VTIs also can be used to form commands.
The same endings are used here as for the VAIs and VOTis, and the same phonology rules apply which modify the end result.
The VTI class markers remain attached to the main stem in the imperative, but are phonologically reworked in some forms.
VAIOs conjugate like VAIs, and it is to be noted that verbs with unstable stems do not shift vowels.
CLass 1a VTIs end in (am) and when the (l) is added the combination becomes (ah).
(am) + (l) = (ah)
Class 1b VTIs end in (um) and when (l) is added one gets (ih)
(um) + (l) = (ih)
Other consonant ending stems also combine with (l) to form (ih)
(consonant) + (l) = (ih)
VTI / VAIO Imperative
| Stem Type | 2nd sg (you) | 2nd pl (ye) | 1+2 pl (Let’s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| (VTI1a)-am | (stem)-ah | (stem)-am-ookw | (stem)-am-ootookw |
| (VTI1b)-um | (stem)-ih | (stem)-um-ookw | (stem)-um-ootookw |
| (VTI2)-oo | (stem)-ool | (stem)-ookw | (stem)-ootookw |
| (vowel stem) | (stem)-l | (stem)-kw | (stem)-tookw |
| (consonant stem) | (stem)-ih | (stem)-ookw | (stem)-ootookw |
VTI / VAIO Prohibitive Mode
| Subject | Vowel stem paradigm | Consonant stem paradigm |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd sg (You) | chii (vowel stem)-wi | chii (consonant stem)-oowi |
| 2nd pl (Ye) | chii (vowel stem)-weekw | chii (consonant stem)-ooweekw |
Examples
Punáh nu.
Look at that
Chii nu punamóowi.
Don't look at that.
Punámookw nu.
Chii punamóoweekw nu
(am) +(l) => ah
Wéemu awéen moxkamóotookw.
Lets all find it.
(móxkam find s.t.)
Kwíilah
Look for it.
Kwiilamóotookw.
Lets look for it.
[kwiilam vti look for s.t.]
Chii póhah.
Don't tap on it.
[póham vti1a tap on s.t.]
Chii nu ach leelùndamóowi.
Don't even think about it.
Leelundamóotookw waapángu.
Lets think about it tomorrow.
[leelúndam think about s.t.]
Yoh lúnih + inanim noun sg or pl
Kiish aa yoh lúnih ----
Can you give me ---- or hand me ----
(lunum vti1b hand s.t.)
Náatih.
Go after it.
(naatum get s.t., go after s.t.)
Chakaawiish tawúnih.
Open it slowly.
(tawúnum vti1b open s.t. )
Kpáhi(h).
Shut it!
Kpáhŭmookw
Shut it (ye)!
(kpahum)
Péetool askáskwii-aakongwéepuy.
Bring the green hat.
Chii lookiixtóowi nu wuláakanus
Don't break that dish
variation:
Chii lookiixtóohan nu wuláakanus
Don't break that dish
lookíixtoow vti2 drop and break s.t.
Áhtool.
Put it down.
(áhtoow put s.t. down)
Kaatóotookw.
Lets hide it.
(káatoow hide s.t.)
Wulíixtool nehlaatamániil.
Tidy up your things
Nehlaatamániil.
That which you own.
(nihláatam own something)
Ktah.
Eat it up!
Ktáamookw.
(ye) eat it up
(ktaam)
Láapii iil.
Chii láapii íiwi.
Say it again.
Don't say it again.
Chkáwiish íitookw.
Lets say it slowly.
Wawxúkwih.
Cough.
Pumutaachíindih.
Drag (it) along.
Méekookw.
(ye) give it away
Other types of imperatives:
(1) Non verb related commands
Akáawee
pc hurry up
Haaw ha
let’s go(2) 3rd person polite imperatives
Subjunctive conjunct mode with (uch)
Miichíite-uch.
Let him eat it
(3) Subordinative mode imperatives
Numíichiin.
Let me eat it
Numiichíineen.
Let us eat it
(4) áayee pc emphatic particle
Áayee ma ksiin.
'Please say it'
(5) Preverb (kiish-) able to with (aa) could, should
Kiish-aa-míichiin?
Can you please eat it?