UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Classificatory Verbs

In Tłı̨chǫ, certain verb stems can only be used for describing actions or states involving specific types of physical objects. Consider the following example:

Kw’àh yı̀ı jı̀echo wheɂǫ.

There is an apple in the bowl.

Kw’àh yı̀ı tı whetł’ı.

There is water in the bowl.

In English, the same verb (‘is’) is used in both of the above sentences, both to describe a solid object, like an apple, sitting in a container and to describe a liquid, like water, sitting in a container. However, in Tłı̨chǫ, a different verb is used to describe the solid object (wheɂǫ) and the liquid (whetł’ı). Likewise, consider the following:

Kw’àh yı̀ı dǫhshǫ̀ǫ whehchı̀h.

There is a cloth in the bowl.

Kw’àh yı̀ı enı̨htł’èchı̨ı̨̀ whetǫ.

There is a pencil in the bowl.

Again, different verbs are used to describe a thin and flexible object, like a cloth, and a rigid object, like a pencil. However, notice that it is only the stem which changes in these verbs; the conjunct and disjunct remain the same.

wheɂǫ

it is there (chunky object)

whetł’ı

it is there (liquid)

whehchı̀h

it is there (clothlike object)

whetǫ

it is there (rigid object)

Sets of verbs such as these, which describe the same action or state of being, but change stems depending on what different types of physical objects are involved, are called classificatory verbs (or ‘classification verbs’). Although there are many classificatory verbs in Tłı̨chǫ, there is only a relatively small number of classificatory verb stems, and these stems remain consistent in meaning regardless of the verb themes in which they are used. These stems are:

-ɂǫ

-ɂǫ is a general-purpose classificatory verb stem, and can be used for actions involving any solid physical object, as long as that object is singular (that is, there is only one of them). In the dictionary, we refer to verbs using this stem as involving a ‘chunky object’.

Sadzeè dawheɂǫ.

The clock is hanging up.

Yee kǫ̀ą gòɂǫ.

There is a shack over there.

Yeghòò xàı̨ɂǫ.

He took out her tooth.

K'eejee mǫ̀chą̀ą wheɂǫ.

The bone scraper is by the lower edge of the tent.

Sa nàı̨ɂǫ tł'axǫǫ nı̨dè nets'àhtła ha.

I will visit you after sundown.

-ɂà

-ɂà is similar to -ɂǫ, and can be used for any solid physical object, as long as there is only one of them. Like -ɂǫ, verbs in the dictionary using this stem are referred to as involving a ‘chunky object’.

Tobı̀a sàeɂà.

Give me a quarter.

Ladlı̀ seghǫnı̀ı̨ɂà esanı̀le nı̀?

Can you loan me your key?

-ɂà can also be used as placeholder when the shape of an object is unknown.

Yegòhɂà gots'ǫ̀ yekanıwǫ ha.

He is going to look for it until he finds it.

-ɂà can also be used to when describing the physical placement of geographic features or locations.

Dıı etǫ dàı̨hwhaà ts'ǫ̀ nı̨ɂà?

How far does this trail extend?

Dzǫ goyagoèɂà.

The way inside is here.

In addition to physical objects, -ɂà can also be used when ‘handling’ an abstract object, such as a word or idea.

Ekwǫ̀ nàowoò ts'ǫǫ̀hk'e wets'ǫ̀ yatı nèts'eɂà ha.

We are going to make a recommendation in regards to caribou knowledge.

-chı

-chı is similar to -ɂǫ and -ɂà, and can be used for any solid physical object, as long as there is only one of them. Like -ɂǫ and -ɂà, verbs in the dictionary using this stem are referred to as involving a ‘chunky object’.

Kwe nıı̀chı ha.

He is going to pick up the rock.

Peter t'aa ehgwàa xàechı.

Peter took out the dryfish.

Beh seghàı̨chı ha nı̨dè k'ı xàeht'à ha.

If you'll give me your knife I'll cut out some birchbark.

Sachǫ dè behchı̨ı̨̀ dayeèchı ha.

He is going to put up the sled tomorrow.

Tłehtǫǫ̀ dàehchı ha.

I am going to put the cap on the gas tank.

Edekechı̨ı̨̀tł'ıı̀ ełèyehchı ha dı̀è.

He can't tie his shoelaces together.

Dechı̨kàà ejak'è kàechı ha.

He will take out the board from the window.

-chı can also be used when the shape of an object is unknown; in the following example, since it is not known if the money will be in the form of coins, bills, or a cheque, -chı is used.

Sǫǫ̀mba seghǫ yeehchı ha, edeyatıı̀ nı̀ɂǫ.

He gave me his word that he would pay me.

-chı can also be used for some interactions with living beings. For example:

Naàgı̨ą dek'èxàı̨chı.

Take your friend out with you.

