NewLang/Verbs
Finite Verbs
Verb Phrase
- See NewLang/Verb Phrases for more details.
- VERB PHRASE = (CONVERB) VERB (COMPLEMENT) (ADVERBS)*
The verb phrase has a verb of some sort. There is an optional converb (in the simultaneous form) that can come before the verb, and then there is an optional complement phrase. Following that is an optional set of adverbs.
Verb Template
ROOT+AGREEMENT+TRIGGER
Agreement
The agreement morpheme agrees with the noun class of the subject. The agreement is the thematic vowel of the noun class. If the verb root ends with a vowel, the vowel is replaced by the agreement vowel.
Trigger Suffixes
In the plural, the V is the tonic vowel of the verb.
| Target Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Subject | -- | - ' V |
| Ergative | -s | -lzV |
| Accusative | -o | -nV |
| Instrumental | -da | -dV |
| Locative | -s'n | -sV |
| Dative | -ria | -riV |
Notes:
- The Subject "suffix" is used when the verb is intransitive and the noun in the direct case is the subject of the verb. In the singular, there isn't actually a suffix (or a zero suffix if you prefer).
- The Ergative suffix is used when the verb is transitive and the agent is in direct case.
Compliment Phrase
The optional compliment phrase can follow the verb. A compliment phrase can be:
- a converb
- a participle
- a converb + participle
- one of the above followed by a converb (consecutive form) phrase
Adverbs
Adverbs are a closed class of words that can appear after the verb. See NewLang/Adverbs.
Non-Finite Verbs
Converbs
- See NewLang/Converbs for more details.
Converbs take two forms: simultaneous and consecutive.
Simultaneous converbs are formed via reduplication of the stressed vowel to the front of the verb. E.g. gura -> ugura.
Consecutive converbs are formed reduplication of the initial consonant followed by a ' . E.g. gura -> g'gura.
Participles
- See NewLang/Participles for more details.
Participles are formed by reduplicating the stressed vowel in place with ' between the duplicates. E.g. tenis -> te'enis.
Action Nominals
- See NewLang/Action Nominals for more details.
Action Nominals are created by adding a noun derivational suffix to the verb. This places the nominal into the appropriate noun class, and triggers the appropriate vowel harmony.
