Page 92 - Bhojpuri Verb Morphology
P. 92

Number
                    Person                     Singular                   Plural

                     st
                    1                          --/--           --/--
                     nd
                    2                          --/--           --/--
                     nd
                    2  honorific               --/--           --/--
                     nd
                    2  feminine                --/--           --/--
                     rd
                    3                          -/-                 -/-
                    3  honorific               --/--          --/--
                     rd
                     rd
                    3  feminine                -/-                 -/-

                    5.3 


                    In Bhojpuri the copula  functions as an identificational copula, stative. It has the

                    function of 'be' verb in the sentence. The 'be' verb  always indicates present

                    references, because identification is regardless of time, and if something is identified
                    it is assumed that the identified object exists in present.


                    Though in Bhojpuri - and - both can be used in same sentence construction as
                    'be' verb but - is considered more specific, whereas - is used as non-specific or

                    just introductory 'be' verb.

                    (i) - 'to be' is used for equative identification. For example:


                    (72)

                    a.     


                           -

                           He  I-GEN       brother   be.PRES.MAS.3

                           'He is my brother.'

                    b.     


                           -


                           She   I-GEN       sister      be.PRES.FEM.3


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