Akǫǫ̀ neehchı ha.

I'll take you there.

Wha dek'èxàı̨tsı.

Release the marten.

-tı̨̀

-tı̨̀ is used when handling a long, rigid object. Some examples of objects which fit this description include a frying pan, a piece of firewood, a gun, a bone, a wooden plank, a boat, or an (empty) car:

Kw'àt'èe seghǫnı̀ı̨htı̨̀.

Lend me a skillet.

Elà nechà-lea edexè k'ets'etı̨̀ sı̀ı wedıhołè ch'à nezı̨ nèts'etı̨̀ ha nàhoòwo.

We had a rough time placing down the boat we were carrying in order to prevent it from being destroyed by the wind.

Dechı̨ ı̨zhıı̀ nı̀yetı̨̀ ha.

He is going to put the stick down.

Xehkǫ̀ gots'ǫ tso ı̨łè xàı̨tı̨̀.

Take out one piece of wood from the shed.

-tǫ

-tǫ is similar to -tı̨̀, and is also used to describe handling a long, rigid object. Likewise, examples of such objects include a boat, a pencil, a stick, a bone, a sled, a gun, or an (empty) car:

Įłè sı̨ı̨̀ gots'ǫ̀ zǫ elà t'aget'ı̨ tł'àkǫǫ dè aı̀tǫ agehɂı̨ ı̨lè.

They would use a canoe for just one season and then abandon it.

Įxę̀ę wekw'ǫǫ̀ nègı̨ı̨tǫ.

They buried her bones yesterday.

Sezha kwık'ı̀ı daèhte zhıı yèhtǫ.

My son keeps the gun under the bed.

Behchı̨ı̨̀ jǫ whetǫ.

The sled is here.

Dechı̨ tàèhtǫ.

The stick was washed ashore.

-htǫ

-htǫ is used to describe a hollow container or concave space, usually (but not necessarily) filled with a liquid of some kind.

Eyı tı nechàa whehtǫ.

There was a large lake there.

tıa whehtǫǫ

a lagoon

Golı gok'e whehtǫ.

There is a container of ice on it.

Tı ladà k'e dawhehtǫǫ sı̀ı ełaetł'ı̀ ha.

The (container of) water that is up on the table is going to spill.

Tǫ doèɂaa whehtǫ.

The container is right side up.

-ka

-ka is used when handling a full container of material.

Tııwo wets'ǫ̀ xàı̨ka.

Take the soup out to him.

Dıı kw'à segha daı̨ka.

Hold up this plate for me.

Ekwǫ̀dè hanı̀-le dè kwe t'à whaà gots'ǫ̀ wèhoedı-le kò hanı dǫne tǫ xàgeehka ı̨lè.

Long ago, people used caribou antlers and stones to scoop out holes in the ice, which was a difficult task.

-chı̀h

-chı̀h is used when handling a flat, flexible object, such as a cloth, hide, or a piece of paper. It is also used when describing objects made of flat, flexible material, such as articles of clothing, internal organs (such as a stomach), and sacks. In the dictionary, verbs using this stem are described as involving a ‘cloth-like object’.

Enı̨htł'è dawhehchı̀ı.

There is paper hanging up.

Wek'e ts'ò whehchı̀h.

There is a blanket on him.

Wetł'àɂeè dega nı̀nı̨chı̀.

He put his pants next to him.

Eyı tè setà toyatı k'e goghàyı̨ı̨hchı̀.

That rug my father gave them for Christmas.

Seɂeè seda dawhehchı̀h ha.

I'll hang up my jacket while I'm gone.

-ɂah

-ɂah is similar to -chı̀h, and is used when handling a flat, flexible, ‘cloth-like’ object.

Ladàwò xàehɂah ha.

I'm going to take out the tablecloth.

Ts'ò natǫneɂah.

Turn the blanket over.

Seɂeè seghànı̨ɂah.

Pass me my jacket.

-la

-la is another general purpose classificatory verb stem, used when handling multiple objects of any kind, including when the objects themselves are of various types. Specifically, -la is used when handling multiple inanimate (that is, non-living) objects. In the dictionary, verbs with the stem -la are described as involving ‘many’ objects.

Whek'òo goyı̀ı łıwe łǫ̀hdı̨ whela.

There are seven fish in the freezer.

Ts'èko wegà dzǫwò ach'ı-lee łǫ whela.

Beside the woman there are lots of unskinned muskrats.

Ts'et'ı̀ıkw'à zhıı̀ łozhàa whela.

The ashes are in the ashtray.

Satsǫ̀tǫhkw'ǫ̀ą k'eènı̀ı̨la.

There are empty tin cans scattered all around.

Kǫ̀nı̨hbàa goyı̀ı ndè k'e ɂorı ełeyı̀ı nı̨ɂà nètèwhela.

