Vlekic Clause Linking
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then, before, while, if, because, so, lest, but, or, etc.
This public article was written by [Deactivated User], and last updated on 19 Mar 2020, 08:01.
[comments] vleclauses
5. Vlekic Adjectives
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6. Vlekic Adpositions
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10. Vlekic Nouns
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12. Vlekic Pronouns
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13. Vlekic Questions
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16. Vlekic Verbs
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There are a number of ways to link clauses in Vlekic. Relative clauses and complement clauses are described in a separate article. This article focuses on six semantic categories with some sub-categories as listed in the outline below. The rest of the article will explain each of these in the order shown in this outline.
Some terms used include main clause and focal clause, which are generally synonomous; and subordinate clause and supporting clause, also generally synonomous.
- TEMPORAL
- Temporal succession (and, then, and then...)
- Relative time (before, after, while...)
- Conditional and Contrafactual conditional (if...then)
- CONSEQUENCE
- Cause (because, therefore...)
- Result (and so...)
- Purpose (in order that...)
- POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCE (in case, lest...)
- ADDITION
- Unordered (and...)
- Same-event addition (and, moreover...)
- Elaboration (...)
- Contrast (but, although...)
- ALTERNATIVES
- Disjunction (or...)
- Rejection (instead of...)
- Suggestion (rather than...)
- MANNER
- Real (like, in the way that...)
- Hypothetical (as if/like...)
There are three main ways of temporally linking clauses: 1) Temporal succession, 2) Relative time, 3) Conditional and contrafactual conditional.
This is when two clauses occur one after the other and indicate that the states or actions they describe happened in that order: X, and following after X, Y. In English this is shown by words like and, or then.
In Vlekic there are three standard ways to show temporal succession between two clauses:
Clauses in apposition, one simply following the other. In the right context this can imply temporal succession, but tending to have a fairly loose sense of linkage: Perhaps the events describes did not happen immediately one following the other, yet still show some degree of temporal sequence.
Clauses linked with xya ("then, next") are seen as linked in temporal succession in a normal way.
Clauses linked with jṅya ("and then, and next") tend to be understood as temporally linked in tighter way: X, and immediately after, Y.
Despite the above descriptions, all three methods can be used for all three senses. The "loose, regular, and tight" connotations are generally tendencies rather than rules per se.
Vnolles sang, (and) Mliidi was proud of him.
ngi
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Vnolles
Vnolles -Ø,
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument jojeq
be_proud_of -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Mliidi
Mliidi -un
-G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent xhuu
he.G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Ngisviiva Vnolles, jojeqa Mliidiun xhuu.
Vnolles sang, then Mliidi was proud of him.
ngi
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Vnolles
Vnolles -Ø
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument xya
then jojeq
be_proud_of -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Mliidi
Mliidi -un
-G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent xhuu
he.G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Ngisviiva Vnolles xya jojeqa Mliidiun xhuu.
Vnolles sang, and then Mliidi was proud of him.
ngi
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Vnolles
Vnolles -Ø
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument jṅya
then jojeq
be_proud_of -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Mliidi
Mliidi -un
-G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent xhuu
he.G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Ngisviiva Vnolles jṅya jojeqa Mliidiun xhuu.
These form a relative temporal reference for the main or focal clause. The supporting or subordinate clause provides the temporal information and is marked with an initial linking word. The verb in the subordinate clause takes a fused "infinitive" plus aspect affix, and optionally a regular mood affix. The subordinate clause can be placed before or after the main clause:
- Main Clause [linker Relative Time Subordinate Clause].
- [linker Relative Time Subordinate Clause] Main Clause
There are six basic types of relative time subordinate clauses based on two factors: Whether the reference is a point in time or a length of time, and whether the main clause occurs before the subordinate clause, or after, or at the same time. The following table shows these six types, with the Vlekic linking words and English equivalents:
| Type | Past | Future | Same time |
|---|---|---|---|
| POINT IN TIME | after | before | when |
| LENGTH OF TIME | since | until | while |
There are some other temporal clause linkers beyond these main six:
The word qhwe is loosely equivalent to "meanwhile": The main clause occurs roughly at the same time as the subordinate clause, but in a looser sense than jwij ("while"). It tends to be used in narration to describe, for example, two processes or activities that for the purpose of narration might as well have happened at the same basic time, while not necessarily actually being simultaneous.
qhwe is also used to link two clauses in "unordered addition": Clauses related pragmatically but without explicit temporal sequence, as in the English sentence "John cut the carrots and Mary shelled the peas."
