Guinean Kpelle

Contributed by Maria Konoshenko (Academia.edu profile)

M.K.'s photo

The French version of the questionnaire was used for the elicitation.

How to cite

Konoshenko, Maria. 2024. Bivalent patterns in Guinean Kpelle. In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames. (Data first published on March 6, 2024; last revised on July 23, 2024.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info, Accessed on .)

Basic info

Coordinates: 7.81, -8.8.
Genealogy (as given in WALS). Family: Mande, genus: Western Mande.
Macro-area: Sub-Saharan Africa.

Grammar notes

Basic clause structure and the transitive construction

Kpelle is a tonal language featuring two basic tones, low and high, organised into word-level melodies. Tones also function as grammatical markers, e.g. on nominal heads of complex words and on verbs in some TAMP constructions. Both lexical and grammatical tones are further modified by phonological rules. In the examples below, surface tones are marked.

The basic word order is (S) AUX (O) V X, where S stands for the subject, V is the verb, AUX is an auxiliary expressing subject person-number as well as TAMP values, O is the direct object, X is the indirect object or adjunct, most often encoded by a postpositional phrase or a locative expression.

(1)  Pépèe  àa       ɓɛ́laa  tɛ́ɣɛ  Hɛ́ni  pɔ́
     PN     3SG.PRF  sheep  give  PN    to
     ‘Pepee gave a sheep to Heni’.

Lexical subject is optional; its person-number features are indexed by the auxiliary.

(2a)  Pépèe  àá       kwɛ̀ni  píli
      PN     3SG.PRF  stone  throw
      ‘Pepee threw a stone’.

(2b)  àá      kwɛ̀ni  píli
      3SG.PRF stone  throw
      ‘(S)he threw a stone’.

Verbs lacking a direct object are intransitive. The word order in possessive NPs is possessor - possessee. Adjectives are limited in Kpelle, and lexical adnominal modifiers are typically expressed by verbs in a stative form following the head noun.

Case system

There is no morphological case on nouns, although locative forms of some nouns can be viewed as peripheral case forms, e.g. pɛ́lɛ ‘house’ vs. pɛ́lɛ́ŋ̀ ‘in the house’, tǎa 'village' vs. tàáì 'in the village'.

Verb lemmas

Lemmas are shown in the form of bare stems.

Glossing abbreviations

ART — article; B — basic auxiliary series; COP — copula; DEF — definitve; DEM — demonstrative; EXCL — exclusive; FOC — focus; HAB — habitual; INF — infinitive; L — low; LOC — locative; NEG — negation; PFV — perfective; PL — plural; PN — personal name; POSS — possessive; PRED — predicative; PRF — perfect; REFL — reflexive; SG — singular; STAT — stative.

Data

Subset examples by valency pattern

Subset examples by locus

1. feel pain ŋwána

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	kɔ́ɣɔ	káa	ŋwàná-ì
pn	leg	cop	3 sg \hurt- inf
‘Pepee has leg pain.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

2. have (illness) káa

Valency pattern: bha_SBJ

X: bha

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

kwɛ́lɛ-ɲɔ́ŋ̀	gáa	Pépèe	ɓà
cold-illness\ l	cop	pn	on1
‘Pepee has fever.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

3. be afraid ɲɔ̀w

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	ɲɔ̀w-íì	ɲìlé-i	ɲɛ́i	ɓâ
pn	cop	be_afraid- inf	def \dog- art	dem	on1
‘Pepee is afraid of this dog.’

4. throw pǐli

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	kwɛ̀ni	píli
pn	3 sg . pfv	stone	throw
‘Pepee threw a stone.’

5. have enough káa … kɛ́nɛ

Valency pattern: yei_SBJ

X: yei

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

wálî	káa	Pépèe	yéì	kɛ́nɛ
money	cop	pn	hand. loc	many
‘Pepee has much money.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

6. resemble kǔlo

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	kùlo-á-ì	Hèhee	ɓà
pn	go_out- stat - pred	pn	on1
‘Pepee resembles Hehee.’

7. believe láa

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Pépèe	láa-ì	Hèhee	lá
pn	lie.stat- pred	pn	on2
‘Pepee believes Hehee.’

