Datapoint Palenquero/Occurrence of nominal plural markers

Note that a plural marker is not obligatory in Palenquero. Thus ombe alone can mean 'men' (plural), as nouns are not marked for number in the creole. However, when ma is present, it invariably signals "plural". This analysis runs counter to earlier accounts. For a full discussion of the issue, see Schwegler (2007).

Values

Variable plural marking of human or inanimate nouns

Example 48-8:
ese ombe
ese
this
ombe
man
this man / these men
Spanish: ese hombre / esos hombres
Example 48-14:
un ma kusa
un
indf.art
ma
pl
kusa
thing
some things
Spanish: unas cosas
Example 48-36:
ese ma nimá
ese
this
ma
pl
nimá
animal
these animals
Spanish: esos animales
Example 48-37:
ma tre monasito
ma
pl
tre
three
monasito
child.m
the three (male) children
Spanish: los tres niños
Confidence:
Very certain