Conjugation Paradigms
VTAO Direct Indicative Mode
Like the VTAs there are VTAO objective and VTAO absolute means of constructing forms in direct indicative mode. Objective forms use n endings whereas absolute forms use w endings, and the both use the (aa) direct direction marker.
VTAO Direct Indicative Mode Objective Forms: the Basic Forms
Paradigm | Meaning |
---|---|
nu-(stem)-aan | I — him – it,him |
ku-(stem)-aan | You — him – it,him |
wu-(stem)-aan | He — him (obviative) – it |
nu-(stem)-aaneen | We — him – it,him (exclusive) |
ku-(stem)-aaneen | We — him – it,him (inclusive) |
ku-(stem)-aaneewa | Ye — him – it,him |
wu-(stem)-aaneewa | They — him (obviative) – it |
Miileew vtao give s.t. to s.o.
Numiilaan I gave it to him.
Kumiilaan
Miilaan
Numiilaaneen
Kumiilaaneen
Kumiilaaneewa
Miilaaneewa
The prefix (wu-) is deleted in 3rd person forms by phonology rules in this verb, but reappears if a preverb is used:
Kwata-miilaan
Kwata-miilaanéewa
VTAO Negative Direct Indicative Mode Objective Forms – Basic Forms
Paradigm | Meaning |
---|---|
mah nu-(stem)-aawun | I — him – it,him not |
mah ku-(stem)-aawun | You — him – it,him not |
mah wu-(stem)-aawun | He — him (obviative) – it not |
mah nu-(stem)-aawuneen | We — him – it,him not (exclusive) |
mah ku-(stem)-aawuneen | We — him – it,him not (inclusive) |
mah ku-(stem)-aawuneewa | Ye — him – it,him not |
mah wu-(vowel stem)-aawuneewa | They — him (obviative) – it not |
Mah numiilaawun I did not give it to him.
Mah kumiilaawun
Mah miilaawun
Mah numiilaawuneen
Mah kumiilaawuneen
Mah kumiilaawuneewa
Mah miilaawuneewa
These basic forms interact with various combinations of subject, object and extra object in predictable ways. These will be explained below then summarized with a conjugation table. The subject of a vtao is always animate. The primary object is always animate, and may be singular or plural. The secondary object may be inanimate or animate, singular or plural.
Inanimate Extra Object
(1) VTAO Direct Indicative Mode with a singular primary object and an objective singular inanimate secondary object (objective inanimate sg-sg)
When both the primary object and the secondary object are both singular and the secondary object is inanimate, the basic VTAO forms are used without modification.
akwíimeew blame s.o. for s.t. (blame s.t. on him)
miileew give s.t. to s.o.
Numíilaan. Mah kŭmiiláawun.
I gave it to him. You did not give it to him.
Ndakwíimaan.
I blamed it on him.
Numíilaan wtéehiim.
I gave him the strawberry.
Kumíilaan wtéehim.
You gave him the strawberry.
Míilaan wtéehiim.
He gave him the strawberry
Mah kwata-miiláawun wtéehiim.
He did not want to give him the strawberry.
Numiiláaneen wtéehiim.
We gave him the strawberry.
Mahta kumiiláawuneen wtéehiim.
We did not give him the strawberry.
Kumiilaanéewa wtéehim.
Ye gave him the strawberry.
Ktakwiimaanéewa.
Ye blamed it on him.
Miilaanéewa wtéehim.
They gave him the strawberry.
Numiiláaneen.
We gave it to him.
VTAO Direct Indicative Mode Objective Forms with Singular Inanimate Extra Object
Subject — Object – Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm |
---|---|
I — him – it | nu-(stem)-aan |
You — him – it | ku-(stem)-aan |
He — him (obviative) – it | wu-(stem)-aan |
We — him – it (exclusive) | nu-(stem)-aaneen |
We — him – it(inclusive) | ku-(stem)-aaneen |
Ye — him – it | ku-(stem)-aaneewa |
They — him (obviative) – it | wu-(stem)-aaneewa |
(2) VTAO Direct Indicative Mode with a plural primary object and a objective singular inanimate secondary object (objective inanimate pl-sg)
When the primary object is plural, and the secondary object is inanimate and singular, the basic endings are also used, with one optional alternative for the 1st person singular form.