8. take hěɣe

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àa	hɛ́ɓɛ̂	hèɣé	dàɓálî	ɲɛ́
pn	3 sg . prf	book	take	def \table	on3
‘Pepee took a book from the table.’

9. see káa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	káa	pɛ́lɛ	káa-ì
pn	cop	house	see- inf
‘Pepee sees a house.’

10. influence *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

11. encounter kìêŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	kìéŋ̀	à	Nɔ̌wai
pn	3 sg . pfv	meet	with	pn
‘Pepee encountered Nowai.’

12. enter lɔ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àa	lɔ́	bɛ̀lɛ́-í	ɲɛ́i	mû
pn	3 sg . pfv	enter	def \house- art	dem	under
‘Pepee entered the house.’

13. win yée tɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	yée	àá	tɛ̀ɛ	Hɛ́ni	ɓâ
pn	hand	3 sg . prf	pass	pn	on1
‘Pepee beat Heni.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

14. go out kǔlo

Valency pattern: SBJ_mu

X: SBJ

Y: mu

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	kùló	bɛ̀lɛ́-í	ɲɛ́i	mû
pn	3 sg . pfv	go_out	def \house- art	dem	under
‘Pepee went out of the house.’

15. drive lí

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	lì-î	à	ŋwɔ̀	nìŋɛ̀-í	nàá	mìi	mɛ́ni	ɓà
pn	cop	go- inf	with	3 sg . poss	cow- art	there	eat	issue\ l	on1
‘Pepee is taking his cow to eat.’

16. bend kpíníŋ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	ŋwùlú	ɓéɣéŋ̀	kpíniŋ
pn	3 sg . pfv	def \tree	branch	bend
‘Pepee bent a branch.’

17. tell kɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	yɛ̀	Hèhee	ɓà:	Pá	é	gáa
pn	3 sg .say	pn	on1	come	2 sg	1 sg \see
‘Pepee told Hehee: Come see me.’

18. hold káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

zɛ̀ɓɛ̂	káa	Pépèe	yée	ɲá
def \book	cop	pn	hand	on3
‘Pepee holds the book in his hand.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.

19. catch up kpɛ̀ɛ́ … hǒŋ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	àá	ǹókòlo	kpɛ̀ɛ́,	àá	zǒŋ
pn	3 sg . pfv	def \child	chase	3 sg . pfv	3 sg \catch
‘Pepee chased the child and caught him.’
Note: Not included in the database because the intended meaning is expressed by a structurally discontinuous combination (two clauses).

20. milk ɲíni yá kǔlo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	ŋwɔ̀	nìŋɛ	ɲíni	yá	kǔlo
pn	3 sg . pfv	3 sg . poss	cow	breast	milk\ l	go_out
‘Pepee has milked his cow.’

21. reach hěli

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	hèlí	ɲà	ɓâ
pn	3 sg . pfv	reach	def \river	on1
‘Pepee reached the river.’

22. touch yéé pɛ̌lɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	ɲèe	pɛ́lɛ	dàɓálî	ɓà
pn	3 sg . pfv	3 sg \hand	stretch	def \table	on1
‘Pepee touched the table.’

23. fight kpìlêŋ kɔ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	dà	Hèhee	dàá	kpìléŋ̀	gɔ́
pn	3.and	pn	3 pl . prf	battle	fight
‘Pepee has fought with Hehee.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

24. be friends káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	dà	Hèhee	dì	káa	à	ɓɛ̀laŋ-aa
pn	3.and	pn	3 pl	cop	with	friend- pl
‘Pepee is friends with Hehee.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

25. think kíli ɲɛ́ hǐe

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	gìli	ɲɛ́	hìé-ì	Hɛ́ni	ɓâ
pn	cop	3 sg \mind	on	walk- inf	pn	on1
‘Pepee is thinking about Heni.’

26. eat mɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	gwìî	mɛ̌ɛ
pn	3 sg . prf	def \banana	eat
‘Pepee ate a banana.’

27. fry yélîŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	hɔ̀ɣɔlee	yélíŋ̀
pn	3 sg . prf	fish	fry
‘Pepee fried a fish.’

28. wait mǎa kpɔ̌ŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	káa	Hèhee	màá	kpɔ̀z-î
pn	cop	pn	surface	unite- inf
‘Pepee is waiting for Hehee.’

