Article

Name: On Imperative in Chalkan Language

Authors: N. N. Fedina

In the section Linguistics

Abstract: The paper describes the positive and negative imperative forms in the Chalkan language. The Chalkan imperative has several forms, and the same paradigm has different markers for different persons. We distinguish singular, dual (exclusive) and plural numbers for 1st person; 2nd and 3rd persons can be singular and plural. First person singular imperative is expressed by the =im/=in affix and carries the meaning of volition or intent. First person dual imperative is expressed by the affixes =аq/=еk, =а/=е. The =аq/=еk form is used to address oneself and another person, excluding everyone else. Because the Chalkan language is currently undergoing the process of contraction of verb forms, homonymy is frequent. The contracted adverbial participle form with =yp and first person dual imperative form, both of which contain hard palate consonants, are written similarly and are distinguished according to context. Verb forms formed with the first person dual imperative affix with a hard palate vowel -а (=аq) may possess different semantic nuances depending on emphasis. If the second syllable (i. e. the first person dual affix) is stressed, the word denotes a quick and precise realization of an action; if the first syllable is stressed, the word denotes volition or intent. First person plural imperative is expressed by the means of the first person dual affix =аq/=еk and plural affix =tyr. Unlike the dual forms, this form refers to the speaker and everyone else. The second person singular marker is formed by the null marker or personal marker of second person singular form =zyŋ/=syŋ. The null affix carries the meaning of order or command, implying that the action is to be carried out immediately and precisely. The second variant with =zyŋ denotes a polite request or a less categorical order. Second person plural imperative has the following markers: =zаr/=zеr, =sаr/=sеr; =lyr/=tyr/=nyr. Third person singular imperative is expressed with the affix =zyn/=syn; third person plural imperative uses =zynyr/=synyr and may be expressed with the affix =zyn/=syn, like third person singular imperative; in such cases, the pronoun ular ‘they’ is used in the sentence to show that several people are addressed.

Keywords: chalkan, imperative, imperative forms, contraction of verb forms

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