jeff_l
(Jeff_L)
#1
7.3 Verb classes and irregular verbs 413
The shape -Ijat- in the imperfectives connects this verb with numerous
adjectival verbs (§7.3.1.10-11).
The PerfP -ajjat- is unusual in that (for T-ka) it does not allow 3MaSg
subject prefix i-, though the stem begins with schwa and can take other
prefixes (3FeSg or 2nd person t-, 1P1 n-). Thus ajjat (not the expected #i-jjat)
'it-Ma became abundant', but t-ajjat 'it-Fe became abundant'. This would
make more sense phonologically if the stem began with ae rather than a, and
the participles (below) and K-d PerfP -aejjot- actually do begin with ae.
The final t is clearly part of the stem in these inflected forms, and in the
related noun ajutt 'large quantity, abundance'. For example, the 3MaPl PerfP
is ajjat-aen 'they became numerous'.
However, in the participles (used as modifying "adjectives") the final t
behaves as though it were the suffixal Augment -t-, and therefore appears only
in the plural form: MaSg 0-aejje-n, FeSg t-aejje-t, PI aejjo-t-nen. See (534.e) in
§8.5.7. For A-grm I elicited, along with inflected PerfP -agaet-, the participles
MaSg asgge-n, FeSg aegge-t, PI asggo-t-nen. Here the lack of t- prefix in the
FeSg suggests that the participles do not take subject prefixes.
The verb 'be long, tall' has somewhat similar characteristics. The forms in
(411) are valid for T-ka and some other dialects (with slight variation in
consonantism).
(411) 'be long, tall'
a. perfective system
PerfP sajrat- (dialectally zajrat-, sajrat-)
Resit sajrat-
PerfN sajrat-
b. short imperfective system
Shlmpf -aessaejraet-, -assssejrae-t-
Imprt saejraet, saejras-t
c. long imperfective system
LoImpfP -t-asaejrat-, -t-asaejra-t
LoImpfN -t-asajrit, -t-asajri-t
Prohib -t-sessejrat-, -t-sesaejra-t
d. nominalization
abstractive t-assajrat-t
As with many C-initial adjectival verbs, pronominal subject prefixes are
generally avoided in the perfectives. The final t is part of the stem at least in
the perfectives, hence 3MaPl PerfP sajrat-aen 'they became long'. There is
some fluctuation in the imperfectives between taking the t as a stem segment,
or as the Augment -t. If interpreted as the Augment, -t should disappear before
