Senjecas Syntax Pt. 1
From FrathWiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
Pronunciation table
| p | b | f | v | m̃ | m | t | d | þ | ð | ɫ | l | ṡ | ż | s | z | r | n | k | g | x | ƣ | h | ȝ | š | s̨ | i | e | a | ǫ | o | u | ĭ | ĕ | ŭ | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| /p/ | /b/ | /ɸ/ | /β/ | /m̥/ | /m/ | /t/ | /d/ | /θ/ | /ð/ | /l̥/ | /l/ | /ʦ/ | /ʣ/ | /s/ | /z/ | /ɾ̥/ | /n/ | /k/ | /g/ | /ç/ | /ʝ/ | /j̊/ | /j/ | /sʷ/ | /sʲ/ | /i/ | /e/ | /ä/ | /ɒ/ | /o/ | /u/ | /ɪ/ | /ɛ/ | /ʊ/ |
Glossing abbreviations
| 1s/p = first person singular/plural | V(.s/p) = vocative (singular/plural) | COL = collective | EQU = equative degree | INS = instrument | PST = past |
| 2s/p = second person singular/plural | ABS = absolutive (an unmarked modifying adjective) | CONV = conversive | F = feminine | INT = intensive prefix | Q = interrogative particle |
| ADV = adverb | DES = desiderative | FRQ = frequentative | M = masculine | QUOT = direct quotation | |
| AG = agent | DIM = diminutive | FUT = future | OCC = occupation suffix | RPRF = recent perfective | |
| A(.s/p) = accusative (singular/plural) | AP = agent (active) participle | ELIS = elision | IMP = imperative | PP = patient (past) participle | SBJ = subjunctive |
| G(.s/p) = genitive (singular/plural) | AUG = augmentative | EP = epenthesis | INC = inchoative | PRF = perfect | SUP = supine |
| N(.s/p) = nominative (singular/plural) | CAUS = causative | ELT = elative | IND = indicative | PRV = privative prefix | VBLZ = verbalizer |
Part IV – Syntax - pűlo v - m̃aiþrĕb̨őra
4.1 - Word Order - sam̃pa̋fa
- 4.1.1 Senjecas has an object-verb (OV) syntax, which means that all modifiers (adjectives, possessives, postpositional phrases, clauses) are placed before the noun they modify. The finite verb is the last element in its sentence.
- 4.1.2. Sentence order is: (subject) + (adverbial time phrase) + (adverbial place phrase) + (other postpositional phrase) + (object) + finite verb + (interrogative) + (negative).
The millstone under the oak tree is heavy.
perk̬ı̋s néra molta̋ino gűűro e̋sa:
The stag whose antlers are broken is fighting.
ɠűle—taés ṡa̋a̋ros ȝa̋faþos vűűa—ṡa̋ta:
We are going to the store at noon.
m̃us naaża̋s sade̋mom do u-a̋ta:
- 4.1.3 A verb in the imperative mood is placed last in the sentence. The imperative form is used for the jussive and the hortatory moods as well. If the context is clear, no personal pronoun is needed as subject. If the imperative verb has a direct object, a predicate adjective, or a dependent verb, these precede the imperative verb.
Throw the ball.
(tú) ge̋lom ȝe̋e̋e:
- 4.1.4 If the personal pronoun is repeated in the sentence, the subject pronoun is omitted.
Throw your ball.
tu-ge̋lom ȝe̋e̋e:
Throw his ball.
(tú) eȝús ge̋lom ȝe̋e̋e:
- 4.1.5 In an OV language titles are postposed.
King William I reigned 21 years.
þűntu m̃ilhe̋lmu re̋e̋ƣu d̬őfoos þűn dı̋lon e-zı̋la:
4.2 Definitions - tősas
- 4.2.1 A sentence expresses a thought in words. Syntax treats of the relation of these words to one another. A sentence may contain a declaration, a question, a command (imperative or subjunctive), or an exclamation. Each of these may be either affirmative or negative.
