Mahican VII Subordinative

 

The independent subordinative mode is used for secondary clauses that continue a previously mentioned subject, topic or place. This mode is often used in narratives and story telling since it 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 used to help color the nature of these linked ideas.

The subordinative mode for VIIs use the same endings as those used in the independent indicative mode, so the only way to distinguish subordinative discourse from indicative mode discourse is by recognizing a subordinative ‘style’ of discourse. Subordinative phrases tend to string along a topic across several successive sentences, often prefaced by, “And then …” Subordinative mode verbs, unlike indicative mode forms, use singular endings for both singular and plural verb subjects.

Other verb types (VAIs and VTAs) use different endings for subordinative forms such that there is no mistaking their presence in a sub-phrase.

This chapter is intended to provide a short and basic introduction to the subordinative mode. The VAI subordinative mode chapter is much more detailed.

Examples of subordinative mode style constructs.

(1) Constructs using nun

Nun áhtaaw.   
That's where it is.

Nun kupihaaw.   
That's where it fell            

Nun – the inanimate demonstrative pronoun, ‘that’, is used to represent a location, that refers to a place previously discussed.

nun noun => that (noun) is a ...  

nun verb => that (place or location) is where (the verb action happens)   

Subordinative and plurality of the subject:

Nun pakíichŭwan kiipihnaaw.   
There, where the plates fell earlier.  

kiipihnaaw is not pluralized to kiipihnaan because its in the subordinative mode. Indicative mode would uses the plural form for a plural subject :
Xúwih-pakíichŭwan kiipihnaan.
The old plates fell.

(2) Constructs using noh

Noh pc there

Noh is often used in subordinative clauses, since it refers back to some place previously or alluded to in the main clause or main storyline.

Sookchih-chkwaxooθan noh áhtaaw chahkwiinootayuk..  
The cookies - there is where they are there, in the bag.  
The cookies are in the bag.  

Note: no peripheral endings - i.e., no plural endings on ahtaaw  

áhtaaw vii-s be there   
chahkwiinootay ni bag, sack  

(3) Constructs using wchih

A preverb meaning 'because', 'why', 'the reason for which'   
wchih- can also mean 'from a certain place'  

Niin piitooniikanan ustah apaaθamoowih.   
Nun wchih-wunútah.
Those pies are not warm.  
Thats why they are good.  

This subordinative construct using wchih- is illustrated with plural verb ending – this should not be considered to be incorrect. In phrases without a noun, it may be more clear if one uses plural endings.

Maxkaayuwan nih wchih-wŭnút.  
They are  red which is why they are good.  
        (not wunutah due to subordinative mode)  
       

(4) nih– or anih

A preverb meaning ‘how’, ‘the manner of which’.

(nih-) can also mean ‘the direction of which’

Its reduplicated form is (ayúnih-)

Nun ayúnih-kiipihnaaw.   
That's how it fell.  

The chapter for VAI subordinative mode provides more comprehensive information, explanations and examples about this mode