Verb Conjugation
A verb is a word that describes action. Some examples are: throwing, jumping, walking. Conjugation is the formation of verbs to reflect tense. This page will cover pronouns and how to conjugate verbs in the present tense.
The Structure of Nez Perce Verbs
nimipuutímt is primarily a verb based language. Most nimipuutímt verbs are made of stems, prefixes, and suffixes. The stem holds the root meaning of the word, but prefixes and suffixes add information to the meaning.
For example:
For example:
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Prefixes:
sepée- : causative (to cause the action) teqe- : suddenly, quickly |
Suffixes:
-toq : (s-class) back (to a place) -tay : (c-class) half-heartedly, just for fun |
Verb Classes
There are two classes of verbs in nimipuutímt, s-class verbs and c-class verbs. The suffixes used when forming a verb will reflect the verb class. Sometimes, switching the verb class can completely change the meaning of a word, so pay attention to pronouncing the appropriate verb class. If you are using Aoki's Nez Perce Dictionary, these will be denoted by VS and VC.
There are two classes of verbs in nimipuutímt, s-class verbs and c-class verbs. The suffixes used when forming a verb will reflect the verb class. Sometimes, switching the verb class can completely change the meaning of a word, so pay attention to pronouncing the appropriate verb class. If you are using Aoki's Nez Perce Dictionary, these will be denoted by VS and VC.
|
wéwluq : to desire/want
s-class verb |
tíim'e : to write
c-class verb |
It is also important to note that verb suffixes (as shown in the previous section) can also be s-class or c-class. When a verb suffix of one class is added to a verb stem of another class, the class will change to that of the verb suffix.
Conjugating Verbs
Pronouns
Pronouns are words that are used in place of a noun. Such as using "he" or "she" instead of referring to a person by name the entire time. Personal pronouns are used when talking about people.
Here are the personal pronouns in nimipuutímt:
Pronouns are words that are used in place of a noun. Such as using "he" or "she" instead of referring to a person by name the entire time. Personal pronouns are used when talking about people.
Here are the personal pronouns in nimipuutímt:
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I: 'íin
You (singular): ('íim) 'ée
He/She: 'ipí
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We: núun/kíye
You (plural): ('imé) 'éetx
They (plural): 'imé
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It is important to note the pronouns for "You". The singular form of "You" is ('íim) 'ée. The 'íim is in parentheses because it is not always necessary. You can sometimes use either, but they create emphasis when used together. This is also true for 'imé, in the plural form.
For example:
For example:
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Casually asking:
"Where are you?" míne 'ée wées? |
Versus asking more sternly:
"Where are YOU?" míne 'íim 'ée wées? |
Another important note is for "We." When "We" are performing the action and that includes the person being spoken to, kíye is used. When "We" are performing the action without the person being spoken to, núun is used.
The form a verb takes depends on who is doing the action, how many there are, and when it was done. Because of this, it is not always necessary to use a pronoun when speaking, as there is enough information implied by the form of the verb. In the following lessons, pronouns will always be used. This is for the purpose of practice.
The form a verb takes depends on who is doing the action, how many there are, and when it was done. Because of this, it is not always necessary to use a pronoun when speaking, as there is enough information implied by the form of the verb. In the following lessons, pronouns will always be used. This is for the purpose of practice.
Conjugating Verbs
Now we will conjugate the c-class verb, tíim'e in the present tense:
Now we will conjugate the c-class verb, tíim'e in the present tense:
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'íin tíim'ece : I am writing
('íim) 'ée tíim'ece : You are writing 'ipí hitíim'ece : He/She is writing |
núun tíim'ecix : We (exclusive) are writing
('imé) 'éetx tíim'ecix : You (pl) are writing 'imé hitíim'ecix : They (pl) are writing |
In the example above, you will notice a pattern. When a singular person is performing the action, the suffix "-ce" is added to the verb. When there is more than one person performing the action, the suffix "-cix" is added. You will also notice that 1st (I) and 2nd (You) person verbs are the same. When referring to a 3rd person (He/She/They) performing the action, usually the prefix "hi-" is added.
Now we will conjugate the s-class verb, wéwluq in the present tense:
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'íin wéwluqse : I want
('íim) 'ée wéwluqse : You want 'ipí hiwéwluqse : He/She wants |
núun wéwluqsix : We (exclusive) want
('imé) 'éetx wéwluqsix : You (pl) want 'imé hiwéwluqsix : They (pl) want |
You'll see a similar pattern in the example above. When a singular person is performing the action, the suffix "-se" is added to the verb. When there is more than one person performing the action, the suffix "-six" is added. You will also notice that 1st (I) and 2nd (You) person verbs are the same. When referring to a 3rd person (He/She/They) performing the action, usually the prefix "hi-" is added.
Now we will conjugate the s-class verb, hipí :
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'íin hipíse : I am eating
('íim) 'ée hipíse : You are eating 'ipí hiipíse : He/She is eating |
núun hipsíix : We (exclusive) are eating
('imé) 'éetx hipsíix : You (pl) are eating 'imé hiipsíix : They (pl) are eating |
This verb looks irregular, but there are some extra rules being used. When a single person is performing the action, the suffix "-se" is still added, but when multiple people are performing the action the suffix "-síix" is added. This will often happen with s-class and c-class verbs when the verb stem has a stressed vowel at the end, in this case í. The stress is moved to the suffix and "-six" becomes "-síix."
When referring to a 3rd person/party performing the action the prefix "hi-" is still added to the beginning of the verb stem. This turns the word into "hihipíse." For the purpose of "flow" the second "h" is dropped, turning the word into "hiipíse." It is not uncommon for letters to get dropped during conjugation.
When referring to a 3rd person/party performing the action the prefix "hi-" is still added to the beginning of the verb stem. This turns the word into "hihipíse." For the purpose of "flow" the second "h" is dropped, turning the word into "hiipíse." It is not uncommon for letters to get dropped during conjugation.