Difference between revisions of "Verb syntax"
m (→'Si' Construction: typo) |
(→The infix ‹iv›: Frommer calls it subjunctive, therefore it is the subjunctive) |
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A polite command or request may instead use the infix '''‹iv›''' (see [[#Optative|Optative]] below). | A polite command or request may instead use the infix '''‹iv›''' (see [[#Optative|Optative]] below). | ||
| − | == The | + | == The Subjunctive == |
| − | + | The subjunctive is marked with the infix '''‹iv›'''. It has quite a range of uses. | |
=== Optative === | === Optative === | ||
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=== Modal Complement === | === Modal Complement === | ||
| − | The verbal complement to a modal verb, such as '''zene''' ''must'', '''tsun''' ''can, be able to'', and '''new''', ''want to'', will take the | + | The verbal complement to a modal verb, such as '''zene''' ''must'', '''tsun''' ''can, be able to'', and '''new''', ''want to'', will take the subjunctive, as in '''ayngari zene hivum''' ''you must leave'' ({{Corpus BtS}}), '''oe new nìtxan ayngaru fyawivìntxu''' ''I want very much to guide you'' ({{Corpus AMFP}}), '''fmawn a tsun oe ayngaru tivìng''' ''news which I can give to you'' ({{Corpus AMFP}}). |
| + | |||
| + | This construction is a bit unusual for modal verbs, compared to many languages, but reflects the reduction of a complex sentence from which the subordinating conjunction has disappeared. | ||
=== Purpose === | === Purpose === | ||
| − | Purpose clauses using the conjunction '''fte''' (negative '''fteke''') | + | Purpose clauses using the conjunction '''fte''' (negative '''fteke''') take the subjunctive, '''sawtute zera'u fte fol Kelutralti skiva'a''' ''the sky people are coming to destroy Hometree'' ({{Corpus BtS}}), '''fteke nìhawng livok''' ''to not get too close'' ([[Corpus#New York Times|NYT sound sample]]). |
=== Conditional === | === Conditional === | ||
| − | We do not yet know all the types of conditional sentences in Na'vi. At least some do use | + | We do not yet know all the types of conditional sentences in Na'vi. At least some do use the subjunctive in the protasis, '''pxan livu txo nì'aw oe ngari / tsakrr nga Na'viru yomtìyìng''' ''only if I am worth of you / will you then feed the people'' ({{Corpus ASG}}, Hunt Song). |
=== With tsnì === | === With tsnì === | ||
| − | The conjunction '''tsnì''' ''that'' introduces some kinds of report clause which cause the verb to take the | + | The conjunction '''tsnì''' ''that'' introduces some kinds of report clause which cause the verb to take the subjunctive, '''ätxäle si tsnì livu oheru Uniltaron''' ''I respectfully request the Dream Hunt'' ({{Corpus BtS}}). In Frommer's [http://forum.learnnavi.org/intermediate/language-update-a-closer-look-at-dr-frommers-letter own notes] to {{Corpus AMFP}}, he says of '''sìlpey''' ''hope'', "optionally takes ''tsnì'' to mark the clause and requires ''-iv-'' in the subordinate verb(s))." |
= Affect = | = Affect = | ||
Revision as of 02:41, 23 January 2010
preliminaries here
Contents
Transitivity
'Si' Construction
Verbal idioms composed of a noun with si do, make are intransitive. What would be thought of as the direct object in English will take the dative, ngaru seiyi irayo I thank you (various). [1]
Tense
Aspect
Combined Tense and Aspect
Mood
Imperative
Commands in Na'vi have no special infix. Positive commands are simply a verb stem, kä! kä! go! go! (from the film). The pronoun may also be stated explicitly, 'awpot set ftxey ayngal, (you) choose one now (ASG, Hunt Song).
Negative commands are not negated with the usual negative adverb ke, but rather use the word rä'ä, as in txopu rä’ä si don't be afraid (from the film).
A polite command or request may instead use the infix ‹iv› (see Optative below).
The Subjunctive
The subjunctive is marked with the infix ‹iv›. It has quite a range of uses.
Optative
It is used to indicate wish, oeyä swizaw nìngay tivakuk let my arrow strike true (ASG, Hunt Song).
It may also indicate a polite command, spivaw oeti rutxe please believe me (AMFP).
Modal Complement
The verbal complement to a modal verb, such as zene must, tsun can, be able to, and new, want to, will take the subjunctive, as in ayngari zene hivum you must leave (BtS), oe new nìtxan ayngaru fyawivìntxu I want very much to guide you (AMFP), fmawn a tsun oe ayngaru tivìng news which I can give to you (AMFP).
This construction is a bit unusual for modal verbs, compared to many languages, but reflects the reduction of a complex sentence from which the subordinating conjunction has disappeared.
Purpose
Purpose clauses using the conjunction fte (negative fteke) take the subjunctive, sawtute zera'u fte fol Kelutralti skiva'a the sky people are coming to destroy Hometree (BtS), fteke nìhawng livok to not get too close (NYT sound sample).
Conditional
We do not yet know all the types of conditional sentences in Na'vi. At least some do use the subjunctive in the protasis, pxan livu txo nì'aw oe ngari / tsakrr nga Na'viru yomtìyìng only if I am worth of you / will you then feed the people (ASG, Hunt Song).
With tsnì
The conjunction tsnì that introduces some kinds of report clause which cause the verb to take the subjunctive, ätxäle si tsnì livu oheru Uniltaron I respectfully request the Dream Hunt (BtS). In Frommer's own notes to AMFP, he says of sìlpey hope, "optionally takes tsnì to mark the clause and requires -iv- in the subordinate verb(s))."
