Bafut
Contributed by Nadege Nkwenti Lum.
Nadege Nkwenti Lum provided and analyzed the data in 2024 in her capacity of a native speaker.
How to cite
Lum, Nadege Nkwenti. 2024. Bivalent patterns in Bafut.
In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames.
(Data first published on May 30, 2024; last revised on July 8, 2024.)
(Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info , Accessed on )
Basic info
Coordinates: 6.14, 10.12 .
Genealogy (as given in WALS ). Family: Niger-Congo, genus: Wide Grassfields.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Data
Subset examples by valency pattern
Any
NA
DO_COMP
ntong_ni
nu_a.nu
nu_SBJ
SBJ_a
SBJ_a.atu
SBJ_a.atu.nu
SBJ_a.mfeng
SBJ_a.mum.nu
SBJ_a.ndim
SBJ_bo
SBJ_bojo
SBJ_mbi7i
SBJ_mbo
SBJ_mum
SBJ_ni
SBJ_ntong
SBJ_nu
SBJ_PRED
TR
Subset examples by locus
Any
*
TR
X
XY
Y
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àtû
àmbɛ́
à
búʔù
head/
prep
pn
sm
ache
‘Ambe has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
nu_SBJ
X: nu
Y: SBJ
Locus: X
àsáŋə̀
tsí
nú
àmbɛ́
flu
stay
body/
prep
pn
‘Ambe has the flu.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
bɔ́ʔɔ̂
m̀bû
já
pn
sm
be_afraid
dog
def
‘Ambe is afraid of the dog.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
fùû
màʔâ
ŋ̀gɔ̀ʔɔ̀
pn
sm
first
throw
stone
‘Ambe threw a stone first.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
tsí-nɨ̀
ŋkábɨ̀
nkùʔû
pn
sm
have-
ipfv
money
sufficient
‘Ambe has enough money.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (predicate + adnominal modifier).
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
fíì
sùù
pn
sm
resemble
pn
‘Ambe resembles Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
bíì-tɨ̀
sùù
pn
sm
believe-
ipfv
pn
‘Ambe believes Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
lɨ́
nlɔ̀gə̂
ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn
sm
p
1
take
book
‘Ambe took a book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
jə́
ǹdâ
pn
sm
see
house
‘Ambe sees a house.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
jə́
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
see
pn
‘Ambe encountered Suh’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_mum
X: SBJ
Y: mum
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
kúû
múm
ǹdâ
pn
sm
p
2
enter
inside
house
‘Ambe entered the house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ɣɔ́ɔ̂
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
beat
pn
‘Ambe beat Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a
X: SBJ
Y: a
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
fɛ̀ʔɛ̂
á
ǹdâ
pn
sm
p
2
go_out
at
house
‘Ambe went out from the house.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.ndim
X: SBJ
Y: ndim
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
jóŋə̂
á
ǹdᵼ̀m
káù
já
pn
sm
follow
at
back/
prep
cow
def
‘Ambe is driving the cow’.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ŋgᵼ́mə̀
tí
já
pn
sm
p
2
bend
stick
def
‘Ambe bent the stick.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_mbo
X: SBJ
Y: mbo
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ʃwóŋə̂
mbô
sùù
tóŋə̂
ɣà
fâ
ŋ̀kwɛ̂fɔ̀
pn
sm
p
2
tell
for
pn
call
me
this
evening
‘Ambe told Suh: “Call me this evening”.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
tʃwá-kɨ́
ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn
sm
hold-
ipfv
book
‘Ambe is holding a book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
tʃíʔî-tɨ̀
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
meet-
ipfv
pn
‘Ambe caught up with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.mum.nu
X: SBJ
Y: a.mum.nu
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
fíʔî
mílíkə̀
á
múm
nú
káù
já
pn
sm
p
2
remove
milk
at
inside
body/
prep
cow
def
‘Ambe milked the cow’ (lit.: ‘Ambe removed milk from inside the cow’s body’).
