Modal Verbs
In a previous lesson we learned about the <iv> (subjunctive) infix and how it conveys uncertainty or possibility. This idea will be put into good use with a new kind of verb.
In this chapter, we will answer these questions:
- What is a modal verb?
- How are modal verbs used?
- How are case endings used with modal verbs?
- How are infixes used with modal verbs?
1. “What is a modal verb?”
A modal verb, also known as an auxiliary verb, is a verb that can modify or describe the circumstances of another. Some examples of modal verbs are "must", "can", "begin", and "want". One can simply "run", but they could also "begin running", "want to run", "continue running", or "must run". These helper verbs are helpful in establishing relationships between the actor and the verb.
Modal verbs will be marked with an extra m. in dictionary entries: vtrm. (transitive, modal) or vinm./vim. (intransitive, modal).
Modal verbs will be marked with an extra m. in dictionary entries: vtrm. (transitive, modal) or vinm./vim. (intransitive, modal).
2. “How are modal verbs used?”
Modal usage in Na'vi is very similar to English. First, the modal verb must precede the verb it is modifying. However, the modal does not have to be immediately before the affected verb. We still have some flexibility in the word order.
Secondly, the verb affected by the modal must take the <iv> infix. This is because all modal verbs refer to things that are inherently uncertain. For example, I can leave, but whether I leave or not is uncertain.
Secondly, the verb affected by the modal must take the <iv> infix. This is because all modal verbs refer to things that are inherently uncertain. For example, I can leave, but whether I leave or not is uncertain.
tsun |
(vinm.) |
can, able to |
zene |
(vinm.) |
must |
|
oe hum
I leave |
oe zene h<iv>um
I must leave oe tsun h<iv>um
I can leave |
tsun oe h<iv>um
I can leave oe h<iv>um tsun
NOT VALID |
3. “How are case endings used with modal verbs?”
Although modal verbs are listed with transitivity information, that is only important when using them by themselves, without modifying another verb.
new |
(vtrm.) |
want |
fmi |
(vtrm.) |
attempt, try |
|
pol oeti new
[s]he wants me |
po new yivom
they want to eat |
fmi tsauvanit!
try that game! |
po fmi tsakem sivi!
[s]he tries to do that [action]! |
As you can see, one can want or attempt a noun. In those cases, we're just using the modal as the main verb. But, we can also use it to modify a verb.
Think like the Na’vi!
You can think of modality and transitivity as a badges that unlock new ways to use a verb. Every verb is intransitive, but some have access to a direct object (tr) or modifying other verbs (m).
You can think of modality and transitivity as a badges that unlock new ways to use a verb. Every verb is intransitive, but some have access to a direct object (tr) or modifying other verbs (m).
Combining modal verbs with intransitive verbs is pretty simple, but what if we want to add a direct object to the affected verb? For example, "they want to eat fish"? In this case, the fish is the direct object of eat. But what is the subject of eat?
Technically, eat has no subject. "They" is the subject of want, not eat. Who is wanting? They. Who is eating? Nobody (at least not yet). The simplest version of this statement would be "they want". The fact that "eating is wanted" and "the thing wanted to be eaten is fish" is all additional information to the fact that wanting is happening. This same logic can be applied to answering what the direct object of "want" is. "Fish" is not wanted, "eating" is. But, verbs don't take case endings, so the direct object case ending can be saved for the direct object of the modified verb.
Since we are using two verbs in the same sentence, we need a way to keep track of which nouns relate to which verbs. As always, we turn to case endings to answer such relationship questions. The subject of the modal remains unmarked, where the direct object of the modified verb is marked.
Technically, eat has no subject. "They" is the subject of want, not eat. Who is wanting? They. Who is eating? Nobody (at least not yet). The simplest version of this statement would be "they want". The fact that "eating is wanted" and "the thing wanted to be eaten is fish" is all additional information to the fact that wanting is happening. This same logic can be applied to answering what the direct object of "want" is. "Fish" is not wanted, "eating" is. But, verbs don't take case endings, so the direct object case ending can be saved for the direct object of the modified verb.
Since we are using two verbs in the same sentence, we need a way to keep track of which nouns relate to which verbs. As always, we turn to case endings to answer such relationship questions. The subject of the modal remains unmarked, where the direct object of the modified verb is marked.
|
fo new yivom payoangit
they want to eat fish new yivom fo payoangit
they want to eat fish |
new fo yivom payoangit
they want to eat fish new yivom payoangit fo
they want to eat fish |
However, the Na'vi are very accustomed to certain patterns, such as subjects and direct objects being next to each other, and verbs being at the end. So, the following is judged as acceptable, even though it breaks from the pattern above.
fol payoangit new yivom
they want to eat fish
they want to eat fish
In this case, "new yivom" is treated as a single "super verb". This is proper in almost all occasions, barring some very formal situations, but less common than simply having an unmarked subject. Even less common is the following:
payoangit fol new yivom
they want to eat fish
they want to eat fish
A large number of speakers would find this jarring, since it SOV's pattern is more common than OSV's. But, it is still valid. So, how about having subjects and objects after the "new yivom" super verb? Does this work? The answer is no!
new yivom fol payoangit
NOT VALID
NOT VALID
In the previous example, we established a subject-object relationship, and then "corrected" ourselves with a modal super verb. But if the modal verb combination comes first, the Na'vi now expect an unmarked subject (and a marked direct object, if applicable).
4. “How are infixes used with modal verbs?”
As said earlier, the verb affected by the modal always takes the <iv> infix, and ONLY <iv>. If we need to add tense, aspect, or affect information, it goes in the modal.
|
new fo yivom payoangit
they want to eat fish |
n<am>ew fo yivom payoangit
they wanted to eat fish |
n<ay><ei>ew fo yivom payoangit
they will want (yay!) to eat fish |
In situations where you are using multiple modal verbs (yes, that is a thing!), keep following the same rules from before: the lead modal receives all the informational infixes, and the affected verbs are simply <iv>.
ts<ìy>un fo sng<iv>ä'i yivom payoangit
they will soon be able to begin to eat fish
they will soon be able to begin to eat fish
It's especially important to keep modals in order from start to finish. Since modals describe the subject's relationship with the verb, you want to make sure the correct verbs are describing each other!
|
fo sngamä'i nivew yivom payoangit
they began to want to eat fish |
fo namew sngivä'i yivom payoangit
they wanted to begin eating fish |
In Summary
1. What is a modal verb?
A modal verb is one that can be used to modify another verb.
2. How are modal verbs used?
Modal verbs go before the verb they modify. The affected verb gets the <iv> infix. They do not need to go directly before the verb they modify, so long as the modal comes first.
3. How are case endings used with modal verbs?
The subject of the modal is an unmarked subject. The direct object of the affected verb, if applicable, remains marked as a direct object.
It is valid to use -L and -T endings with a modal verb, but only if the modal and modified verb come after the nouns.
4. How are infixes used with modal verbs?
Only the leading modal verb can be given informative infixes. Any verbs that follow take <iv>.
A modal verb is one that can be used to modify another verb.
2. How are modal verbs used?
Modal verbs go before the verb they modify. The affected verb gets the <iv> infix. They do not need to go directly before the verb they modify, so long as the modal comes first.
3. How are case endings used with modal verbs?
The subject of the modal is an unmarked subject. The direct object of the affected verb, if applicable, remains marked as a direct object.
It is valid to use -L and -T endings with a modal verb, but only if the modal and modified verb come after the nouns.
4. How are infixes used with modal verbs?
Only the leading modal verb can be given informative infixes. Any verbs that follow take <iv>.
NA'VI AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
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Infixes, Part 3
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Questions
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