öt-
Ye'kwana
ALIV | öt- |
---|---|
Brazilian standard | ät- |
New Tribes | ät- |
Etymology
From Proto-Cariban *ôte-; cognate to Apalaí ot-, Kari'na ot-, Trió ët-, Wayana ët-, Hixkaryana os-, Waiwai et-, Akawaio è-, s-, Macushi es-, Pemon es-.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [ət-]
Prefix
öt-
- Converts a transitive verb into an intransitive verb with an agent-like argument, variously with reflexive, reciprocal, or passive meaning.
Usage notes
The allomorphs with -t- appear when attaching to an initial vowel in a closed or long initial syllable. Before an initial consonant the allomorphs with -'- are used. Before an initial vowel in a short open syllable the prefix usually becomes a bare vowel, but a small collection of roots allow either a form with -t- or a form without, with each variant form having a different meaning.
The allomorphs with ö- are used if the first vowel of the verb stem is e and the next is unrounded. If the next is rounded, or if the first vowel is o, an allomorph with o- is used instead. If the first vowel is a, then the vowel of the prefix is likewise a-. This prefix further triggers ablaut on verbs with first vowel e or ee, backing them to ö and öö, respectively.