INTRODUCTION
The Hydra is a mythical creature in Greek mythology that resembles a grotesque serpent with many heads. However, its body is still singular, and this “many heads” representation resembles the demon king Ravana from Hindu mythology, who was a man with 10 heads. One could say that their heads were conjoined, though I think one could argue that they were actually fully separate? I am not sure. One thing that I do know, however, is that the word “conjoined” (which leads to the word conjunction) comes from the Latin word coniungo, from con– meaning “together” and iungo meaning “join”. In grammar, we have words that essentially join together two parts of a sentence so that we can express ideas that are more developed and complex. We call these “conjunctions”.
A conjunction is a word that joins other words or phrases together into sentences. Conjunctions are called संयोजक (saṃyojak) in Nepali.
TYPES OF CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are fairly straightforward in Nepali because they generally modify the final placement of the verb, which is often at the final position. Rather, what they do is link up sentences together to form a larger sentence. Take the following sentences:
I went to the stall and bought tea.
He is here because he wants to visit the museum.
You are neither the fastest nor the slowest.
Each sentence has a different type of conjunction used. The first is an example of a coordinating conjunction. The second is an example of a subordinating conjunction. Lastly, the final sentence uses a correlative conjunction. Like in English, Nepali has three types of conjunctions, and we will be looking at them below.
Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are placed between words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal rank in terms of syntactic importance. While it is not entirely necessary to know in-depth about what syntax is, it is really advantageous to know what they are. However, not knowing them do not impede learning in any way. In simple terms, we can look at an example of a coordinating conjunction below:
I went outside and played football.
There are several coordinating conjunctions in Nepali. Some of the are: र (ra), तर (tara), अनि (ani) etc.
Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join together a main clause and a subordinate clause together, where the subordinate clause requires the main clause to make complete sense. The following is a subordinating conjunction(s):
I went outside because I wanted to play football.
There are several subordinating conjunctions in Nepali. Some of the are: किनभने (kinabhane), तैपनि (taipani), त्यसैले (tyasaile) etc.
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions that act as to join up two clauses together, such that the two clauses are co-dependent on each other. The following is a correlative conjunction(s):
I neither went outside nor played football.
In Nepali, correlative conjunctions are slightly different because there are some that do not come in pairs, so it is duplicated instead. However, this reduplication part is optional, so they are often used only once. This reduplication without losing meaning is what sets them apart from the other conjunction types. There are some correlative conjunctions in Nepali. Some of the are: न (na), कि (ki), जब…तब (jaba…taba) etc.
POSITION OF CONJUNCTIONS
Conjunctions are usually placed between the two sentences it joins, but sometimes they can appear at the beginning or the end of the sentence. However, they are usually exceptions, so they will be discussed individually. Conjunctions are written seperately from the word they intend to modify.
SUMMARY
- A conjunction is a word that joins other words or phrases together into sentences.
- Nepali has three types of conjunctions.
- Coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that are placed between words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal rank in terms of syntactic importance.
- Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join together a main clause and a subordinate clause together, where the subordinate clause requires the main clause to make complete sense.
- Correlative conjunctions are conjunctions that act as to join up two clauses together, such that the two clauses are co-dependent on each other.
- Conjunctions are usually placed between the two sentences it joins.
- Conjunctions are written seperately from the word they intend to modify.
EXERCISES
A. IDENTIFY THE CONJUNCTIONS IN THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH.
I ate some fruitcake while I was patiently waiting for my friend to arrive. I was tired and a bit anxious, for it was the first time I would have seen him in five months. The toll of the pandemic rolled through us but we remained strong. Neither he nor I had the slightest idea what would come next, therefore we decided to remain strong and hopeful. Faith, it seems, was the only thing grasping our string of fate from unfurling, yet deep inside I knew that it was love that kept us alive.
B. IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF CONJUNCTION USED IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1. I looked towards the sky and the ever-growing horizon.
2. Either we go or we stay. There is no second option.
3. She knew she was the only one who could solve the question, so she spoke up.
4. You said you didn’t do it because you were too busy? Really?
5. Just remember that we’ll be there for you.
ANSWERS
A. I ate some fruitcake while I was patiently waiting for my friend to arrive. I was tired and a bit anxious, for it was the first time I would have seen him in five months. The toll of the pandemic rolled through us but we remained strong. Neither he nor I had the slightest idea what would come next, therefore we decided to remain strong and hopeful. Faith, it seems, was the only thing grasping our string of fate from unfurling, yet deep inside I knew that it was not hope but rather love that kept us alive.
B.1. Coordinating
B.2. Correlative
B.3. Coordinating
B.4. Subordinating
B.5. Subordinating