Option 1: Use the same verb forms as for a singular primary object
Numiilaan wteehiim.
I gave him, her or them the strawberry
Option 2 : Use a special form (nu)-(stem)-(aa)-(neewa) for I–them
(this option is only available for 1st person forms with a plural primary object “them”)
Numiilaanéewa wtéehiim.
I gave them the strawberry
(Reference Ives Goddard Delaware Verbal Morphology)
VTAO Direct Indicative Mode Objective Forms with Plural Object and Sg Inanimate Extra Object
Subject – Object – Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm | Alternative |
---|---|---|
I — them – it | nu-(stem)-aan | nu-(stem)-aaneewa* |
You — them – it | ku-(stem)-aan | |
He — them – it | wu-(stem)-aan | |
We — them – it | nu-(stem)-aaneen | |
We — them – it | ku-(stem)-aaneen | |
Ye — them – it | ku-(stem)-aaneewa | |
They — them – it | wu-(stem)-aaneewa |
(3) VTAO Direct Indicative Mode with a singular primary object and an objective plural inanimate secondary object (objective sg-pl)
When the primary object is singular and secondary object is in the plural, some possibilities for optional alternatives exist for some forms.
Option 1: Omit the (al) inanimate plural ending on the verb
Numíilaan. Mah kŭmiiláawun.
I gave them to him. You did not give them to him.
Numíilaan wteehíimal.
I gave him the strawberries.
Noolíhtawaan ahpapóonal.
I made the chairs for him.
wulíhtaweew make s.t. for s.o.
Option 2: Use the (al) inanimate plural ending on the verb:
(only for 1st sg, 2nd sg and 3rd sg forms)
Numiiláanal. Mah kŭmiiláawunal.
I gave them to him. You did not give them to him.
Numiiláanal wteehíimal.
I gave him the strawberries.
Kumíilaan wteehíimal.
You gave him the strawberries.
Miiláanal wteehíimal.
He gave him the strawberries.
Oolihtawáanal ahpapóonal.
He made the chairs for him.
Mah kwata-miiláawun wteehíimal.
He did not want to give him the strawberries.
Numiiláaneen wteehíimal.
We gave him the strawberries.
Mahta kumiiláawuneen wteehíimal.
We did not give him the strawberries.
Kumiilaanéewa wteehíimal.
Ye gave him the strawberries.
Koolihtawaanéewa ahpapóonal.
Ye made him the chairs.
Miilaanéewa wteehíimal.
They gave him the strawberries.
Numiiláaneen.
We gave it or them to him.
VTAO Direct Mode with Sg Object and Objective Plural Inanimate Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm | Alternative |
---|---|---|
I — him – them | nu-(stem)-aan | nu-(stem)-aanal |
You — him – them | ku-(stem)-aan | ku-(stem)-aanal |
He — him – them | wu-(stem)-aan | wu-(stem)-aanal |
We — him – them | nu-(stem)-aaneen | |
We — him – them | ku-(stem)-aaneen | |
Ye — him – them | ku-(stem)-aaneewa | |
They — him – them | wu-(stem)-aaneewa |
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Go to VTAO Practicum I
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(4) Direct objective forms with plural primary object and an objective plural inanimate extra object (pl-pl)
When both the primary object and the secondary object are plural, and the secondary object is inanimate, one may optionally add the gender appropriate plural ending, in agreement with the extra object, but only to forms that take such endings (1st sg and 2nd sg)
Option 1: Omit the plural ending (-al) on the verb
Numíilaan wteehíimal.
I gave them the strawberries
Noolíhtawaan ahpapóonal.
I made them the chairs.
Option 2: Add the plural ending (-al) on the verb
(only available for 1st, 2nd and 3rd person forms with a plural extra object “them”, i.e. no way to add an inanimate plural ending to (-neen) or (-neewa))
Numiiláanal wteehíimal.
I gave them the strawberries.
Numiiláaneen wteehíimal.
We gave them the strawberries.
Noolihtawáanal ahpapóonal.
I made them the chairs.
Option 3: Use a special form (nu)-(stem)-(aa)-(neewa) for I–them
(only available for 1st person forms with a plural primary object “them”)
Numiilaanéewa wteehíimal.
