Láadan/Lessons/2

Verb CP-S

Let's start out with really a really simple sentence structure, [Verb Case-Phrase-Subject]. This is how sentence structures are described in the official Láadan book.

With this form, we can make sentences like: [Noun] is [Adjective], [NounA] is [NounB], and [Noun] does [Verb].

Word Types

In Láadan, there isn't the concept of nouns, verbs, and adjectives like in English. The two word classifications are content words and function words. (Suzette Haden Elgin, Lesson One - Things You Need To Know For Learning Láadan)

This generally means that words in Láadan can function as both verbs ("to be red") and adjectives ("red") and nouns ("the color red").

Sentence structure is expected to fall in a certain order in order to make sense of the sentence, though there are also affixes that can be added to words to flesh out a sentence (such as adding an object marker for an item being acted upon.)

Simple Sentences

Here are some vocabulary words: omá - teacher, with - person, balin - old, om - to teach.

To say, "The person is old", the sentence would be "Bíi balin with wa."

To say, "The person is a teacher", the sentence would be "Bíi omá with wa."

To say, "The person teaches", the sentence would be "Bíi om with wa."

Same sentence structure in both cases. For now, we're ignoring bíi and wa, but we will cover these words soon. Also note that Láadan does not have words for "a" or "the". (Suzette Haden Elgin, Lesson One - Things You Need To Know For Learning Láadan).

This will be our starting point for Láadan sentences. With this simple form, we can say three different kinds of sentences, using nouns, adjectives, and verbs - because, remember, these are all content words rather than separate classifications in Láadan.

Examples

Here are some example sentences using the form [Verb Case-Phrase-Subject].

Láadan	English	Vocab words
Bíi áya nanáal wa.	The sunset is beautiful.	áya = beautiful, nanáal = sunset
Bíi lith háawith wa.	The child thinks.	lith = to think, háawith = child
Bíi elash rul wa.	The cat plays.	elash = to play, rul = cat
Bíi bodibodá le wa.	I am a programmer.	bodibodá = programmer, le = me
Bíi bedihá ne wa.	You are a student.	bedihá = student, ne = you (singular)

Practice: Sentence Building

Practice the [Verb Case-Phrase-Subject] sentence form by building your own sentences! Use a Láadan dictionary, or the word bank below, for help.

Word Bank:

Láadan	English
balin	old
rabalin	young
omá	teacher
with	person
háawith	child
rul	cat
lanemid	dog
elash	to play
lalom	to sing
áana	to sleep

Practice: Quiz

Translate these sentences from Láadan.

1. Bíi elash háawith wa.
2. Bíi lalom with wa.
3. Bíi áana rul wa.

Answers

1. The child plays
2. The person sings
3. The cat sleeps

Practice: Reading

Use a Láadan dictionary to read the simple sentences in this comic.

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  Lesson 2 Comic