Occurrence of nominal plurality (Surgut Khanty)

OblPlmk: Marking of nominal plurality is obligatory.


(1) ńēwrem-ət jantəɣ-ʌ-ət.

child-pl play-prs-3pl

‘The children are playing.’


(2) āmp-ət rɔ̄pəs-ʌ-ət.

dog-pl bark-prs-3pl

‘The dogs are barking.’


(3) jawən qɔ̄nəŋ-nə qɔ̄t-ət ɔ̄məs-ʌ-ət.

river bank-loc house-pl sit-prs-3pl

‘There are houses on the river bank.


(4) tüʌɣ-in jəŋk-ət pɔ̄t-ʌ-at.

winterl-loc water-pl freeze-prs-pass.3pl

‘Water freezes in winter.’


Surgut Khanty marks three distinct numbers: the singular, the dual, and the plural. The singular does not have overt marking, while the dual and the plural have specific morphemes, which have to appear on nominals and verbs alike.

Author: 

Márta Csepregi