- 4.2.2 Every sentence must contain a verb. The verb may or may not be accompanied by other words. The subject is that about which something is stated. The predicate is that which is stated about the subject. For example, in the sentence ma̋kis na̋nmis vűűa, the poppies are in bloom, "the poppies" is the subject and "are in bloom" is the predicate.
- 4.2.3. A verb makes the simplest form of sentence:
- Descriptions of the weather: sűűm̃a, It is raining.
- When the context is clear: (éȝu) re̋e̋sa:, He runs.
- 4.2.4 A simple sentence contains only one clause.
- 4.2.5 When any form of e̋sa or vűűa, be, connects the subject with a following noun, adjective, or phrase, the verb is called the copula, and what follows is called the predicate, e.g., ma̋nos sőȝos vűűa, (my) hands are cold. Because there are two words expressing existence, the copula may not be omitted in Senjecas.
- 4.2.6 That upon which the action of a verb is exerted is called the object. The object may be either direct or indirect, e.g., in éȝu tı̋r me̋e̋on te̋rnon eȝús o e-lűƣa, he promised him three measures of wheat, "three measures" is the direct object and "him" the indirect object.
- 4.2.7 Verbs which can have a direct object are called transitive; those which cannot are called intransitive. In Senjecas, most verbs are ambitransitive, that is, they can be either transitive or intransitive.
4.3 Predicate Noun and Adjective – m̃a̋iþo fe̋e̋tok̬e feeþga̋nok̬e
- 4.3.1 With verbs signifying to be, to become, to appear, to taste, to be named, to be chosen, to be made, to be thought, to be regarded, etc., a noun or adjective in the predicate is in the same case as the subject. These verbs are called copulative verbs.
The king has become angered by your speech.
re̋ƣu tu-leuðsam̃ős ge̋gaþu ı̋ı̋la:
This man is king.
i-m̃ı̋ru re̋ƣu e̋sa:
These apples taste good.
i-abe̋los da̋los że̋e̋sa:
- 4.3.2 The predicate adjective with these verbs agrees with the subject in class, number and case.
That girl is very pretty.
a-ƥa̋þu lábu gőbu e̋sa:
- 4.3.3 A predicate adjective or noun is placed immediately before the finite verb phrase.
This custom is popular with the young people.
i-gűa bekűm áða le̋uða vűűa:
4.4 Apposition – ȝővta
- 4.4.1 A substantive annexed to another substantive to describe it, and denoting the same person or thing, agrees with it in case. This is called apposition. The noun thus used is called an appositive and is placed after the noun to which it is an appositive.
I, the prince, have given an order.
mu asűru e̋e̋vom e̋e̋va:
- 4.4.2 This structure is also used to translate the expressions "none other than" and "nothing else but", using nïf̣únu, no one else.
Walking up the steps was none other than my old school buddy.
renı̋ȝon ána ne̋ðantu neánu że̋e̋ru mu-túneepőőnu e-e̋sa:
- 4.4.3 A noun may be in apposition with the subject or the object of a sentence, where in English "as" or a like word would be used.
Horses are being offered to the sun god as a sacrifice.
mőres lı̋to suulȝuműs o lı̋taþes ı̋la:
- 4.4.4 The appositive of contents denotes a receptacle and that which it contains.
The child is carrying a basket of peaches.
ṡı̋ṡu k̬e̋som te̋fin ne̋xa:
- 4.4.5 The appositive of place denotes a geographical region and its proper name.
They left the land of Egypt.
éȝus me̋xam kuma̋t̨am e-vı̋da:
4.5 Adjectives – feeþga̋nlos
4.5.1 Agreement of Adjectives – feeþganlőm ċőxa
- 4.5.1.1 Attributive adjectives agree with their substantives in class only. This applies to adjectives of whatever kind: determinate, non-determinate, or participles.
red box, re̋uðo ı̋vko; red boxes, re̋uðo ı̋vkos
red bird, re̋uðe m̃e̋ȝe; red birds, re̋uðe m̃e̋ȝes
red flower, re̋uði na̋ni; red flowers, re̋uði na̋nis
- 4.5.1.2 If, however, the attributive adjective is separated from its substantive by another phrase, it must then agree in class, case and number.
the white cows in the stable.
pa̋ȝes ƣomős éna m̃a̋kes:
- 4.5.1.3 Because they are not preposed, predicate adjectives must agree with their substantives in class, case and number. They may be connected to their substantives by the copula or a copulative verb, becoming a part of the predicate or assertion made of the subject.
