Summary of Foundations of Sesotho Language
Foundations of Sesotho Language: A Student's SEO Guide
Introduction
This guide explains how Sesotho nouns work with their class prefixes and how those classes link to subject concords, pronouns, adjectives and relatives. You will learn to identify noun classes, form plural/singular pairs, use subject concords to make simple sentences, and build adjective and relative constructions. Practical examples and short exercises help you practice even if you study independently.
Definition: A noun class is a grouping of nouns that share the same prefix and that determine agreement patterns (concords) across verbs, adjectives and pronouns.
1. Noun structure and class prefixes
Sesotho nouns normally consist of a class prefix plus a noun stem. The typical class prefix has a VCV shape (vowel-consonant-vowel) but some exceptions exist (e.g. prefixes beginning with nasal clusters like "ngw-").
- Example: ba- (class prefix) + -tho (stem) = batho (people)
- Example: mo- + i + thut + i = mosuithuti (learner) — shows prefix + stem + suffix interplay
1.1 Singular vs plural classes
- Singular classes usually have odd numbers (1, 3, 5, etc.).
- Plural classes usually have the following even-numbered classes (2, 4, 6, etc.).
- Example: moshanyana (class 1 mo-) → bashanyana (class 2 ba-)
- Example: ngwana (class 1a o-/mo-) → bana (class 2 ba-)
| Feature | Singular class example | Plural class example |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix | mo- (class 1) | ba- (class 2) |
| Noun | monna (man) | banna (men) |
Definition: The noun stem is the root part of the noun to which class prefixes are attached.
2. Subject concords and concordial agreement
A verb in Sesotho must agree with its subject using a subject concord. To form grammatical sentences, identify the noun class (or person) of the subject, then use the matching concord on the verb.
- Example: Dintja (class 10 di-) → concord di-: Dintja di lelekisa kgoho (The dogs chase the fowl).
- Example: Bashanyana (class 2 ba-) → Bashanyana ba jala dipeo (The boys plant the seeds).
- Example: Monna (class 1 mo-) → Monna o kuta jwang? (The man he mows the lawn?)
Note: When a verb ends a clause and has no object (intransitive), Sesotho often uses the long present-tense marker -a-: Ngwana o a bapala (The child plays).
Definition: Subject concord is the prefix attached to a verb that shows agreement with the subject noun class or person.
3. Persons, absolute pronouns and concords
Absolute pronouns (used alone or for emphasis) follow the same concord patterns. Persons and their concords:
-
Singular: (nna) I → ke-, e.g. Ke a bina (I sing)
-
Singular: (wena) you → o-, e.g. O a bina (you sing)
-
Singular: (yena) he/she → o-, e.g. O a bina (he/she sings)
-
Plural: (rona) we → re-, e.g. Re a bina (we sing)
-
Plural: (lona) you (pl) → le-, e.g. Le a bina (you sing)
-
Plural: (bona) they → ba-, e.g. Ba a bina (they sing)
- Pronouns may be used for emphasis: Nna ke rata Sesotho (I, specifically, like Sesotho).
- Tone differences exist between some concords (e.g. wena o- low tone vs yena o- high tone) but are not shown in orthography.
| Person | Absolute pronoun (optional) | Concord |
|---|---|---|
| 1 sg | nna | ke- |
| 2 sg | wena | o- |
| 3 sg | yena | o- |
| 1 pl | rona | re- |
| 2 pl | lona | le- |
| 3 pl | bona | ba- |
Definition: An absolute pronoun is the full pronoun form used for emphasis or clarity (e.g. nna, wena, yena, rona, lona, bona).
4. Absolute pronouns for noun classes
Each noun class also has an absolute pronoun built from: subject concord + -o- + -na. Examples:
- Class 1 mo- : yena
- Class 2 ba- : bona
- Class 7 se- : sona
- Class 8 di- : tsona
- Class 10 ma- : ona
- Class 15 ho- : hona
These replace or emphasize nouns: O tseba Lebo? E, ke a mo tseba (Yes, I know her).
5. Adjective and relative constructions
Qualifiers (adjectives and relatives) agree with the noun using adjective concords or relative concords. Stems are attached after concords. Common adjective stems: -kgol
Sign up for the full summaryAlready have an account? Sign in
Sesotho Nouns & Concords
Klíčová slova: Sesotho Lessons - Learning Basics, Sesotho - Grammar: Structure & Vocabulary, Sesotho - Communication & Vocabulary, Sesotho Lessons - Structured Courses, Sesotho - Grammar: Nouns & Concords, Sesotho Lessons - Teaching Methods, Sesotho - Grammar: Verbs, Tenses & Questions, Sesotho language grammar and communication, Sesotho Lessons - Practice Units, Other, Sesotho - Exercises, References
Klíčové pojmy: Every Sesotho noun has a class prefix that determines agreement, Singular noun classes are usually odd-numbered; plurals are even-numbered, Identify noun class first, then apply the matching subject concord to the verb, Person concords: ke-, o-, o-, re-, le-, ba- correspond to I, you, he/she, we, you(pl), they, Absolute pronouns are formed: subject concord + -o- + -na (e.g. bona, yona), Adjective concord = relative a- + basic prefix; use full or shortened concord depending on adjective syllable count, Relative constructions use relative concords and often add suffix -ng when verb ends clause, Possession is expressed with copula na- plus subject concord (e.g. Ke na le tjhelete)