The independent subordinative mode is used for certain types of secondary clauses that have something more about a previously mentioned subject, topic or place. As such, this mode is often used in narratives and story telling. This mode helps to link ideas together, and often provide details of quality, quantity, manner about a subject in a series of clauses all of which refer back to the subject mentioned beforehand.
Preverbs are often used in this mood to help color the nature of these linked ideas.
A preverb in the middle of a sentence with the meaning :
'at the location of _______'
would naturally set the stage for additional information to be added about the location.
The main clause starts the story and subordinative clause tells “the rest of the story …”
In narratives, the main clause introduces a storyline and the followings sentences often introduced by the word “then” or “subsequently” (nan or yahah) use the subordinative mode to add more snippets of information to the story.
VAIs conjugate in subordinative mode using a set of endings called the ‘’n endings’‘. Vowel ending stems add the endings directly using the stem ending vowel. Unstable stems do not shift vowels in the subordinative mode. Consonant ending stems insert (u) before the n endings.
VAI Subordinative Mode
| Vowel stem paradigm | Consonant stem paradigm | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| nu-(vowel stem)-n | nu-(consonant stem)-un | I — |
| ku-(vowel stem)-n | ku-(consonant stem)-un | You — |
| wu-(vowel stem)-n | wu-(consonant stem)-un | He or She — |
| nu-(vowel stem)-nāānah | nu-(consonant stem)-unāānah | We — (exclusive) |
| nu-(vowel stem)-nāānookw | nu-(consonant stem)-unāānookw | We all — (exclusive) |
| ku-(vowel stem)-nāānah | ku-(consonant stem)-unāānah | We — (inclusive) |
| ku-(vowel stem)-nāānookw | ku-(consonant stem)-unāānookw | We all — (inclusive) |
| ku-(vowel stem)-nāāwah | ku-(consonant stem)-unāāwah | You (pl) — |
| wu-(vowel stem)-nāāwah | wu-(consonant stem)-unāāwah | They — |
| —-(vowel stem)-n | —-(consonant stem)-un | There is — |
VAI Negative Subordinative Mode
| Vowel stem paradigm | Consonant stem paradigm | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ustah nu-(vowel stem)-wun | ustah nu-(consonant stem)-oowun | I — not |
| ustah ku-(vowel stem)-wun | ustah ku-(consonant stem)-oowun | You — not |
| ustah wu-(vowel stem)-wun | ustah wu-(consonant stem)-oowun | He or She — not |
| ustah nu-(vowel stem)-wunāānah | ustah nu-(consonant stem)-oowunāānah | We — not (exclusive) |
| ustah nu-(vowel stem)-wunāānookw | ustah nu-(consonant stem)-oowunāānookw | We — not (exclusive) |
| ustah ku-(vowel stem)-wunāānah | ustah ku-(consonant stem)-oowunāānah | We — not (inclusive) |
| ustah ku-(vowel stem)-wunāānookw | ustah ku-(consonant stem)-oowunāānookw | We — not (exclusive) |
| ustah ku-(vowel stem)-wunāāwah | ustah ku-(consonant stem)-oowunāāawh | You (pl) — not |
| ustah wu-(vowel stem)-wunāāwah | ustah wu-(consonant stem)-oowunāāwah | They — not |
| ustah —-(vowel stem)-wun | ustah —-(consonant stem)-oowun | There is not — |
VAI Subordinative Examples
The verb anahkāāw ‘he works’
ndanahkāān
ktanahkāān
wtanahkāān
ndanahkāānāānah
ndanahkāānāānookw
ktanahkāānāānah
ktanahkāānāānookw
ktanahkāānāāwah
wtalahkāānāāwah
X anahkāānNegatives
ustah ndanahkāāwun
ustah ktanahkāāwun
ustah wtanahkāāwun
ustah ndanahkāāwŭnāānah
ustah ndanahkāāwŭnāānookw
ustah ktanahkāāwŭnāānah
ustah ktanahkāāwŭnāānookw
ustah ktanahkāāwŭnāāwah
ustah wtanahkāāwŭnāāwah
X ustah anahkāāwunUnstable verbs in subordinative mode
unstable (ąą) verbs use (ąą) + n endings
unstable (ii) verbs use (ii) + n endings
verbs in (kwii) use (kwii) + n endings
Negatives:
unstable (ąą) verbs use (ąą) + negative n endings
unstable (ii) verbs use (ii) + negative n endings
verbs in (kwii) use (kwii) + negative n endings
Ustah nāākmah pāāwih.