The doves are white.
pelőnves pa̋ȝes e̋sa:
- 4.5.1.4 An attributive adjective (še̋e̋ðm̃o feeþga̋nlo) qualifying several substantives agrees with the nearest substantive in class and is understood with the rest.
the injured horse and rider.
ma̋te mőrek̬e mı̋mluk̬e
- 4.5.1.5 A predicate adjective (m̃a̋iþo feeþga̋nlo) qualifying several substantives agrees in class, number and case with the nearest substantive.
The horse and rider are injured.
mőrek̬e mı̋mluk̬e ma̋tu vűűa:
4.5.2 Adjectives as Nouns - feeþga̋nlos feeþőm góþa
- 4.5.2.1 An attributive adjective may be used as a noun. It is put in the class of the missing noun.
pőri, just; pőru, just man
vı̋ni, important; vı̋nos, important things
4.6 The Cases – ne̋udas
4.6.1 The Nominative Case - feeþne̋uda
- The nominative case marks substantives that are used as the subject of a finite verb or in the predicate after copulative verbs.
m̃ı̋ru e-ǧe̋ma:, the man came.
éȝu m̃ı̋ru e̋sa:, He is a man.
4.6.2 Genitive Case - ðeene̋uda
- The primary function of the genitive case is to state the position of a thing or an idea, either literally or figuratively. Other uses include the partitive idea or the idea of separation or source. A substantive in the genitive case may limit the meaning of another substantive, to express various relations, many of which are denoted by "of" or by the possessive case in English.
4.6.2.1 The Genitive Case with Nouns – feetőm súna ðeene̋uda
- The genitive that depends on a substantive is called attributive (še̋e̋ðm̃o).
The people of the valley fled.
leðős le̋uðu e-őőda:
- 4.6.2.1.1 The stationary genitive is used to mark the objects of postpositions that do not indicate a change of position.
The wounded saiga stood under the fir tree.
m̃a̋a̋þe dı̋ƣe ðanı̋s néra e-ṡűra:
| m̃a̋a̋-a-þe-Ø | dı̋ƣ-e | ðan-ı̋s | néra | e=ṡűr-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| wound-IND-PP-ABS | saiga-N.s | fir.tree-G.s | under | PST=stand-IND |
- 4.6.2.1.2 The local genitive indicates the place at which something happens. It is used with the postposition éna.
The two armies clashed at the foot of the mountain.
d̬' őmus ǧarős tuufős éna e-tűűga:
| d̬' | őm-us | ǧar-ős | tuuf-ős | éna | e=tűűg-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| two-ELIS | army-N.p | mountain-G.s | base-G.s | at | PST=clash-IND |
- 4.6.2.1.3 The temporal genitive indicates the time at which something happens. It does not require a postposition.
The caravan will set out at dawn.
sa̋a̋þo vaiƣa̋s u-vı̋da:
| sa̋a̋þ-o | vaiƣ-a̋s | u=vı̋d-a |
|---|---|---|
| caravan-N.s | dawn-G.s | FUT=leave-IND |
- 4.6.2.1.4 The possessive genitive indicates possession or some other close relationship.
taata̋s m̃e̋e̋so, the father’s house
m̃irűm leide̋e̋fto, the men’s team
- 4.6.2.1.5 The subjective genitive indicates the subject of an action or feeling.
