1. Word Order The Swahili language uses the SVO word order. This implies that in a sentence the subject comes first followed by the verb and lastly the object. (1) NI- li- enda shule
‘I went to the hospital’
It is important to note that in the SVO word order object marking is done for animate objects and is optional when it comes to inanimate objects (2) a. Wa- li- (mw)- angalia mtoto
SMP- PAST- OM- looked: AF - DEC baby: NOM
‘I looked at the baby’ b. Ni- li- (ki) – rarua kitabu
SMS- PAST- OM – tore: AF - DEC book: NOM
‘I tore the book’ c. Ni- li- rarua kitabu
SM1S- PAST- tore book
‘I tore the ...