He is not coming. (indicative mode)
Nan ustah nāākmah pąąwun.
(subordinative)Subordinative mode usage:
Mild commands
The subordinative when used as the main verb in a non narrative phrase, forms mild commands or suggestions.
Ndąąn.
Let me go.
āāw vai-ąą he goes
These seem to have an unspoken main clause that says:
“Would you please…” + subordinative verb
Kamuk wtąąn.
Let him go inside.
Kóonθiin.
Please be nice. (wunúθuw vai he is nice, good)
Pąąn wiikuyah.
Let him come to my house. (pāāw vai he comes)
Kāāchih pąąnāāwah.
Let them come now.
Numíitsiin hamawusih.
Let me eat slowly.
(hamawusih pc kind of slowly)
Ngáwiin.
Let me sleep.
Ngawíināānah.
Let us sleep.
Nsiin.
Let me say.
Secondary verbal clauses
The subordinative is used in the second clause when a phrases contains two verb clauses. Some of these phrases use the conjunct for the second phrase. The subordinative tends to used instead when the second clause continues the narrative in some way.
Wāāwihkwat noonāāyun. It is known I am good. wāāwihkwat vii be known
Subordinative construct because the second verb explains something related to the first verb.
Koonamanθih ndan noonamánθih. You are feeling well and I am feeling well.
Non-subordinative construct. Neither verb says something that is secondary to the other.
Examples of subordinative constructs:
Aąyąąnkwat nŭmáwih-kawiin.
It is necessary for me to go to sleep.
Aąyąąnkwat koonāāyun.
It is necessary for you to be nice.
Ustah Aąyąąnkwatoowih nsiin.
It is not necessary for me to say.
Subordinative use with preverbs
Certain preverbs (and related verb roots) are especially geared toward use in subordinative clauses. Preverbs related to the quality, the location, the aspect, or the quantity of an idea tend to be followed by a verb in the subordinative mode.
A preverb that introduces the idea of ‘somewhere’ for example may associated with a verb about working. That verb would be in the subordinative because the idea of working somewhere would be part of the preceding dialogue and makes sense in the context of the dialogue.
Locative nouns or numbers are examples of qualifiers that are connected to a verb but do not cause the verb to be in the subordinative mode.
Preverb anih–
The preverb (anih-) sets up a verb so it can provide information with the meaning of ‘thereto’ or the ‘in the direction or manner of’ with reference to a place or time. The idea of ‘direction’ toward a destination extends to non literal places such as ideas and times. It can be used to express concepts such as ‘how’ or ‘thusly’ or ‘in what way’ or ‘in what timeframe’. By providing an explanation of the manner or direction of an action toward reaching a destination or a result, it may assume a variety of translations in English such as how, thus, thusly, the way that, the manner which, to the time of, to the place of, and other such ideas. It provides an explanation of a result or end point so sometimes translates as ‘because’.
It forms a contrast with the preverb wchih- which means ‘therefrom’ or ‘the reason, purpose or cause from which’ with the idea of movement from a place of departure, a starting point, or a beginning.
anih- pv thereto, how, so, in thus manner, in thus way, in relation to
Beginning pattern
(nu)-(anih) => ndunih-
(ku)-(anih) => ktunih-
(wu)-(anih) => wtunih-
Reduplicated form is (ayúnih- ) ; with prefix: (ndayunih- ktayunih- wtayunih-)
Reduplicated forms add emphasis, rhythm and cuteness, similar to words like ‘razzle dazzle’ or ‘fancy schmancy.’