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
nkùʔû
ǹtsù
mɨ̀jàà
pn
sm
p
2
reach
mouth
river
‘Ambe reached the river bank.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
mɔ̀ɔ̀ntə̂
àwùgə̀-ndâ
já
pn
sm
p
2
touch
wall-house
def
‘Ambe touched the wall.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
ntô
nɨ̀
sùù
pn
sm
fight
with1
pn
‘Ambe is fighting with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
bìʔì
bə̀
bɨ̀-nʃúkàʔâ
sùù
we
be
pl
-friend
pn
‘We are Suh’s friends.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
wáʔátə̂-nɨ̀
sùù
pn
sm
think-
ipfv
pn
‘Ambe is thinking about Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
nkwúrə̂
m̀báŋə̀
pn
sm
p
2
eat
palm_fruit
‘Ambe ate a palm fruit.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
nkàŋə̂
fɨ̀bwè
wá
pn
sm
p
2
fry
fish
def
‘Ambe fried the fish.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
júʔûtə́-nɨ̀
sùù
pn
sm
wait-
ipfv
pn
‘Ambe is waiting for Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
nlìʔìnə̀-mə̂
mânʤì
jídàŋ
wá
pn
sm
forget-
p
0
road
other
def
‘Ambe forgot the other road.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
twóŋə̂
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
call
pn
‘Ambe called Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ʒí
sùù
á
ǹdᵼ̀m
lòò
jìmfùrᵼ̀
pn
sm
p
2
know
pn
at
back/
prep
year
one
‘Ambe got to know Suh a year ago.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
ʒí
sùù
pn
sm
know
pn
‘Ambe knows Suh’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
bùʔú-tɨ̀
nɨ̀lúŋə̀
njà
pn
sm
play-
ipfv
guitar
def
‘Ambe is playing the guitar.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
nkɣə̂
sùù
pn
sm
run
pn
‘Ambe avoids Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
ambɛ́
à
kɨ̀
náŋsə́
mátáà
kò
fórə̀
pn
sm
p
2
make
trap
catch
mouse
‘Ambe made a mousetrap.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
wjè-nɨ̀
sùù
pn
sm
laugh-
ipfv
pn
‘Ambe is making fun of Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
tsí-nɨ̀
nɨ̀kjá
pn
sm
have-
ipfv
car
‘Ambe has a car.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
lɔ̀ɔ̀
bɨ̀-kwáʔà
bàʔà
dʒí
pn
sm
look
pl
-opener
door
his
‘Ambe is looking for his keys.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kᵼ̀
jɔ́ʔɔ́
nkjàâ
wà
pn
sm
p
2
rub
fence
def
‘Ambe painted the fence.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
mbû
à
kᵼ̀
nlóô
àmbɛ́
dog
sm
p
2
bite
pn
‘A dog bit Ambe.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kᵼ̀
mbwé
ǹdâ
jì
pn
sm
p
2
lose
house
his
‘Ambe lost his house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
nkô-tɨ̀
bùʃí
wá
pn
sm
catch-
ipfv
cat
def
‘Ambe is trying to catch the cat.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
mbə́gə̂
àtì
pn
sm
p
2
break
stick
‘Ambe broke a stick.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
mbwíʔìsə̂-nɨ̀
bì
pn
sm
deceive-
ipfv
pn
‘Ambe is flattering Bih.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɔ̀ŋə̂
sùù
pn
sm
love
pn
‘Ambe loves Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
dárə̀sə̂-nᵼ̀
àjɛ́ʔɛ̀
nʃí
pn
sm
wave-
ipfv
wipe
face
‘Ambe is waving a handkerchief.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
wáʔátə̂-nɨ̀
nɨ̀kjá
nìmfíî
pn
sm
think-
ipfv
car
new
‘Ambe is dreaming of a new car.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ʃíʔí
ndɔ́ŋ
já
pn
sm
p
2
wash
cup
def
‘Ambe washed the cup.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
sɔ́ʔɔ̂
tòlósà
jì
pn
sm
p
2
wear
trouser
his
‘Ambe put on his trousers.’
Valency pattern:
DO_COMP
X: DO
Y: COMP
Locus: XY
bɨ́
ntóŋə̀
jú
ndə̂
mə́
múnwí
they
call
this
thing
comp
knife
‘This thing is called a knife.’
