To Georgero: 'ama' is certainly a very Turkish word indeed. It has only one meaning: 'but' in English. In Ottoman times, it was said as 'amma'. Then, in time, it has transformed into 'ama'. Still, some pronounce it as 'amma' when they want to stress the meaning.
'ma' is also a suffix in Turkish, which makes a verb negative. Examples:
yap (do it)
yapma (don't do it)
yaz (write)
yazma (don't write)
'ma' is also a suffix in Turkish, which makes a verb negative. Examples:
yap (do it)
yapma (don't do it)
yaz (write)
yazma (don't write)