jeff_l
(Jeff_L)
#1
588 9 Verb phrases and other predications
b. waer 0-aerbaeqqae-t
Neg 3MaSgS-be.dented.PerfN-Aug
'It didn't get dented.'
The perfective negative corresponds to both simple perfective (PerfP) and
resultative (Resit). This makes sense, since a past negative statement denies
that an event took place over a generous time span, making aspectual
distinctions less useful than in the positive. As a result, (638.a) negates both
PerfP assasn-aer Ί knew, found out' and the more common Resit assan-aer Ί
know' (stative).
The normal imperfective negative construction consists of waer and a
special LoImpfN stem (a negative variant of LoImpfP). The LoImpfN blocks
the ablaut accent χ and the first-syllable full-V feature χ that appear in the
LoImpfP, while allowing final-syllable χ and all consonantal adjustments
found in the LoImpfP (prefix -t-, gemination). The LoImpfN also has strict
«Η» melody, while the LoImpfP has «Η» or «L» melody depending on verb
class (§7.2.5.1).
To negate an imperfective, we get waer plus a special LoImpfN stem that
is related to, but distinct from, the LoImpfP. For the future negative see §9.1.4
below. The negative imperative (=prohibitive) includes waer but the stem-
choice is somewhat complex; see §7.2.4.4.
(639) war l-baddad
Neg 3MaSgS-stand.LoImpfN
'He is not standing/stopping.' (= 'He doesn't stand/stop.')
In (639), -baddad- is the LoImpfN corresponding to LoImpfP -baddaed-.
The basic form of the verb is -vbdvd- (PerfP -abdaed-).
For special forms like wasdden used in biclausal negatives ('it is not the
case that [...]'), see §9.5.
Forms used as negative polarity items (like 'anything' in 'not ...
anything') include ordinary generic nouns like ae-wadam 'person', haeraet
'thing', and e-daegg 'place', but also the specialized and somewhat emphatic
polarity form waeld 'nothing' (nonhuman). Its extension waela "iy-aen 'not
(even) one, none at all' can be added to any NP. For abstractions and other
mass nouns, waeld andasrr-asn 'not (even) a little' can be used. The form
waeld, in other contexts, has a range of uses from emphatic 'even' to
disjunctive 'or'. A more general '(not) at all' polarity item is the interjection-
like element faeww! (640.f)·
(640) a. waer-\t i-lla waela
Neg-\3MaSgO 3MaSgS-exist.PerfN nothing
'There is (absolutely) nothing.'