The love of the people (i.e., that the people have) for their king is great.
leuðűs m̃e̋na eȝús reeƣűs o me̋ża vűűa:
| leuð-űs | m̃e̋n-a | eȝ-úm | reeƣ-űs | o | me̋ż-a | vűű-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| people-G.p | love-N.s | they-G.p | king-G.s | for | great-N.s | be-IND |
- 4.6.2.1.6 The objective genitive indicates the object of an action or feeling.
The murder of the prince saddened the people.
asurűs ka̋a̋da le̋uðum e-se̋uga:
| asur-űs | ka̋a̋d-a | le̋uð-um | e-se̋ug-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| prince-G.s | murder-N.s | people-A.s | PST=sadden-IND |
- 4.6.2.1.7 The metrical genitive marks substantives which measure space, time or value.
tı̋r aha̋s ta̋ƣo, a three-day’s journey
ża̋ peda̋m őőni da̋ri, an eight-foot tall tree
na̋a̋lfoos oȝe̋m mőre, a horse worth 40 sheep
- 4.6.2.1.8 The partitive genitive indicates the whole about which parts are spoken.
zǫðlűm m̃e̋umus, many of the farmers
- 4.6.2.1.9 The numerical genitive is used with the nouns sa̋to, hundred; t̨űmo, thousand; and the higher numbers. They and their compounds are used with a genitive plural noun.
na̋a̋l na̋a̋m̃os, four ships
naam̃őm na̋a̋l sa̋tos, 400 ships
4.6.2.2 The Genitive Case with Verbs – kaatőm súna ðeene̋uda
- 4.6.2.2.1 As the attributive genitive stands in the relation of an attributive adjective to its substantive, so an expression in the genitive case may stand in the relation of a predicate adjective to a verb. Verbs signifying “to be”, “to become”, and other copulative verbs may have a predicate genitive expressing any of the relations of the attributive possessive.
- 4.6.2.2.2 The Possessive Genitive
This law is the prince's.
i-þőro asurűs e̋sa:
| i=þőr-o | asur-űs | e̋s-a |
|---|---|---|
| this=law-N.s | prince-G.s | be-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.3 The Metrical Genitive
The six-foot high tower has crumbled.
sa̋a̋d peda̋m þőőro mĭmı̋ı̋ka:
| sa̋a̋d | ped-a̋m | þőőr-o | mĭ~mı̋ı̋k-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| six | foot-G.s | tower-N.s | PRF~crumble-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.4 Partitive Genitive:
My father was one of the hunted men.
mu-ta̋a̋ta veedaþűm þűn e-e̋sa:
| mu=ta̋a̋t-a | veed-a-þ-űm | þűn | e=e̋s-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| my=father-N.s | hunt-IND-PP-G.p | one | PST=be-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.5 Any verb may take a partitive genitive if its action affects the object only in part.
He sends the soldiers [i.e., all of them].
éȝu sőþlun mı̋þa:
| éȝ-u | sőþl-un | mı̋þ-a |
|---|---|---|
| he-N.s | soldier-A.p | send-IND |
He sends some of the soldiers.
éȝu soþlűmĕ mı̋þa:
| éȝ-u | soþl-űm-ĕ | mı̋þ-a |
|---|---|---|
| he-N.s | soldier-G.p-EP | send-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.6 The verbs ge̋ma, seize; da̋ba, pull; zı̋da, drag; and ne̋e̋ȝa, lead, may have a direct object accusative with a genitive of the part seized, pulled, etc., the genitive coming before the direct object accusative.
The lion had seized him by the leg.
bı̋ı̋re lakős éȝum e-gĭge̋ma:
| bı̋ı̋r-e | lak-ős | éȝ-um | e-gĭ~ge̋m-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| lion-N.s | leg-G.s | he-A.s | PST=PRF~seize-IND |
The two priestesses will lead the heifer by the horns.
d̬ő tove̋rus kidőm kase̋rem u-ne̋e̋ȝa:
| d̬ő | tove̋r-us | kid-őm | kase̋r-em | u=ne̋e̋ȝ-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| two | priestess-N.p | horn-G.s | heifer-A.s | FUT=lead-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.7 The verbs a̋a̋m̃a, hear; tűna, learn; pe̋ua, seek; and ı̋ga, request, may take an accusative of the thing heard, etc., and a genitive of the person from whom it was heard, learned, etc.
