Verbs in Vrkhazhian
Vrkhazhian verbs are called madsiṟud (singular madsiṟu). Because Vrkhazhian is a triconsonantal root language, the fundamental part of the verb form is the transfix, a discontinuous affix inserted between a root (which is collectively called masčišu and translated as "pattern"), though they primarily only convey the grammatical voices (active, passive, causative, and reflexive). There are five tenses (past, past progressive, present, present progressive, and future) and these are indicated by prefixes attached to the base form. There is only one aspect: the perfect, called saẕkeru, which is indicated by reduplicating the entire verb. Additionally, there are also five moods (indicative, jussive, subjunctive, commissive, and propositive) and these are also indicated by prefix, placed closer to the base form than the tense prefixes. Lastly, verbs are also conjugated for number, singular and plural, with the plural indicated by the suffix -am.
When referring to a particular verb pattern, they are referred to by a derivation of the canonical (exemplary) verb d-s-ṟ (to do, to perform, to execute, to act). For example, when referring to the verb pattern of the citation form of a verb, which is the active present singular indicative, it is called dusaṟ because that is the active present singular form of the verb.
Verb Patterns
Madsiṟom Dusaṟaẇ (Dusarh verbs)
This is the simplest basic form of a verb, it gives the general idea of its root.
Active Singular | Active Plural | Translation | Passive Singular | Passive Plural | Translation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infinitive | ʾekjammu | to support | ʾekjemmi | to be supported | ||
Past Simple | nukjam | nukjamam | supported | nikjem | nikjemam | was supported |
Past Prog. | yokjam | yokjamam | was supporting | yekjem | yekjemam | was being supported |
Present Simple | kujam | kujmam | support | kajem | kajmam | is supported |
Present Prog. | hukjam | hukjamam | is suppoting | hikjem | hikjemam | is being supported |
Future | ʾakjam | ʾakjamam | will support | ʾikjem | ʾikjemam | will be supported |
Madsiṟom Lodsaṟaẇ (Lodsarh verbs)
This stem is created by prefixing an -l- between the base form and the tense prefix. The meaning this stem imparts is reflexive.
Active Singular | Active Plural | Translation | Passive Singular | Passive Plural | Translation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infinitive | lomnaššu | to write to self | lomnešši | to be written by self | ||
Past Simple | nulmonaš | nulmonšam | wrote to self | nilmoneš | nilmonšam | was written by self |
Past Prog. | yolmonaš | yolmonšam | was writing to self | yelmoneš | yelmonšam | was being written by self |
Present Simple | lomnaš | lomnašam | writing to self | lomneš | lomnešam | is written by self |
Present Prog. | hulmonaš | hulmonšam | is writing to self | hilmoneš | hilmonšam | is being written by self |
Future | ʾalmonaš | ʾalmonšam | will write to self | ʾilmneš | ʾilmonšam | will be written by self |
Additionally, the genitive pronouns are used to indicate the subject of a verb in a reflexive construction.
Madsiṟom Dussaṟaẇ (Dussarh verbs)
This stem is created by gemminating the middle root. The meaning this stem imparts is causative.
Active Singular | Active Plural | Translation | Passive Singular | Passive Plural | Translation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infinitive | ʾelnaddu | to teach | ʾelneddi | to be taught | ||
Past Simple | nulunnad | nulunnadam | taught | nilanned | nilannedam | was taught |
Past Prog. | yolunnad | yolunnadam | was teaching | yelanned | yelannedam | was being taught |
Present Simple | lunnad | lunnadam | teach | lanned | lannedam | is taught |
Present Prog. | hulunnad | hulunnadam | is teaching | hilanned | hilannedam | is being taught |
Future | ʾalunnad | ʾalunnadam | will teach | ʾilanned | ʾilannedam | will be taught |
Madsiṟom Lodussaṟaẇ (Lodussarh verbs)
This stem is created by gemminating the middle root and prefixing a -l-, which is dissimilated to -n- near another ⟨l⟩, between the base form and the tense prefix. In both the active voice and the passive voice, the meaning this stem imparts is autocausative.
Active Singular | Active Plural | Translation | Passive Singular | Passive Plural | Translation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infinitive | lolnaddu | to teach self | lolneddi | to be taught by self | ||
Past Simple | nunlunnad | nunlunnadam | taught self | ninlanned | ninlannedam | was taught by self |
Past Prog. | yonlunnad | yonlunnadam | was teaching self | yenlanned | yenlannedam | was being taught self |
Present Simple | lolunnad | lolunnadam | teach self | lolanned | lolannedam | is taught by self |
Present Prog. | hunlunnad | hunlunnadam | is teaching self | hinlanned | hinlannedam | is being taught by self |
Future | ʾanlunnad | ʾanlunnadam | will teach self | ʾinlanned | ʾinlannedam | will be taught by self |
Verb moods
Vrkhazhian has five moods other than the indicative mood: jussive, conditional, subjunctive, commissive, and propositive. The table below shows the present tense of the verb s-b-b (to kill)
Active Singular | Active Plural | Translation | Passive Singular | Passive Plural | Translation | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jussive | wisbab | wisbabam | have to kill | wisbeb | wisbebam | have to be killed |
Conditional | mosbab | mosbabam | would kill | mesbeb | mesbebam | would be killed |
Subjunctive | bisbab | bisbabam | may kill | bisbeb | bisbebam | may be killed |
Commissive | ḵastubab | ḵastubbam | promise to kill | ḵestabeb | ḵestabbam | promise to be killed |
Propositive | mimsubab | mimsubbam | should kill | mimsabeb | mimsabbam | should be killed |
- The jussive mood is mainly used for expressing obligation or duty, but when there are no subject pronouns or nouns in, it functions as the imperative, expressing direct commands to the adressee(s).
- The conditional mood expresses a hypothetical situation, that is dependent on another set of circumstances.
- The subjunctive mood expresses hypothetical actions or situations, usually in that-clauses.
- The commissive mood expresses a commitment to do something, like a promise or threat.
- The propositive mood express suggestions or propositions.
Weak Verbs
Verbs are considered weak if they contain a hollow consonant (called ʾahaẏwud).