Existential Predication in Kulung
Keywords:
Kulung, Predication, Existential, ConstructionAbstract
Kulung language belongs to the Niger-Congo Phylum; classified as a member of the Niger-Congo, Southern Jarawa Language family Greenberg (1963). In the literature of the missionaries, other names have been used for the language such as Bambur and Wurkun. This paper tries to examine one of the essential constructions found in the language. The discussion on the subject matter reveals that existential constructions are headed by NP which is preceded by dedicated existential predicator element yakam. The structures of these types of sentences are formed by means of a predicator yakam which can be translated into English as there is/there are, Other forms are yawo he or she has/they have and ami locative. Syntactically these types of constructions are verbal and nonverbal in nature, and by extension, the existential construction involves an expression of attributes and can, as well be transformed into negative existential constructions.
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