Editing Fur language

{{Distinguish|Friulian language}}
{{Short description|Nilo-Saharan language spoken in Sudan}}
{{More footnotes|date=February 2011}}
{{Infobox language
| name             = Fur
| nativename       = poor’íŋ belé’ŋ
| states           = [[Sudan]], <ref name=e27/>
| region           = [[Darfur]], [[Sila Region|Sila]]
| ethnicity        = {{sigfig|1.300000|2}} million [[Fur people|Fur]] (2023)<ref name=e27/>
| speakers         = {{sigfig|785,900|2}}
| date             = 2004–2023
| ref              = e27
| script           = [[Latin alphabet]]
| familycolor      = Nilo-Saharan
| fam2             = [[Fur languages|Fur]]
| iso3             = fvr
| glotto           = furr1244
| glottorefname    = Fur
| lingua           = 05-CAA-aa
| map              = Fur map.png
| mapcaption       = Geographic distribution of Fur
| notice           = IPA
}}
[[Image:Darfur Linguistic Map.svg|thumb|right|Linguistic map of the non-Arab peoples of Darfur, showing the extent of the Fur language in Sudan.]]

The '''Fur language''' or '''For'''; (Fur: poor’íŋ belé’ŋ) is a [[Nilo-Saharan languages|Nilo-Saharan language]] spoken by the [[Fur people|Fur]] of [[Darfur]] in Western [[Sudan]] only where they originally from.<ref name=e27/> It is part of a broader family of languages known as the [[Fur languages]].

==Phonology==

The consonantal [[Phoneme|phonemes]] are:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!
![[bilabial consonant|Labial]]
![[alveolar consonant|Alveolar]]
![[palatal consonant|Palatal]]
![[velar consonant|Velar]]
![[Labialized velar consonant|Labiovelar]]
![[glottal consonant|Glottal]]
|-
![[Plosive consonant|Plosive]]
|{{IPAlink|p}}{{r|footnote1|group=decimal}} {{IPAlink|b}}
|{{IPAlink|t}} {{IPAlink|d}}
|{{IPAlink|ɟ}}{{r|footnote4|group=decimal}} 
|{{IPAlink|k}} {{IPAlink|ɡ}}
|
|
|-
![[Fricative consonant|Fricative]]
|{{IPAlink|f}}{{r|footnote1|group=decimal}}
|{{IPAlink|s}} ({{IPAlink|z}}){{r|footnote2|group=decimal}}
|
|
|
|{{IPAlink|h}}{{r|footnote3|group=decimal}}
|-
![[Nasal stop|Nasal]]
|{{IPAlink|m}}
|{{IPAlink|n}}
|{{IPAlink|ɲ}}
|{{IPAlink|ŋ}}
|
|
|-
![[Approximant consonant|Approximant]]
|
|{{IPAlink|l}}
|{{IPAlink|j}}
|
|{{IPAlink|w}}
|
|-
![[Trill consonant|Trill]]
|
|{{IPAlink|r}}
|
|
|
|
|}

{{reflist |group=decimal |refs=
<ref name=footnote1>{{IPA|/f/}} is in free variation among a series of sounds ranging between {{IPA|[p]}} and {{IPA|[f]}}; thus some sources give the name of the language as ''{{IPA|pɔɔr}}''.</ref>
<ref name=footnote2>{{IPA|[z]}} occurs only as an [[allophone]] of {{IPA|/j/}}.</ref>
<ref name=footnote3>{{IPA|/h/}} is very rare.</ref>
<ref name=footnote4>{{IPA|/ɟ/}} can also be pronounced as {{IPA|[dʒ]}}.</ref>
}}

The vowels are: ''a e i o u''. There is dispute whether the –ATR vowels {{IPA|[ɛ], [ɔ], [ɪ], [ʊ]}} are phonetic variants or separate phonemes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Kutsch-Lojenga |first=Constance|title=The Sounds and Tones of Fur|last2=Christine|first2=Waag |publisher=Entebbe: SIL-Sudan|year=2004|location=Occasional Papers in the Study of Sudanese Languages No. 9}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
! colspan="2" |
![[Front vowel|Front]]
![[Central vowel|Central]]
![[Back vowel|Back]]
|-
![[Close vowel|Close]]
![+ATR]
|{{IPAlink|i}}
|
|{{IPAlink|u}}
|-
![[Near-close vowel|Near-close]]
![-ATR]
|{{IPAlink|ɪ}}
|
|{{IPAlink|ʊ}}
|-
![[Mid vowel|Mid]]
![+ATR]
|{{IPAblink|e}}
|{{IPAlink|ə}}
|{{IPAblink|o}}
|-
![[Open-mid vowel|Open-mid]]
! rowspan="2" |[-ATR]
|{{IPAlink|ɛ}}
|
|{{IPAlink|ɔ}}
|-
![[Open vowel|Open]]
|
|{{IPAlink|a}}
|
|}

There are two underlying tonemes, ''L'' (low) and ''H'' (high); phonetically, ''L'', ''H'', ''mid'', ''HL'', and ''LH'' are all found.