Note: This is a transimpersonal construction.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ɣɔ́ɔ̂
mú
jì
m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
pn
sm
p
2
beat
child
his
male
‘Ambe beat his son.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
nààŋgwé
à
kɨ̀
fúrᵼ̀tə̀
tákwúrə̀
lion
sm
p
2
attack
leopard
‘A lion attacked a leopard.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àntɔ̀ɔ̀
wá
ì
lúú
nᵼ̀
ŋ̀kxì
pot
def
sm
be_full
with
water
‘The pot filled with1 water.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
jə́
bɨ̀-kwáʔà
bàʔà
dʒí
pn
sm
p
2
see
pl
-opener
door
his
‘Ambe found his keys.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kə̀ʔə̂-tɨ̀
nɨ̀
ǹtʃwùʔù
pn
sm
be_small-
ipfv
with1
one_thousand
‘Ambe is one thousand francs short.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
bǎ
sùù
pn
sm
hate
pn
‘Ambe hates Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɔ̀ŋə̂
tsə̀ʔə̀
jú
pn
sm
like
dress
this
‘Ambe likes this shirt.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
lɔ̀ɔ̀-nɨ̀
ŋkábɨ̀
pn
sm
need-
ipfv
money
‘Ambe needs money.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
bɨ̀-wùgə̀-ndâ
kárə̀-sᵼ̀
mûmə̀láʔà
pl
-wall-house
surround-
ipfv
village_center
‘Walls surround the village center.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
búrə̀
nᵼ̀
ŋkábɨ̀
dʒínᵼ̀wûm
pn
sm
be_left
with1
money
ten
‘Ambe has ten francs left.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kᵼ̀
kwíʔî
díʔì-ŋwàʔànɨ̀
wá
pn
sm
p
2
answer
teach-book
def
‘Ambe answered the teacher.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
ŋáʔà-mə̂
tɔ́ʔɔ̂
pn
sm
open-
p
0
can
‘Ambe opened a can.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
ŋgáŋ
àtsə̀ʔə̀
jà
kàâ
sᵼ̀
jó
jà
fìì
no
dress
my
neg
neg
your
own
resemble
‘No, my shirt is different from yours.’
Note: The preverbal position of the direct object is triggered by negation.
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.ndim
X: SBJ
Y: ndim
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
lᵼ́
tᵼ̀gᵼ̀
á
ǹdᵼ̀m
sùù
pn
sm
p
1
delay
at
back/
prep
pn
‘Ambe fell behind Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
lᵼ́gᵼ̂-tᵼ̀
ǹsàànᵼ̀
wá
pn
sm
plough-
ipfv
field
def
‘Ambe is ploughing the field.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
m̀-bô
má
lúm
ŋ̀kxì-mᵼ̀wúrᵼ̂
pl
-hand
my
smell
water-oil
‘My hands smell of gasoline.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kᵼ̀
dáŋə̀
mândʒì
wá
pn
sm
p
2
cross
road
def
‘Ambe crossed the road.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
lɛ́
njéê
ᵼ̀kòò
jîsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
pn
sm
p
3
sing
song
nice
‘Ambe sang a beautiful song.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kᵼ̀
ŋwàʔànɨ́
ŋwàʔànɨ̀
pn
sm
p
2
write
letter
‘Ambe wrote a letter.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
nô
mílíkə̀
wá
pn
sm
p
2
drink
milk
def
‘Ambe drank the milk.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
tɔ̀ɔ̂
àtᵼ̂
pn
sm
p
2
burn
iron
‘Ambe melted a (piece of) iron.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
ᵼ́-bɔ̀ŋə̂
ᵼ̀kò
jù
kùʔùnə̂
nᵼ̀
àtsə̀ʔə̀
ɣà
it’s-nice
belt
this
fit
with1
dress
my
‘Great, this belt goes well with my dress.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
lòô
àláʔà
jì
pn
sm
p
2
leave
village
his
‘Ambe left his village.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àtsə̀ʔə̀
nʃjé
já
bɔ̌ntᵼ̀
ǹdâ
já
ǹtím
dress
ground
def
cover
house
def
whole
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
wáʔátə́-nᵼ̀
ǹdâ
já
sᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
pn
sm
remember-
ipfv
house
def
well
‘Ambe remembers the house well.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
kwɛ́tə̂
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
help
pn
‘Ambe helped Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
júʔú-nɨ̀
ɣàâ
tó
njá
pn
sm
hear-
ipfv
language
country
def
‘Ambe understands the country’s language.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
ŋkàʔâ-nwì
à
kɨ̀
tɔ̀ɔ̂
ǹdâ
já
light-god
sm
p
2
burn
house
def
‘Lightning hit the house.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
lɨ́
ʃjé
nú
jì
nᵼ̀
ʃwáʔà
pn
sm
p
1
cut
body/
prep
his
with1
razor
‘Ambe cut himself with a razor.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.atu
X: SBJ
Y: a.atu
Locus: Y
ndɔ́ŋ
já
ì
kᵼ̀
ntáŋ
á
àtû
àtɛ́tᵼ̀
njá
glass
def
sm
p
2
stuck
at
head/
prep
table
def
‘The glass got stuck to the table.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_mbo
X: SBJ
Y: mbo
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
lɨ́
wó
m̀bô
sùù
pn
sm
p
1
fail
for
pn
‘Ambe lost to Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_mbi7i
X: SBJ
Y: mbi7i
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kᵼ̀
dórə̀tᵼ́
mbᵼ́ʔᵼ́
ŋwàʔànɨ̀
já
pn
sm
p
2
be_glad
about
letter
def
