Constructions

Incorporation
Meaning is completely predictable, and we can use a full noun instead


 * nga-kanj-ngun, nga-ngun kun-kanj meat-eat

Body part incorporation Many body parts and bodily products can be incorporated into the verb in Bininj Kunwok. For example: nga-kodj-babang I-head-hurts 'I have a headache'

Not all body parts and matter can be incorporated though, and below is a list of those that can: [table]

There are two rules to incorporating body parts that will help with identifying the owner of the body part: Rule 1: When only the subject is expressed in the pronominal prefix, the body part belongs to the subject. Rule 2: When there is also an object expressed in the pronominal prefix, the body part belongs to the object. Thus: nga-kodj-bom I-head-hit.PP 'I hit my head' BUT kan-kodj-bom you>me-head-hit.PP 'you hit my head' or 'you hit me on the head'

Compounding
Meaning is more specific than might be predicted, and we cannot use a full noun instead


 * nga-bo-ngun, drink (but not nga-ngun kukku)