Vijiš
Vijiš [vijiʃ] | |
Period | c. 0 YP |
Spoken in | southwestern Tuysáfa |
Total speakers | unknown |
Writing system | none |
Classification | Leic Vijiš |
Typology | |
Basic word order | SVO |
Morphology | mostly fusional |
Alignment | NOM-ACC |
Credits | |
Created by | Zju |
Phonology
Vijiš has a moderate consonant inventory and 4 contrastive heights in its vowel inventory.
Consonants
labial | dental | palatal | velar | |
---|---|---|---|---|
nasal | /m/ | /n/ | /ɲ/ ‹ň› | /ŋ/ |
stop | /p/ /b/ | /t/ /d/ | /k/ /g/ | |
fricative | /v/ | /s/ | /ʃ/ ‹š› /ʒ/ ‹ž› | |
sonorant | /w/ | /l/ | /j/ |
Vowels
front | back | |
---|---|---|
close | /i/ | /u/ |
close-mid | /e/ | /o/ |
open-mid | /ɛ/ ‹ê› | /ɔ/ ‹ô› |
open | /a/ |
- For morphological and morphophonological purposes a counts as a back vowel.
- /e o/ are often realised as [ɪ ʊ]
Phonotactics
Syllable structure is C(C)V(C), but there is quite big preference for CV syllables. In a cluster of two consonants, the second one is typically a sonorant and both belong to the onset of the latter syllable(V.CLV). Two stops and two nasals never appear next to each other. Consonant clusters of three or more consonants do not exist. Clusters of any kind are forbidden word finally. Vowels never stand next to each other. Any consonant can stand in coda position word finally. Word internally closed syllables are rare and only /j/ and /w/ can serve as codas.
Consonant clusters do not occur that often, but form on a regular basis when nouns are declined. Some more common are:
- bw
- dw dj
- gw gj gl
- wp wb
Prosody
Vijiš is syllable timed. Stress is not phonemic and the prosody is rather monotonous, though the first syllable of each constituent wears a slightly higher pitch.
Allophony
- [w] and [j] are pronounced with more constriction when next to another consonant. Therefore the less constricted variants are better transcribed as [u̯] and [i̯]. Specifically, [w] is pronounced with lips fully closed, whereas for [u̯] lips constrict only as much as when pronouncing [u].
- /v/ is [u̯] next to other consonants and word-finally.
- [w] and [j] are pronounced with some frication(that is, weak [β] and [ʝ]) before [u] and [i] respectively. This also applies for [u̯] as allophone of /v/.
- /i u/ tend to be realised as [ɪ ʊ] before /j w/ respectively.
- /nj/ can be freely realised as [nj], [ɲj] or [ɲ].
Alternative orthography
- /e/ /o/ ‹í ú› or ‹é ó›
- /ɛ/ /ɔ/ ‹e o›
- /s/ ‹ś ›
- /ʃ ʒ/ ‹s z›
Everything else is the same. The new one uses much less diacritics.
Pronouns
Personal pronouns
1sg | 1pl | 2sg | 2pl | 3sg an | 3sg inan | 3pl an | 3pl inan | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N. | ji | jêjta | ma | mawta | bi | ša | bawta | na | ||
G. | jêta | jêjta | mata | mawta | ba | ša | bawta | na | ||
D. | jiwa | jêwawa | môŋa | mawawa | biwa | šama | bawawa | nawa | ||
L. | jêvo | jêgwo | mavo | magwo | bêvo | šavo | bagwo | navo | ||
V. | - | - | mojeňa | mawaňa | - | - | - | - |
Correlatives
demonstrative | jêža this |
jêňu here |
jêšav now |
(ji)jêwa in this way | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kaňu that |
kaňu there |
vije then |
vêwa in that way | |||
interrogative | gwi who |
giža what |
gi which |
ňaňu where |
sa when |
ga how |
relative | bêv who |
šawav what |
môv which |
kajêv where |
vijêv when |
vêwôwav how |
indefinite | biji someone |
šavi something |
giji some |
ňaňuji somewhere |
saji somewhen |
gavi somehow |
alternative | dwi somebody else |
daža something else |
daža other |
dawaňu somewhere else |
data another time |
dawa in another way |
universal | jawawta everybody |
jawôna everything |
ja all |
jami everywhere |
kê always |
java in every way |
negative | mobiji nobody |
môna nothing |
mo no, none |
mowami nowhere |
mogê never |
mowava in no way |
Some correlatives inflect for case:
N | G | D | L | |
---|---|---|---|---|
who | gwi | gwa | gwiwa | gwêvo |
who (R) | bêv | bewêv | biwav | bêvav |
someone | biji | bêžu | bijiwa | bijêvo |
smb. else | dwi | dwa | dwiwa | dwêvo |
everybody | jawawta | jawawta | jawawa | jawagwo |
nobody | mobiji | mobêžu | mobijiwa | mobijêvo |
N | G | D | |
---|---|---|---|
what | giža | giža | gižama |
what (R) | šawav | šawêv | šamav |
something | šavi | šažu | šaviwa |
smth. else | daža | daža | dažama |
everything | jawôna | jawôn | jawônawa |
nothing | môna | môn | mônawa |
N | G | D | |
---|---|---|---|
which | gi | ga | giwa |
which (R) | môv | môv | giwav |
some | giji | gêžu | gijiwa |
other | daža | daža | dama |
all | ja | ja | jama |
no | mo | mo | môma |
this | jêža | jêža | jêžama |
that | kaňu | kaňu | kaňuma |
Locative case is often substituted with prepositions for the correlatives.
Correlatives agree in case with their head noun. When used with nouns in singular ja means every, each.
Correlatives do not distinguish number, except for the demonstrative substantivised pronouns. Their plural forms are respectively jena, jena, jenawa and kaňuna, kaňuna, kaňunawa.
