10 Is there an Adjective Class in Wolof? 249(28) *Maalik di njool
Malik COP ADj:tall
(29) *Maalik njool la
Malik ADj:tall 3Sg:OFOC
In imperfective negative constructions, however, the clause types converge in form
and the distinction is lost. The negative auxiliary, du, is also the negative copula
and can be combined with either a verb or adjective to form a predicate, as in (30)
and (31), or with a copula complement, as in (32).
(30) Faatu du tukki
Fatou NEC v:travel
'Fatou doesn't travel'
(31) Fatou du njool^2
Fatou NEC ADj:tall
'Fatou will never be tall'
(32) Faatu du jangalekat
Fatou NEC teacher
'Fatou is not a teacher'
In (30) and (31) du functions as a negative auxiliary, while in (32) it functions as a
negative copula. A negative verbal extension, l-(w)ull, can also be added to verbs
and adjectives as shown in (33) and (34), but there is no other way to negate cop-
ula clauses such as that in (32).
(33) Faatu tukki-wul
Fatou v:travel-NEG
'Fatou has not gone on a trip'
(34) Ndox mi tang-ul
water DBF ADj:hot-NEG
'The water is not hot'
2.5. SUMMARY
This brief sketch of the verbal system of Wolof shows that adjectives pattern in
a manner identical to verbs with regard to clause type and focus constructions,
derivation, and inflection, including tense, aspect, and mood. The following sec-
tion on relative clauses focuses on distinctions between the behaviour of adjec-
tives and non-adjectival verbs, thereby providing the basis for positing an adjective
class.
(^2) The Wolof equivalent of 'Fatou is not tall' requires a relative clause: Faatu du ku njool, which lit-
erally means 'Fatou is not one who is tall.'