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Verbs

The verbal system of Βaβar language is based on the fundamental dichotomy between imperfective aspect and perfective aspect. This distinction is conveyed by two different verbal roots for every verbal meaning, the imperfective root (R_imp) and the perfective root (R_prf). The perfective root is usually derived from the imperfective one through an introflexive process of vowel change:

CCV1CC → CCV2CC

The root vowel change follows well-defined patterns:

Rimp = short vowel → Rprf = long vowel

Rimp = long vowel → Rprf = diphthong

Rimp = semivowel → Rprf = [ə] + semivowel

Examples:

Rimp = ɸaq- → Rprf = ɸāq-

Rimp = çīr- → Rprf = çwir-

Rimp = qmš- → Rprf = qəmš-

However, multisyllabic verbal roots can be formed through morphological derivation by adding prefixes or suffixes or both of them. These morphological affixes are usually not involved in the change process. The vowel involved is that belonging to the original verbal root:

Examples:

Rimp = çāɸaq- → Rprf = çāɸāq-

Rimp = ɣārɸi- → Rprf = ɣārɸī-

Irregular perfective roots can be found, however rarely. Some verbs may entirely lack their perfective root.

No distinction is made on a temporal level. Time is conveyed exclusively through temporal adverbs and particles.

There are three verbal moods and three non-finite forms:

• Moods: indicative, subjunctive, imperative
• Non-finite: active participle, passive participle

The citation form of verbs is the imperfective imperative, which coincides exactly with the imperfective root. From such form the imperfective root can be inferred and can be changed in its perfective equivalent.

All verbs are divided in three groups, called conjugations. Each conjugation is distinguished by a different conjugating pattern in aspect, person and mood, and a different thematic vowel, which is added to the root before the personal endings. The 1^st conjugation has a null ending, with the personal endings being directly added to the root. The 2^nd conjugation and the 3^rd conjugation add -i- and -u-, respectively, as thematic vowels. The general scheme is:

1st conjugation	-
2nd conjugation	-i-
3rd conjugation	-u-

The following personal endings are then added to the various aspectual forms. In this way, verbs show their agreement with the clause subject in person and number:

1st sing.	-š
2nd sing.	-m
3rd sing.	-ɣ
1st plur.	-ža
2nd plur.	-ku
3rd plur.	-ç

The different moods are formed by adding the following infixes to the verbal root, before the personal endings:

• indicative: Ø
• subjunctive: -iñ-
• conditional: -ɑts-

The non-finite verbal forms are meant as nominal/adjectival forms of the same verbs. They do not add the personal endings, but they are declined as nouns or adjectives with the nominal declension endings.

As verbal forms can, however, be formed on both roots and add the past prefix. They can also add the modal infixes before their typical endings.

The non-finite endings are:

• infinitive: -ɑme
• agentive participle: -ī́to
• passive participle: -uki

The infinitival form is meant as a 2^nd class noun.