I gave them the strawberries.
Noolihtawaanéewa ahpapóonal.
I made them the chairs.
(Reference Ives Goddard Delaware Verbal Morphology;)
Central Endings Chapter
VTAO Direct Indicative Mode Objective Forms with Plural Object and Plural Inanimate Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm | Alternative | Alternative 2 |
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I — them – them | nu-(stem)-aan | nu-(stem)-aanal | nu-(stem)-aaneewa |
You — them – them | ku-(stem)-aan | ku-(stem)-aanal | |
He — them – them | wu-(stem)-aan | wu-(stem)-aanal | |
We — them – them | nu-(stem)-aaneen | ||
We — them – them | ku-(stem)-aaneen | ||
Ye — them – them | ku-(stem)-aaneewa | ||
They — them – them | wu-(stem)-aaneewa |
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Go to VTAO Practicum II
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Animate Extra Object
In some ways the case of an animate extra object is less complex because it will be marked as obviative and as such, singular and plural extra objects use the same form. In other ways they are more complex because the verb may optionally use obviative markings.
(1) VTAO Direct Indicative Mode with a singular object and an objective singular animate extra (secondary) object: (sg-obv animate objective)
Animate extra objects are always obviative in direct mode, as a secondary third person participant in relation to the proximate third person participant ‘him’ or ‘them’ and if a noun is used to represent the extra object it will be marked with the obviative suffix.
The obviative ending may also be added to some verb stem for some forms of the VTAO.
Option 1: Omit the obviative ending (-al) on the verb
xámeew vtao feed s.t. to s.o.
Ndáxamaan óhpunal.
I fed her the potato.
(ohpun is obviative because less in focus that "her")
Noolíhtawaan amoxóolal.
I made the boat for him.
Option 2: Add the obviative ending (-al) on the verb
(only available for 1st, 2nd sg forms with an obviative extra object “them”, i.e. no way to add an obviative ending to (-neen) or (-neewa) and 3rd person forms are to be avoided because two obviatives would be required)
Ndaxamáanal óhpunal.
I fed her the potato.
Noolihtawáanal amoxóolal.
I made the boat for him.
The obviative extra object may represent a plural extra object, in which case the forms used are the same as above:
Option 1: Omit the obviative ending (-al) on the verb
Ndáxamaan óhpunal.
I fed her the potato(es).
Option 2: Add the obviative ending (-al) on the verb
(only available for 1st, 2nd sg forms with an obviative extra object “them”, i.e. no way to add an obviative ending to (-neen) or (-neewa) and 3rd person forms are to be avoided because two obviatives would be required)
Ndaxamáanal óhpunal.
I fed her the potato.
I fed her the potatoes.
VTAO Direct Indicative Mode Objective Forms with Sg or Plural Animate Extra Object*
Meaning | Paradigm | Alternative |
---|---|---|
I — him – him (obv) | nu-(stem)-aan | nu-(stem)-aanal |
You — him – him (obv) | ku-(stem)-aan | ku-(stem)-aanal |
He — him (obviative) – him (obv) | AVOID | |
We — him – him (obv) (exclusive) | nu-(stem)-aaneen | |
We — him – him (obv) (inclusive) | ku-(stem)-aaneen | |
Ye — him – him (obv) | ku-(stem)-aaneewa | |
They — him (obviative) – him (obv) | AVOID |
*Obviative forms are the same for singular and plural
(2) VTAO Direct Indicative Mode with a plural primary object and an obviative animate extra object: (pl-obv objective)
Option 1: Use the basic vtao form
Ndáxamaan óhpunal.
I fed them the potato(es).
(I fed him, her or them the potato(es).)
Ktáxamaan óhpunal.
You fed them the potato(es).
(You fed him, her or them the potato(es).)
Koolíhtawaan amoxóolal.
You made the boat(s) for them. (for him, her, them)
Ndaxamáaneen óhpunal.
We fed them the potato(es).
Option 2: Add the obviative ending (-al) on the verb
(only available for 1st, 2nd sg forms with an obviative extra object “them”, i.e. no way to add an obviative ending to (-neen) or (-neewa) and 3rd person forms are to be avoided because two obviatives would be required)
Ndaxamáanal óhpunal.