Prepositions
These preposition govern genitive:
- sa near
- soša around
- sê against
- vôbê through
- vôpo along
There is a set of prepositions which have two forms - one for stative, lative and one for ablative:
at ~ to | from | |
---|---|---|
in, inside | pê | peŋa |
on, surface | pa | powa |
above | šav | šawa |
below | wêba, wêta | wêlawa |
front | jê | jiwa |
back | watê | watiwa |
left | jem | jenawa |
right | žem | ženawa |
vôbê can be combined with the stative prepositions to give them perlative meanings, e.g. vôbê šav through the space above.
These prepositions govern nominative:
- dwi with, coactor
- ža, žaža with, instrument - The long form of this preposition is frequently used only with monosyllabic nouns and less so with disyllabic.
- žamo without
- dwimo without (coactor) is fairly rarely used. Žamo is used instead.
Nouns
Nouns have two numbers and three cases - nominative, genitive and dative. Plural nominative and genitive have the same form.
Articles
Vijiš has a definite article, which inflects for case. Both the article and the word have to be marked for case, so plural definite nouns do distinguish between nominative and genitive. The article is:
- wi nom
- wa gen
- wêvo dat
The dative definite article is sometimes shortened to wê.
Declension
Regular vowel stems
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
- | -va | -bo | -na |
- Some -i stems change i to u in gen sing.
- Some -ni stems change final n to ň in gen sing and plural caseforms.
- Gen sing is given when either of these changes occur.
- In nominative plural word-final -o, -u, -i change to -ô, -e, -e.
Irregular vowel stems I
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
-a | -ôn | -avo | -ôwôna |
-a | -an | -avo | -ajena |
- They always end in -a in nom sg.
- The last consonant sometimes changes in all oblique caseforms, in an upredictable manner.
- Gen sing is also given.
Irregular vowel stems II
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
- | -n | -bo | -jena |
- A few irregular nouns change their last vowel in gen sing, which is in such cases given.
Irregular vowel stems III
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
- | -n | -vo | -wôna -jena |
- -wôna after back vowels, -jena after front vowels and u.
- Last vowels change in various wordforms in a predictable pattern.
- Nom pl is also given, according to which the rest of the vowels in the paradigm can be determined.
Vowel gradation pattern
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
-a | -an | -avo | -awôna |
-a | -ôn | -avo | -ôwôna |
-a | -ôn | -avo | -owôna |
-ê | -en | -êvo | -ujena |
-ê | -en | -êvo | -ejena |
-ê | -en | -êvo | -ijena |
o stems
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
-o | -wa | -obo | -ôna |
- Some of the words ending in -o belong to this paradigm.
- Stem final single -s -t are -t -d everywhere except for nom sg.
Nasal stems
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
-m | -wôn | -wavo | -wôwôna |
-n | -wan | -wavo | -wajena |
- The final vowel sometimes changes for all wordforms except nom sg - gen sg is also given in such case.
v stems
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
-v | -va | -wbo | -wôna |
- -vôna is sometimes used instead of -wôna.
Other consonantal stems
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl |
---|---|---|---|
- | -wa | -wo | -ena |
- p t k š become b d g ž in gen and dat sg.
- p t k š become b ž ž ž in plural caseforms.
- Other consonants do not undergo changes.
- maš 'water' has an irregular gen sg maja.
Summary
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl | |
---|---|---|---|---|
rvs | - | -va | -bo | -na |
ivs 1a | -a | -ôn | -avo | -ôwôna |
ivs 1b | -a | -an | -avo | -ajena |
ivs 2 | - | -n | -bo | -jena |
ivs 3 | - | -n | -vo | -wôna -jena |
-o | -o | -wa | -obo | -ôna |
-m | -m | -wôn | -wavo | -wôwôna |
-n | -n | -wan | -wavo | -wajena |
-v | -v | -va | -wbo | -wôna |
cs | - | -wa | -wo | -ena |
Dative plural
Dative plural for every single noun is formed by replacing nom pl -ôna -ena -na with -avo -êvo -vo.
Examples
There are three nouns that do not fit into any of the paradigms and form a pattern of their own.
Nom | Gn | Dt | Nom Pl | Gn Pl | Dt Pl | meaning | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
rvs | mêna | mênava | mênabo | mênana | mênana | mênavo | town, village |
rvs -i → -u | jaluji | jalujuva | jalujibo | jalujena | jalujena | jalujêvo | glass |
rvs -n → -ň | pôni | pôňuva | pônibo | pôňena | pôňena | pôňêvo | land |
ivs 1a | mêpa | mêtôn | mêtavo | mêtôwôna | mêtôwôna | mêtôwavo | butterfly |
ivs 1b | masa | maban | mabavo | mabajena | mabajena | mabajêvo | limb |
ivs 2 | niwa | niwan | niwabo | niwajena | niwajena | niwajêvo | sunrise |
ivs 3 | ka | kôn | kavo | kowôna | kowôna | kowavo | rabbit |
ivs 3 | kê | ken | kêvo | kijena | kijena | kijêvo | stone, pebble |
-o | jato | jatwa | jatobo | jatôna | jatôna | jatavo | mirror |
-m | gôm | gawôn | gawavo | gawôwôna | gawôwôna | gawôwavo | bull |
-n | ben | bewan | bewavo | bewajena | bewajena | bewajêvo | eyelid |
-v | miv | miva | miwbo | miwôna | miwôna | miwavo | candidate, contestant |
cs | sak | sagwa | sagwo | sažena | sažena | sažêvo | neck |
cs | katad | katadwa | katadwo | katadena | katadena | katadêvo | teacher, master |
friend | ni | niwa | nibo | ňujena | ňujena | ňujêvo | friend |
fish | vôni | vôniwa | vônibo | vôňujena | vôňujena | vôňujêvo | fish |
orphan | bi | biwa | bibo | bujena | bujena | bujêvo | orphan |
Changes in noun declension
Noun declension is in the process of getting simplified, with various declensions leveling out their markers and occasionally words from the unproductive vowel stems shifting to one of the two productive vowel stems - regular vowels stems and o stems.
Some of the more noticeable changes are:
- Regular vowel stems and o stems are in the process of being merged:
- RVS's ending in -o shift to o stem.
