person. This article outlines Masarak agreement patterns in the declarative, imperative and prohibitive verb forms, paying particular attention to second singular declarative allomorphy. In addition, this article describes a series of verb root-form alternations. Understanding these alternations is necessary in understanding the interpretation of different declarative, imperative and prohibitive verb forms.

Keywords

• Masarak
• agreement
• root allomorphy