[[Metathesis (linguistics)|Metathesis]] is an extremely common and regular grammatical phenomenon in Fur: when a consonant pronoun prefix is prefixed to a verb that begins with a consonant, either the verb's first consonant is deleted or it changes places with the following vowel; e.g.:
{{interlinear|indent=2|lem- → -elm-|"lick" {} {}|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|ba- → -ab-|"drink" {} {}|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|tuum- → -utum-|"build" {} {}|}}

There are also various assimilation rules.

== Writing ==
Fur is written in the Latin alphabet with the addition of the letters a̱ (a with [[macron below]]), [[I with bar|ɨ]], [[Eng (letter)|ŋ]], and [[U with bar|ʉ]], and the digraph ny.

High tone is marked by the [[acute accent]], falling tone is marked by [[circumflex]], rising tone is marked by [[caron]] ("wedge"), and low tone is unmarked.<ref name=":0" />

==Morphology==

===Plurals===

Noun, and optionally adjective, plurals can be formed with ''-a'' (''-ŋa'' after vowels):
{{interlinear|indent=2|aldí → aldíŋá|"story" {} "stories"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|tóŋ → pira|{"(a certain species of) antelope"} {} "antelopes"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|piraŋa → tooy'báiná|"old" {} {"old (PL)"}|}}

This suffix also gives the inanimate 3rd person plural of the verb:
{{interlinear|indent=2|liíŋ → liíŋá, káliŋa|{"he bathes"} {} {"they (inanimate) bathe"} {"they (animate) bathe"}|}}

Vowel-final adjectives can take a plural in ''-lá'', as well as ''-ŋa'':
{{interlinear|indent=2|lúllá → {lúllála {{noitalics|or}} lúlláŋa}|"cold" {} {"cold (PL)"}|}}
A similar suffix (metathesized and assimilated to become ''-ól/-úl/-ál'') is used for the plural of the verb in some tenses.

A few CVV nouns take the plural suffix H''-ta'';
{{interlinear|indent=2|roo → {roota'wala gal rooŋa}|"river" {} "rivers"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|{ra̱yi' wala gal ra̱y} → {rǎ̱ytó'wala gal rǎ̱ytá}|"field" {} "fields"|}}

At least two nouns take the suffix -i:
{{interlinear|indent=2|kóór → kóórí|"spear" {} "spears"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|dʉ́tʉ → kʉ́ʉ́tɨ́|"mouse" {} "mice"|}}

Nouns with the singular prefix ''d-'' (> ''n-'' before a nasal) take the plural ''k-''; these are about 20% of all nouns. In some cases (mostly body parts) it is accompanied by L; e.g.:
{{interlinear|indent=2|dɨ́ló → kɨ́ló|"ear" {} "ears"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|nʉ́ŋɨ́ → kʉ́ŋɨ́|"eye" {} "eyes"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|dági → kagi|"tooth" {} "teeth"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|dormí → kormi|"nose" {} "noses"|}}
*In some cases, the singular also has a suffix ''-ŋ'', not found in the plural:
{{interlinear|indent=3|daulaŋ → kaula|"shoe" {} "shoes"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=3|dɨróŋ → kɨro|"egg" {} "eggs"|}}
*Sometimes, a further plural suffix from those listed above is added:
{{interlinear|indent=3|nʉ́nʉm → kʉ́nʉ́ma|"granary" {} "granaries"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=3|nʉ́ʉ́m → kʉ́ʉ́mɨ́|"snake" {} "snakes"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=3|dɨwwô → {kɨwwóla'wala gal 'kɨwwóŋa}|"new" {} {"new (PL)"}|}}
*Sometimes the suffix ''-(n)ta'', is added:
{{interlinear|indent=3|dewer → kewértá|"porcupine" {} "porcupines"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=3|da̱wi → {ka̱wíntó'wala gal ka̱wíntá}|"tail" {} "tails"|}}
*One noun, as well as the demonstratives and the interrogative "which", take a plural by simply prefixing ''k-''L:
{{interlinear|indent=3|úú → kuu|"cow" {} "cows"|}}
{{interlinear|indent=3|á̱yɨ → ká̱yɨ|{"which (one)?"} {} {"which (ones)?"}|}}
*Several syntactic plurals with no singulars, mostly denoting liquids, have ''k-''L-''a''; ''kewa'' "blood", ''koro'' "water", ''kona'' "name, song" ''koonà''.

===Nouns===

The [[locative case]] can be expressed by the suffix ''-le'' or by reversing the noun's final tone, e.g.:
{{interlinear|indent=2|tòŋ → toŋ|"house" {} {"at the house"}|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|loo + kàrrà → {loo kàrrà-le}|"place" {} "far" {} {"at a far place"}|}}

The [[Genitive case|genitive]] (English [[possessive s]]) is expressed by the suffix ''-iŋ'' (the ''i'' is deleted after a vowel.) If the relationship is possessive, the possessor comes first; otherwise, it comes last; e.g.:
{{interlinear|indent=2|nuum → {nuumiŋ tàbù}|"snake" {} {"snake's head"}|}}
{{interlinear|indent=2|jùtà → {kàrabà jùtăŋ}|"forest" {} {"animals of the forest"}|}}

===Pronouns===

Independent subject:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Singular !! Fur !! Plural !! Fur
|-
| I || ''ká'' || we || ''kɨ́''
|-
| you (sg.) || ''jɨ́'' || you (pl.) || ''bɨ́''
|-
| he, she, it || ''yé'' || they || ''yɨeŋ + yeeŋ''
|}

The object pronouns are identical, apart from being low tone and having -ŋó added to the plural forms.