- Gen sg ending for RVS changing to -wa accompanied with vowel deletion, eg. wa mênwa of the town
- -v stems slowly shift to CS with -vw- being realised as -w-, eg. mivena candidates
- -d and -g of regular consonant stems shift to ž in the plural under the influence of -t and -k stems: katažena masters
- IVS 1. changing their nominative stem with their oblique stem and changing the dative singular ending to -bo, merging with IVS 2: mêtô, mêtôbo butterfly, to a butterfly
- -m- and -n- replacing medial suffixal -w- in -m and -n stems respectively: benajena eyelids
- In general -vo is being slowly replaced by -bo, the latter becoming the general dative singular ending, except for the consonant stems, which have -wo.
Usage of cases
Nominative
It is the basic, underived form of the noun. It is used for:
Denoting the subject of the verb.
- Wi
- Wi
- DEF.NOM
- ve
- ve
- cat
- mave
- mave-∅
- chase-ANIM.PRS
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- wažu.
- wažu.
- mouse
The cat is chasing the mouse.Denoting the object of the verb.
- Wi
- Wi
- DEF.NOM
- ve
- ve
- cat
- mave
- mave-∅
- chase-ANIM.PRS
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- wažu.
- wažu.
- mouse
The cat is chasing the mouse.Used after a few prepositions.
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- žažemô
- žažemô-∅
- eat-ANIM.PRS
- žaža
- žaža
- with
- šemo.
- šemo.
- fork.NOM
I eat with a fork.
Genitive
Denotes the possessor or quality. Genitive phrases follow the noun they specify.
- Wi
- Wi
- DEF.NOM
- šena
- šena
- heart
- wa
- wa
- DEF.GEN
- wavôva.
- wavô-va
- man-GEN
The man's heart.- Vegôv
- Vegôv
- house
- bêžu.
- bêžu.
- somebody.GEN
Somebody's house.- Meti
- Meti
- place
- jeji
- big
- big
- ŋêva.
- ŋêv-a
- beauty-GEN
A place of big beauty.
- Governs most prepositions.
- Pa wôŋova. - On the roof.
- Žem wataviva. - To the right of the window.
Dative
Used for the indirect object (recipient) of the verb.
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- jeŋôji
- jeŋ-ô-ji
- say-PAST-ANIM
- bawawa.
- bawawa.
- 3.PL.DAT
I told them.Used to denote the beneficent of the action.
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- žaje
- žaje-∅
- do-PRS.ANIM
- jêža
- jêža
- this.NOM
- môŋa.
- môŋa.
- 2.SG.DAT
I'm doing this for you.
Locative
It is substituted in nouns with sa, pê and pa.
Denotes the space near the referent. Prepositions are preferred to convey this meaning even for the pronouns.
- Ma
- Ma
- 2.SG.NOM
- jeni
- jen-i
- live-ANIM.PRS
- šavo.
- šavo.
- 3.SG.INAN.LOC
- /sa
- /sa
- /near
- ša.
- ša.
- 3.SG.INAN.GEN
You live next to it.Used to convey the meaning 'at one's place'.
- Ma
- Ma
- 2.SG.NOM
- wôgi
- wô-gi
- FUT.ANIM-Q
- palo
- pal-o
- come-INF
- jêvo?
- jêvo?
- 1.SG.LOC
Will you come to my place?Used to state somebody's oppinion.
- Bêvo
- Bêvo
- 3.SG.ANIM.LOC
- jêjta
- jêjta
- 1.PL.NOM
- mo
- mo
- NEG
- dôvet.
- dôve-t.
- be_happy-PL.PRS
According to him we're not happy.
Vocative
Technically, only two words exist in this case, so they can be considered interjections and the case nonexistent. They are used when calling somebody or attracting one's attention:
- Mojeňa! - Hey, you!
- Pa mawaňa! - You three!
Needless to say, regular nouns are used in nominative in such positions. Every now and then they are supplemented with the corresponding vocative pronoun:
- Vowa mojeňa. - You, stranger. ~ Stranger.
- Vôjêdena mawaňa. - You, sailors. ~ Sailors.
The vocative pronouns can also go with numerals (as in the above example) and adjectives:
- Gwi mojeňa. - You, righteous( one).
It can even be combined with the definite article. This usage is very common when using nicknames and obligatory for some:
- Wi jiga naji mojeňa, ... - You, the fast-legged one, ...
Vocative pronouns are contracted differently in different varieties: mojňa mawňa, moňa maňa, mjeňa mwaňa, mjeňa maňa, jeňa waňa, mojňa mowňa, majňa mawňa, moja maňa - the list goes on. The uncontracted pronouns are still used, though.
Adjectives
Adjectives are placed before the noun they modify and are not inflected in any way. Some adjectives have a corresponding verb, which has the same or similar root and a similar meaning. Such adjectives are not normally used with the copula in predicative position; their corresponding verb is used instead.
For example:
- Ba
- ba
- wet
- bebena
- beb-ena
- wheel-PL
- bemat.
- bem-at
- rotate-PL
but
- Wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- bebena
- beb-ena
- wheel-PL
- bat.
- ba-t
- be_wet-PL
Verbs
Verbs in Vijiš have a number of synthetic as well as analytic forms. They inflect for number, voice, mood, aspect and animacy, but not person.
Synthetic forms
Each verb has at most present and past forms of the following:
- singular animate active (A)
- singular inanimate active (iA)
- plural active (Pl)
- passive (Ps)
as well an infinitive (In). Only transitive verbs have a passive form.
Verbs have 3 main conjugations and two secondary, which have less verbs.