The people sought a ruling from the prince.
le̋uðu asurűs re̋kam e-pe̋ua:
| le̋uð-u | asur-űs | re̋k-am | e=pe̋u-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| people-N.s | prince-G.s | ruling-A.s | PST=seek-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.8 The verbs pe̋e̋la, fill; þı̋a, stuff; and sa̋a̋a, sate; take the accusative of the thing filled and the genitive of the contents.
The harvesters filled the baskets with grain.
kőilus etenős k̬e̋e̋son e-pe̋e̋la:
| kőil-us | eten-ős | k̬e̋e̋s-on | e=pe̋e̋l-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| harvester-N.p | grain-G.s | basket-A.p | PST=fill-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.9 The verbs pa̋usa, release; še̋va, free; őȝa, remove; de̋usa, cease; műta, deprive; ka̋da, rob; and vőőura, steal, take the accusative of the thing or person released and the genitive of the thing released from.
The soldiers released the prisoners from their chains.
sőþlus eȝúm bukőm kőlaþun e-pa̋a̋usa:
| sőþl-us | eȝ-úm | buk-őm | kől-a-þ-un | e=pa̋us-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| soldier-N.s | they-G.p | chain-G.p | imprison-IND-PP-A.p | PST=releave-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.10 Verbs signifying to accuse, to prosecute, to convict, to acquit, and to condemn, take a genitive of the crime and an accusative of the person.
The woman accused him of murder.
ǧe̋nu kaada̋s éȝum e-ka̋ṡa:
| ǧe̋n-u | kaad-a̋s | éȝ-um | e=ka̋ṡ-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| woman-N.s | murder-G.s | he-A.s | PST=accuse-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.11 The objective genitive follows many adjectives derived from the verbs in paragraphs 4.6.2.2.8 and 4.6.2.2.9.
The basket was full of grain.
k̬e̋e̋so etenős pe̋e̋lo e-vűűa:
| k̬e̋e̋s-o | eten-ős | pe̋e̋lo- | e=vűű-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| basket-N.s | grain-G.s | full-N.s | PST=be-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.12 Adjectives and adverbs of the comparative and equative degrees take the separative genitive with the postposition sóma.
The cheetah runs faster than the ostrich.
nı̋be talresle̋' sóma óósvi re̋e̋sa:
| nı̋b-e | talresl-e̋-' | sóma | o~ós-vi | re̋e̋s-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cheetah-N.s | ostrich-G.s-ELIS | than | ELAT~fast-ADV | run-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.13 The indirect object of the action of a transitive verb is put in the genitive with the postposition o.
Give this book to the student.
tunűs o i-lűvom dőőe:
| tun-űs | o | i=lűv-om | dőő-e |
|---|---|---|---|
| student-G.s | to | this=book-A.s | give-IMP |
- 4.6.2.2.14 The person or thing for whose advantage or disadvantage anything is or is done, is put in the genitive with the postpositnio éra.
Every good father labors for his children.
vı̋su va̋a̋du ta̋a̋ta nu-żoonaþűm éra da̋a̋ra:
| vı̋su | va̋a̋du | ta̋a̋t-a | eȝ-ús | żoonaþ-űm | éra | da̋a̋r-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| every | good | father-N.s | he-G.s | child-G.p | for | work-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.15 Alienable possession, i.e., possession of tangible things which one might somehow cease to own or possess, is expressed with the verb űda, possess.
I have (own, possess) three cows.
mu tı̋r m̃a̋ken űda:
| m-u | tı̋r | m̃a̋k-en | űd-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-N.s | three | cow-A.p | own-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.16 Inalienable possession, i.e., possession of those things which cannot exist apart from a possessor, e.g., body parts or kin, is expressed by making that which is possessed the subject of the sentence and the possessor the indirect object with the permanent existential verb e̋sa.