(anih-) may also be used in non subordinative phrases to provide emphasis or direct statements based on ‘how’ something happens.
It is important to keep in mind in interpreting phrases using (anih-) that the subordinative clause functions as an add on that tells the rest of the story.
Examples:
Ndanumúθih wtúnih-mawih-kawíin.
I left when he went to sleep. I left, the end result (destination) of him going to sleep.
anúmθuw vai he leaves
Mbāāθih wtúnih-anúmθiin.
I waited until he left.
(pāāθuw vai wait)
(I waited - to the time he was on his way - his leaving)
Ndan wtúnih- wiikwáhmuk -piichiikwθiin.
And - into the house to there he crawled inside. Then he crawled into the house.
[piichiikwθuw vai crawl inside]
Kamuk ndúnih-pah.
I am coming over there. Over there is to where I come.
(non-subordinative)
Ootāānāāk ndúnih-pumúθih.
I am walking to town. To town is to where I walk.
(non-subordinative direct statement using of (anih-), single verb phrase)
Nun ndayúnih-mąąchiin.
This is the way I went home. (the direction or manner thereto)
Nun refers to something said earlier, so this phrase is subordinate.
Wchih-
Wchih- is a preverb that connects phrases with the idea of ‘’therefrom’ or ‘from where’ or ‘the reason, purpose or cause from which’. A reason, cause or explanation represents an ideational departure point, hence the frequent use for ideas such as ‘because’ or ‘why’.
When the quantifier (the word or phrase that spells out the idea or place the preverb is pointing to) is a noun in locative form, the one verb in the phrase does not need to be in the subordinative mode. Phrases with two verbs use the subordinative. When a pronoun such as “this” or “that” or “there” serves as a pointer back to something else said earlier, the subordinative is used, even though it may be the only verb in that sentence.
Wchih- also may be used as a prenoun, attached to a locative noun, indicating ‘from or at’ that location.
Kiisih- ąąm - nąątamun xaskwiim wchih-wiikwahmuk?
Can you get the corn from the house? (prenoun)
Wiikwahmuk wchih-pumuθuw.
He walked from the house. (preverb)
Pāāw oochih-miitsiin.
He came so he could eat. (from the idea that)
Nun oochih-apíin.
That's why he is there. (the purpose from which)
Nun oochih-apiināāwah niimāānāāk.
That's the reason why the men are there.
(wu)+(wchih)=(oochih)
Ngawih noochih-wunamanúθiin.
I slept so I would feel good.
Nun nooch-ąąptóonāān.
That's the reason why I was speaking.
Wchih can be used as a particle with meaning of ‘from’ and ‘reason, purpose’
Kāākway wchih?
Why? What is the reason?
Paníiw ąąn wchih kukuk.
Go away from your mother's place.
Subordinative constructs using other preverbs
Other preverbs are used in subordinative mode phrases. Preverbs may be integrated into the verb as part of the ‘root’ of the verb in which case the effect is similar to using the preverb.
(verbs are made of roots, medials and finals)
Tanih
Tanih connects phrases with the idea of ‘where, a place’ (in the same way that anih- connects phrases with the idea of ‘’how’‘). The ‘qualifier’ for tanih will be a location of some kind or ‘somewhere’ or a ‘place’. The subordinative mode is used with (tanih) when the clause it introduces is a secondary clause.
tan- (as verb root) there, in a certain place, that is where…
tanahkāāw he works (somewhere)
Beginning pattern irregularity:
(u) is inserted between the prefix and (tan-)
(nu)-(-u-)(tanahkāāw) =>
ndutahkāān
ktutahkāān
wtutahkāān
Examples:
Ootāānāāk ndutanahkah.
I work in town.
(locative nouns in a direct statement, indicative mode)
Noh nan ndutanahkāān.
That is where I work
(subordinative mode because this phrase is a secondary clause to a narrative)
Mostly [tanih] is used as a particle (standalone word).
When used with a verb as a preverb (tanih-) takes the form (atanih-).
Noh wtútanih-pumuθiin.