1. conjugation
- In: -o
- A: -u after ň, š, ž, -i elsewhere
- iA: -u after ň, š, ž, -o after labials, -i elsewhere
- Pl: -at, with j or w inserted before single stem final p b k g*
- Ps: -a (occasionally extended to -am)
- Pt: -ô-
* j after front vowels and w after back
2. conjugation
- In: -vo
- A: -∅
- iA: -ji after front vowels, -wo after back vowels; before -wo final a changes to ô
- Pl: -t
- Ps: -m
- Pt: -wô-, final a changes to ô
-uvo verbs
Some of the verbs the infinitive of which ends in -uvo, change their last vowel from -u to -i in some of the forms. And out of those, some change it to -o in inanimate and past form. There are four main subconjugations:
I | II | III | IV | |
---|---|---|---|---|
In | -uvo | -uvo | -uvo | -uvo |
A | -u | -i | -i | -u |
iA. | -uwo | -iji | -owo | -owo |
Pl. | -ut | -it | -it | -ut |
Ps. | -um | -um | -um | -um |
Pt. | -uwô- | -iwô- | -owô- | -owô- |
Still, some verbs are just irregular. In such cases the animate and inanimate forms are shown. As a general rule of thumb, the plural stem is the same as the animate stem, the past stem is the same as the inanimate stem and the passive stem as the infinitive stem. Because of this, the passive forms always end in -um. Very few verbs can be conjugated in two patterns in free distribution.
2nd column | I | II | III | IV | neni, neňowo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Infinitive | vôbawabuvo | pôjiwuvo | poguvo | mêžuvo | neňuvo |
Animate | vôbawabu | pôjiwi | pogi | mêžu | neni |
Inanimate | vôbawabuwo | pôjiwiji | pogowo | mêžowo | neňowo |
Plural | vôbawabut | pôjiwit | pogit | mêžut | nenit |
Passive | vôbawabum | - | - | mêžum | - |
Past | vôbawabuwô- | pôjiwiwô- | pogowô- | mêžowô- | neňowô- |
Meaning | be satisfied | go to the south | sleep, dream | wear | swim |
2. b conjugation
It has the same endings as 2. conjugation, but verbs have two stems - one for plural and passive forms and one for everything else. Both are listed in the dictionary entry.
3. conjugation
- In: -w
- A: -ji
- iA: -ji
- Pl: -t
- Ps: -m
- Pt: -wô-
3. b conjugation
Verbs from this conjugation also have two stems.
- In: -w
- A: second stem + -i
- iA: second stem + -o after labials, -i elsewhere
- Pl: -t
- Ps: -m
- Pt: second stem + -ô-*
* stem final m n ŋ change to v l w
In the dictionary the infinitive and animate present are given.
Summary
1. | 2. | 2. b | 3. | 3. b | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
In | -o | -vo | -vo | -w | -w |
A | -u, -i | - | - | -ji | -i |
iA. | -u, -o, -i | -ji, -wo | -ji, -wo | -ji | -o, -i |
Pl. | -at | -t | -t | -t | -t |
Ps. | -a | -m | -m | -m | -m |
Pt. | -ô- | -wô- | -wô- | -wô- | -ô- |
- 1. conjugation verbs sometimes use -am as passive ending.
Past tense
The past tense forms by adding the following endings to the past stem:
- A: -ji
- iA: -wo
- Pl: -wta
- Ps: -va
Imperative
Imperative is the bare stem.
Examples
1. | 2. | 2. b | 3. | 3. b | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meaning | feel, sense | carry | do | be awake | span, cover |
Infinitive | môgo | bawavo | žajevo | bew | bejêw |
Animate | môgi | bawa | žaje | beji | bejemi |
Inanimate | môgi | bawôwo | žajeji | beji | bejemo |
Plural | môwgat | bawat | žat | bet | bejêt |
Passive | môga(m) | bawam | žam | - | bejêm |
Past | môgô- | bawôwô- | žajewô- | bewô- | bejevô- |
Imperative | môg! | bawa! | žaje! | be! | bejem! |
Analytical forms
Future tense
Future tense is formed by an auxiliary verb + infinitive.
- A: wô
- iA: wôwo
- Pl: wat
- Ps: wôm
Future in the past tense
It denotes an action that was intended to be done, but was not.
- A: wômôji
- iA: wômôwo
- Pl: wômôwta
- Ps: wômôva
Conditional mood
The conditional is formed by an auxiliary verb followed by the infinitive.
Present
- A: žaji
- iA: žajwo
- Pl: žajuta
- Ps: žajwa
Past
- A: žajwôji
- iA: žajwôwo
- Pl: žajwôwta
- Ps: žajwôva
Dubtative mood
Again, all auxiliaries are followed by an infinitive.
Present
- A: žajivo
- iA: žajwovo
- Pl: žajutavo
- Ps: žajwavo
Past
- A: žajwôjivo
- iA: žajwôwovo
- Pl: žajwôwtavo
- Ps: žajwôvavo
Future
- A: žajivo wôvo
- iA: žajwovo wôvo
- Pl: žajutavo wôvo
- Ps: žajwavo wôvo
Future in the past
It's quite rarely used.
- A: žajwôjivo wôvo
- iA: žajwôwovo wôvo
- Pl: žajwôwtavo wôvo
- Ps: žajwôvavo wôvo
Copula
The stem is suppletive for past tense
Present | Past | |
---|---|---|
Infinitive | sapo | |
Animate | sagi | pôji |
Inanimate | sagi | pôwo |
Plural | sawta | pôwta |
Imperative | sak! |
After auxiliary verbs the infinitive is often contracted and cliticised to po, which can be spelled as a clitic or an affix:
- Ji
- ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- wôpo
- wô-po
- FUT.ANIM-be.INF
- kaňu.
