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A large percentage of Cha verbs are ergative and change their meaning depending on whether they are used as transitive or intransitive verbs. For example: ''mie / mia'' (vi: goes, vt: moves /something/), 'tie / 'tia'' (vi: comes, vt: brings /something/), ''kele / kela'' (vi: errs, vt: breaks /something/) etc. | A large percentage of Cha verbs are ergative and change their meaning depending on whether they are used as transitive or intransitive verbs. For example: ''mie / mia'' (vi: goes, vt: moves /something/), 'tie / 'tia'' (vi: comes, vt: brings /something/), ''kele / kela'' (vi: errs, vt: breaks /something/) etc. | ||
Similarly, many verbs have a different meaning when used as ''modal'' verbs, that is, verbs followed by a ''t-''-adverbial. E.g. the word '' | Similarly, many verbs have a different meaning when used as ''modal'' verbs, that is, verbs followed by a ''t-''-adverbial. E.g. the word ''xí'', when used as an adjective, means "necessary", but the meaning is changed to "need, have to" when it is used as a modal verb: ''pa xí'' "necessary work" --> ''to xío pat'' "what has to be done". | ||
There are no verb tenses in | There are no verb tenses in Da, but there are aspects. Unmodified verbs are assumed to be in imperfective aspect. The infixes ''-t-'' and ''-x-'' put them into prospective and perfective aspects, signifying the action that is about to start or has been completed. Quite often these aspects are translated into other languages using future and past tenses: ''Du si'''x'''a tou síotenoxui duo!'' (I have seen it with my own two eyes!) or ''Ku kas'''t'''i pax katou!'' (You will pay for (doing) this!). On the other hand, a narrative like ''Palsunotei moi korudamen pali...'' (Once upon a time there lived a king...) usually does not require an aspect change. | ||
The infix ''-k-'' produces the progressive aspect: compare ''Du maka sunoteoporomau | The infix ''-k-'' produces the progressive aspect: compare ''Du maka sunoteoporomau katei'' (I am eating lunch now) and ''Du má honokanu sunotei pani'' (I eat meat every day). | ||
The prospective aspect is also used as imperative: '' | The prospective aspect is also used as imperative: ''Titi kait!'' "Come here!" | ||
====Infix ''-i-''==== | ====Infix ''-i-''==== | ||
The infix ''-i-'' is used with verbs and denotes imaginary actions. When put in the perfective aspect, it it used to mark actions that could happen, but never did (''subjunctive''). On the other hand, when it is used with verbs in the prospective aspect, it shows that the action may happen, оr may not, depending on the circumstances (''conditional''). | The infix ''-i-'' is used with verbs and denotes imaginary actions. When put in the perfective aspect, it it used to mark actions that could happen, but never did (''subjunctive''). On the other hand, when it is used with verbs in the prospective aspect, it shows that the action may happen, оr may not, depending on the circumstances (''conditional''). | ||
For example: ''Du | For example: ''Du tix'''í''' ku títhiax dú!'' (I would have come if you called me!) or ''Du pát'''i'''a katou áx teu'' (I will do it if I have time). Compare this with: ''Du tixi ku títhixax dú!'' (I came because you called me) and ''Du pata katou áx teu'' (I will do it for I have the time). | ||
===Intransitive Verbs as Adjectives=== | ===Intransitive Verbs as Adjectives=== | ||