I have blue eyes.
kőőxo t̬a̋los mús o e̋sa:
| kőőxo | t̬a̋l-os | m-ús | o | e̋s-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| blue | eye-N.p | 1s-G | to | be-IND |
- 4.6.2.2.17 A special case of alienable possession exists when the object possessed is not one’s own or has been acquired illegally by using the temporary existential verb vűűa.
I have three cows (which I have stolen or which belong to my neighbor).
tı̋r m̃a̋kes mús o vűűa:
| tı̋r | m̃a̋k-es | m-ús | o | vűű-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| three | cow-N.p | 1-G.s | to | be-IND |
I have your book.
tu-lűvo mús o vűűa:
| tu=lűv-o | m-ús | o | vűű-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| your=book-N.s | 1-G.s | to | be-IND |
4.6.3 The Accusative Case – ȝaane̋uda
- 4.6.3.1 The primary use of the accusative case is to state a change in the position of a thing or an idea, either literally or figuratively.
- 4.6.3.2 The accusative case is used to mark the objects of postpositions that indicate a change of position.
The children ran out of the house.
ṡı̋ṡus m̃e̋e̋som éha e-re̋e̋sa:
| ṡı̋ṡ-us | m̃e̋e̋s-om | éha | e=re̋e̋s-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| child-N.p | house-A.s | out.of | PST=run-IND |
- 4.6.3.3 The accusative case marks the direct object of the action of a transitive verb.
We do these things.
m̃u' son kı̋a:
| m̃-u-' | s-on | kı̋-a |
|---|---|---|
| 1p-N-ELIS | this-A.p | do-IND |
- 4.6.3.4 Any transitive verb whose meaning permits takes an object of kindred signification. This object repeats the meaning already contained in the verb. An example in English is "to sing a song." Some English verbs that this construction will replace would be "make, have, get" and "hold."
The seamstress took three stitches in the small tear.
s̨uulu lűűdo renðős éna tı̋r s̨űűon e-s̨űűa:
| s̨űűl-u | lűűdo | renð-ős | éna | tı̋r | s̨űű-on | e=s̨űű-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| seamstress-N.s | small | tear-G.s | in | three | stitch-A.p | PST=stitch-IND |
- 4.6.3.5 The accusative case marks, with verbs of motion, the particular ground over which the motion passes.
The children crossed the bridge.
ṡı̋ṡus þőlom e-ta̋ra:
| ṡı̋ṡ-us | þől-om | e=ta̋r-a |
|---|---|---|
| child-N.p | bridge-A.s | PST=cross-IND |
- 4.6.3.6 The accusative case marks substantives used as adverbial expressions of extent of time or space.
The house burned for two days.
m̃e̋e̋so d̬ő a̋han e-a̋iða:
| m̃e̋e̋s-o | d̬ő | a̋h-an | e=a̋ið-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| house-N.s | two | day-A.p | PST=burn-IND |
- 4.6.3.7 Verbs signifying to name, to choose, to appoint, to make, to think, take an object and its appositive in the accusative case.
The prince appointed him general.
asűru éȝum soþve̋e̋l̤um e-fe̋e̋ta:
| asűr-u | éȝ-um | soþve̋e̋l̤-um | e=fe̋e̋t-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| prince-N.s | he-A.s | general-A.s | PST=appoint-IND |
4.6.4 The Vocative Case – ham̃ne̋uda
- 4.6.4.1 The vocative case, accompanied, or not, by the vocative particle o, is used to mark direct address. The primary pitch shifts to the ultimate syllable.
General, your orders have been carried out.
o soþveel̤ű. tu-e̋e̋vos þűkaþos ı̋ı̋la:
| o | soþveel̤-ű | tu=e̋e̋v-os | þűk-a-þ-os | i~ı̋l-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | general-V.s | your=command-N.p | carry.out-IND-PP-N.p | PRF~become-IND |
4.7 Postpositions – pos̈a̋m̃os
- There is a list of Senjecan postpositions in Appendix B.
