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32_Reflexives & Reciprocals

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Grammatical Concept: Self-Reference

Asaxi handles actions turned back upon the subject (Reflexive) or shared between subjects (Reciprocal) using compound pronouns derived from the Allative (ni) particle.

1. Reflexive Pronouns (“Myself”)

Reflexive pronouns are formed by attaching the prefix ni- (Towards) to the standard personal pronoun.

Formula: ni + [Pronoun]

Inventory:

  • niwo - Myself (Towards-me)
  • nino - Yourself
  • nixő - Himself
  • niko - Herself
  • nigő - Themself (sg)
  • nijo - Itself
  • niwa - Ourselves
  • nina - Yourselves
  • nixa/nika/nigja - Themselves

Syntax: The reflexive pronoun occupies the Object slot.

Example:

To wo niwo ijo. SUBJ 1SG REFL-1SG see “I see myself.”

2. Reciprocal Pronouns (“Each Other”)

To express mutual action between members of a plural subject, Asaxi uses a fixed compound pronoun.

The Word: gőnigő

  • Etymology: gő (One/Entity) + ni (Towards) + gő.
  • Literal: “One-to-one.”
  • Meaning: “Each other”, “One another”.

Syntax: Occupies the Object or Oblique slot.

Example (Transitive):

To wa gőnigő ijo. SUBJ 1PL RECIP see “We see each other.”

Example (Oblique/Comitative):

To wa zá gőnigő aśù. SUBJ 1PL COM RECIP walk “We walk with each other.”

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