29. forget lɛ̌a

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	lɛ̀a	Hɛ́ni	ɓâ
pn	3 sg . prf	forget	pn	on1
‘Pepee forgot Heni.’

30. depend *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

31. call tólu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	Hèhee	tólu
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	call
‘Pepee called Hehee.’

32. get to know kɔ́lɔŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	Hèhee	kɔ́lɔŋ
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	know
‘Pepee got to know Hehee.’

33. know kɔ́lɔŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	è	Hèhee	kɔ́lɔŋ
pn	3 sg . b	pn	know
‘Pepee knows Hehee.’

34. play (instrument) yɔ̌u

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	káa	kwíi-gwɛ́nîŋ	ɲɔ̀w-î
pn	cop	white-guitar\ l	play- inf
‘Pepee is playing the guitar .’

35. avoid hwálaŋ ɓó

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	vàláŋ̀	mó-í	Hèhee	ɓà
pn	cop	3 sg \avoidance	implement- inf	pn	on1
‘Pepee is avoiding Hehee.’

36. make pɛ̌li

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	ŋwɛ̀ni	pɛ́li
pn	3 sg . prf	bird	make
‘Pepee made a bird.’ (e.g. a toy)

37. make fun yɛ́lɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	yɛ́lɛ-ì	Ɲàákwɛ̀i	ɓà
pn	cop	laugh- inf	pn	on1
‘Pepee is making fun of Nyakwei.’

38. have káa

Valency pattern: yei_SBJ

X: yei

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

mɔ̀ɓíliì	káa	Pépèe	yéì
car	cop	pn	hand. loc
‘Pepee has a car.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

39. look for kwɛ́li

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	káa	nàklê	kwɛ́li-ì
pn	cop	def \key	look_for- inf
‘Pepee is looking for the key.’

40. paint peinture tɛ́

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

àá	peinture	tɛ́	ŋwɔ̀	pɛ́lɛ-í	ɓà
3 sg . prf	peinture	go_up	3 sg . poss	house- def	on1
‘He has painted his house.’

41. bite ɲíŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

yílê	àa	Hólomo	ɲíŋ
dog	3 sg . prf	pn	bite
‘A dog bit Holomo.’

42. forfeit hwɛ̀ɣɛ̌

Valency pattern: SBJ_hu

X: SBJ

Y: hu

Locus: Y

Tòkpa	àá	hwɛ̀ɣɛ́	ŋwɔ̀	pɛ́lɛ-í	hù
pn	3 sg . prf	lose	3 sg . poss	house- def	in
‘Tokpa lost his house.’

43. try to catch kpɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	ǹókòlò	kpɛ̌ɛ
pn	3 sg . pfv	def \child	chase
‘Pepee chased the child.’

44. break hǔ yálí

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hwáahúɣû	àa	gbɔ́ŋ̀	hù	yáli
pn	3 sg . prf	stick	interior	break
‘Hwahughu broke the stick.’

45. flatter ɲáa hɛ́ŋ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	àa	Hɛ́ni	ɲáa	hɛ́ŋ
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	surface	aim
‘Pepee cajoled Heni.’
Note: Not included in the database because this translation is semantically inaccurate.

46. love (person) wɛ́li káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Hɛ́ni	wɛ́li	káa	Pépèe	ɓà
pn	love	cop	pn	on1
‘Pepee loves Heni.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

47. wave *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

48. dream hḭ̀ḭ̂ ɓó

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

Hèhee	è	hḭ̀ḭ̂	ɓò	à	mɔ̀ɓílíì
pn	3 sg .b	dream	implement	with	car
‘Hehee dreamt of a car.’

49. wash wǎa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hɛ́ni	àá	ŋwɔ̀	hɛ̀ɲáŋaa-ì	wǎa
pn	3 sg . prf	3 sg . poss	plate- art	wash
‘Heni washed her plate.’

50. put on lɔ́

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hɛ́ni	àá	kɔ̀lɔ	lɔ́	gwɛ̀án
pn	3 sg . prf	shoe	enter	3 sg \leg. loc
‘Heni put on shoes.’