‘Ambe was glad about the letter.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
ɣàâ-nᵼ̀
nᵼ̀
sùù
pn
sm
speak-
ipfv
with1
pn
‘Ambe is speaking with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
bì
à
kɨ̀
dzwî
mú-m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
pn
sm
p
2
give_birth
child-male
‘Bih gave birth to a son.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
màʔâ
ndɔ́ŋ
já
pn
sm
p
2
drop
cup
def
‘Ambe dropped the cup.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
nlìntə̂-nᵼ̀
láʔà
jìʔì
pn
sm
look-
ipfv
village
our
‘Ambe runs our village.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
jóŋə̂
sùù
pn
sm
follow
pn
‘Ambe follows Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.ndim
X: SBJ
Y: ndim
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
sᵼ́gə̂
á
ǹdím
léŋə́
wá
pn
sm
p
2
descend
at
back/
prep
horse
def
‘Ambe got down from the horse.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
júʔú-nᵼ̀
nᵼ̀lòŋ
pn
sm
listen-
ipfv
radio
‘Ambe is listening to radio.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
ɣáʔásə̂
njúʔútə́
ǹtsù
ǹdì
jì
pn
sm
always
listen
mouth
mother
his
‘Ambe always obeys his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
njúʔútə́
ᵼ̀kòò
wá
pn
sm
hear
song
def
‘Ambe hears the song.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_bojo
X: SBJ
Y: bojo
Locus: Y
nú
já
í
lᵼ́
bóòntə́
bɔ́ʔɔ́
mílíkə̀
já
honey
def
sm
p
1
mix
with2.
inan
milk
def
‘The honey got mixed with the milk.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
líì-nᵼ̀
búrə̀
já
pn
sm
look-
ipfv
clouds
def
‘Ambe is looking at the clouds.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
tsɔ́ʔɔ́tə̂-mə̂
àtsə̀ʔə̀
jì
pn
sm
p
2
remove-
p
0
dress
his
‘Ambe took off his shirt.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_mbi7i
X: SBJ
Y: mbi7i
Locus: Y
ndzə̂-lɛ̀
àmbɛ́
mbᵼ́ʔᵼ́
sùù
dream-sleep
pn
about
pn
‘Ambe dreams about Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
bíì
nᵼ̀
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
agree
with1
pn
‘Ambe agreed with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_bo
X: SBJ
Y: bo
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
jɔ́ŋə̀
bó
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
quarrel
with2.
anim
pn
‘Ambe had a quarrel with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_PRED
X: SBJ
Y: PRED
Locus: Y
ndɔ́ŋ
jú
ᵼ̀
ŋ̀kɣᵼ̀
jìmfùrᵼ̀
cup
this
sm
hundred
one
‘This cup costs one hundred.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
túmə̂
sᵼ́ŋ
wá
pn
sm
p
2
shoot
bird
def
‘Ambe shot the bird.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
nᵼ́ŋə́
súgà
wá
pn
sm
p
2
put
sugar
def
‘Ambe poured the sugar.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
bwé
bɨ̀-kwáʔà
bàʔà
dʒí
pn
sm
p
2
lose
pl
-opener
door
his
‘Ame lost his keys.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.mfeng
X: SBJ
Y: a.mfeng
Locus: Y
mamúʔù
tí
wá
à
kɨ̀
sɨ́gə̂
ɣɛ̀ɛ́
á
mfə̀ŋ
ŋ̀kxì
wá
big
stick
def
sm
p
2
descend
go
at
buttocks/
prep
water
def
‘The log sank in the water.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
ʒwítə́
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
kill
pn
‘Ambe killed Suh.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
kwínə̂
sùù
pn
sm
p
2
hit
pn
‘Ambe hit Suh.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
nɔ́ŋə̂
ǹtsù
bì
pn
sm
p
2
suck
mouth
pn
‘Ambe kissed Bih.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
tóŋtᵼ́
ŋwàʔànɨ̀
jìmɔ́ʔɔ̀
mə́
bɔ́ŋə̂
pn
sm
p
2
read
book
certain
that
nice
‘Ambe read a certain nice book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
tsᵼ́gᵼ́nᵼ̀
nʃwèbô
jì
pn
sm
p
2
shake
finger
his
‘Ambe shook his finger.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_mbo
X: SBJ
Y: mbo
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
fá
ŋgwóʔòrᵼ̀
mbô
sùù
pn
sm
give
respect
for
pn
‘Ambe respects Suh.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
*
*
*
Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ni
X: SBJ
Y: ni
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
dórə̂tə̀
nᵼ̀
mú
m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
jì
pn
sm
be_happy
with1
child
male
his
‘Ambe is satisfied with his son.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
lɔ̀gᵼ̀nə̂
kɔ̀ŋə̂
bì
pn
sm
p
2
begin
love
pn
‘Ambe fell in love Bih.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_nu
X: SBJ
Y: nu
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
bíí-nᵼ̀
nú
sùù
pn
sm
agree-
ipfv
body/
prep
pn
‘Ambe trusts Suh.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
kô
mᵼ̀lᵼ̀ŋə̂
ǹdì
jì
pn
sm
catch
sympathy
mother
his
‘Ambe sympathizes with his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a.atu.nu
X: SBJ
Y: a.atu.nu
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
tɛ́ʔɛ̂
nᵼ̀líʔî
á
àtû
nú
sùù
pn
sm
put
eye
at
head/
prep
body/
prep
pn
‘Ambe envies Suh.’
