15. And, Or, and With

What You’ll Learn

This lesson teaches how Early Hick joins equal pieces:

• o ... o ru, for “and”;
• o ... o 'a, for “or”;
• o ... o ewes, for “together with”;
• how the joined group gets one sentence role ending.

Mark Each Listed Item with o

Early Hick uses o to mark items in a list. The joining word comes after the listed items.

The word o does not mean “and” by itself. It marks each listed item. The joining word ru tells you the list means “and.”

That final joining word speaks for the whole list. It is also where Early Hick puts the role ending for the joined group.

And with ru

When the joined group does the action, put the doer ending -el on ru.

The people in the list do not each need -el. The ending goes on ru because ru carries the role of the whole joined group.

When the joined group is the main noun or receiver, use ru-es.

Or with 'a

Use 'a when the joined items are alternatives, like English “or.”

The same role-ending pattern applies:

The older sense behind 'a is “other” or “alternative.” In ordinary sentences like these, read it as “or.”

Together with ewes

Use ewes when the point is shared action or equal participation. It is closer to “together with” than plain “and.”

Here ewes-es treats the listed people as one shared-action group.

The word ewes can also mean “together with” outside lists. In this pattern, it is the final joining word for the whole group.

And, Or, or Together?

Use ru for ordinary “and.”

Use 'a for alternatives.

Use ewes when doing the action together matters.

Try It

Choose the best joining word or translate the phrase.

1. Which word means ordinary “and”: ru, 'a, or ewes?
2. Which word means “or”: ru, 'a, or ewes?
3. Translate: 'al'is o materok o ru-el
4. Translate: 'al'is o Mari o ewes-es

Pop quizAnswers

1. ru

   and

2. 'a

   or

3. 'al'is o materok o ru-el

   person-this LIST handler LIST and-DOER
   "this person and the handler" as doers

4. 'al'is o Mari o ewes-es

   person-this LIST Mari LIST together-MAIN
   "this person together with Mari" as one shared group

Reference Note

For more in-depth information, see Conjunctions.