51. be called láa ɓáa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

vɛ̀lî	kɛ́	hɛ́ŋ̀	ɲɛ́i	láa	ɓáa	à	dàmaŋ
def \music	make	thing\ l	dem	name	cop	with	daman
‘This instrument is called daman.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

52. punish *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

53. attack wólo

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

yílê	àa	wólo	Tòkpa	ɓà
dog	3 sg . prf	attack	pn	on1
‘The dog attacked Tokpa.’

54. fill (intr) láa hwɛ́ɛ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

zòô	láa	káa	hwɛ́ɛ-ì	à	yá
def \bucket	mouth	cop	fill- inf	with	water
‘The bucket is being filled with water.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

55. find káa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	nàklê	káa
pn	3 sg . prf	def \key	see
‘Pepee found the key.’

56. be short *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

57. hate wɛ́li hwó

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Yɔ̀uyɔu	wɛ́li	hwó	Kɔ̀lukɔlu	ɓà
pn	love	neg . cop	pn	on1
‘Kolukolu hates Youyou.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

58. like líi hǒŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: TR

Hɛ́ni	àa	Pépèe	líi	hǒŋ
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	heart	catch
‘Pepee likes Heni.’

59. need mǎa kpáaŋ̀ káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

wálî	màa	kpááŋ̀	gáa	míì
money	surface	need\ l	be	1 sg .on1
‘I need money.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

60. surround mǎa tínɛŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

tínɛŋ	bɛ́lɛ-ɣàa	dàá	gwèlí	màa	tínɛŋ
turn	house- pl	3 pl . prf	def \yard	surface	turn
‘The huts surround the yard.’

61. remain lɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: yei_SBJ

X: yei

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

wáa	tɔ́nɔ̂	ɓé	àá	lɛ̀ɛ	Pépèe	yéì
thousand	one	foc	3 sg . prf	remain	pn	hand. loc
‘Pepee has 1000 francs left.’

62. answer wóo púlû pěne

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	nàkwɛ́li	kàlamɔɔ	wóo	púlu	pěne
pn	3 sg . prf	def \school	teacher\ l	speech	back	return
‘Pepee answered to the teacher.’

63. open láa ɓó

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	gbòɣo	láa	ɓó
pn	3 sg . prf	def \box	mouth	open
‘Pepee opened the box.’

64. be different těe

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

ŋwɔ́	hèɣe-í	tèé-ì	éwɛ̀-ì	ɓâ
1 sg . poss	shirt- art	be_different- pred	3 sg . poss - art	on1
‘My shirt is different from yours.’

65. fall behind lɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_pulu

X: SBJ

Y: pulu

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	lɛ̀ɛ	Hɛ́ni	púlû
pn	3 sg . prf	remain	pn	back
‘Pepee fell behind Heni.’

66. plough híŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	kɛ̀ɛ	híŋ
pn	3 sg . prf	field	cultivate
‘Pepee cultivated a field.’

67. smell kúŋ káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

èsáns	kùŋ	gáa	ɲée-ɣáà	dìê
gazoline	smell\ l	be	1 sg \hand- pl	3 pl .on1
‘My hands smell of gazoline.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

68. cross téɣeŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	bèle	téɣeŋ
pn	3 sg . prf	def \road	cross
‘Pepee crosses the road.’

69. sing tǒo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hɛ́ni	àá	wèle	tóo
pn	3 sg . prf	song	fall
‘Heni sang a song.’

70. write pɛ̰̌ɛ̰

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	hɛ́ɓɛ̂	pɛ̰̌ɛ̰
pn	3 sg . prf	letter	write
‘Pepee wrote a letter.’

71. drink kpěle

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hwáahuɣû	àá	nìŋɛ	níni	yà	kpěle
pn	3 sg . prf	cow	breast\ l	milk\ l	drink
‘Hwaahughu drank cow milk.’

72. melt pú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	hɛ́ni	pú
pn	3 sg . prf	gold	pour
‘Pepee melted gold.’

73. match mǎa hǒŋ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

éwɔ́	hèɣè-í	dà	bɛ̀lɛŋ	dàá	dì-kéè	màa	hóŋ
2 sg . poss	shirt- art	3.and	trousers	3 pl . prf	3 pl - refl	surface	catch
‘Your shirt and your trousers match.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

74. leave hěɣe

Valency pattern: SBJ_hu

X: SBJ

Y: hu

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	hèɣé	gàá	táa	hù
pn	3 sg . prf	leave	be_born	town\ l	in
‘Pepee left his hometown.’

