Block 7 · pages 49-59
Chapter 3: Morphology – Verb Root Classes and Causative Derivation
3. Morphology
Tadaksahak morphology shows strong similarity to Berber patterns. Songhay cognates comprise only about 300 lexemes, while the majority are of Tamasheq origin. Suppletion is common in verb derivation: Songhay roots are replaced by Tamasheq bound roots when causativized, reciprocalized, or passivized.
3.1 The verb
3.1.1 Verb root classes
Verb roots split along etymological lines. Songhay cognates are typically CV, CVC, or have a nasal closing the first syllable, a long initial vowel, or two short vowels in a disyllabic root. Derivation of Songhay roots always entails suppletion. Tamasheq roots divide into: (a) regular roots (e.g., lánkam 'sit behind'), (b) y-initial roots which lose /y/ in some inflections and derivations (e.g., yidən 'graze' > b-édən), and (c) -at final verbs which change the final syllable in nominalization (e.g., délanf-at > a-délanf-u).
3.1.3 Derivation
3.1.3.1 Labile verbs
Many verbs can be used intransitively (descriptive) and transitively (factitive), both Songhay (e.g., bíibi 'be/become black') and Tamasheq (e.g., yíymá 'be decorated / decorate').
3.1.3.2 Causative S(a)-
The causative prefix S(a)- makes intransitive verbs transitive and adds a 'causee' (marked with dative se). It undergoes sibilant harmony: z(V)- for roots with /z/ or /ʒ/, ʃ(V)- for /ʃ/, s(V)- elsewhere. y-initial verbs drop /y/ and replace it with the causative consonant (e.g., yahar > s-ahar).
3.1.3.2.1 Causative with suppletion
Songhay roots are suppleted by Tamasheq roots to take the causative prefix (e.g., ber 'big' > ʃ-amɣar 'honor'; qoq 'dry' > s-aɣor 'dry'; na 'eat' > ʃ-ikʃa 'feed'; dumbu 'cut' > z-əgʒəm).
3.1.3.2.3 Double causative
Some roots allow double causatives (e.g., yidən 'graze' > s-adən > s-ss-adən 'make graze'; wi 'kill' > s-suɣ-anɣa 'make kill').
Keywords : verb classes Songhay cognates Tamasheq roots labile verbs causative suppletion double causative sibilant harmony
This grammar point in the works
Passages from the site’s works on this topic, with the page cited: the original text is authoritative.
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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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… etimes a double middle prefix), e.g. (3) kár to hit nǝ-mm-aŋɣa to hit/kill each other For passive forms, Mainstream Songhay verbs take the same morpheme as for causative forms. In Tadaksahak, a Tamasheq-based derivation with a prefix tuw- is used, and the same suppletion as signaled above is found, e.g. (4) wí 3.1 The verb to kill túw-aŋɣa to be killed In this chapter the grammatical category of the verb is discussed. First the verbs are grouped into different classes dependi …
Christiansen-Bolli (2010), A Grammar of Tadaksahak, a Northern Songhay Language of Mali, p. 68
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… tents Abstract 1. Introduction 1.1. Classification 1.2. Phonemes 2. Verbal system in the three concerned languages 2.1. Songhay (Gao) 2.1.1. Conjugation 2.1.2. Causative and other voice changing devices 2.2. Tamasheq 2.2.1. Conjugation 2.2.2. Causative and other voice changing devices 2.3. Tadaksahak 2.3.1. Conjugation 2.3.2. Causative and other voice changing devices 2.3.3. Verb roots beginning with a consonant other than “y-” 2.3.4. Verb roots beginning with “y-” 2.3.5. Ver …
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… features of Songhay and Berber languages. The observations discussed in this paper deal with the way voice changes are handled. In particular, it shows how the causative is formed. The causative morpheme S(V)- is of Berber origin and prefixed to the verb root as in Berber languages, whereas Songhay suffixes the causative morpheme that is of a very different form (-andi). But only verb roots that are also etymologically from Berber can take the morpheme in Tadaksahak. All root …