- 4.7.1 Postpositions are independent words that connect words in a sentence with other parts of the sentence. With two exceptions, these words end in -a. These connecting words are placed after the nouns they govern. Depending on what is connected, the objects of postpositions are in either the accusative or the genitive case. If the postposition indicates a change in position, literally or figuratively, the object of the postposition is in the accusative case. If the postposition does not indicate a change in position, the object of the postposition is in the genitive case.
The thirsty cattle headed toward the river.
a̋a̋de ǧőum̃es da̋a̋em do e-a̋ta:
| a̋a̋de | ǧőum̃-es | da̋a̋-em | do | e=a̋t-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thirsty | cow-N.p | river-A.s | to | PST=go-IND |
The cattle at the river were sated.
daae̋s éna ǧőum̃e' sa̋tes e-vűűa:
| daa-e̋s | éna | ǧőum̃-e-' | sa̋t-es | e=vűű-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| river-G.s | in | cow-N.p-ELIS | sated-N.p | PST=be-IND |
- 4.7.2 The construction consisting of an intransitive verb plus a prepositional phrase, e.g., "he went with his friends," is not used as frequently in Senjecas as it is in many modern languages. The idea is expressed by a transitive verb and its direct object, e.g., "he accompanied his friends."
4.8 Verbs – ka̋a̋tos
4.8.1 Voice - ȝe̋þra
- Voice indicates the relation of the verbal action to the subject.
- 4.8.1.1 In the active voice (kiȝe̋þra) the subject is represented as acting. The same verb may be both transitive and intransitive. There are no deponent verbs.
I close my eyes.
mu-t̬a̋lon pa̋xa:
| mu=t̬a̋l-on | pa̋x-a |
|---|---|
| my=eye-A.p | close-IND |
4.8.2 Tense - te̋na
- Tense designates the time of an action as present, past or future. These tenses designate habitual action. The unmarked verb is in the present tense.
- For the past tense, the prefix e- is affixed to the verb.
- For the future tense, the prefix u- is affixed to the verb.
4.8.3 Aspect - nőőa
- Aspect defines the temporal flow (or lack thereof) in a given action, event, or state, from the point of view of the speaker. Aspects are coupled with the tenses to indicate the time and the character of an action. These indications are as follows:
- 4.8.3.1 The perfective aspect (þuxnőőa) designates that an action is complete; the imperfective aspect (álþuxnőőa) designates that an action is incomplete.
- The present imperfective (imte̋na) describes customary or repeated action going on in present time: I eat.
- The past imperfective (feste̋na) describes customary or repeated action that went on in past time: I ate.
- The future imperfective (poste̋na) describes customary or repeated action that will take place in future time: I will eat.
- The present perfective (ímþuxte̋na) describes action begun in the past and completed by or continuing in the present time: I have eaten.
- The past perfective (fésþuxte̋na) describes action begun in the past and completed in the past: I had eaten.
- The future perfective (pósþuxte̋na) describes action that will begin in the future and be completed in or continue into the future: I will have eaten.
- 4.8.3.2 Other aspects are created with periphrastic constructions.
- 4.8.3.2.1 The verb vűűa, be, with the active participle is used to form the progressive and continuous aspects (mem̃nőőa) which are used to emphasize that the action is occurring at the time in question.
Run for your life!
(tú) ǧı̋ı̋ȝam éra re̋e̋se:
| t-ú | ǧı̋ı̋ȝ-am | éra | re̋e̋s-e |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-V.s | life-A.s | for | run-IMP |
I am running.
re̋e̋santu vűűa:
| re̋e̋s-a-ntu-Ø | vűű-a |
|---|---|
| run-IND-AP-ABS | be-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.2 The postposition héla, at the edge of, with vűűa, be, and the supine is used to form the prospective aspect (avnőőa): "about to, going to."
She is about to fall.