Valency pattern:
ntong_ni
X: ntong
Y: ni
Locus: XY
ntɔ̂ŋ
àmbɛ́
ᵼ̀
lwǐ
nᵼ̀
nú
sùù
neck/
prep
pn
sm
be_bitter
with1
body/
prep
pn
‘Ambe is angry with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
SBJ_a
X: SBJ
Y: a
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
kɨ̀
fúnᵼ̀
á
àndásᵼ̀
júà
pn
sm
p
2
surprise
at
gift
this
‘Ambe was surprised at this gift.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
kɔ̀ŋə̂
tíí
pn
sm
love
tea
‘Ambe loves tea.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
kɔ̀ŋə̂
tíí
ᵼ̀lòò
pn
sm
love
tea
hot
‘Ambe loves hot tea.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
lɔ̀ɔ̂
ndə̀ŋ
jímfíî
pn
sm
want
mobile_phone
new
‘Ambe wants a new mobile phone.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: SBJ
Y: DO
Locus: TR
àmbɛ́
à
bíʔî-nᵼ̀
sùù
múm
ntᵼ́ᵼ́
jì
pn
sm
carry-
ipfv
pn
inside
heart
his
‘Ambe is angry with Suh.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
nù
jìí
mə̀
sùù
ɣᵼ̀rə̂
ᵼ̀
kɨ̀
jáŋə̀
àmbɛ́
thing
which
comp
pn
make/do
sm
p
2
hurt
pn
‘What Suh did offended Ambe.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed in a dependent clause.
Valency pattern:
SBJ_ntong
X: SBJ
Y: ntong
Locus: Y
àmbɛ́
à
ɣᵼ̀rə̂
ntɔ̂ŋ
sùù
lwǐ
ʃíʔí
ʃíʔí
pn
sm
make
neck/
prep
pn
bitter
a_lot
a_lot
‘Ambe greatly upset Suh.’
Valency pattern:
nu_a.nu
X: nu
Y: a.nu
Locus: XY
nú
àmbɛ́
ᵼ̀
kɨ̀
bɔ̀ŋə̂
á
nù
mûmə̀láʔà
jú
body/
prep
pn
sm
p
2
be_good
at
body/
prep
village_center
this
‘Ambe was impressed by this town.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
bǎ
sùù
pn
sm
hate
pn
‘Ambe hates Suh.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.
Valency pattern:
ntong_ni
X: ntong
Y: ni
Locus: XY
ntɔ̂ŋ
àmbɛ́
ᵼ̀
kɨ̀
lwǐ
nᵼ̀
mú
jì
m̀bàŋnᵼ̀
neck/
prep
pn
sm
p
2
be_bitter
with1
child
his
male
‘Ambe got upset with his son.’
Valency pattern:
ntong_ni
X: ntong
Y: ni
Locus: XY
ntɔ̂ŋ
àmbɛ́
ᵼ̀
kàmâ
lwǐ
nᵼ̀
mú
jì
màŋgjè
neck/
prep
pn
sm
getting
bitter
with1
child
his
female
‘Ambe is getting upset with his daughter.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àmbɛ́
à
kɔ̀ŋə̂
tʃí
m̀bɛ̀ɛ̀
bì
pn
sm
love
sit/stay
near
pn
‘Ambe loves being near Bih.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
àtû
àmbɛ́
dᵼ̀rə̂
nlóŋmə́
à
wúʔù
head/
prep
pn
heavy
because
he
short
‘Ambe is shy because he is short.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier and Y is expressed as a dependent clause. Non-verbal predicate.