Janga Wolof

Overview of Wolof Prepositions

Prepositions in Wolof are used to indicate relationships between words in terms of location, direction, time, and purpose. While Wolof prepositions often serve similar functions to their counterparts in English, their usage is deeply tied to the grammatical structure and context of sentences.

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Types of Prepositions in Wolof

Locative Prepositions

• Ci: In, at, on.
  • Example: Ci kër gi (“In the house”).
• Fii: Here.
  • Example: Fii la (“It is here”).
• Fu: Where (location).
  • Example: Fu mu dem? (“Where did he go?”).

Directional Prepositions

• Ba: To, until.
  • Example: Dem na ba Dakar (“He went to Dakar”).
• Ngir: For, in order to.
  • Example: Ngir am njariñ (“To gain benefit”).
• Pur: For (borrowed).
  • Example: Pur jàng (“For studying”).

Temporal Prepositions

• Bi: When (past).
  • Example: Bi mu demoon (“When he left”).
• Bu: When, if (future or hypothetical).
  • Example: Bu ma waxee (“If I speak”).
• Gannaaw: After.
  • Example: Gannaaw ba mu dem (“After he left”).

Cause and Purpose Prepositions

• Ndaxte: Because.
  • Example: Ndaxte mu sonn (“Because he is tired”).
• Ngir: In order to, for the sake of.
  • Example: Ngir yëngu (“To act”).

Comparative Prepositions

• Ni: Like, as.
  • Example: Dafa baax ni safara (“It is good like fire”).
• Mel: Similar to.
  • Example: Mel ni jant (“Like the sun”).

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Usage of Prepositions

Prepositions with Pronouns

• Prepositions often pair with pronouns to indicate relationships.
  • Example: Ci sama kër (“In my house”).

Prepositions with Temporal Clauses

• Temporal clauses use prepositions like bi and bu to indicate when events occur.
  • Example:
    • Bi ma xamee (“When I knew”).
    • Bu mu demee (“If/when he leaves”).

Prepositions in Hypothetical and Conditional Clauses

• Combine bu or su with verbs to indicate conditional relationships.
  • Example: Su ma waxee (“If I speak”).

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Examples and Exercises

Examples

1. Locative: Ci biir kër gi (“Inside the house”).
2. Directional: Demal ba marse bi (“Go to the market”).
3. Temporal: Gannaaw ba mu fa jóge (“After he left from there”).
4. Cause: Ndaxte mu def (“Because he did it”).

Exercises

1. Translate the following sentences into Wolof using appropriate prepositions:
   • “I am in the market.”
   • “After she arrives, we will eat.”
2. Create sentences using ngir to indicate purpose.
3. Identify prepositions in given Wolof sentences and explain their function.

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This guide highlights the most common prepositions in Wolof and their grammatical functions. Practicing these structures will deepen your understanding of how relationships between words are expressed in the language.