Negation in Selkup

What is it about?

There are four negative markers used in different sentence types in Selkup. Negation of verbal predicates generally is based on a negative particle, but the Northern dialects use a negative existential verb in the past tense. The same negative marker is used in possessive, locational and existential sentences. Imperative (prohibitive) sentences feature a negative particle different from that used for standard negation. This article presents the inventory and distribution of negative markers in Selkup and gives a detailed description of negation. Significant differences between the main dialects will be indicated.

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