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10. Derivational Verb Prefixes

Derivational prefixes, as the name implies, add a measure of concrete significance to the theme. They differ from thematic prefixes in that they are not indissolubly a part of the theme but may be found with a variety of themes. There are probably as many derivational prefixes and prefix combinations as there are stems. To illustrate their use, let us take the theme -'aa, - 'áͅ, -'ááł, -'á, -'aa 'to handle a round object' [zero class, act. tr.] and see the variety of meanings obtainable by altering its derivational prefixes.

0-aa-ni-... 'to give a round object to someone' [0 'any object pronoun', aa- 'to', ni- 'completive']

'ah-... 'to put a round object into [e.g., a hole]' ['ah- 'in, into]

dah-... 'to put a round object up' [dah- 'up, on top']

di-... 'to begin to carry a round object' [di- inceptive]

naa-... 'to carry a round object about' [naa- 'about, here and there']

ná-di-... 'to pick up a round object' [ná-di- 'upward']

ná-ni-... 'to bring a round object back' [ná- 'back', ni- completive]

ni-ni-... 'to put a round object down' [ni- 'down', ni- completive]

haa-... 'to take a round object out' [ha- 'out']

tsé-... 'to put a round object in the fire' [tsé- 'in the fire']

Though the derivational prefixes are not conjugated, they do have some relational significance. Thus, certain derivational prefixes require the conjunct form of the imperfective paradigm, and others the disjunct form [see number 18]. Similarly, the derivational prefixes seem to determine, in part at least, which of the three perfective paradigms the verb is to employ. Thus, for example, the prefix di- 'inceptive' causes the verb to which it is attached to take the si- perfective whereas the prefix di- employed with certain themes referring to speaking or making a noise requires the hi- perfective [see 14]. Finally, the question of aspect seems definitely bound up with the derivational prefixes. The di- 'inceptive' always requires the momentaneous aspect of the verb (e. g., yidi'aa 'he starts to carry a round object'; -'aa mom. imperfective stem] and the prefix naa- 'about' the continuative aspect [e. g., nai'á 'he carries a round object about'; - á cont. imperfective stem].