Quick Guide to Itlani
Author: James E. Hopkins
MS Date: 05-01-2022
FL Date: 05-01-2023
FL Number: FL-00008C-00
Citation: Hopkins, James E. 2022. “Quick Guide to Itlani.”
FL-00008C-00, Fiat Lingua,
Copyright: © 2022 Carl Buck. This work is licensed under
a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-
NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/
Fiat Lingua is produced and maintained by the Language Creation Society (LCS). For more information
about the LCS, visit http://www.conlang.org/
QUICK GUIDE
TO
ITLANI
tilferenIs
@ itlanit wola
Tilferenís ta Itlanit Shola
“Ta Miara, ta Varem vey ta Parem. Ta Mabugú Shey Dzevarun.”
“Hope, Love, and Respect. The Beginnings of All Journeys.”
i
Revized Edition May 2023
ISTONZA ITLANA (II)
Istonzaa Tikaria resh ta Itlanit Sholey vey Kayarey
(c) 2023
James E. Hopkins (a.k.a Tsirea-Vankedzu)
[email protected]
THE ITLANI LANGUAGE – A PERSONAL NOTE
The Itlani language is an extraterrestrial language that started coming to me from
Realms-Somewhere-Real (RSR) in 1997. I have done my best to document and learn it.
What follows are the humble results of that study and documentation.
i
“Every language is an old-growth forest of the mind, a watershed of thought, an
ecosystem of spiritual possibilities. Of the 6,000 languages spoken today, fully half are
not being taught to children. Every two weeks an elder dies and carries into the grave
the last syllables of an ancient tongue. Within a generation or two we are losing half of
humanity’s social, cultural, and intellectual legacy.” –Dr. Wade Davis, National
Geographic, Explorer-in-Residence
“My canvases are not explicit statements, but hints of things that are, or were, or might
have been – of memories, of feelings.” –Gladys Goldstein, Artist
“My language is more than just a way to converse with me. It is my identity and the
doorway to understanding my culture as a whole. Understanding my language helps me
to understand the place around me and connects me to this country.” –Vincent ‘Jack’
Buckskin, Cultural Mentor, Tauondi College and Kaurna language leader.
ITLANI: A Classical and Impressionist Language
CLASSICAL: Of recognized value, serving as a standard of
excellence, traditional, enduring, characterized by simple
tailored lines, historically memorable, authentic, authoritative,
ancient, emphasizing balance, clarity, moderation, principle, and
style. Exhibiting simplicity, restraint, proportion, and
universality.
IMPRESSIONIST: Depiction of a language by details intended to
achieve a vividness or effectiveness more by evoking subjective
sensory impressions thereby recreating an objective reality –
mode of expression designed to convey subtle moods and
impressions.
Page 1 of 79
THE ITLANI LANGUAGE
2023
INTRODUCTION
The Itlani language is the official language of the planet Itlán and is spoken by
approximately two billion inhabitants of that world. There are five languages spoken on
the planet: Ravzhurian (Itlani proper), Semerian, Djiran, and Djanari, and Lastulani. The
vast majority of the citizens of Itlán are bilingual.
Formatting Notes and Glossing Conventions:
Itlani examples are presented in a four-line format:
Line 1: Native Itlani Datebic script
Line 2: Standard Itlanit Romanization
Line 3: Gloss
Line 4: English translation
Example:
daki-ramUn eypyavor
Daki-Ramún
Daki=Ramún-NOM
‘Daki-Ramún spoke.’
eyp-yav-or
speak-PST-3SG.M
Page 2 of 79
GLOSSING ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS
1
2
3
ABL
ACC
ACT
ADJ
ADJL
ADV
ADVL
ART
CAUS
COND
CONJ
D
DAT
DET
DUR
EMP
EXCL
F
FUT
GEN
IMP
INCH
INF
INS
LOC
M
N
NBG
NEG
NOM
NS
PAS
PL
PPRN
PRP
PRT
PRN
PROG
PRS
PTCP
Q
RCP
REFL
SG
VOC
first person
second person
third person
ablative case
accusative case
active voice
adjective
adjectival in function not in form
adverb
adverbal in function not in form
article
causative
conditional
conjunction
divinity
dative
determiner
durative
emphatic
exclamation
feminine
future
genitive case
imperative
inchoate
infinitive
instrumental case
locative case
masculine
non-gendered
non-binary gender (animate)
negative
nominative
non-specific gender (inanimate)
passive voice
plural
prepositional pronoun
prepositional case
particle
pronoun
progressive
present tense
participle
question marker
reciprocal
reflexive
singular
Vocative
Page 3 of 79
ADDITIONAL GLOSSING NOTES: Itlani has both active (ACT) and passive (PAS) verbs all
verbs are to be considered active unless specifically marked (PAS). All nouns in the
nominative singular case are unmarked and so essentailly “-0”.
