Datapoint Sango/Functions of reduplication

Reduplication seems to occur only on 'qualitative' words: adjectives and adverbs. It most frequently involves the reduplication of the first syllable, but in at least one word, probably an ideophone in origin, the final vowel is reduplicated, among other possible changes.

Values

Only iconic functions

Example 59-90:
kekete
kekete
very.small
very small
Example 59-91:
giriri
giriri
a.very.long.time.ago
a very long time ago

Source: Bouquiaux et al. 1978: 116

Example 59-92:
ala mu na mbi senge senge
ala
3pl
mu
give
na
prep
mbi
1sg
sesenge
nothing
They gave it to me absolutely for nothing.
Confidence:
Very certain