The word qnaatsi can be translated as "but before that" and also tends to be used in narration when, for example, the narrator describes events out of temporal sequence, either by accident or on purpose. An English example might be: "We looked for the lost child, but before that we sent a message to the village."
As mentioned above, the verb in the supporting, subordinate clause, takes a fused infinitive-aspect affix (a mood affix can be appended to the fused affix):
- INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.INCEPInceptive (aspect)
beginning of an action: -uul - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.CESCessative (aspect)
exiting/ending a state: -uun - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.PFVPerfective (aspect)
completed action: -uud - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.CONTContinuative (tense/aspect)
continuous or durational action/INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing: -uav - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.ITERIterative (aspect)
repeated actions within an event/INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.RCURRecurring (aspect)
action reoccurs once (cf. Iterative): -uur - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.HABHabitual (aspect)
done often or out of habit/INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.FREQFrequentative (aspect)
repeated or customary action: -uat
Finally, if the subject is the same in both clauses, it can be dropped in the subordinate clause.
Examples:
Tuuxanil uun tseq sniinenuud.
tuux
work -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -nil
-INCEPInceptive (aspect)
beginning of an action uun
1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument [ tseq
after sniinen
wake_up -uud ]
-INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.PFVPerfective (aspect)
completed action
I started to work [after waking up].
These form a conditional link between two clauses, like the English words if, then.
The Supporting Clause (subordinate clause) expresses the condition, while the Main Clause (focal clause) describes the result if the condition is satisfied. There are two main types: Possible Conditional, where it is possible that the condition could be met and the result can happen ("If you come today (then)we will work together."). And Contrafactual Conditional, which describes a condition that could have been met but wasn't, and if it had been then the result described could have happened ("If you had come yesterday (then) we could have played together.").
The word for "if" is jṅ, which is also the word for "and". Clauses linked with "if" are distinguished from those linked with "and" by the order and arrangement of the clauses and linking word:
- X jṅ Y = X and Y
- [jṅ X] Y = if X, then Y
To swap the clauses of an if-then statement ("Y, if X"), use jṅ twice, jṅ jṅ or jṅjṅ.
In a conditional construction the verb in the Supporting Clause (subordinate clause) always takes the hypothetical mood. The verb of the Main Clause (focal clause) acts like a regular verb in Possible Conditional expressions. For Contrafactual Conditionals the hypothetical mood is used for both verbs, in the subordinate and main clauses. Examples, with Supporting (subordinate) clause in brackets:
Jṅ sṁssenitsii suukuin aam tuuxi vruuqutuuq nuun.
jṅ
if sṁssen
arrive -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -tsii
-HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' suukuin
soon aam
you.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument tuux
work -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech vruuqutuuq
together nuun
we.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
[If you arrive soon] we will work together.
Jṅ sṁssenatsii xweniilx aam tuuxatsii vruuqutuuq nuun.
jṅ
if sṁssen
arrive -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -tsii
-HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' xweniilx
yesterday aam
you.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument tuux
work -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -tsii
-HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' vruuqutuuq
together nuun
we.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
[If you had arrived yesterday] we could have worked together.
There are three main ways of linking clauses by consequence: 1) Cause, 2) Result, 3) Purpose. These are closely related in Vlekic and described together in this section.
Consequence clause linking forms a cause-and-effect type of link between two clauses, like the English words because, thus, therefore (cause-effect); in order to, as a consequence (purposive); in case, lest ("possible consequence"). Vlekic has constructions for three types of consequence linking, plus one for possible consequences.
The root word for consequence linking is ss. It can be used on its own or suffixed with causative or purposive affixes (=(m)eiq and =(n)oux), depending on the situation.
The Supporting Clause (or subordinate clause) expresses the cause, reason, precursor, etc, while the Main Clause (or "focal clause") describes the result, effect, consequence; or "possible/hypothetical" consequence". There are three forms of consequence linking (leaving the "possible consequence" for later, see below).
