Chapter 7. Demonstratives

In Opo they show the location of something relative to the speaker (i.e. demonstratives) with a suffix. Something close takes -ɨ́no (in Pamé -hɨ́ye). When something is far away it takes -ɨ́nɨ (in Pamé -hɨ́nʉ). When something is very far away it takes -ɨ́nɨ tirí (in Pame -hɨ́nʉ toro).

7.1 Write the demonstrative on the right edge of the word it is modifying, but write tirí by itself.

7.2 If the word ends in « a » it merges with the « ɨ́ » od the demonstrative and becomes « é ».

7.3 When the word ends with any other vowel (i u ɨ ʉ e o ɛ ɔ), the « ɨ́ » of the demonstrative is removed but leaves behind its tone marking on the vowel of the main word.

7.4 If the word has regular « i » or « u » in it and ends in a consonant, the « ɨ́ » of the demonstrative changes to « í ».

7.5 If the word has one syllable, and ends in a vowel, and is low toned (like « pi », or « ku », or « pa ») do the following: double the vowel (i → ii, u → uu, e → ee, o → oo). Change « a » to « e » (a → ee). Remove the « ɨ́ » but leave its tone marking on the final vowel.

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