eyini

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Yoruba

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From èyí +‎ nị̀, nị̀/ is used synonymously with èyinì, (compare with yẹn). Used historically among NWY and CY dialects. The opposition between the demonstrative pronouns 'this' and 'that' is expressed by èyí (or èí) and èyinì, respectively. In some SEY spoken varieties, however, it is ìyí and ìyẹn. While most CY dialects have maintained it, NWY experience an intralingual borrowing where èyinì was replaced by ìyẹn in academic settings as well as in Standard Yoruba education. Eyini can be seen in older standard Yoruba literature. In some NWY spoken varieties èyinì and ìyẹn are still used side by side, but with ìyẹn gaining ground over èyinì.[1]

Pronunciation

[edit]

Pronoun

[edit]

èyinì

  1. (CY) that thing/person
    Synonyms: (SEY, NWY) ìyẹn (that), , nị̀
    Antonyms: èyí (this), (Ekiti) èí (this), (SEY) ìyí (this)
    ajá mi re èyinì
    That is my dog

Usage notes

[edit]
  • Usually preceded by the "to-be" verb in Ekiti forms,

Derived terms

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Abiodun, Adetugbọ (1967) “The Yoruba Language in Western Nigeria: Its major dialect areas”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name)