First, there is a General form that does not explicitly require a simple cause-and-effect or deliberate purposeful action. This form can sometimes be used for causative and purposive situations, but is usually used for vague situations, natural or unintended consequences, and the like. The linking word ss is used by itself in these cases, which might be something like English so, and so, thus, and then.
[leading-up/reason clause] ss [natural/unintended/general consequence]
Nguzṁli suukuin nṙn djuř ss dzo ngozosi uun.
[ ngu-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- zṁl
spill -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech suukuin
soon nṙn
the.G1Gender 1 (gender/class)
for nonsemantic, very language-specific, or not-yet-added word classes djuř ]
sky-G1Gender 1 (gender/class)
for nonsemantic, very language-specific, or not-yet-added word classes.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument ss
so [ dzo
within.AUXAuxilliary ngo-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- zos
go_in -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech uun ]
1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Because it will rain soon, I will go inside (someplace).
Second, there is a Causative form that more explicitly says that the consequence is a direct result of the cause. The first, supporting clause, states the cause or reason for the second, focal clause, which describes the result or consequence. The linking word ss is suffixed with the Causative clitic (CAUSCausative (valency/mood)
cause an action to occur, force another argument to act) =(m)eiq, forming sseiq, which is somewhat equivalent to English caused, "becaused", thus, therefore. The Causative clitic is usually also appended to the verb of the subordinate/supporting clause (the "causing" clause). It is also used in other, non-subordinating causative constructions (explained elsewhere).
["causing" clause (Verb=CAUS)] sseiq [result/effect clause]
Gṅdzaussameiq daldukek ṅk sseiq skssta dṁnaaq ṅk.
[ gṅdz
fight -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -ussa
-OPTOptative (mood)
'wish, hope' =meiq
=CAUSCausative (valency/mood)
cause an action to occur, force another argument to act dalduk
beast -ek
-G3Gender 3 (gender/class).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent ṅk ]
3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.G2Gender 2 (gender/class).NNeuter (gender)
neutral or neuter.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument ss
so =eiq
=CAUSCausative (valency/mood)
cause an action to occur, force another argument to act [ sksst
run -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech dṁnaaq
away ṅk ]
3SThird person singular (person)
neither speaker nor addressee.G2Gender 2 (gender/class).NNeuter (gender)
neutral or neuter.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Because the beast wanted to fight him, he ran away.
Third, there is a Purposive form that explicitly says that the cause was a volitional act and the consequence was a deliberate result. The first, supporting clause, states the "volitional activity", and the second, focal clause, describes the deliberate consequence. The linking word ss is suffixed with the Purposive clitic (PURPurposive
in order to, for the purpose of) =(n)oux, forming ssoux, which is somewhat equivalent to English so that, in order to, in order that, in order for. The Purposive clitic is usually also appended to the verb of the focal/main clause (the "deliberate result" clause):
["volitional activity" clause] ssoux ["deliberate consequence" clause (Verb=PUR)]
Sṁssava nuun ṁq vel iisqer ssoux ngihwiicxanoux nuun.
[ sṁssav
travel -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech nuun
1PFirst person plural (person)
we (inclusive or exclusive).ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument ṁq
to vel
the.G3Gender 3 (gender/class) iisq
village -er ]
-G3Gender 3 (gender/class).DATDative (case)
indirect object; recipient, beneficiary, location ss
so =oux
=PURPurposive
in order to, for the purpose of [ ngi-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- hwiicx
visit -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech =noux
=PURPurposive
in order to, for the purpose of nuun
we.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
We went to the village in order to visit (some one/thing/place). OR: We went to the village for a visit.
Closely related to Consequence type clause linking is "Possible Consequence" clause linking.
These are used to indicate a potential, often undesired consequence and a suggested or commanded way to avoid or somehow address that possible consequence. English uses linking terms like lest and in case. For example: "Keep the dog on a leash [lest it get run over]" (undesired consequence), and "Search along the path [in case the king dropped his ring there]" (addressing a possibility).