75. cover mɛ̌i kpúlu

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

ɲìi	héɣê	àá	gbìŋ	gélee	mɛ̀i	kpúlu
def \sleep	cloth\ l	3 sg . prf	def \bed	all	upper_surface	close
‘The bedsheet covered all the bed.’

76. remember kíli káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Zálikwɛ̀lɛ	kíli	káa	ɲá
n zerekore	spirit	be	1 sg .on3
‘I remember Nzerekore.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Nzerekore is the capital of Forest Guinea.

77. help kpɔ̀ŋmáà tɛ̌ɣɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	kpɔ̀ŋmáà	tɛ̀ɣɛ	Hɛ́ni	ɓâ
pn	3 sg . prf	help	give	pn	on1
‘Pepee helped Heni.’

78. understand (language) mǎŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	ǎ	kpɛ̀lɛɛ-woo	màŋ
pn	3 sg . hab	kpelle-language\ l	understand\ l
‘Pepee understands the Kpelle language.’

79. hit (target) tǒo

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

yèle	gbɛ́náà	àá	tòo	bɛ̀lɛ́	ɓâ
sky	gun\ l	3 sg . prf	fall	def \house	on1
‘The lightning hit the house.’

80. cut oneself téɣe

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

Pépèe	àá	dèɣé	à	mɛ̀ikɔ́ù
pn	3 sg . prf	3 sg \cut	with	arrow
‘Pepee cut himself with an arrow.’

81. get stuck kánaŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

gbèle	kɔ́ɣɔ̂	àa	kánaŋ	dàɓálî	ɓà
def \drink	cup\ l	3 sg . prf	stick	def \table	on1
‘The cup stuck to the table.’

82. lose (game) yée pɛ́li

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	yée	àa	pɛ́li	Hèhee	ɓà
pn	hand	3 sg . prf	be_able	pn	on1
‘Hehee lost to Pepee.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

83. be glad kwèi nɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	kwèi	nɛ̀ɛ́-ì	zɛ̀ɓɛ́-ì	ɲɛ́i	màa	mɛ́nî	ɓà
pn	stomach. loc	be_nice- pred	def \book- art	dem	surface	issue\ l	on1
‘Pepee is glad about this letter.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

84. speak lóno kɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	dà	Hɛ́ni	dì	káa	lóno	kɛ́-ì
pn	3.and	pn	3 pl	cop	speech	make- inf
‘Pepee is speaking with Heni.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

85. give birth káa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àá	gàa
3 sg . prf	3 sg /give_birth
‘She gave birth to him .’

86. drop tǒo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àá	kpèle	kɔ́ɣɔ̂	tǒo
3 sg . prf	drink	cup\ l	fall
‘She dropped a cup.’

87. govern ɲáa wôo ɓó

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	ɓé	kúwɔ	tàá-ì	ɲáa	wóò	ɓó-ì
pn	foc	1 pl . excl . poss	town- art	surface	speech\ l	implement- inf
‘It's Pepee who governs our village.’

88. miss wɛ́li hǒŋ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kɔ̀lukɔlu	wɛ́li	káa	Pépèe	hò-zî
pn	love	cop	pn	catch- inf
‘Pepee misses Kolukolu.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

89. follow hwílêŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_pulu

X: SBJ

Y: pulu

Locus: Y

àa	hwíléŋ̀	Pépèe	púlû
3 sg . prf	follow	pn	back
‘He followed Pepee.’

90. dismount kǔlo

Valency pattern: SBJ_mei

X: SBJ

Y: mei

Locus: Y

àá	kùlo	mòtó	mɛ̀i
3 sg . prf	go_out	motorbike	on4
‘He went down from the motorbike.’

91. listen wéli tɔ̌ɔ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	ŋwèlí	tɔ̌ɔ-i	radio	ɓà
pn	cop	3 sg \ear	install- inf	radio	on
‘Pepee is listening to the radio.’

92. obey *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

93. hear wóo mǎŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

gáa	wèle	wóo	mɛ̀ŋ-zḭ̂
1 sg \ cop	song	voice	hear- inf
‘I hear a song.’

