[Lexicog] Re: indeclinable def.

[Hayim Sheynin]

In Arabic and other Semitic languages the personal pronouns realize in the proper pronouns only in Nominative case, one form for each person. The oblique case is expressed with pronominal suffixes.
The oblique case in pronominal suffixes used with verbs is clearly Accusative.
The causal relation expressed mostly with preposition+pronominal suffix
Singular
I p. m. and f.  Ana     oblique case  -i (kitab-book; kitabi  - my book; ma`a - with; ma`i - with me; in conjunction with a verb -ni)
2 p. m.         Ant       " -- " -- " -- "   -k(a)  
2 p. f.           Anti      " -- " -- " -- "   -k(i)
3 p. m         Hu(wa)   " -- " -- "-- "   -hu   (lahu - his)
3 p. f.          Hiya      " -- " --" --  "   -ha   (laha - her)

Plural
1 p. m. and f. Nahnu  "-- "-- " --  "    -na  (kitabuna - our book)
2 p. m.           Antum  "  -- "  --  "    -kum
2 p. f.            Antunna "-- " -- "       -kunna
3 p. m.          Hum      "-- " -- "       -hum (kitabuhum - their book)
3 p. f.            Hunna    "-- " -- "      -hunna

Since the general picture of the personal pronouns and pronominal suffixes in other Semitic languages is similar, I do not bring forms from other Semitic languages.

For reference one can look in some particular grammars of Semitic languages or in Moscati, S. 1969. An  Introduction to Comparative Grammar of Semitic Languages. Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, 1969.

In my message I do not differentiate short and long vowels, even there is such a distinction in Arabic graphic system. There is also distinction between literary and spoken forms of the language. However for our purpose here the transcription is sufficient.
 
I hope it helps.

Hayim Sheynin

Scott <Scat at cfl.rr.com> wrote:                                   
  You need a grammarian in Arabic or Nahuatl to help you.  Are there other languages besides
  Arabic and those in the Uto-Aztecan family that have such critters?
  Scott
   
   
  Scott Catledge
  Professor Emeritus
  Colm Dubh H.E.
   
  
     
     
                                       
 

Dr. Hayim Y. Sheynin
       
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