- kaňu
- there
Overview of verbal paradigm
- SA = singular animate active form
- SI = singular inanimate active form
- Pl = plural active form
- Ps = passive form
- Inf = Infinitive
Mood / Tense | Indicative | Dubtative | Conditional | Imperative |
---|---|---|---|---|
Form | Future | Future | Present | |
SA SI Pl Ps |
wô + Inf wôwo + Inf wat + Inf wôm + Inf |
žajivo wôvo + Inf žajwovo wôvo + Inf žajutavo wôvo + Inf žajwavo wôvo + Inf |
žaji + Inf žajwo + Inf žajuta + Inf žajwa + Inf |
bare stem |
----- | Present | Present | ||
SA SI Pl Ps |
-i, -u, -ji, -∅ -i, -u, -o, -ji, -wo -at, -t -a(m), -m |
žajivo + Inf žajwovo + Inf žajutavo + Inf žajwavo + Inf | ||
----- | Future in the past | Future in the past | Past | |
SA SI Pl Ps |
wômôji + Inf wômôwo + Inf wômôwta + Inf wômôva + Inf |
žajwôjivo wôvo + Inf žajwôwovo wôvo + Inf žajwôwtavo wôvo + Inf žajwôvavo wôvo + Inf |
žajwôji + Inf žajwôwo + Inf žajwôwta + Inf žajwôva + Inf | |
----- | Past | Past | ||
SA SI Pl Ps |
-ôji, -wôji -ôwo, -wôwo -ôwta, -wôwta -ôva, -wôva |
žajwôjivo + Inf žajwôwovo + Inf žajwôwtavo + Inf žajwôvavo + Inf |
Variations and tendencies in the verbal system
Suffixes simplification and alternation
All suffixes -ji tend to shorten to -j and this is becoming increasingly common: žajej does(inanimate), môgôj felt, bej be awake instead of žajeji, môgôji, beji. Suffixes of the form -wo are also sporadically shortened to -w, but this is still much less common.
The plural suffix for past tense -wta is sometimes shortened to -ta, especially after -wô: bawôwôta carried, bejewôta covered instead of bawôwôwta, bejewôwta.
Loss of animacy marking
Verbs are marked for animacy only in active voice singular. There are processes that eliminate the animacy marking in this environment as well, thus completely getting rid of it. They are different for the different conjugations. The motivation is primarily analogical leveling(no animacy marking in plural number, no animacy marking whatsoever in 3. conjugation present), but phonetic erosion plays a minor role as well. Past tense markings are interesting because they act differently according to the conjugation. The conjugation tables given above are only a general rule of thumb covering a minority of the varieties. The bigger picture is as follows:
3. conjugation
It has undergone the process of losing animacy to completion in present tense. -ji is in the process of becoming the universal singular marker in past tense as well. -ji and -wo for past tense inanimate are currently mostly in free variation:
- Ša kjawôwo., Ša kjawôji. It bounced.
- Jêža šaniwôwo., Jêža šaniwôj. This was known.
1. conjugation
The rule for marking animate and inanimate singular is: -u after ň, š, ž and -i elsewhere. Inanimate singular has one addition to that rule: add -o if the stem ends in a labial consonant. However, it is in the process of getting lost for the following reasons:
- It shares the ending with the infinitive and because of that is getting confused with it.
- Similarity with the marking of animate singular, which lacks this ending - for all verbs, which don't end in labial, singular animate and inanimate are already the same.
- Influence from 3. conjugation(and the other 1. conjugation verbs) to use the same endings for animate and inanimate.
Past tense preserves its animacy markers relatively intact.
3. b conjugation
The situation is essentially the same as in 1. conjugation, however with the process of getting -o lost less advanced.
It is worth mentioning that a few southeastern varieties instead of getting rid of the -o rule, have generalised it for present singular 1. and 3. b conjugation, again removing the animacy distinction.
2. and 2. b conjugation
The animacy distinction is most stable here, however animate present sporadically begins to use the inanimate present endings, probably to differentiate from the imperative and because all other present and past forms have some ending. It is also interesting to note that past tense singular begins to use -ji, -wo in the same distribution as present inanimate.
The copula
The copula has already eliminated animacy distinction in present tense. Loss of animacy in the past occurs as follows:
- 1. stage: pôji, pôwo.
- 2. stage: phonetic erosion leads to pôj, pôw.
- 3. stage: pôw is further simplified to pô.
- 4. stage: pô becomes the general past singular copula, either by taking the place of pôj, or by pôj > pô.
Most varieties are in the second stage, having pôj, pôw(o).
Past plural copula tends to become pôta or pawta, by analogy of present plural.
Present tense copula tends to become sag in rapid speech.
Auxiliary verbs
Auxiliary verbs so far are the most conservative in retaining the animacy marking. Wô, wômôji, žajwôji follow the development of past copula, but are always lagging behind by one or two stages. Žaji / žaj and žajivo so far do not show any signs of losing the animacy distinction, but with it disappearing everywhere else, it is sure to be lost here as well. Žajwôwovo tends to be either haplologized to žajwôvo or replaced by žajwôjivo.
Innovation in passive marking
1. conjugation passive ending -a is increasingly often expanded to -am to match the passive endings of the other conjugations. Past passive ending -va does not show this tendency.
Sporadically phrases such as Na jitažumat. They are being attached., Bawta kawôjemat. They are being healed. are used instead of Na jitažum., Bawta kawôjem. indicating that passive voice is developing distinction between singular and plural number.
Numerals
Cardinal | Ordinal | Fractional | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | môji | kižav, môjiňu | |
2. | je | jeňu | ňuš |
3. | pa | peňu | žuba |
4. | paji | pejiňu, peňuji | šudaji |
5. | dômô | dômôje, dôjemô | šudômô |
6. | daje, daňu | daňuje, dajeňu | |
7. | daka | dakaje, dakaňu, daňuka | |
8. | wala | walaje | |
9. | walômô | walôjemô, walômôje | |
10. | kêve | kêveje | |
11. | bemô | bemôje | |
12. | beje | bejeňu | |
13. | beka | bekaje | |
14. | bala | balaje | |
15. | balômô | balôjemô, balômôje | |
16. | balaje, balaňu | balaňuje, balajeňu | |
17. | balaka | balajeka, balakaje | |
18. | beta | betaje | |
19. | betômô | betôjemô, betômôje | |
20. | jegê | jegêje | |
30. | bjê | bjêňu | |
40. | dagê | dagêje | |
50. | dômôgê | dômôgêje | |
60. | dajegê, daňugê | dajegêje, daňugêje | |
70. | dakagê, dôbjê | dakagêje, dôbjêňu | |
80. | walagê | walagêje | |
90. | walômôgê | walômôgêje | |
100. | jin | jineje |
- When more than one form is listed, forms are ordered in decreasing frequency of occurance.