The Supporting Clause (subordinate) shows the possible consequence, while the Focal Clause (main) describes what is to be done, or not done, to either avoid or assist/address the possible consequence. The Focal Clause is usually a command or suggestion, in either positive or negative form, usually using moods such as IMPImperative (mood)
command Imperative, PROHProhibitive (mood)
negative imperative Negative Imperative, or HORTHortative (mood)
'let's...' Hortative. Other moods may be used such as: OPTOptative (mood)
'wish, hope' Optative and PERMPermissive (mood)
the action is permitted Permissive (which can have a polite suggestive connotation), and NCSSNecessitative mood (mood)
must, have to Necessitative (which can be used when making a general suggestion or a command not addressed to a specific person).
The linking words for consequence, ss, and contrast, axh, are joined to form the possible consequence linking word ssaxh. The Focal Clause (that which is to be done or not done) usually occurs first and usually includes some kind of command/suggestive mood. The Supporting Clause (the possible consequence) usually occurs second, with its verb taking a fused Infinitive-Aspect-Hypothetical affix:
- INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.SIMPSimple aspect (aspect).HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uutsi - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.INCEPInceptive (aspect)
beginning of an action.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uulsi - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.CESCessative (aspect)
exiting/ending a state.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uunsi - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.PFVPerfective (aspect)
completed action.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uudzi - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.CONTContinuative (tense/aspect)
continuous or durational action.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be'/PROGProgressive (aspect)
be verb-ing.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uavzi - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.ITERIterative (aspect)
repeated actions within an event.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be'/RCURRecurring (aspect)
action reoccurs once (cf. Iterative).HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uursi - INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.HABHabitual (aspect)
done often or out of habit.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be'/FREQFrequentative (aspect)
repeated or customary action.HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be': -uatsi
So the usual form is: [Focal/Main Clause/"what to do"] ssaxh [Supporting/Subordinate Clause/"possible consequence"]
Dṁneutcx ssaxh gṅdzuutsi aasos aam.
dṁn
go_away -e
-PRESPresent tense (tense)
current -utcx
-IMPImperative (mood)
command ssaxh
lest [ gṅdz
attack -uutsi
-INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.SIMPSimple aspect (aspect).HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' aasos
they.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent aam
you.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Go away [ lest they attack you. ]
Xwihwiicxielii uunu aaqos ssaxh uunemuutsi aasos nuun.
xwi-
NEGNegative (polarity)
not- hwiicx
visit -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -elii
-HORTHortative (mood)
'let's...' uunu
us.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent aaqos
them.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument ssaxh
lest [ uunem
recognize -uutsi
-INFInfinitive (TAM)
non-tensed verb.SIMPSimple aspect (aspect).HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' aasos
they.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent nuun
us.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Let's not visit them [ lest they recognize us. ]
There are four main ways of linking clauses by addition: 1) Unordered addition, 2) Same-event addition, 3) Elaboration, 4) Contrast
This involves two distinct events which are semantically or pragmatically related but for which no temporal sequence is assumed, as in the English sentence "John cut the carrots and Mary shelled the peas."
Clause-linking of this kind can be shown with simple apposition (one clause directly following another). The word qhwe can be inserted between the clauses. The conjunction qhwe can have a temporal sense similar to English "meanwhile", but can also be used for simple unordered addition, without any temporal connotation.
This involves two clauses that describe different aspects of a single event. For example, the English sentence Mary came in first in the race [and won the prize]. The first clause is the Focal clause, the second, in brackets, is the Supporting clause.
In Vlekic jṅ ("and") is used. Identical subjects or objects can be omitted.
Here the second clause echoes the first, adding additional information about the event or state described. In English these kind of sentences rarely occur in formal writing but are common in many other languages. Examples:
- [Mary climbed the mountain], she climbed right to the top.
- [John has gone out], he's gone to the store for some apples.
Vlekic uses the clause-linking word iia, which could be translated "that is", "by the way", "in other words", etc. The Supporting clause is placed first, followed by the marker iia and the Focal clause:
[Tuuqu climbed the mountain], that is, he climbed to the very top.
[ jliin
climb -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech Tuuqu
Tuuqu -an
-G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent mrok
mountain -Ø ]
-G1Gender 1 (gender/class)
for nonsemantic, very language-specific, or not-yet-added word classes.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument iia
that_is ngi-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- jliin
climb -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech xhuu
he.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument ṁq
all_the_way_to vel
the.G3Gender 3 (gender/class) tsen
top -er
-G3Gender 3 (gender/class).DATDative (case)
indirect object; recipient, beneficiary, location
Jliina Tuuquan mrok, iia ngijliina xhuu ṁq vel tsener.
