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17. The Iterative Paradigm

The iterative paradigm is formed by prefixing ni- to the conjunct form of the imperfective.

                 

Person	Chiricahua	Mescalero
Sg. 1	násh-	násh-
Sg. 2	ná-	náͅ-
Sg. 3	ná-	ná-
Sg. 3a	náji-	nách'i-
Place	nágo-	nágo-
Indef.	ná'i-	ná'i-
Du. 1	náa[d]-, náhii[d]-	náhiͅiͅ[d]-
Du. 2	náh-	náh-

Note that the iterative prefix precedes the deictic prefixes. Other modal elements follow the deictic prefixes [see number 9].

The iterative paradigm is used only in the iterative mode of active and passive verbs. This mode denotes repeated activity. Where there is a distinct stem form for the iterative mode, it is possible to form another mode, the usitative, by combining the prefix complex of the imperfective with the stem of the iterative. This mode denotes habitual, usual or customary activity.