- Fractional numbers other than those listed are rare and are formed by prefixing šu-.
- Môji is sometimes shortened to môj.
- Numerals different than these are formed by simple juxtaposition, eg.: bjê daka thirty seven
Syntax
Although Vijiš is pro-drop and subject-drop, it usually does not allow that. The verb is left without subject only if it can be unambiguously inferred from the context, e.g. in the second clause of a coordinated sentence. There is an exception - if there's no logical subject, none is placed at all - dummy pronouns are not used.
Noun phrases
The word order in noun phrases is the following:
determiner - quantifier - adjective - noun - genitive phrase - prepositional phrase - relative clause
Although the genitive phrase is usually placed after the noun, there is a tendency pronouns in genitive case to be placed between the quantifier and the adjective.
Headless noun phrases are usually not allowed. The only exception to the rule is when determiner correlatives are used on their own.
Word order
The default word order is SVO. One adverb for time, place or manner can be put before the verb or the subject.
Negation
Negation is formed by placing mo before the verb.
- Ji mo daňa ša. - I don't see it.
Questions
Polar questions are formed with a suffix on the verb:
- -gi after vowels and semivowels.
- Ma daňa ša. You see it. → Ma daňagi ša? - Do you see it?
- -t and -m change to -di and -ŋgi respectively.
- Bawta dat ša. Theys see it. → Bawta dadi ša? - Do they see it?
- Ša dam. It is seen. → Ša daŋgi? - Is it seen?
Questions are marked only once - on the auxiliary if present and on the main one otherwise.
- Ma wôgi daňavo ša? - Will you see it?
- Ji daňagi ša, mažu žajigi daňavo? - If I see it, would you also see it?
The positive reply is vi, the negative is mo. The positive reply to a negative question is da.
- Ša mo pobijgi? - Is it not good?
- Da, ša jajuwo! - Yes, it is beautiful!
Content questions exhibit wh-fronting.
- Giža ma daňa? - What do you see?
Existential clauses
Existential clauses are formed with the verb ŋeňavo, ŋêt. It is defective in that it has no past tense forms - the copula is used to supplement it. Word order in existential clauses is:
(locative phrase) - verb - noun phrase
- Pê
- Pê
- in
- wa
- wa
- DEF.GEN
- vegôva
- vegôv-a
- house-GEN
- ŋeňa
- ŋeňa-∅
- EXIST-PRS.ANIM
- ŋeni.
- ŋeni.
- girl
- Pê
- Pê
- in
- wa
- wa
- DEF.GEN
- vegôva
- vegôv-a
- house-GEN
- pôwo
- pô-wo
- be.PST-ANIM
- žažev.
- žažev.
- food
The locative phrase may come after the noun phrase, but this is not common. Pê wa and pa wa may shorten to pêw, paw. Other prepositions + wa may also shorten, but much more rarely.
Ŋeňavo agrees with the following noun phrase in animacy and number.
- Ŋeňôwo môgo. - There is a mountain.
- Ŋeňa veje. - There is a wise man.
- Ŋêt dojena. - There are bees.
The verb and the noun phrase can switch their places, in which case ŋeňavo means to exist.
- Wi wajena ŋêt. - The frogs exist.
In negative existential clauses a negative form of the verb is used, again supplemented in past tense: mojeňavo, mojêt.
- Mojêt dojena. - There are no bees.
- Pê wa vegôva mo pôw žažêv. - There was no food in the house.
Conditions
Conditions are expressed with a clause containing the condition, with the verb always having the interrogative suffix, followed by a clause containing the result, with its verb always in conditional mood.
- Ma
- ma
- 2.SG.NOM
- šamegigi
- šameg-i-gi
- pour-SG.ANIM.PRS-Q
- jiwa,
- jiwa
- 1.SG.DAT
- žaji
- žaj-i
- COND-SG.ANIM.PRS
- žamego.
- žameg-o
- drink-INF
Possibility and necessity
Possibility and necessity are expressed with the particles wamwo/wamo can, be able to and niji must, have to placed directly before an inflected verb; even mo is placed before them.
- Jêjta
- Jêjta
- 1.PL.NOM
- niji
- niji
- must
- mijeŋat.
- mijeŋa-t.
- go_down-PRS.PL
- Jêjta
- Jêjta
- 1.PL.NOM
- wamo
- wamo
- can
- jiwat.
- jiwa-t.
- go_up-PRS.PL
- Mawta
- Mawta
- 2.PL.NOM
- mo
- mo
- NEG
- wamo
- wamo
- can
- vumuwut!
- vumuwu-t!
- go_away-PRS.PL
When used in conditional mood, they mean could and should respectively.
The longer forms wanowo and nijiji are sometimes used.
Comparison
It is done with dedicated verbs: šukavo be more and vowojenavo be less. Comparative is formed with powa + NOUN, superlative with poja.
- Jêža bwuwôna šukat kigigavi. - These ideas are greener.
- Kaňu bwuwôna vowojenat ŋijêve poja. - Those ideas are the least angry.
Šukavo can be replaced with the copula if there is a standard, which the noun is compared to.
- Jêža bwuwôna sawta kigigavi powa kaňuna. - These ideas are greener than those.
In attributive positions šukavo is dropped and vowojenavo is replaced with the indeclinable particle vowo. For comparative degree powa must always be present, even if there is no standard which is compared to. In such case comparisons come between genitive and prepositional phrases.
- Bwuv kigigavi powa. - A greener idea.
- Vowo ŋijêve poja bwuv. - The least angry idea.
ADJ + podwata conveys the meaning of as ADJ as possible.
- Ša sagi ŋijêpa podwata. - It is as blue as possible.
Coordinating NPs
- wa — or (inclusive)
- vôga ... vôga ... — either ... or ...