That's where he walked.
Noh wtútanih-ąąn. That's where he went.
Noh wtútanih-ąąnāāwah. That's where they went.
Noh wtútanih-anahkāān. This is where he used to work
Indicative mode examples, using a non verbal qualifier.
Apuw tanih mbíik.
He is there in the water.
Pxąąn noh tanih.
It is snowing here.
Nuyah nŭmáwih-pumúθih ąąnāāk tanih.
I went walking on the road.
Θáhkih-
θáhkih- is a preverb that connects phrases with the idea of ‘the length, the extent, the amount of something’
Its qualifiers could be a number in which case there is only one clause which is a non-subordinative clause but if a verb is used then then the first verb will be in the indicative mode and the secondary verb phrase will be in the subordinative mode.
Examples:
θahkooxāāw vai-s go a certain way, distance
Tąąn wθahkooxāān? How far is he going?
Tąąn nθahkooxāān? How far am I going?
Ustah nuwāāwiitāāwun tąąn nθahkooxāān.
Mbúmθih nθáhkih-wiinamanθiin. I walked so far I was sick.
θáhksuw vai be a certain length
Thah wθáhksiin nah áxkook?
How long is the snake?
What is the extent- of the length of the snake
Example without use of subordinative:
θahkąąwθuw vai live a certain length of time (sahkąąwsuw)
M sahkaawsuw vai live a certain length of time.
ind 1st sg nθahkąąwθih
conj 3rd sg θahkąąwθiit
imp θahkąąwθih
ptcpl θahkąąwθiit
Tąąn nsahkąąwuθih. So long as I live. (s93) (s130)
θahkąąwθuw vai live a certain length of time
Niisah kiisoox θahkąąwθuw. He lived for two months.
Tąąn θahkąąwθuw? How long has he lived?
θahkih– as a preverb:
Nāāwah kíisoox wθáhkih-pāāsiin.
Four months is how long he waited. (He waited for four months.)
Nun kθáhkih-pumúθiin.
That is how long I walked.
Use as particle
Tąąn sáhkih ndaniitahah, 'nuya=ch nŭmáwih-míitθih'. After awhile I told myself, 'I'll go eat'. (non subordinative construction)
Storytelling and the subordinative
Story telling words like yahah, kniimah, knih, nih ‘then’ or ‘and then’ may introduce a subordinate clause. It is as if each new sentence tells more of the story, and the whole story forms a string of interconnected sub-phrases, all in the subordinative mode.
yahah pc then, subsequently + subordinative
kniimah pc then, after that + subordinative
knih pc then
nih pc that inanimate, emphatic
When these particles are used with a verb to make direct statements, then the indicative mode is used. When the particle and verb refer back to something or someplace previously mentioned, subordinative is preferred.
Nih ndanumúθiin.
Then I went away (from there).
Knih ustah ndąąwun.
Then I didn't go (there).
Kniimah ustah ngátāāw-ąąwun.
Then I didn't want to go (there).
Yahah ndaniitahah, "Nuyah ąąm ndąąn."
Then I thought, 'I should go (there).
nih :
This word may be used to refer back to something or someone from the main narrative and will trigger the subordinative mode if coupled with a verb.
Nih wmun nah niimāānāāw.
That's where that man comes from.
Nih pxāānum wsiin.
That's what the woman said.
Verbs of motion
Certain verbs of motion are used in subordinative mode, especially when the motion is defined, without vagueness.
Pāāw.
He comes. i.e. he comes somewhere, or somehow or sometime (vague)
Nih pąąn.
He came to this (place). (precise)
pāāw vai-ąą come
Nāākmah nahah pąąn, nguk uwah "kátāāw-míitθih?" He came, and my mother said "Do you want to eat?'' (precise)
The subordinative may be useful to shift the focus or emphasis of a phrase :
Nah nuyah ndapiin.
That was me who was there.
Plural and obviative endings on verbs in subordinative mode normally are omitted :
Niichąąnak noh wtápiin wtapíinayuk.
My daughters are there in their beds.