Page 63 - Bhojpuri Verb Morphology

verb). It is typically used to express the statements. Declarative is liable to be changed

into interrogative with question intonation or addition of question words.The verb
inflects for person, number and tense in declarative mood. Declarative markers are the
same markers as the tense system in Bhojpuri language. Sentences in examples (24-

26) clarify that the declaratives are the same as statements.

b. Interrogative mood

The declarative sentences can be changed into interrogative, by means of question

words or with rising intonation.

In Bhojpuri language, five types of interrogative sentences are found. These are
content question (using question word), yes/no question (using rising tone), tag

question, alternative question and rhetorical question.

(i) Content question (using question word)

Bhojpuri question words are in "situ", that is the question word fills the same
positional slot of answer in the sentence that would be in the declarative sentence. In

Bhojpuri question words fill the object position. The wh- question words in Bhojpuri
are / 'what',  'how', where', 'when' etc. In English the

question words positioned in the front of question, as in 'What do you want?' But in
Bhojpuri question words fill the object position, so this is called in situ language. In

examples 35a,b we find that the question word like occupies the same position

of its answer has.

(35)

a. 

you QUE want

'What do you want?'

b. -
I-GEN book want

'I want book.'
(ii) Yes/No question (using rising tone)

The yes/no questions are obtained by the use of a rising intonation on the last syllable

of its declarative counterpart with an optional interrogative particle or giving stress on

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