- waj/wêj/wê — and
- -žu/-ažu — (and) also X; X as well — the former is after vowels and the latter after consonants.
- Some changes occur when adding this suffix:
- Final -p -t -k -š → -b- -d- -g- -ž-
- Final -b -d -g → -v- -l- -w-
- Final -v → -w-
- Final -o changes to -w- and takes -ažu if it is not preceeded by v, w, or consonant cluster.
- Final stops do not always change. -t voicing to -d- is infact the exception rather than the rule. -d changing to -l- is also somewhat rare, but not as much as -t to -d-. -b, -g may or may not change to -v-, -w-, but changing is somewhat more common. -p and -k always undergo voicing.
Coordinating clauses
wa — or (inclusive)
- Jêjta
- Jêjta
- 1.PL.NOM
- wat
- wa-t
- FUT-PL
- neňuvo
- neňu-vo
- swim-INF
- wa
- wa
- or_INC
- wat
- wa-t
- FUT-PL
- vôžaw.
- vôža-w.
- ride-INF
We will swim and/or ride.vôga ... vôga ... — either ... or ...
- Vôga
- Vôga
- or_EXC
- jêjta
- jêjta
- 1.PL.NOM
- wat
- wa-t
- FUT-PL
- mugivo
- mugi-vo
- take-INF
- jawôna,
- jawôna,
- everything
- vôga
- vôga
- or_EXC
- wat
- wa-t
- FUT-PL
- mêlo
- mêl-o
- lose-INF
- môna.
- môna.
- nothing
We will either take everything or lose nothing.jê — and, but — introduces a clause that has information contrasting with the previous one.
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- sagi
- sag-i
- be.PRS-SG
- jêňu,
- jêňu,
- here
- jê
- jê
- and
- bi
- bi
- 3.SG.NOM.ANIM
- sagi
- sag-i
- be.PRS-SG
- kaňu.
- kaňu.
- there
I'm here and he is there.waj/wêj/wê — and — introduces a clause that expresses same thought of the previous one and/or completes it.
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- wô
- wô-∅
- FUT-ANIM
- vijemôvo
- vijemô-vo
- go_back-INF
- wêj
- wêj
- and
- wô
- wô-∅
- FUT-ANIM
- žajevo
- žaje-vo
- do-INF
- ša.
- ša.
- 3.SG.NOM.INAN
I'll go back and do it.žê — but — introduces a clause that contradicts or opposes the previous one.
- Jêjta
- Jêjta
- 1.PL.NOM
- sawta
- sa-wta
- be.PRS-PL
- jêňu,
- jêňu,
- here
- žê
- žê
- but
- mawta
- mawta
- 2.PL.NOM
- mo
- mo
- NEG
- sawta.
- sa-wta.
- be.PRS-PL
We are here, but you are not.šê — and so, so; and (then) — introduces a clause that logically and/or temporally follows the previous one.
- Bawta
- Bawta
- 3.PL.ANIM.NOM
- kowôwôta
- kowô-wô-ta
- go_west-PST-PL
- šê
- šê
- and
- daňôwôwta
- daňô-wô-wta
- see-PST-PL
- dwi.
- dwi.
- somebody else
They went to the west and saw others.
Not all conjunctions are mutually exclusive. Some pairs (jê/žê, waj/šê) can be used in the same context to give different shades of meaning.
Subordinating clauses
The relative conjunctions, pronominal in origin, are:
bêv - who
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- kôgôme
- kôgôme-∅
- know-PRS.ANIM
- wavô,
- wavô,
- man
- bêv
- bêv
- who.REL
- wô
- wô-∅
- FUT-ANIM
- kajinavo
- kajina-vo
- help-INF
- môŋa.
- môŋa.
- 2.SG.DAT
I know a man, who will help you.šawav - what
- Šawav
- Šawav
- what.REL
- ji
- ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- daňa,
- daňa-∅,
- see-PRS.ANIM
- glôjewôji
- glôjewô-ji
- please-PRS.INAN
- jiwa.
- jiwa.
- 1.SG.DAT
I like what I see.môv - which
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- wô
- wô-∅
- FUT-ANIM
- mugivo
- mugi-vo
- take-INF
- kaňu
- kaňu
- that
- miji,
- miji,
- bowl
- pê
- pê
- in
- môv
- môv
- which
- ŋeňôwo
- ŋeňô-wo
- EXIST-ANIM
- žažêv.
- žažêv.
- food
I'll take the bowl, which has food.kajêv - where
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- daňa
- daňa-∅
- see-PRS.ANIM
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- jêwu,
- jêwu,
- place
- kajêv
- kajêv
- where.REL
- ma
- ma
- 2.SG.NOM
- sagi.
- sag-i.
- be.PRS-ANIM
I see the place where you are.vijêv - when
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- wôpo
- wô-∅-po
- FUT-ANIM-be.INF
- dwi
- dwi
- with
- ma,
- ma,
- 2.SG.GEN
- vijêv
- vijêv
- when.REL
- jêža
- jêža
- this
- šômo.
- šôm-o.
- happen-ANIM.PRS
I'll be with you when this happens.vêwôwav - how
- Žaje
- Žaje
- do.IMP
- ša,
- ša,
- 3.SG.NOM.INAN
- vêwôwav
- vêwôwav
- how.REL
- jiwôŋi.
- jiwôŋ-i.
- want-PRS.ANIM
Do it however you want.
Ŋup is the complementiser:
- Ji
- Ji
- 1.SG.NOM
- daňa,
- daňa-∅,
- see-PRS.ANIM
- ŋup
- ŋup
- C
- ma
- ma
- 2.SG.NOM
- dôve.
- dôve-∅.
- be_happy-PRS.ANIM
It can be used to create causative sentences. Mavo is the preferred verb in such constructions.
- Ma
- Ma
- 2.SG.NOM
- mavi,
- mav-i,
- make-PRS.ANIM
- ŋup
- ŋup
- C
- mata
- mata
- 2.SG.GEN
- waŋa
- waŋa
- father
- gju.
- gju-∅.