In Contrast clause linking information in the focal clause contrasts with that in the supporting clause, and may be surprising in view of it. Vlekic uses the word axh, which is equivalent to English "but", "yet", or "however". Axh marks the start of the Focal clause in a way similar to English. Identical subjects or objects can be omitted.
[We were playing], but I was not happy.
[ qup
play -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -jav ]
-CONTContinuative (tense/aspect)
continuous or durational action axh
but xwu-
NEGNegative (polarity)
not- řuuk
be_happy -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech uun
1SFirst person singular (person)
speaker, signer, etc.; I.ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Qupajav nuun, axh xwuřuuka uun.
[Vuuli is beautiful], but (he is) not happy.
[ jxovh
be_beautiful -e
-PRESPresent tense (tense)
current Vuuli
Vuuli -Ø ]
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument axh
but xwu-
NEGNegative (polarity)
not- řuuk
be_happy -e
-PRESPresent tense (tense)
current
Jxovhe Vuuli axh xwuřuuke.
There are three main ways of linking clauses with alternatives: 1) Disjunction, 2) Rejection, 3) Suggestion.
This involves symmetrical alternatives, where the clauses have equal status and could occur in either order. In English they are joined by "or", as in: "John will dance or Mary will sing." Or "Mary will sing or John will dance."
Since the clauses have equal status there is no distinction between a Focal and a Supporting clause.
In English disjunction is "closed". It is "X or Y" with no further alternative possible. In Vlekic disjunction is by default "open" and the sense is "X or Y" with a chance that neither may hold and/or something else might happen.
The word qo ("or", "might be") is used for a disjunction, by default "open": X will happen, or Y will happen, or something else will happen other than X or Y.
To express "closed disjunction" the phrase vnnij qo ("only or") is used, or the specific situation is explained in some other way.
In addition, more than two clauses can be joined in disjunction. There maybe several possilities stated. And always the chance that none will hold. In this case the linker qo or vniij qo is placed between each clause.
Usually the implication is that one of the stated clauses will happen and the chance that something unstated will happen is low. If a speaker wants to emphasize the idea that something other than the stated clauses may indeed occur or is even likely, they could add another qo after the last clause, implying something left unsaid is as likely as anything else. Only qo is used this way, since using vnnij qo goes against the basic idea.
Finally, using qo at the end of a statement like this can form a question. For example, "You are staying here qo." would mean something like "Are you staying here or what?" "You are happy qo." would mean "You are happy or what?", or "Are you happy?"
This involves two alternatives; one is rejected in favor of the other, as in: "John will dance [instead of Mary singing]." Perhaps it had been planned for Mary to sing but she cannot, or it was decided that John's dancing would be better, or some other reason.
In English the supporting clause bears the marks "instead of", and the clauses can occur in either order.
In Vlekic the Supporting clause is usually placed first, with the verb negated or in the hypothetical mood (HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be'). The linking phrase axh dřukuuzin (lit. "but actually/truly") is placed before the Focal clause, with the verb in the Nessecitative mood (NCSSNecessitative mood (mood)
must, have to). The order of the clauses can be reversed, with axh dřukuuzin remaining at the start of the Focal clause:
Vnolles will talk [instead of Mliidi singing].
(Lit. "Mliidi will-potentially-sing, but-actually Vnolles must-will-talk."
[ ngi-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -tsii
-HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' Mliidi
Mliidi -Ø ]
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument axh
but dřukuuzin
actually tlxis
talk -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -muun
-NCSSNecessitative mood (mood)
must, have to Vnolles
Vnolles
Ngisviivitsii Mliidi axh dřukuuzin tlxisimuun Vnolles.
Vnolles will talk [instead of Mliidi singing].
(Lit. "But-actually Vnolles must-will-talk, Mliidi not-will-sing."
axh
but dřukuuzin
actually tlxis
talk -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -muun
-NCSSNecessitative mood (mood)
must, have to Vnolles
Vnolles ngi
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- xwi
NEGNegative (polarity)
not- sviiv
sing -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech Mliidi
Mliidi -Ø ]
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Axh dřukuuzin tlxisimuun Vnolles, ngixwisviivi Mliidi.
