Why Ilonggos find it difficult to learn Cebuano, 1
In both examples above, the prefix NAGalone by itself does not tell you that the action has occurred in a point in the timeline in the past or present. By placing PA or KARON, you define the action as ongoing in a point in the present in the timeline.
The ‘Timelessness on a Timeline’ of Cebuano
Cebuano verbs do not place an action in a definite point in the timeline.
A vignette, true to life.
In a hospital in Cebu, an Ilonggo doctor on duty asked the nurse on duty in the nurse’s station where her colleague was. “Asa ang kauban mo?”
Cebuana Nurse: NAG-kaon doc. Ilonggo Doctor: “Nganoman wala pa siya diri?” (Ngaaman wala pa siya diri?) (Why isn’t she here yet?)
Cebuana Nurse: “Kay NAG-kaon doc.”
Ilonggo Doctor (getting confused): “Kun nakakaon na siya, nganoman wala pa siya diri?” (If she has eaten, why isn’t she here yet?)
Cebuana Nurse: “Uh, Doc. NAGkaon PA siya.”
Ilonggo Doctor ( confused and getting angry): “Unsa? Nakakaon na siya, dili ba? Nganoman wala pa siya diri?” (Ano? Nakakaon na siya, indi bala? Ngaaman wala pa siya diri?) (What? She has already eaten, hasn’t she? Why isn’t she here yet?)
Cebuana Nurse ( a l i t t l e exasperated): “Doc. NAG- kaon PA siya ‘ RON. To-a PA siya sa cafeteria.” (Doc. Nagakaon pa siya subong. Ato pa siya sa cafeteria.) (Doc. She is still eating. She’s still in the cafeteria.) Ilonggo Doctor (silently thinking): What in the world? Cebuano language has no clear TENSES! Cebuano verbs do not place an action in a definite point in the timeline.
Explanation
The affix (prefix) NAG- and GI- in Cebuano merely denote an action that has begun in the past. In order to indicate that the action has ended in the past (the rough equivalent of past tense Ilonggo, NAG- and GIN-), or still continuing in the present (the rough equivalent of present tense Ilonggo, NAGA- and GINA-), you have to place in a modifier or adverb.
Examples in Cebuano for ACTION BEGUN IN THE PAST AND ENDED IN THE PAST:
Example one. NAG-kaon NA siya. NA is a modifier that indicates that the action of eating has ALREADY ended.
Example two. NAG- kaon siya KAGAHAPON.
KAGAHAPON indicates that the action ended YESTERDAY.
In both examples above, the prefix NAG- alone by itself does not tell you that the action has occurred in a point in the timeline in the past or present. By placing NA or KAGAHAPON, you define the action as having ended in a point in the past in the timeline.
Examples in Cebuano for ACTION Example one. NAG-kaon PA siya.
PA is a modifier that indicates that the action of eating is still ongoing.
Example two. NAG- kaon siya KARON. ( KARON means NOW in Cebuano, SUBONG and TULAD in Hiligaynon and Karay-a.)
KARON indicates that the action is still ongoing at this point in the timeline.
In both examples above, the prefix NAG- alone by itself does not tell you that the action has occurred in a point in the timeline in the past or present. By placing PA or KARON, you define the action as ongoing in a point in the present in the timeline. (To be continued)/