jeff_l
(Jeff_L)
#1
7.2 Stem categories 321
7.2.3.3 Hortative of Shlmpf with suffix ( ")-et
The Hortative suffix can be added to inflected Shlmpf stems to form the
(short) hortative positive. The suffix is C)-et, extended as C)-het after a full
vowel. It is the only suffix beginning with a full V. Insertion of h is also
typical of clitics that begin with a short or full V. When word-final, the
Hortative suffix requires accent (marked as v) on the word penult. For
Hortative ( ~)-et with long imperfective stems, see §7.2.5.5. For an alternative
hortative construction based on the Imprt stem, and not involving the Hortative
suffix, see §7.2.4, below.
The most common forms are those with 1P1 subject in inclusive sense
('let's...'), but other subject categories may also occur. Examples in (324).
(324) a. n-asal-et
lPlS-run.Shlmpf-Hort
'Let's run!'
b. asal-asv-et
run .Shlmpf- 1 SgS -Hort
'Let me run!'
c. n-shuska-t-et
lPlS-be.beautiful.Shlmpf-Aug-Hort
'Let's become beautiful!'
d. ajla-n-et
go.ShImpf-3PlS-Hort
'May they go!'
e. n-skrsbba-t-et
1 PIS-taste- Aug-Hort
'Let's taste!'
'Let' in e.g. 'Let me run!' should be interpreted in abstract hortative sense
rather than as an imperative directed at a permission-granting authority.
Further examples illustrating other verb classes: n-aduban-et 'let's marry!',
n-aeqqam-et 'let's sit!', n-äerpr-et 'let's kill!'.
Hortative C)-et follows pronominal subject suffixes (325.b,d). With
augment verbs, the suffix follows Augment -t- (324.c,e). However, it precedes
clitics, including object or dative pronominals and directionals, as shown in
(325). It is therefore clearly a word-level suffix rather than a clitic.
(325) a. aegr-aer-et-\t
kill.ShImpf-lSgS-Hort-\3MaSgO
'Let me kill him!'
