4. Syntax and Clause Architecture

4. SYNTAX AND CLAUSE ARCHITECTURE

Due to the total lack of morphological markers on individual words, syntax in Somi is rigidly positional. Deviations from the specified word order will result in a fundamental change of meaning or structural invalidation.

4.1 Core Phrase Structure

The absolute linear ordering of major elements within an independent clause follows an invariant template:

[Subject] + (TAM Particle) + [Verb] + [Direct Object] + [Prepositional Phrases]

4.2 The Noun Phrase (NP) Structure

Within the noun phrase, all structural modifiers systematically succeed the head noun. The precise sequence is fixed as follows:

[Head Noun] + [Adjectival Compound] + [Quantifier/Number] + (Plural Particle mu) + (Genitive Phrase)