Affixes

1) Prefix
Prefixes in Dholuo are added to the beginning of root words. They can indicate various grammatical aspects such as subject, object, tense, and mood. For example, prefixes can denote the subject of a verb (who is performing an action) or the object (who is receiving an action), and they may also mark negation.

They are words that adds at the beginning of a word e.g. "Di"

Use of ma at the beginning of a words.

Prefix in Dholuo is the subject marker that is attached to verbs to indicate the subject (the doer of the action) in a sentence. In Dholuo language, the verb is often marked with prefixes to show who is performing the action. For instance, consider the verb root "-dhi" (to go). Depending on who is going, different prefixes are added:

These examples illustrate how prefixes in Dholuo can be used to change the meaning of verbs by indicating different subjects. It's important to note that the actual forms can vary based on dialect and context, and these are simplified examples to illustrate the concept of prefixes in the language. Dholuo's rich morphological system means that a thorough study of its grammar is necessary to fully understand and appreciate its complexity.

In Dholuo, as in many languages, verb tenses are marked to indicate the time of action, including present, past, and future. The tense is often indicated through changes at the beginning (prefixes) or within the verb. It's important to note that linguistic practices can vary, and specific dialects or regional variations might have unique features. However, I can provide a general overview based on common practices in Luo languages, to which Dholuo belongs.

Present Tense: Indicates an action that is currently happening or a general truth.

• Prefix: Often, the present tense doesn't require a special prefix, but the verb form can change to indicate present action.
• Example: "Aneno" means "I am seeing" or "I see."

Past Tense: Indicates an action that has already happened.

• Prefix: The past tense can be indicated by prefixes or changes in the verb. In many Nilotic languages, specific markers are used, but these can vary.
• Example: "Aneno" could be understood as "I saw" in a general past tense context, depending on the specific verb form used.

Future Tense: Indicates an action that will happen.

• Prefix: Future tense might be indicated by specific prefixes or auxiliary verbs that show intention or future action. Dholuo use the word "biro" meaning “will” before the verb.
• Example: "Abiro neno" might mean "I will see," indicating a future action.

These examples are illustrative and based on common patterns in Luo languages. Dholuo language specifics, including verb conjugation and tense marking, can vary, and these examples might not capture all nuances or regional variations. The verb roots here are used in a hypothetical sense, as actual Dholuo verbs may conjugate differently.

Learning a language's tense system involves understanding not just prefixes but also the broader grammatical structure, including verb conjugation, suffixes, and sometimes tonal changes. For precise conjugations, studying specific language resources or lessons on Dholuo would be beneficial.

In Dholuo, as in many languages, mood is expressed to convey the speaker's attitude towards the action described by the verb, such as whether it is a wish, a command, a possibility, or a necessity. The mood of a verb can significantly change its meaning and the overall message of a sentence. Here are some examples of mood in Dholuo, focusing on imperative, subjunctive, and indicative moods, which are common across many languages.

Imperative Mood

Imperatives or commands utilize the subjunctive form of the verb. Hence, in the Dholuo language, the singular imperative is crafted by dropping the final -o from a verb, occasionally appending a final -i. For a plural imperative, incorporate uru at the end of the verb. The expression "Let's…" is rendered by prefixing wa- to the beginning.

Lt us use the word walk (wuotho) as example in the imperative mood

Polite Request: "Bi ane" (Please come).

Subjunctive Mood

The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, hypotheticals, or actions contingent upon something else happening. It can be marked by specific prefixes, suffixes, or changes in the verb form.

• Expressing a wish: "Ageno, dine an dala" (I wish I were home).

• Conditional action: "Ka koth ochwe, abiro dhi" (If it rains, I will go)

Indicative Mood

The indicative mood is used for stating facts or asking questions—basically, for most straightforward declarations of reality.

• Past Tense Indicative: "En ochiemo" (He/She ate food)

• Present Tense Indicative: "En ochamo chiemo" (He/She is eating food)

• Future Tense Indicative: "En obiro chiemo" (He/She will eat food).

2) Suffix
Suffixes in Dholuo are attached to the end of root words and can modify or extend the meaning of the word. They are commonly used to indicate verb tenses, aspects (such as the continuous aspect), and the passive voice. Suffixes can also be used for forming nouns, adjectives, and adverbs, providing a means to create related words from a single root.

They are words that adds at the end of a word e.g. ruok

In Dholuo language, suffixes are used to modify the root of a word to express tense, aspect, mood, or to form words of different grammatical categories such as nouns or adjectives. Here's an example focusing on verb tense, specifically the past tense.

It's crucial to acknowledge that linguistic variations exist, and the actual application of suffixes can be more complex, involving changes based on the subject, object, and other grammatical aspects. Additionally, the specific rules and suffixes for indicating tense, aspect, or other grammatical features in Dholuo might differ from those in other languages, even within the same language family. For accurate and detailed understanding, consulting a comprehensive Dholuo grammar resource or a native speaker would be beneficial.

To indicate a direct or indirect object in Dholuo language, you remove the final "-o" from the verb and add a specific suffix. In the case of direct objects, this suffix is created by removing the final "n" from the corresponding pronoun. Notably, this suffix aligns with the one used to denote possessives, as you will observe later on

For indirect objects, the suffix is the same as for direct objects, except that you add -n- at the beginning of the suffix (and ni- for the "them" form).

Verb Conjugation

In addition to tense, suffixes in Dholuo can indicate aspects such as the continuous or habitual actions. For example:

Noun Modification

Suffixes can also be used to form or modify nouns, often indicating relational aspects, possession, or making diminutives.

Words ending in "gi" for eample : his father “ wuongi. Father is wuon, then you add "gi” to mean his father

words ending in "a"
 

These examples are simplified to illustrate the use of suffixes in Dholuo language. The actual rules for their application are complex and can vary significantly with context, speaker, and dialect. The suffixes for tense, aspect, mood, and even for forming different grammatical categories like nouns and adjectives can be highly variable. Moreover, the specific examples given here might not directly apply in all dialects of Dholuo or might be subject to additional rules not covered in this brief overview.

Learning and mastering the use of suffixes in Dholuo requires a deep dive into its grammatical structure, ideally with the guidance of language experts or native speakers, as well as exposure to the language in various contexts.