Block 19 · pages 176-185
Chapter 4: Negation, Imperatives, and Argument Structure – Intransitives and Labile Verbs
4.2.4 Negation: perfective nə- and elsewhere sə-
Positive perfective is negated with nə- (e.g., a-nə-kun(a) 'he didn't find'). Other aspects/moods are negated with sə- (e.g., a-sə-bay-a 'I don't know it'). Prohibitives use sə- with the imperative marker ba ~ wa.
4.2.5 Imperatives
Singular positive imperative is the bare verb stem. Plural imperative and prohibitives use the particle ba ~ wa. Reported orders use subjunctive. A sequence of imperatives requires the second verb in the subjunctive (except a few motion verbs). Suppletive imperatives exist: yew! 'come!', ahun! 'hold!'. Third-person injunctions use subjunctive or wa + NP + perfective verb. Hortative ('let's go') uses an uninflected verb followed by 1p dative aari, optionally with wa for plural addressees. Prohibitive uses wa + NEG.IMPERF sə-.
4.3 Argument structure
4.3.1 Intransitives
Underived intransitives include motion verbs, positional verbs, stative verbs, and bodily functions (e.g., a-b-dida 'he walks'; a-b-gora 'he sits'; aya-bb-ágak 'I am hungry'). Some states are expressed with 'find' constructions (e.g., fad a-kkuna ayay 'thirst found me' = I am thirsty).
4.3.2 Labile verbs
Many verbs can be used intransitively (descriptive) and transitively (factitive). This includes numerous Songhay cognates (e.g., bíibi 'be/become black'; fér 'be opened / open') and some Tamasheq cognates (e.g., yíɣʃid 'be out of use / destroy'). Unlike Mainstream Songhay, where causatives are required, Tadaksahak uses many basic verbs with double valency.
Keywords : negation imperative prohibitive hortative intransitive labile verbs ambitransitive valency
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vi 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.2.4 Negation: perfective nə- and elsewhere sə- ..........176 4.2.5 Imperatives ...........................................................177 4.2.5.1 Injunction........................................................179 4.2.5.2 Hortative.........................................................180 4.2.5.3 Prohibitive ......................................................180 Argument structure ...........................................................181 4.3.1 …
Christiansen-Bolli (2010), A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali, p. 9
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iii 3.2 3.1.3 Derivation................................................................54 3.1.3.1 Labile verbs (verb roots with variable valency) .54 3.1.3.2 Causative S(ə)- ................................................55 3.1.3.2.1 Causative with suppletion ............................56 3.1.3.2.2 Exceptions for sibilant choice.......................57 3.1.3.2.3 Double causative .........................................59 3.1.3.3 Reciprocal and Middle .................... …
Christiansen-Bolli (2010), A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali, p. 6
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… zubuz tubuz ǝbǝẓ to take ‘arrested’ (47) take out kaw ʃukuʃ tukuʃ ǝkkǝṣ to take out (48) tell har temel15 ǝmǝl to inform 3. Two argument verbs also used in an intransitive form Tadaksahak intransitive Tamasheq gloss (imperative) causative and passive other forms cognate gloss (49) break (leg) digdig zerẓa digdig ărẓu to break (50) break (thing) baq zerẓa16 baq ărẓu to break terẓa (51) construct cen sekres cen amakras ǝkṛǝs to build/construct ‘baby’ (52) cook hina seseŋa hina …
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… lette en bois aláʕan malédiction ħ/h ħáaʃi os (sp) hánʃi chien talmáħa tapis de jeu tasáhart porte alħál comportement álham angoisse w/b wá guérir bá particule impérative Áwwa nom pers ábba papa ṭáw atteindre dáb couvrir w/y wáy femelle yay fraîcheur Yaawén chamelles yaayén fraicheurs (pl) aryén l’eau arwén des hommes yáy fraicheur yáw chamelle l/d lǝbǝk maigre dǝbǝt être capable ámlay viande sans graisse ámdaɣ girafe yél herbe verte yéd retourner l/r yílmaɣ plonger yírmaɣ av …