Prefixed subject pronouns:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Singular !! Fur !! Plural !! Fur
|-
| I || – (triggers metathesis) || we || ''k-''
|-
| you (sg.) || ''j-'' || you (pl.) || ''b-''
|-
| he, she, it || – (causes raising; ''*y''-) || they (animate) || ''y-'' (+pl. suffix)
|-
| || || they (inanimate) || ''(*y-)'' (+pl. suffix)
|}

Thus, for example, on the verb ''bʉo-'' "tire":

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! English !! Fur !! English !! Fur
|-
| I'm tired || ''ká ʉmo'' || we tired || ''kɨ́ kʉmo''
|-
| you (sg.) tired || ''jɨ́ jʉmo'' || you (pl.) tired || '' bɨ́ bʉmo''
|-
| he/it/she tired || ''yé bʉo'' || they tired || ''yɨeŋ kʉme + yeeŋ bʉe''
|}

''gi'', described as the "participant object pronoun", represents first or second person objects in a dialogue, depending on context.

Possessives (singular; take k- with plural nouns):

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Singular !! Fur !! Plural !! Fur
|-
| my || ''dúíŋ'' || our || ''dáíŋ''
|-
| your (sg.) || ''dɨ́ɨ́ŋ'' || your (pl.) || ''dɨ́eŋ''
|-
| his, hers, its || ''dééŋ'' || their || ''dɨ́eŋ''
|}

===Verbs===
The Fur verbal system is quite complicated; verbs fall into a variety of conjugations. There are three tenses: present, perfect, and future. Subjunctive is also marked. [[Grammatical aspect|Aspect]] is distinguished in the past tense.

Derivational suffixes include ''-iŋ'' (intransitive/reflexive; e.g.
{{interlinear|indent=2|lii → liiŋ|{"he washes"} {} {"he washes himself"}|}}

and [[gemination]] of the middle consonant plus ''-à/ò'' (intensive; e.g.
{{interlinear|indent=2|jabi → jappiò/jabbiò|"drop" {} {"throw down"}|}}

[[Negation]] is done with the marker ''a-...-bà'' surrounding the verb; ''a-bai-bà'' "he does not drink".

===Adjectives===
Most adjectives have two syllables, and a geminate middle consonant: e.g. ''àppa'' "big", ''fùkka'' "red", ''lecka'' "sweet". Some have three syllables: ''dàkkure'' "solid".

Adverbs can be derived from adjectives by addition of the suffix ''-ndì'' or L''-n'', e.g.:
{{interlinear|indent=2|kùlle → {kùllendì {{noitalics|or}} kùllèn}|"fast" {} "quickly"|}}

Abstract nouns can be derived from adjectives by adding ''-iŋ'' and lowering all tones, deleting any final vowel of the adjective, e.g.:
{{interlinear|indent=2|dìrro → dìrrìŋ|"heavy" {} "heaviness"|}}

==Media in Fur language==
[[Radio Dabanga]] – broadcasts daily news in the Fur language and in other languages local to Darfur.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* Beaton, A.C. ''A Grammar of the Fur Language''. Linguistic Monograph Series, No. 1. Khartoum: Sudan Research Unit, Faculty of Arts, University of Khartoum 1968 (1937).
* Bariwarig Tooduo, "Participant Reference in the Fur language of the Sudan". University of Juba 2014
* Bariwarig Tooduo, "Number Marking in the Fur language of the Sudan"
* Bariwarig Tooduo, "Modifiers in the Fur language of the Sudan"
* Jakobi, Angelika. ''A Fur Grammar''. Buske Verlag: Hamburg 1989.
* Kutsch-Lojenga, Constance and Christine Waag, "The Sounds and Tones of Fur", in ''Occasional Papers in the Study of Sudanese Languages No. 9''. Entebbe: SIL-Sudan 2004.
* Noel, Georgianna. [https://uta-ir.tdl.org/uta-ir/bitstream/handle/10106/1064/umi-uta-2172.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y ''An Examination of the Tone System of Fur and its Function in Grammar''], University of Texas at Arlington, 2008.

==External links==
*{{Cite web|first= Steve |last=  Huffman|authorlink=   |title= Language Map of Sudan and South Sudan (pre-separation)|website=www.worldgeodatasets.com|date= |url= http://www.worldgeodatasets.com/index.php/download_file/view/1547/ |accessdate=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705014216/http://www.worldgeodatasets.com/files/4213/1647/4197/Huffman-Sudan_Langs-wlms16.pdf| archive-date=July 5, 2017}}

{{incubator|fvr}}
{{Languages of Sudan}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Fur languages]]
[[Category:Languages of Chad]]
[[Category:Languages of Sudan]]