94. mix hǔmuŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

nòú	àá	hùmuŋ	à	mà
def \sauce	3 sg . prf	mix	with	def \rice
‘The sauce has mixed with rice.’

95. look ɲɛ́i kpàŋɔ̂ŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

gàá	ɲɛ̀í	kpàŋɔ́-zì	míì
3 sg \ cop	3 sg \face	push- inf	1 sg .on1
‘He is staring at me.’

96. take off kǔlo

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hèhee	àá	ŋwɔ̀	hèɣe-i	kúlo	gwàna
pn	3 sg . prf	3 sg . poss	shirt- art	go_out	3 sg \neck. loc
‘Hehee took off his shirt.’

97. dream (sleeping) hḭ̀îŋ ɓó

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

Hèhee	káa	hḭ̀ḭ́ŋ	mò-í	à	Hɛ́ni
pn	cop	dream	implement- inf	with	pn
‘Hehee is dreaming of Heni.’

98. agree wóo tɔ̌ɔ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Hèhèe	dà	Pépèe	dàá	dì	wóo	tɔ̌ɔ	dì	kéè pɔ́
pn	3.and	pn	3 pl . prf	speech	install	3 pl	refl	to
‘Hehee agreed with Pepee.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

99. have a quarrel hwáa kɛ́

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	dà	Kwɛ́likɔlɔ̂	dàa	hwáa	kɛ́
pn	3.and	pn	3 pl . prf	argument	make
‘Pepee had a quarrel with Kwelikolo.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a coordinate NP.

100. cost káa

Valency pattern: SBJ_a

X: SBJ

Y: a

Locus: Y

gwíi	kpɔ̀lu	hàaɓa	káa	à	wáa	tɔ́nɔ̂
banana	red	three	be	with	thousand	one
‘Three bananas cost one thousand.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

101. shoot at gbɛ́náà tǒo

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Hwáahuɣû	àa	gbɛ́naa	tòo	ŋwɛ̀ni	ɓâ
pn	3 sg . prf	gun	fall	def \bird	on
‘Hwaahughu shot at the bird.’

102. pour pú

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Hɛ́ni	àá	lɔ̀ɔ	kwélê	pú	ŋwɔ̀	kpèle	kɔ́ɣɔ̂	hù
pn	3 sg . prf	wine	white	pour	3 sg . poss	drink	cup\ l	in
‘Heni poured some white wine to her cup.’

103. lose pǐli

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àá	gwɛ̀li	píli
pn	3 sg . prf	def \key	lose
‘Pepee lost the key.’

104. sink lɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_hu

X: SBJ

Y: hu

Locus: Y

nú	tà	è	wɛ́i	lɛ̀ɛ	ɲà-í	ɲɛ́í	hû
person	some	3 sg	yesterday	stay	def \water- art	dem	in
‘Someone got drowned in this river yesterday.’

105. kill pǎa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àa	Ámadù	pǎa
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	kill
‘Pepee killed Amadu.’

106. hit kɛ́lɛ̂

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àa	Ámadù	kɛ́lɛ̂
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	hit
‘Pepee hit Amadu.’

107. kiss *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

108. read ɓó

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àa	hɛ́ɓɛ̂	lɛ́lɛ-ɛ	tà	ɓó
pn	3 sg . prf	book	be_good- stat	some	implement
‘Pepee read a good book.’

109. move (bodypart) túmuŋ

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

àá	ɲèe	kpúô	túmuŋ
3 sg . prf	3 sg \hand	short\ l	move
‘He moved his finger.’

110. respect mǎa wǐe

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Paul	ǎ	Màrí	màa	wíê
pn	3 sg . hab	pn	surface	be_heavy
‘Paul respects Marie.’

