Syntax

Second-person social distinction

Naikaumi preserves the neutral singular pronoun ti, but also distinguishes:

• tin intimate or embraced addressee

• tik non-intimate, formal, or socially unentered addressee

These forms may appear as full pronouns or as object-hosted clitics in compact OSV clauses.

Examples:

• Ti ma? neutral “Are you well?”

• Tin ma? intimate “Are you well?”

• Tik ma? non-intimate “Are you well?”

• Tin hon-ma hamu ri. “I love you.”