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Lesson 2: Personal Pronouns in Dusun (Kata Ganti Nama Diri)

🔹 Part A: Personal Pronouns – Subject (Doer), Possessive, Object (Receiver)

Dusun uses different pronouns depending on whether the person is the subject, possessor, or object. Here's a quick overview:

Other pronouns:

• Subject: yakau (you all), yati (we all), yato (we two / me & you), yolo (they)
• Possessive: dokou (yours), dati (ours), dato (ours two), diyolo (theirs)
• Object: dokou, dati, dato, diyolo

🔹 Part B: Rules & Placement Tips

• Subject pronouns (yoho, iya, yau) come after the verb in natural sentences (VSO), but before the verb in formal usage (SVO).
  Examples:
  • Yoho nopo nga ih John → I am John
  • Iya nopo nga tanak ku → You are my daughter
• Possessive pronouns (ku, nu, dau) always follow the noun.
  Examples:
  • manuk ku (my chicken)
  • baju nu (your shirt)
• Object forms (doho, diya) act as the recipient or target of the action.
  Examples:
  • Minomogusa ko doho konihab → You chased me yesterday
  • Tahakon ku diya → I will give you
• Verb-helper pronouns (oku, ko, yau) are used after the verb to show who is doing the action.
  Examples:
  • Mongoi oku sikul → I am going to school
  • Minomogusa ko doho konihab → You chased me yesterday
  • Maangkan yau do tuhau → He is eating tuhau

🔹 Part C: Common Mistakes to Avoid

• ❌ Don’t start sentences with ku, nu, or dau. These are possessive suffixes.
  ✅ Use yoho / oku instead.
  Ku mongoi → ❌
  Yoho mongoi / Mongoi oku → ✅


• ❌ Don’t use a subject pronoun as a receiver.
  Patahakon ku iya → ❌
  Patahakon ku diya → ✅

Mastering these pronouns is key to understanding Dusun. Practice often and notice how they’re placed in real sentences!