The Ticuana Language: Results of Morphological and Morphosyntactical Analysis

The isolated languages of the Amazonas region raise the interest of linguistic theoreticians & motivate scientists to do interdisciplinary studies about American-Indian migration & cultural regions. A phonological analysis shows that Ticuana has open syllables, a complete range of nasal vowels, a relatively simple consonant system & a threefold phonological tone-scale within a limited tone-system. The morphosyntactic analysis shows few cases of fusion or morphological amalgamization. The word, which is built on a name- or, in certain cases, on a verb-root, has a reduced paradigm of prefixes in contrast to a numerous & varied suffixation together with some analytic tendencies. The two principal word classes are name & verb & they have a varied inflectional system. The other parts of speech, mainly gender particles, clitic modals, discursive connectors) are not flectional. The syntax order is S-O-V. The language uses the accusative & the subject-case is predominant. The postverbal position of the object makes a series of morphosyntactical operations necessary. The verbs are stable forms which receive personal prefixes & some aspect prefixes. 1 Appendix, 57 References. Adapted from the source document