i
OVERVIEW OF ITLANI – Language and Speakers
Itlani is the official planetwide lingua franca used by the Itlani Commonality, the unified
government of the planet Itlán. It is spoken by approximately two billion inhabitants of
that world. There are five languages spoken on the planet: Ravzhurian (Itlani proper),
Semerian, Djiran, and Djanari, and Lastulani. The vast majority of the citizens of Itlán
are bilingual.
Itlani is a philosophically motivated form of reformed Ravzhurian, created by the poet,
storyteller, philologist, and spiritual reformer, Rozh-Shpiláv for the use of his students in
the Drunit Trel , the “Magenta Movement” that he founded. There are two main
dialects, which are more like registers of the language, that spoken in most of the larger
cities, called, aslazhót (loose-mouth) and that found in more rural areas, called, ikhtizót
(tight-mouth). These differences consist mostly in pronunciation. There are other minor
divergent forms of the language in some regions, again mostly differences of
pronunciation. That of the capital city, Shirit Shishá is considered the planetary
standard.
Speakers of Itlani refer to themselves as Itlantanú or Itlani, this from the earlier Eti-
Eylán-tanú or “Inhabitants of the Horizon of Refuge”. In English, “Itlani” is both noun
and adjective, referring to both language and people.
At present, the Tikari Institute for Itlani Language and Culture (TIILC)1 is reponsible for
language studies and research. Its role is strictly descriptive.
i
1 In Itlani: Istonza Tikaria resh ta Itlanit Sholey vey Kayarey (ITISK).
Page 4 of 79
THE ALPHABET, SPELLING AND ACCENTS
The Itlani language is many millennia old. It is written in a native alphabet known as the
Datéb or Shpilavi script, named after its originator, the story teller and linguist Rozh-
Shpiláv. The Shpilavi script exists in two forms. The square form known as chendjfér or
“stone-writing” was traditionally used for inscriptions on stone and wood. The cursive
form known as yenifér or “sand-writing” developed later when writing on paper
evolved. In present day usage the square form is used in printed books whereas the
cursive form is used most often in hand written messages and for calligraphic or
ornamental works. Both forms are commonly mixed for emphasis and the cursive form
is often used as italic script is in English.
Stress can only fall on the last (ultimate) or next to last (penultimate) syllable in any
Itlani word. The penultimate stress is far more common and is left unmarked. When a
word is stressed on the ultimate or last syllable it is marked by a sashír in the native
script. In the native Datebic script, therefore, every vowel has an unaccented and an
accented form.
u e i o a becomes U E I O A
In the Romanization (Latin script): u e i o a becomes ú é í ó á.
When the Itlani and Terrans first contacted each other it was felt that a system of
romanization was needed so that the language could be represented in a Terran script.
A Latin based romanization was created by the Itlani linguist Tsiasuk-Pron who was an
enthusiast of Itlani-Terran contacts. It is this romanization that is presented here.
PHONOLOGY
The Itlani alphabet consists of the following twenty nine letters, in English alphabetic
order. These are present here with approximate English equivalents for those not
familiar the IPA symbols:
ROMANIZATION
a
A
b
B
ch
Ch
d
D
dj
Dj
dz
Dz
e
E
f
F
g
G
PRONUNCIATION
ah as in “father”
b as in “baby”
as in “church”
d in Spanish
j as in “jet”
no English equivalent, “adze”
e as in “pet”
f as in “fabulous”
always hard as in “get”
Page 5 of 79
H
I
K
Kh
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
Sh
T
Ts
U
Ü
V
Y
Z
Zh
h
i
k
kh
l
m
n
o
p
r
s
sh
t
ts
u
ü
v
y
z
zh
h as in “hot”
i as in “machine”
k as in “kinky”
as ch in “Bach”
l as in ‘lollypop”
m as in “Mary”
n as in “no”
o as in “boat” or Spanish “todo”
p as in “Peter”
trilled as in Spanish or Italian
s as in “silver”
sh as in “shutter”
t as in “treat”
ts as in “pets”
u as in “dune”
w as in watt
v as in “love”
y as in “yes”
z as in “zebra”
as s in “leisure” or French “j”
There are also a number of diphthongs or vowels combinations. These are:
ay
eü
ey
oy
rhymes with “sigh” or “eye”
rapid ‘eh-oo’
rhymes with “hay” or “say”
rhymes with “boy” or “toy”
Page 6 of 79
DATEBIC GLYPHS, ROMANIZATION AND IPA VALUES
i
NOTE: These letter forms are shown in the traditional Datebic order. In romanized
dictionaries and word lists standard English alphabetic order is used.
