Verbs are not lexically marked for tone; it is grammatical.
Static vs. dynamic refers to the internal structure of the action: a static action is homogeneous over time, whereas a dynamic one calls attention to the change over time in the action. Aspect is not explicitly marked in Duai, but habitual actions would take the static form.
To take the verb tv 'go' as an example:
For example:
U3we syt2shore m2toward mat4REFL kyt5da2canoe tv5.go.D.TOT
We rowed ourselves to shore in the canoe.
Fa3ku5tree si2ground tv4.go.S.TEL
The tree fell.
Causatives are irregular and must be memorized.
U3we fa3ku5tree si2ground si6tv4.CAUS~go.S.TEL
We felled the tree.
Fa3ku5tree ge3GEN si2ground tv2go.D.TEL u5him mi5kvt4.CAUS~die
The falling tree killed him.
There is a set of particles placed before the verb that mark TODO THINGS.
Arguments may be incorporated into the verb with no overt marking. In the sentence u3 syt2 m2 mat4 kyt5da2 tv5, the verb is not tv5 'go' but kyt5da2 tv5 'canoe-go'; the reflexive particle mat4 marks that the object is identical to the subject, u3 'we'. Compare:
Kyt5da2canoe e5INSTR u3we syt2shore m2toward mat4REFL tv5.go.D.TOT
In (with) the canoe, we rowed ourselves to shore.
To negate a verb, use the following particle ka6. To negate a noun, use the following particle ke6.
Da21S fa3ku5tree ke6NEG mat4REFL gi3.see.S.TOT
I am not a tree.
(NB: ditransitive 'see' is used for the copula. Duhai is dechticaetiative. Or "secundative" if you're boring.)
Aspect
| Total | Telic | Incomplete | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static | 3 | 4 | — |
| Dynamic | 5 | 2 | 6 |
Static vs. dynamic refers to the internal structure of the action: a static action is homogeneous over time, whereas a dynamic one calls attention to the change over time in the action. Aspect is not explicitly marked in Duai, but habitual actions would take the static form.
To take the verb tv 'go' as an example:
tv3 is static and total: it refers to constant, sustained motion in a particular direction.
tv5 is dynamic and total: "travel", for example, or "go by fits and starts".
tv4 is static and telic: "walk toward something".
tv2 is dynamic and telic: "travel toward something".
tv6 is incomplete: "be in the process of going toward something".
For example:
U3we syt2shore m2toward mat4REFL kyt5da2canoe tv5.go.D.TOT
We rowed ourselves to shore in the canoe.
Fa3ku5tree si2ground tv4.go.S.TEL
The tree fell.
Causatives
Causatives are irregular and must be memorized.
U3we fa3ku5tree si2ground si6tv4.CAUS~go.S.TEL
We felled the tree.
Fa3ku5tree ge3GEN si2ground tv2go.D.TEL u5him mi5kvt4.CAUS~die
The falling tree killed him.
Particles
There is a set of particles placed before the verb that mark TODO THINGS.
Incorporation
Arguments may be incorporated into the verb with no overt marking. In the sentence u3 syt2 m2 mat4 kyt5da2 tv5, the verb is not tv5 'go' but kyt5da2 tv5 'canoe-go'; the reflexive particle mat4 marks that the object is identical to the subject, u3 'we'. Compare:
Kyt5da2canoe e5INSTR u3we syt2shore m2toward mat4REFL tv5.go.D.TOT
In (with) the canoe, we rowed ourselves to shore.
Negation
To negate a verb, use the following particle ka6. To negate a noun, use the following particle ke6.
Da21S fa3ku5tree ke6NEG mat4REFL gi3.see.S.TOT
I am not a tree.
(NB: ditransitive 'see' is used for the copula. Duhai is dechticaetiative. Or "secundative" if you're boring.)