Sama, Central

agentive formative.

Eh is a formative for the agentive voice which focuses the patient. Such constructions can also sometimes be translated with an English gerund, as in the last two examples below. Eh figures heavily in the time aspect of the agentive voice. An eh N- construction can sometimes be translated into English as an adjective modifying the noun which precedes it as illustrated in the first two examples below. See also the discussion in the "Grammar Notes" and the entry "+m- 2 ".

boheh eh ngali.

water by welling.

well water.

Aku mangan intollo eh ngandaral.

I am eating eggs by frying.

I am eating fried eggs.

Eh na mangun na aku.

I was already shaken awake by him.

Bey iskul tutu eh ngahinang sabab panabang ma bangsa miskin.

This previous school was built in order to cause help for the poor ethnic group.

This school had been built in order to help the poor people.

Eh magid na lapohan.

The stove was being lighted [by a match]./ The stove was lighted [by a match]./ The stove was "matched". [This last choice is not used in English, but is more like the Sama.]

Nidellagan sidja aku eh mmah ku magtuwi tahati ku.

I just have to be glared at by my father and immediately I am able to understand.

My father just has to glare at me and immediately I understand.

Eh muhow eh si Kannang boggoh kami.

Our canoe was being capsized by Kannang.

Batu ya nihinang kang eh si Yusup.

A rock is what is made [into] a pillow by Joseph.

Joseph used a rock for a pillow.

Etap kow basa mbal niyah nikakan eh nu?

Are you craving [what I am eating] because there is nothing to be eaten by you.

Are you craving my food because you have nothing to eat?

Nipaesap ya eh ku bang aku mangan ayskrim.