111. be squeamish hwó

Valency pattern: SBJ_po

X: SBJ

Y: po

Locus: Y

Hɛ́ni	hwó	kɔ̀ɣɔ	kpàŋ	bɔ́
pn	be. neg	cup	dirty\ l	to
‘Heni does not like dirty dishes.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

112. be content kwèi nɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Ɲàákwɛì	kwèi	nɛ̀ɛ́-ì	nòŋ	bɔ́
pn	stomach. loc	be_nice- pred	3 sg \child	to
‘Nyakwei is content about his child.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

113. fall in love wɛ́li tǒo

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Kwɛ́likɔlɔ̂	wɛ́li	àá	tòo	Pépèe	ɓà
pn	love	3 sg . prf	fall	pn	on1
‘Pepee fell in love with Kwelikolo.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

114. trust láa

Valency pattern: SBJ_la

X: SBJ

Y: la

Locus: Y

Pépèe	láa-ì	Hèhee	lá
pn	lie. stat - pred	pn	on2
‘Pepee trusts Hehee.’

115. sympathise ɲɛ́i mǎa wɛ́li káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Paul	nèe	ɲɛ́i	màa	wɛ́li	káa	mà
pn	3 sg \mother	face	surface	love	be	3 sg .on1
‘Paul sympathises with his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

116. envy hwɛ́ɛ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	hwɛ́ɛ-ì	Hèhee	ɓà
pn	cop	fill- inf	pn	on1
‘Pepee envies Hehee.’

117. be angry líi hólu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	líi	àa	hólu	Ɲàákwɛ̀i	pɔ́
pn	heart	3 sg . prf	sting	pn	to
‘Pepee is angry with Nyakwei.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

118. be surprised kwèi pǐli mà

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Paul	kwèi	àá	pìlí	mà	dàa	ɲɛ́í	màa	mɛ́nî	ɓà
pn	stomach. loc	3 sg . prf	throw	3 sg .on1	def \town	dem	surface	issue\ l	on1
‘Pepee is surprised by this town.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

119. love (tea) wɛ́li káa

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

kwíi	tóù	wɛ́li	káa	Hɛ́ni	ɓâ
white_person	palm\ l	love	be	pn	on1
‘Heni loves pineapples.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

120. enjoy kwèi nɛ̌ɛ

Valency pattern: DO_SBJ

X: DO

Y: SBJ

Locus: X

nɔ̀ɔ	kwélê	àa	Pépèe	kwèi	nɛ̌ɛ
def \wine	white	3 sg . prf	pn	stomach. loc	be_tasty
‘Pepee enjoys white wine.’

121. want káa

Valency pattern: SBJ_po

X: SBJ

Y: po

Locus: Y

Pépèe	káa	yá	pɔ́
pn	cop	water	to
‘Pepee wants water.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.

122. have a grudge líi hólu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	líi	àa	hólu	Ɲàákwɛ̀i	pɔ́
pn	heart	3 sg . prf	sting	pn	to
‘Pepee is angry with Nyakwei.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

123. take offence *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

124. upset ɲɛ́i pǎa

Valency pattern: TR

X: SBJ

Y: DO

Locus: TR

Pépèe	àa	Hɛ́ni	ɲɛ́i	páa
pn	3 sg . prf	pn	face	kill
‘Pepee upset Heni.’

125. marvel kwèi pǐli mà

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Paul	kwèi	àá	pìlí	mà	dàa	ɲɛ́i	màa	mɛ́nî	ɓà
pn	stomach. loc	3 sg . prf	throw	3 sg .on1	def \town	dem	surface	issue\ l	on1
‘Pepee is surprised by this town.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

126. despise tɛ̌ɣɛ ɓó

Valency pattern: SBJ_hu

X: SBJ

Y: hu

Locus: Y

Hɛ́ni	ǎ	tɛ̀ɣɛ	ɓó	Màrí	hù
pn	3 sg . hab	pass	implement	pn	in
‘Heni despises Mari.’

127. get upset *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

128. get irritated líi hólu

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Pépèe	líi	àa	hólu	Ɲàákwɛ̀i	pɔ́
pn	heart	3 sg . prf	sting	pn	to
‘Pepee is angry with Nyakwei.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.

129. be fond *

Valency pattern: NA

X: *

Y: *

Locus: *

Note: No satisfactory translation has been obtained.

130. be shy kpáaŋ

Valency pattern: SBJ_bha

X: SBJ

Y: bha

Locus: Y

Pépèe	kpáaŋ-aa-ì	gbùó	mɛ́nî	ɓà
pn	be_shy- stat - pred	3 sg \be_short	issue\ l	on1
‘Pepee is shy about being short .’