I fed him, her or them the potato(es).
Noolihtawáanal amoxóolal.
I made the boat(s) for him, her or them.
Ktaxamáanal óhpunal.
You fed them the potato(es).
Option 3: Use a special form (nu)-(stem)-(aa)-(neewa) for I–them
(only available for 1st person forms with a plural primary object “them”)
The use of this forms removes the ambiguity of the primary object since it can only refer to them and not him, her or them.
Ndaxamaanéewa óhpunal.
I fed them the potato(es).
Noolihtawaanéewa amoxóolal.
I made the boat(s) for them.
Other than 1st sg: optional use of the obviative suffix (al) on the verb after the n ending for the 2nd and 3rd person sg forms only (i.e. impossible to add obviative ending on -(neen) and -(neewa) endings of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd pl forms). Avoid 3rd person forms with animate extra object to avoid confusing double obviatives.
Numiilaanak
This form is ungrammatical, because (ak) could only correspond to a plural animate extra object, which must be marked obviative in forms that have another 3rd person participant.
VTAO Direct Objective Forms with Plural Object and Sg or Plural (obviative) Animate Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm | Alternative | Alternative 2 |
---|---|---|---|
I — them – him (obv) | nu-(stem)-aan | nu-(stem)-aanal | nu-(stem)-aaneewa |
You — them – him (obv) | ku-(stem)-aan | ku-(stem)-aanal | |
He — them (obviative) – him (obv) | AVOID | ||
We — them – him (obv) (exclusive) | nu-(stem)-aaneen | ||
We — them – him (obv) (inclusive) | ku-(stem)-aaneen | ||
Ye — them – him (obv) | ku-(stem)-aaneewa | ||
They — them (obviative) – him (obv) | AVOID |
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Go to VTAO Practicum III
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Absolute direct VTAO forms
To use a VTAO with an absolute extra object, one conjugates the verb like a VTA, i.e. the w endings and the direction marker (aa) are used as if there was no extra object present. A noun is required to show the presence of an extra object.
Could the noun for the extra object be confused with a regular vta object?
No because (1) an inanimate noun would not belong in a VTA phrase so there should be no doubt that the noun if inanimate is an extra object. See example (a) below. (2) It should also be clear that the noun is an extra object when it is animate because it will be marked as obviative, whereas the object of a VTA would be proximate. See example (b).
(a) Numíilaaw waapasáanay.
I gave him, her a blanket. (inanimate noun)
(b) Numíilaaw pambíilal.
I gave him, her a book.
(The obviative marking on (pambiil-al) book shows its status as an extra object, VTAO use)
(c) Numíilaaw pámbiil.
I gave the book.
(non-obviative marking indicates status as a primary object, VTA use)
Animate extra objects are always obviative in direct vtao constructs, because the animate primary object outranks the extra object.
Peripheral verb endings here, are used differently than is the case with the objective direct forms using n endings. Here, peripheral endings (-ak) plural and (-al) obviative, as in vta forms reference the primary object.
Ndulunumawáawak paxkshíikan.
I handed them a knife.
Ndulunumawáawak pambíilal.
I handed them a book. (or some books.)
Wtulunumawáawal paxkshíikan.
He handed (the other) him a knife.
Wtulunumawáawal + animate extra object : not attested
Proximate handed obviative a further obviative
VTAO Absolute Forms or Noun required construction
inflects like a regular TA verb
VTAO Direct Absolute Forms
Paradigm | Meaning |
---|---|
nu-(stem)-aaw + noun | I — him – it, him |
ku-(stem)-aaw + noun | You — him – it, him |
wu-(stem)-aawal + noun | He — him (obv) – it |
nu-(stem)-aawuna + noun | We — him – it, him |
ku-(stem)-aawuna + noun | We — him – it, him |
ku-(stem)-aawa + noun | Ye — him – it, him |
wu-(stem)-aawaawal + noun | They — him (obv) – it, him |
Negative forms are the same as the corresponding VTA negative forms
VTAO Negative Direct Absolute Forms
Paradigm | Meaning |
---|---|
mah nu-(stem)-aawi | I — him – it, him not |
mah ku-(stem)-aawi | You — him – it, him not |
mah wu-(stem)-aawiiwal | He — him (obv) – it not |
mah nu-(stem)-aawiiwuna | We — him – it, him not |
mah ku-(stem)-aawiiwuna | We — him – it, him not |
mah ku-(stem)-aawiiwa | Ye — him – it, him not |
mah wu-(stem)-aawiiwaawal | They — him (obv) – it, him not |
Examples with a singular object and a singular absolute inanimate object
lunumáweew hand s.t to s.o.
míileew vtao give s.t. to s.o.
