Lao Language Pt3 - Syntax

Syntax is boring from more programming language but its probably a relevant concept to use for the Lao language. Grammar in Lao does not employ conjugation of verbs as it does in English. Some tenses are indicated through the use of specific words which can be used before or after the verb. Speaking from experience one of the most significant attributes to Lao language is the positioning of words. Unlike the romantic languages which generally adopt similar syntax, the syntax (specifically the position of some words relative to subjects, objects and verbs in the sentence can be distinctly different. I'm still coming across surprises in this regard but I think in general the extent of the rules around syntax are not that extensive. 

Pronouns - Similar to English and the romantics, this pronouns can be use before or after the verbs to indicate it is being employed as the subject or the object. I've also seen reference to a 'passive tense' which may alter the positioning of this word which may be something else to look out for.

Me ຂ້ອຍ We ຜວດເຮົາ
You ເຈົ້ງ You ຜວດເຈົາ
Him ລາວ They ຜວດເຂົາ

Possession

ຂອງ is the possession particle and can be a prefix to a noun or pronoun.

Demonstrative Pronouns
Generally used after a subject classifier (nouns that can refer to a category of nouns ie. things, swarm, pile . ມຶ້ນື້ is quite literally 'day this' or its more proper translation 'today' 
ນີ້ -This 
ນັນ -That
ເຫຼົານິ້ -These

ເຫຼົານັນ -Those

Modal Verbs - These are common verbs, often used in combination with other verbs to generated a more specific meaning. The verb ຄວນ (or 'should') contrary to English is placed after an initial verb to indicate that verb needs doing. However, the verb for need or want (ຕ້ອງ or ຢາກ) are placed before the verb they effect. There are more combinations so its useful to recognise these.

Should - ຄວນ
Need - ຕ້ອງ
Want - ຢາກ
Can – ໄດ້(able to do).ເປັນ(understand how to do).ສາມາດ(within physically ability to do)
Enter,join - ເຂົາ
Give, permit - ໃຫ້

Question words - Below are some of the popular ones but by no means an extensive list. Notice below 'Whose' is a combination of 'Who' and the possession particle discussed before.

English	What?	Where?	Whose?	Who?	When?
Lao	ຫຍັງ	ໃສ	ຂອງໃຜ	ໃຜ	ເມືອໃດ
English	Which?	How (in what way	How much?	How Many?	How long?
Lao	ອັນໃດ	ເປັນຍ່າງໃດ	ເທົາໃດ	ຈັກ	ດົນປານໃດ
Participles	ບ	ເນາະ	ເດ່	ວະ	ເເມ່ນບໍ່
English	?	Okay?	Isn't it?	And...?	True?/Huh

Connecting Participles - These words are used to connect phrases

ວະ – introducing a second thought (like 'and')

ຈຶງ – then so because (cause and effect)

ກໍ - then because (second thought)

ທິ່ - that, which, what, for

ຕັ້ງ – 'so' many (such that it is unusual)

Tenses

Past

ເເລ້ວ comes after the verb and indicates the past as the word 'already' would.

ໄດ້ comes before the verb and indicates completion as in 'did' or 'already'

Future

ຈະ can be used before the verb to indicate future tense

ຊິ can be used before the verb to indicate future tense. When this is more appropriately used than the former I've yet to identify. Help appreciate if anyone has thoughts.

Passive

ຖືກ

Progressive

ພວມ before indicates progressive tense ie. Incomplete but occuring action

ກໍາລັງ before indicates progressive tense ie. Incomplete but occuring action

ຢູ່ after indicates progressive tense ie. Incomplete but occuring action

Comparatives 

ຄືກັນ indicates that both leading aspects are the same

ກວ່າ is a suffix that indicates a comparative (A is more than B)

ທືສຸດ is a suffix that indicates a superlative (it is of most significant magnitude)

Periods
Morning - ມື້ເຊົ້າ

Noon - ຕອນທຽງ
Afternoon - ຕອນບ່ຍ
Evening - ມື້ເເລງ
Night - ກາງຄືນ

Days

Monday - ວັນຈັນ
Tuesday - ວັນອາງຄານ
Wednesday - ວັນພຸດ
Thursday - ວັນພະຫັດ
Friday - ວັນສຸກ
Saturday - ວັນເສົາ
Sunday - ວັນອາທິດ