- think-PRS.ANIM
Semantics
This section deals with the usages of some specific lexical items.
Verbs of motion
Vijiš has several sets of verbs of motion. Which one is used depends on what needs to be emphasized.
Sample text
- Wi
- Wi
- DEF.NOM
- Sopawa
- Sopawa
- north
- mê
- mê
- wind
- waj
- waj
- and
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- Wiwa
- Wiwa
- sun
- vajašôwôta
- vajašô-wô-ta
- argue-PST-PL
- gwi
- gwi
- who.NOM
- šukôwôji
- šukô-wô-ji
- be_more-PST-SG.ANIM
- tažu,
- tažu,
- strong
- vijêv
- vijêv
- when.REL
- wažuša
- wažuša
- traveler
- salôj,
- sal-ô-j,
- come_by-PST-SG.ANIM
- žawaŋi
- žawaŋi
- dressed
- pê
- pê
- in
- pibiwo
- pibiwo
- fat
- piwdôn.
- piwdô-n.
- coat.GEN-GEN
- Bawta
- Bawta
- 3.PL.ANIM.NOM
- vônôpowôwta,
- vônôpo-wô-wta,
- agree-PST-PL
- ŋup
- ŋup
- COMP
- bi,
- bi,
- 3.SG.ANIM.NOM
- bêv
- bêv
- who.REL
- kižav
- kižav
- first
- mavi,
- mav-i,
- make-SG.ANIM
- ŋup
- ŋup
- COMP
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- wažuša
- wažuša
- traveler
- dažajipu
- dažajipu-∅
- take_off-SG.ANIM
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- piwpa
- piwpa
- coat.NOM
- ba,
- ba,
- 3.SG.ANIM.GEN
- niji
- niji
- have_to
- žajwa
- žaj-wa
- COND-PASS
- šajêlavo
- šajêla-vo
- consider-INF
- tažu
- tažu
- strong
- powa
- powa
- than
- wa
- wa
- DEF.GEN
- dwa.
- dwa.
- other.ANIM.GEN
- Jiwôwo
- Jiwôwo
- next
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- Sopawa
- Sopawa
- north
- mê
- mê
- wind
- mijêlôj
- mijêl-ô-j
- blow-PST-SG.ANIM
- tažu
- tažu
- strong
- podwata,
- podwata,
- as_much_as_possible
- žê
- žê
- but
- bi
- bi
- 3.SG.ANIM.NOM
- mijêlôjgi
- mijêl-ô-j-gi
- blow-PST-SG.ANIM-Q
- tažu
- tažu
- strong
- powa,
- powa,
- than
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- wažuša
- wažuša
- traveler
- mavôji,
- mav-ô-ji,
- make-PST-SG.ANIM
- ŋup
- ŋup
- COMP
- ba
- ba
- 3.SG.ANIM.GEN
- piwpa
- piwpa
- coat.NOM
- šukôwo
- šukô-wo
- be_more-SG.INAN
- pibê
- pibê
- tight
- soša
- soša
- around
- ba,
- ba,
- 3.SG.ANIM.GEN
- šê
- šê
- and
- pa
- pa
- on
- vêviva
- vêvi-va
- end-GEN
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- Sopawa
- Sopawa
- north
- mê
- mê
- wind
- vijemôwôji
- vijemô-wô-ji
- go_back-PST-SG.ANIM
- wê
- wê
- DEF.DAT
- Wiwabo.
- Wiwa-bo.
- sun-DAT
- Bi
- Bi
- 3.SG.ANIM.NOM
- mowaviwôj
- mowavi-wô-j
- shine-PST-SG.ANIM
- ŋêwa
- ŋêwa
- warm
- šê
- šê
- and
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- wažuša
- wažuša
- traveler
- jêžawbo
- jêžawbo
- immediately
- dažajipuwôj
- dažajipu-wô-j
- take_off-PST-SG.ANIM
- ba
- ba
- 3.SG.ANIM.GEN
- piwpa.
- piwpa.
- coat.NOM
- Vêwa
- Vêwa
- in_that_way
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- Sopawa
- Sopawa
- north
- mê
- mê
- wind
- mavôva,
- mav-ô-va,
- make-PST-PASS
- ŋup
- ŋup
- COMP
- vônôpo,
- vônôpo-∅,
- agree-SG.ANIM
- ŋup
- ŋup
- COMP
- wi
- wi
- DEF.NOM
- Wiwa
- Wiwa
- sun
- pôji
- pô-ji
- be-PST.SG.ANIM
- tažu
- tažu
- strong
- powa
- powa
- from
- je
- je
- two
- bawta.
- bawta.
- 3.PL.ANIM.GEN
Glossless text
Wi Sopawa mê waj wi Wiwa vajašôwôta gwi šukôwôji tažu, vijêv wažuša salôj, žawaŋi pê pibiwo piwdôn. Bawta vônôpowôwta, ŋup bi, bêv kižav mavi, ŋup wi wažuša dažajipu wi piwpa ba, niji žajwa šajêlavo tažu powa wa dwa. Jiwôwo wi Sopawa mê mijêlôj tažu podwata, žê bi mijêlôjgi tažu powa, wi wažuša mavôji, ŋup ba piwpa šukôwo pibê soša ba, šê pa věviva wi Sopawa mê vijemôwôji wê Wiwabo. Bi mowaviwôj ŋêwa šê wi wažuša jêžawbo dažajipuwôj ba piwpa. Vêwa wi Sopawa mê mavôva, ŋup vônôpo, ŋup wi Wiwa pôji tažu powa je bawta.
The North wind and the Sun were arguing who was stronger, when a traveler came by dressed in a thick coat. They agreed that the one who first makes the traveler take his coat off should be considered stronger than the other. Then the North Wind blew as hard as he could, but the more he blew the more closely did the traveler fold his coat around him, and at last the North Wind gave up, making way for the Sun. It shone out warmly, and immediately the traveler took off his coat. This is how the North Wind was made to agree that the Sun was the stronger of the two.
Lexicon
It is located here.