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Da: Difference between revisions
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===Verb=== | ===Verb=== | ||
Verbs in | Verbs in Da receive the endings ''-a'' (transitive) and "-i" (intransitive). As with other endings, if the root ends with the same vowel, it is not duplicated but receives the accent instead. Verbs do not conjugate. | ||
A large percentage of | A large percentage of Da verbs are ergative and change their meaning depending on whether they are used as transitive or intransitive verbs. For example: ''mí / mia'' (vi: goes, vt: moves /something/), ''tí'' / ''tia'' (vi: comes, vt: brings /something/), ''keli / 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 ''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". | 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". | ||
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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'''ss'''a tou síotenoxui duo!'' (I have seen it with my own two eyes!) or ''Ku kam'''t'''i pas 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. | 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'''ss'''a tou síotenoxui duo!'' (I have seen it with my own two eyes!) or ''Ku kam'''t'''i pas 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 ''- | The infix ''-x-'' produces the progressive aspect: compare ''Du maxa 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: ''Titti kanait!'' "Come here!" | The prospective aspect is also used as imperative: ''Titti kanait!'' "Come here!" | ||