saan a / saan nga

Linking a Negative Predicate

Level 1

The frames are saan + a/nga + predicate, and saan + dependent pronoun + a/nga + predicate.

How It Works

The linker connects the negative expression to the predicate. Under KWF §6.6, choose a before a following consonant sound and nga before a following vowel sound. The final vowel or consonant of the preceding host does not determine this convention.

Compare Saan a nalaka ti trabaho, “The work is not easy,” with Saan nga agluto ni Elena, “Elena will not cook.” The following predicates start with different sounds; the negative function remains the same.

A dependent pronoun comes after saan and before the linker. KWF spelling attaches it: saanka a nabaknang means “you are not wealthy.” Constantino also documents the frame saan + ka + nga before a consonant-initial adjective. Recognize the same linking function in that variety; the date of a reference does not make its wider nga use obsolete.

Examples (3)

  1. Saan a nalaka ti trabaho.

    The work is not easy.

    A precedes consonant-initial nalaka.

  2. Saan nga agluto ni Elena.

    Elena will not cook.

    Nga precedes vowel-initial agluto.

  3. Saanka a nabaknang.

    You are not wealthy.

    Ka attaches to the negative host before the linker.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

saan a / saan ngaLevel 1Linking a Negative Predicate

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In KWF spelling, a precedes a consonant sound and nga a vowel sound.

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saan