Inside of the tent, spruce boughs are laid over one another on the ground.

Xàèlı̨ı̨ kǫ̀ gokw'ǫǫ̀ łǫ gòla.

At Xàèlı̨ı̨ there are lots of abandoned houses.

-le

-le is another general purpose stem, used for handling multiple objects of any kind.

Ke hazhǫǫ̀ daèhte tł'a nı̀yele ha.

She is going to put all the shoes under the bed.

Tsekoa k'àhkàa yı̀ı t'ası̀ı hazǫǫ̀ k'egele.

Kids carry all kinds of things in their pockets.

Gohzı̀ı̀ ełetanaahłe.

Pass the balls around among yourselves.

However, unlike -la, -le can also be used when handling animate (that is, living) objects, such as people or animals.

Chekaa behchı̨ı̨̀ yı̀ı ts'ǫ xàts'ele.

We are taking the kids out of the car.

Edzo ts'ǫ̀ nı̀ayeele.

He brings them back to Edzo.

In the dictionary, verbs with the stem -le are described as involving ‘many objects’.

-wa

-wa is similar to -le, being used to describe handling multiple objects of any kind, whether animate (living) or inanimate (non-living).

Gotsè xàıwa.

I took out the nails.

Eyı nèk'e gots'ǫǫ̀ xàgoòwa ı̨lè.

He led them out from that land.

Enı̨htł'è dawhı̨wa.

Put the books up (on the shelf).

Ededı̨ sǫǫ̀mba weghàwı̨wa-le!

Don't give the money to him!

Wha hoònǫ segha dzǫ nàwa.

Bring down ten poles for me.

T'aàtłǫ ası̀ı geèɂı̨ı̨ sı̀ı ekw'ahtı goghǫ nıyı̨ı̨̀wa.

The police picked up from them however many things they had stolen.

-tè

-tè is used when handling a single, living being. In the dictionary, verbs using this stem are described as involving an ‘animate object’.

Goht'ǫ yı̀ı xàyehtè.

He is undressing him.

Behchı̨ı̨̀ yı̀ı xàts'ehtè.

We are taking him out of the car.

Bebı̀a nı̀htè ha.

She will give birth to a baby.

Nı̀etsı̨̀ kwe detè ha.

She is going to go to bed before she gets tired.

-da

-da is similar to -tè, and describes handling a living, animate object.

ts’eda

be alive

k’eda

walk, move around

wheda

be somewhere, sit

Zezı̀ edemǫ naàhtǫ Jerusalem aı̀da.

Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem without his mother knowing it.

-xe

-xe is used to describe handling a heavy or bulky object. Examples of such objects include:

Łè jǫ nı̀nayeehxe ha.

He will bring the (sack of) flour back here.

Ts'òwò xą̀xe hagııhdı.

They are telling her to take out the pus bag.

Kw'àt'èe satsǫ̀ ka dayèhxè.

She placed the frying pan on top of the stove.

TV hodàèhxe.

The TV fell down.

Tı ı̨̀hxe.

Fetch (a bucket) of water.

-tł’ı

-tł’ı (also sometimes said as tł’ı̀) is used to describe handling liquids, fluids, or grainy substances. For example:

Tsǫ hodàetł'ı̀.

Rain is falling.

Tı kàetł'ı̀.

Water is pouring out.

K'akwełǫ̀ǫ̀ łè kw'à yı̀ı ts'ehtł'ı.

First we pour flour into the dish.

Ewaà xàgehtł'ı̀.

They are dumping sand.

Tııwoo nałaehtł'ı̀.

I spilled the soup.

-tł’ı can also be used to describe the movement of objects which, although solid on their own, may behave like fluids (that is, flowing and fitting the form of containers) when gathered in great numbers. For example:

Nǫ̀dawò ɂeh gha nezı̨, weghà nàtł'ı̀-le t'à.

Lynx fur is good for jackets, because the hair does not shed.

Gohzhı̀ segà nı̀ı̨htł'ı.

The balls piled up beside me.

kwe whetł'ıı

piled up rocks

As the above examples demonstrate, classificatory verb stems are not always mutually exclusive; multiple different stems could potentially be used to describe a single object. For instance, to say “Give me a bucket of water”, one could say:

Tıtǫǫ̀ seghàı̨hchı.

Give me a bucket of water.

Tıtǫǫ̀ seghàı̨xe.

Give me a bucket of water.

Given that a bucket of water is both a chunky object and a heavy object, either -chı or -xe could be used in describing handling it. Similarly, łozhaa (‘ashes’) is both plural (being a collection of many, tiny objects) and acts like a fluid. Therefore, to say ‘There are ashes in the cup’, one could say:

Lıbò zhıı̀ łozhàa whela.

The ashes are in the cup.

Lıbò zhıı̀ łozhàa whetł’ı.

The ashes are in the cup.