A Grammar of Tamashek (Tuareg of Mali)

9.2 Copular predications ('be', 'become') 581

c. ad aqqsl-aer a-maenokal

Fut be.Shlmpf-lSgS Sg-chief

Ί will be/become chief (next year).'

The difference between 'be' and 'become' is neutralized in the negative,
where PerfN stems -smos- and -aqqel- are used for present or past time
reference.

(621) a. wasr sqqel-aer e-sed
Neg be.PerfN-lSgS Sg-donkey
Ί am not (or: did not become) a donkey.'

b. wasr ajmos-asr ά-kli

Neg be.PerfN-lSgS Sg-slave

Ί am not a Bella.'

Both -vmus- and -vqqvl- in copula function can take object pronominals
(622). The usual object clitic is 3MaSg -\t, referring to something previously
introduced into the discourse (622). Passive versions of the copulas were not
elicitable.

(622) a. aemos-aeq-\q
be.Reslt-lSgs-\3MaSgO
'lamit.' [K-d]

b. waer-\t 0-asmos

Neg-\3MaSgO 3MaSgS-be.PerfN

'He isn't it.' [K-d]

c. i-qqdl-\t

3MaSgS-be.Reslt-\3MaSgO

'He is it.' [K-d]

For alternative 'not be' constructions see §9.5.
'Become A' for a typical adjectival sense A is normally expressed by a
directly inflectable stem from the relevant adjectival verb ('it reddened', 'it
will redden'), rather than as a construction with a 'become' verb.
There are occasional instances of "nonverbal" predicates without copula
(623).

(623) a. ara-taen asmasra-dasT sammos
child-MaPl now five
'The children are now five (in number).' [K]