éȝu főőlu héla vűűa:
| éȝ-u | főől-u | héla | vűű-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| she-N.s | fall-SUP | about.to | be-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.3 The verb gűa, be accustomed to, with the supine is used to form the habitual aspect (šeðnőőa): "used to, would."
I used to walk home from school.
mu nómþim tundémþis ne̋ðu e-gűa:
| m-u | nóm-þim | tundém-þis | ne̋ð-u | e=gű-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-N.s | school-ALL | school-ABL | walk-SUP | PST=used.to-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.4 The suffix -el- is used to form the frequentative aspect (FRQ) (seernőőa): "keep on, continue."
The baby kept on crying/cried and cried/continued to cry.
ba̋a̋lu e-ɫiige̋la:
| ba̋a̋l-u | e=ɫiig-e̋l-a |
|---|---|
| baby-N.s | PST=cry-FRQ-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.5 The verb de̋usa, stop, with the supine is used to form the terminative aspect (deusnőőa): "stop."
She stopped smoking yesterday.
éȝu hesáhvi műűxu e-de̋usa:
| éȝ-u | hes-áh-vi | műűx-u | e=de̋us-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| she-N.s | yester-day-ADV | smoke-SUP | PST=stop-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.6 The suffix -űð-, cause, added to the verb root is used to form the causative aspect (CAUS) (f̨uðnőőa): "make, have"
I will make him laugh.
mu éȝum u-inűða:
| m-u | éȝ-um | u=in=űð-a |
|---|---|---|
| 1s-N | he.A.s | FUT=CAUS=make-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.7 The suffix –um- added to the verb root is used to form the recent perfect (RPR) aspect (nevnőőa): "have just..."
The mayor (has) just died.
riine̋e̋ȝu neṡűma:
| riine̋e̋il-u | neṡ-űm-a |
|---|---|
| mayor-N.s | die-RPR-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.8 The suffix –as- added to the verb root is used to form the inchoative (INC) aspect (toðnőőa): "begin to..."
The choir began to sing.
ga̋a̋ilus e-gaȝa̋sa:
| ga̋a̋il-us | e-gaȝ-a̋s-a |
|---|---|
| choir-N.p | PST=sing-INC-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.9 The suffix –iih- is added to the verb root to form the desiderative (DES) aspect (m̃esnőőa): “want to...”
The girl wants to sing.
ne̋sku gaȝı̋ı̋ha:
| ne̋sk-u | gaȝ-ı̋ı̋h-a |
|---|---|
| girl-N.s | sing-DES-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.10 The verb ke̋la, have to, must, with the supine is used to form the obligative aspect (kelnőőa): "have to..."
I have to go now.
mu ímu a̋tu ke̋la:
| m-u | ímu | a̋t-u | ke̋l-a |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1s-N | now | go-SUP | must-IND |
- 4.8.3.2.11 The verb vűűma, ought, with the supine is used to form the debitive aspect (vuumnőőa): “ought to...”
I ought to go now too.
mu ímu étu a̋tu vűűma:
| m-u | ímu | étu | a̋t-u | vűűm-a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1s-N | now | too | go-SUP | ought-IND |
4.8.4 Mood - ðe̋ra
- Mood indicates the attitude of the speaker toward what he is saying. There are three inflectional moods in Senjecas.
- 4.8.4.1 The indicative mood (m̃eerðe̋ra) is marked by –a and is used in simple assertions or negations and in questions or exclamations which include or concern such assertions, e.g., éȝu m̃e̋na, he loves; éȝu m̃ïm̃e̋na, he has loved; tu xum m̃e̋na, whom do you love? The negating particle is ne and is postverbal, e.g., éȝu m̃e̋na ne, he does not love.
- 4.8.4.2 The imperative mood (eevðe̋ra) is marked by -e and is used to express commands and prohibitions, exhortations and entreaties. The negating particle is mee.
- 4.8.4.3 The suffix -e̋ȝa is added to the verb root to form the subjunctive mood (nuvðe̋ra) which is used in statements of uncertainty and in those contrary-to-fact. The negating particle is mee. It is used in some subordinate clauses.
