jeff_l
(Jeff_L)
#1
294 7 Verbal morphology
acquire accent either by accent formative χ-pcl in ablaut (Resit, LoImpfP), or
by Default Accentuation (§3.3.1). Aside from differences among stem-shape
classes, e.g. -vPPvC-, -uPQu-, and -CvCvC-, there are also special features
associated with adjectival verbs.
This chapter is organized as follows. First, Augment -t of a large class of
V-final stems is discussed (§7.1). These are referred to throughout as augment
verbs, in contrast to unaugmented V-final stems. Then the stem categories in
(302) are discussed in turn, briefly describing the syntax and semantics of each
category, and extracting generalizations about ablaut morphology that apply
across stem-shape classes (§7.2). In §7.3.1 I focus in turn on each stem-shape
class, beginning with various types of (syllabically) light verbs and moving on
to heavy and superheavy stems (on the ligh/heavy distinction see §3.4.1.4). In
§7.3.2 I proceed to discuss verbs that have individual idiosyncrasies. There is
considerable duplication between §7.2 and §7.3, since they approach the same
morphological system from two different perspectives. In §7.4 I describe the
pronominal subject prefixes and suffixes.
7.1 Augment verbs with -t-
7.1.1 Augmented and unaugmented V-final stems
We will see that many verbs end in a C, but there are quite a few others that
end in a V. Of the V-final verbs, the majority are augment verbs (short for
augmented V-final verbs) that add a suffixal Augment ("Aug" in interlinears)
-t- word-finally and before C-initial subject and Participle suffixes. The
Augment does not occur in non-participial nominals (VblN, Agentive, etc.). In
this section, I focus on the distribution of -t- itself, and on its effect on a
preceding V. The full set of stems for augment verbs is discussed below
(§7.3.1.6, §7.3.1.13, §7.3.1.16).
While many augmented verbs are unrelated to nouns (except their own
derivatives), others are matched with an underived noun and may be
considered denominal, e.g. noun ae-rorr 'patty from droppings put into
animal's mouth to prevent suckling', verb -ruru-t (PerfP -seqqorae-t) 'smear
(breast) to deter suckling' (VblN ae-raru). There are no other productive
denominal verbalizations.
Augment -t- is absent before a V-initial subject suffix (303.a), whereupon
the stem-final V contracts with the suffix-initial V (§3.2.3). However, the
augment is present when there is no subject suffix (303.b), and when the
subject suffix begins in C-initial (303.c). The addition of clitics has no effect
on the presence/absence of -t-.
