LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 26:5 May 2026
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Selvi M. Bunce, M.A., Ed.D.
         Nathan Mulder Bunce, M.A., Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

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The Usage of Nominative Case Marker in Bodo: A Morphosyntactic Analysis

Gojen Swargiary and
Biswajit Brahma, Ph.D.

Abstract

This paper examines the use of nominative case markers in Bodo from a morphosyntactic perspective, a Tibeto-Burman language spoken primarily in Northeast India. The study identifies {-a} as the basic nominative marker, alongside its phonologically conditioned allomorphs {-ja}, {-wa}, {-?}, and {-j?}. It is observed that nominative case marking in Bodo is assigned to definite subjects based on syntactic roles and semantic features. The analysis further reveals that Bodo follows a nominative-accusative alignment, treating subjects of transitive and intransitive verbs similarly in case assignment. The interaction between morphology and syntax highlights the complexity and richness of Bodo's case marking system. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of morphosyntactic processes in Tibeto-Burman languages.

Keywords:Bodo, nominative case, morphosyntax, case alignment, allomorphs.

Introduction

The Bodo language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The origin of the Bodos, a branch of the Kachari race, is largely uncertain due to the absence of reliable historical records. Based on their Mongoloid features, research suggests Tibet or China as their likely place of origin (Endle 3). According to Aleendra Brahma, the Bodo language has a clear and rich case system, with no fewer than nine case markers (40). Bodo thus exhibits a robust case-marking system. Among the various cases, the nominative case holds a fundamental position, as it typically marks the subject of a sentence. In Bodo, specific case markers often indicate the nominative case, although it can sometimes remain unmarked. The nominative case markers in Bodo signal grammatical relationships and are sensitive to morphological and semantic factors, such as the type of noun or the notion of definiteness. As a Tibeto-Burman language, Bodo shares certain morphosyntactic features with other languages in the family but also displays unique patterns in its use of nominative case markers. Understanding the behaviour of these markers is essential for a deeper analysis of Bodo's morphosyntactic structure and for situating it within broader typological studies of the Tibeto-Burman languages.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Gojen Swargiary
Research Scholar
Cotton University
Guwahati
gjnswargiary@gmail.com
&
Biswajit Brahma, Ph.D.
Assistant professor
Cotton University
Guwahati
bswjtbrahma@gmail.com

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