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====Compound Verbs==== | ====Compound Verbs==== | ||
The range of meaning of each true verb is extended considerably by compounding with other forms, according to a few simple rules. In each case the other element precedes the main verb and the meaningless prefix of the base form is lost (''era-'' | The range of meaning of each true verb is extended considerably by compounding with other forms, according to a few simple rules. In each case the other element precedes the main verb and the meaningless prefix of the base form is lost (''era-, ena-'' are also reduced to ''-ra-, -na-''). | ||
* '''Noun + Verb''' in which the noun denotes the direct object of the verb, e.g. ''burushigos'' "to throw a spear", ''bazenua'' "to laugh" (lit. "to say laughter" < ''baze'' "laughter"). | |||
** Where the noun is the true direct object, the resulting verb becomes intransitive (note the difference between ''burushi ke egos '''zu''''' "throwing a spear" (trans.) and ''burushigos '''da''''' (intrans.)). However, in many cases the incorporated noun is a generic object extending the sense of the verb. Where a more specific direct object is required, the verb remains transitive. Consider the following sentences | |||
:::: ''Ama ba arato ke omba ni ebang zu'' <br/> mother-TOP food-ACC child-DAT give PRT.pres.trans <br/> "A mother gives food to a child" (no incorporation) | |||
:::: ''Ama ba omba ni aratobang da'' <br/> mother-TOP child-DAT food-give PRT.pres.intrans <br/> "A mother gives food to (feeds) a child" | |||
:: In the second example the verb is intransitive and the direct object slot remains empty. It may be filled by a specific type of food, and the verb must become transitive: | |||
:::: ''Ama ba heene ke omba ni aratobang zu'' <br/> mother-TOP milk-ACC child-DAT food-give PRT.pres.trans <br/> "A mother feeds milk to a child" | |||
** Where there is no specific direct object, the natural indirect object may be promoted to the grammatical object (taking ''ke'') by the addition of the suffix ''-ki'' to the end of the verb. This has the effect of creating a more intimate relationship between the subject and object: | |||
:::: ''Ama ba ombe '''ke''' aratoban'''ki''' zu'' <br/> mother-TOP child-ACC food-give PRT.pres.trans <br/> "A mother feeds a child" | |||
* '''Adjective + Verb''' to denote various senses of being or becoming the quality of the adjective. | * '''Adjective + Verb''' to denote various senses of being or becoming the quality of the adjective. | ||
* '''Verb + Verb''' in which the first verb modifies the sense of the second. | * '''Verb + Verb''' in which the first verb modifies the sense of the second. | ||
* '''Adverb + Verb''' in which the adverbs denotes the method, | * '''Adverb + Verb''' in which the adverbs denotes the method, direction or means of doing the action. | ||
** An adverb derived from a noun plus the adverbial suffix ''-(e)s'' may precede a verb to show the instrument by which the action is achieved, e.g. ''wengeepii'' "walk" (''weng'' "foot" + ''ibii'' "move"), ''aneetoopa'' "cut with knife" (''aneeto'' "knife" + ''eba'' "cut, incise"). | |||
** An adverb consisting of an adjective + ''-ki'' may precede a verb to denote manner, e.g. ''laitekibii'' "move quickly" (''laitez'' "quick"), ''byukinua'' "to babble, speak in tongues" (''byuz'' "twisted"). | |||
====Conjugation==== | ====Conjugation==== |
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