Numíilaaw wtéehiim. Mah kumiiláawi wtéehim.
I gave him a strawberry. You did not give him a strawberry.
Ktulunumáwaaw wtéehiim.
You handed him a strawberry.
Miiláawal wtéehiim. Mah kwata-miilaawíiwal wíisakiim.
He gave him a strawberry. He did not intend to give him a grape.
Wtulunumawáawal wíisakiim. -vs- Wtulunumáwaan wíisakiim.
He handed him a grape. He handed him the grape.
Numiiláawuna wtéehiim. Mah ngata-miilaawíiwuna éelihk.
We (excl) gave him a strawberry. We didn't want to give him a rotten one.
Ktulunumawáawuna wtéehiim.
We (incl) handed him a strawberry.
Kumiiláawa wtéehiim.
Ye gave him a strawberry.
Wtulunumawaawáawal wtéehiim.
They handed him a strawberry.
Examples with a singular object and a plural absolute extra (secondary) object:
Numíilaaw wteehíimal.
I gave him some strawberries.
Wtulunumawáawal wteehíimal.
He handed him or them some strawberries.
Wtulunumawaawáawal wteehíimal.
They gave him or them some strawberries.
VTAO Direct Absolute Forms with Sg Object and Inanimate Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm |
---|---|
I — him — (an inanimate noun) | nu-(stem)-aaw + (noun) |
I — him — (some inanimate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aaw + (noun)-al |
You — him — (an inanimate noun) | ku-(stem)-aaw + (noun) |
You — him — (some inanimate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aaw + (noun)-al |
He — him (obv) – (an inanimate noun) | wu-(stem)-aawal + (noun) |
He — him (obv) – (some inanimate noun)-s | wu-(stem)-aawal + (noun)-al |
We — him – (an inanimate noun) | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun) |
We — him – (some inanimate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — him – (an inanimate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun) |
We — him – (some inanimate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
Ye — him – (an inanimate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun) |
Ye — him – (some inanimate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun)-al |
They — him (obv) – (a inanimate noun) | wu-(stem)-aawaawal + (noun) |
They — him (obv) – (some inanimate noun)-s | wu-(stem)-aawaawal + (noun)-al |
Plural primary object with absolute inanimate secondary object
Examples with plural (primary) object:
Numiiláawak wtéehiim.
I gave them a strawberry.
Kumiiláawak wteehíimal.
You gave them some strawberries.
Miiláawal wtéehiim.
He gave them a strawberry.
(obviative form used because two 3rd persons participate here)
Miiláawal wteehíimal.
He gave them some strawberries.
Numiiláawak wteehíimal.
I gave them some strawberries.
Mahta kumiilaawíiwak paakíimal.
You didn't give them any cranberries.
Example with an extra object made from two nouns
Numíilaaw shúlpul waak míichuwaakan
I gave him money and food
(Reference John O'Meara Delaware Resource)
VTAO Direct Absolute Forms with Plural Object and Inanimate Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm |
---|---|
I — them – (an inanimate noun) | nu-(stem)-aawak + (noun) |
I — them – (some inanimate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aawak + (noun)-al |
You — them – (an inanimate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawak + (noun) |
You — them – (some inanimate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawak + (noun)-al |
He — them (obv) – (an inanimate noun) | wu-(stem)-aawal + (noun) |
He — them (obv) – (some inanimate noun)-s | wu-(stem)-aawal + (noun)-al |
We — them – (an inanimate noun) | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun) |
We — them – (some inanimate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — them – (an inanimate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun) |
We — them – (some inanimate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
Ye — them – (an inanimate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun) |
Ye — them – (some inanimate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun)-al |
They — them (obv) – (an inanimate noun) | wu-(stem)-aawaawal + (noun) |
They — them (obv) – (some inanimate noun)-s | wu-(stem)-aawaawal + (noun)-al |
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Go to VTAO Practicum IV
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Animate Extra Objects
Since these are obviative, and the obviative suffix takes the slot used by plural endings, sg and pl extra objects look identical.