This involves two alternatives, one of which is suggested as more suitable, as in: "Perhaps John should dance [rather than Mary singing]." In this case it is not that Mary cannot sing or it has already been decided that John will dance instead, rather it is simply suggested or thought more appropriate in the circumstances for John to dance instead of Mary singing.
In English the supporting clause bears the marker "rather than", and the clauses can occur in either order.
In Vlekic the Supporting clause placed first, in the Hypothetical mood. The linking phrase axh qo (lit. "but or") is placed before the Focal clause, which is put in the Permissive mood (PERMPermissive (mood)
the action is permitted). The order of the clauses can be reversed, with axh qo remaining at the start of the Focal clause:
Perhaps Vnolles should talk [rather than Mliidi singing].
(Lit. "Mliidi will-potentially-sing, but-or Vnolles may-will-talk."
[ ngi-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -tsii
-HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' Mliidi
Mliidi -Ø ]
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument axh
but qo
or tlxis
talk -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -aava
-PERMPermissive (mood)
the action is permitted Vnolles
Vnolles
Ngisviivitsii Mliidi, axh qo tlxisiaava Vnolles.
Perhaps Vnolles should talk [rather than Mliidi singing].
(Lit. "But-or Vnolles may-will-talk, Mliidi will-potentially-sing.")
axh
but qo
or tlxis
talk -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech -aava
-PERMPermissive (mood)
the action is permitted Vnolles
Vnolles [ ngi
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -i
-FUTFuture (tense)
action occurring after the moment of speech tsii
-HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be' Mliidi
Mliidi -Ø ]
-ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument
Axh qo tlxisiaava Vnolles, ngisviivitsii Mliidi.
There are two main ways of linking clauses by manner: 1) Real, 2) Hypothetical.
The action described by the Focal clause is done in the manner described in the Supporting clause. English uses terms such as "like" or "in the way that". The Supporting clause can refer to an actual activity, such as: "He hunted the deer [in the way that/like his father had taught him]." Or it can describe a state, as in "Since the coup the media has been unfettered, [like it is in democratic nations]."
These constructions are often used in metaphorical ways, like "He hid his money in a sock, [like a squirrel secreting nuts].".
Vlekic uses the word sqas to mark the start of the Supporting clause, similar to English "like". The word sqas derives from the manner pronoun sqa ("how") and the consequential conjunction ss ("so").
He hunted the deer [in the way that/like his father had taught him].
hwaalx
hunt -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech iivos
he.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent vṙ
the.G2Gender 2 (gender/class) muur
deer -Ø
-G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ABSAbsolutive (case)
TRANS object, INTR argument [ sqas
in_the_manner_that yṅ-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- tslajn
teach -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -xud
-PFVPerfective (aspect)
completed action tetuus
father -un
-G2Gender 2 (gender/class).ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent ivoj
his.GENGenitive (case)
possessive ivos ]
him.DATDative (case)
indirect object; recipient, beneficiary, location
Hwaalxa iivos vṙ muur sqas yṅtslajnaxud tetuusun ivoj ivos.
In this construction the Focal clause can portray an activity or a state. English generally uses the marker "as if", or sometimes "like", on the Supporting clause.
If the Focal clause portrays an activity, the Supporting clause may describe what it pretends to be, or what it might be (but isn't). For example: "He raised his arm, [as if threatening her with a spear."
If the Focal clause depicts a state, the Supporting clause describes some imaginary event which might have given rise to the state. For example: "He felt bewildered, [as if the sky had fallen]."
Vlekic uses the word sqassiik to mark the start of the Supporting clause, similar to English "as if". The word sqasiik derives from sqas ("like") and fused Hypothetical, HYPHypothetical (mood)
if, or 'it could be', -siik.
He felt joy, [as if the world was singing].
miin
feel -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech iivos
he.ERGErgative (case)
TRANS subject; agent ixuin
joy [ sqassiik
as_if yṅ-
ANTIPAntipassive voice (valency)
valency is decreased by one- sviiv
sing -a
-PASTPast tense (tense)
action occurred before moment of speech -jav
-CONTContinuative (tense/aspect)
continuous or durational action unya ]
world
Miina iivos ixuin, sqassiik yṅsviivajav unya.
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