Examples with a singular object and an animate absolute extra (secondary) object:
Numíilaaw óhpunal.
I gave him a potato.
Numíilaaw óhpunal.
I gave him some potatoes.
(absolute forms do not inflect differently for a singular vs plural object)
VTAO Direct Absolute Forms with Sg Object and Animate Extra Object
Meaning | Paradigm |
---|---|
I — him – (an animate noun) | nu-(stem)-aaw + (noun)-al |
I — him – (some animate)-s | nu-(stem)-aaw + (noun)-al |
You — him – (an animate noun) | ku-(stem)-aaw + (noun)-al |
You — him – (some animate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aaw + (noun)-al |
He — him – (an animate noun) | AVOID |
He — him – (some animate noun)-s | AVOID |
We — him – (an animate noun) | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — him – (some animate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — him – (an animate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — him – (some animate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
Ye — him – (an animate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun)-al |
Ye — him – (some animate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun)-al |
They — him – (an animate noun) | AVOID |
They — him – (some animate noun)-s | AVOID |
Examples with a plural object and an animate absolute extra (secondary) object:
Numiiláawak óhpunal.
I gave them a potato.
Numiiláawak óhpunal.
I gave them some potatoes.
VTAO Direct Absolute Forms with Plural Object and Animate Extra Object
SUBJECT — PLURAL OBJECT – ANIMATE EXTRA OBJECT
Meaning | Paradigm |
---|---|
I — them – (an animate noun) | nu-(stem)-aawak + (noun)-al |
I — them – (some animate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aawak + (noun)-al |
You — them – (an animate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawak + (noun)-al |
You — them – (some animate noun)-s | ku-stem)-aawak + (noun)-al |
He — them – (an animate noun) | AVOID |
He — them – (some animate noun)-s | AVOID |
We — them – (an animate noun) | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — them – (some animate noun)-s | nu-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — them – (a animate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
We — them – (some animate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawuna + (noun)-al |
Ye — them – (an animate noun) | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun)-al |
Ye — them – (some animate noun)-s | ku-(stem)-aawa + (noun)-al |
They — them – (an animate noun) | AVOID |
They — them – (some animate noun)-s | AVOID |
Note on 3rd person forms:
3rd person forms with an animate extra object have three 3rd person participants, one proximate and 2 obviatives. Determining which obviative is the primary object and which obviative is the extra object is possible using word order in similar fashion to noun possessive morphology for objective forms, but a possessive construction would not be appropriate to an absolute type of construct, because the possessee of a possessive cannot be indefinite.
(Aissen, J. (1997). On the syntax of obviation. Language, 705-750. See p718,719 Ranked obviatives and obviative span.)
He gave him (obv) a him (further obv)
Furthermore, I have encountered no such phrases in any of the Delaware materials I reviewed, so would recommend avoiding them and finding another way to express these concepts.
Óxkweew miiláawal lúnuwal míiltuwaakan. Lúnuw wtáyuwa mwaakanéewal.
The woman gave the man a gift. The man got a dog.
VTA vs VTAO side by side comparison:
VTA
Objective: Numíilaaw pámbiil. I gave the book.
Absolute: Numíila pámbiil. I gave a book.
VTAO:
Objective: Numíilaan pambíilal. I gave him the book.
Absolute: Numíilaaw pambíilal. I gave him a book.
The form numiilaaw with an noun in obviative form signals the presence of two 3rd person participants indicating VTAO use. Numiilaaw with a non-obviative noun has to be an objective form, indicating VTA use because only one 3rd person participant is present.
Example with a possessed noun
Kwata-miilaawal xwiismusal changiish shulpul.
He is going to give his younger brother some money
(Reference John O'Meara Delaware Resource)
Example with different word order
Máaliish káalal numíilaaw.
I gave her, Molly a car.
(Obviative form on kaal tells us which animate is the 2nd mentioned)
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Go to VTAO Practicum V
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