DATEBIC GLYPH
NAME
ROMANIZATION
IPA
d
t
b
p
v
f
l
r
m
n
s
]
w
c
k
x
q
j
h
g
z
[
u
e
i
|
y
o
a
Da
Te
Ba
Pe
Va
Fe
La
Re
Ma
Ne
Sa
Tse
Sha
Che
Ka
Khe
Zha
Dje
Ha
Ge
Za
Dze
U
E
I
Wa
Ye
O
A
D
T
B
P
V
F
L
R
M
N
S
Ts
Sh
Ch
K
Kh
Zh
Dj
H
G
Z
Dz
U
E
I
Ü
Y
O
A
[d]
[t]
[b]
[p]
[v]
[f]
[l]
[r]
[m]
[n]
[s]
[t͡ s]
[ʃ]
[t͡ ʃ]
[k]
[x]
[ʒ]
[d͡ ʒ]
[h]
[g]
[z]
[d͡ z]
[u]
[e]
[i]
[w]
[j]
[o]
[a]
Page 7 of 79
MARK
.
,
?
!
;-;
(-)
–
`
ITLANI PUNCTUATION
ITLANI NAME/ENGLISH
NAME
totík / period
zartík / comma / colon
latsagtéyn / question mark
buuekhtéyn / exclamation
point
mintikú / quotation marks
kreyteynú / parentheses
ganch / hyphen / dash
bakhnakír / number
indicator / back tick
FUNCTION
full stop
breath pause
indicates question
indicates emotional
emphasis
encloses direct reported
speech
stes off amplifying or
explanatory word or words
word joiner or though
separator when spaced
converts letter symbols to
numbers
NOTE: Unlike in English, the exclamation point and question mark are always followed
by a full-stop or totík, (!., ?.).
Itlani is written from left to right in horizontal lines. There is no upper case / lower case
distinction in Itlani letters. Words are divided by a single space. Sentences are divided by
a single space. Paragraphs are divided by a single line and there is no identation.
Also note that the words ta (ta) ‘the’ and vey (vey) almost always appear in Itlani
print as their respective ligatures, @ and &.
WORD ORDER
Basic word order in Itlani differs from that of Terran English. English word order is
customarily SVO i. e. subject-verb-object. The basic pattern of word order in Itlani is of
the SOV type, that is subject-object-verb although this can vary greatly for style and
emphasis.
(1)
Daki-ramUn eypyavor
Daki-Ramún
Daki-Ramún-NOM
‘Daki-Ramún spoke.’
eyp-yav-or
Speak-PST-3SG.M
Page 8 of 79
(2)
@ yoneydarOr
yoney-dar-ór
Ta
the
ship-leader-M-NOM.SG
‘The captain saw Daki-Ramún.’
Daki-ramunova wunyavor
Daki=Ramun-ova
Daki-Ramun-ova-ACC
shun-yav-or
see-PST-3SG.M
Word order is generally subject-object-verb (SOV) in Itlani but can also be more flexible
in Itlani than in English.
(3)
pronyavel givAn-an.
Pron-yav-el
sing-PST-3SG.F
‘Giván-An sang.’
Giván-An
Giván=An
Object pronouns like object nouns (in the accusative) normally precede the verb.
(4)
@ yoneydarOr
Ta
yoney-dar-ór
the ship-leader-M-NOM
‘The captain saw him yesterday.’
vunova yavaspalan Wunyavor.
vun-ova
3SG.M-ACC PST-day-LOC.SG
shun-yav-or
see-PST-3SG.M
yav-aspal-an
(5)
Bawese Jurova Yavaspalan Dafaryavu.
Bash-ese
yav-aspal-an
2SG-DAT
‘I gave it to you yesterday.’
djur-ova
3SG.N-ACC PST-day-LOC.SG
dafar-yav-u
give-PST-1SG
Possessives precede the noun.
(6)
Bawit marfanEl
Bash-it marfan-él
2SG-ADJ
‘your (female) friend.’
friend-F-NOM.SG
Page 9 of 79
(7)
bawit marfanOr
Bash-it marfan-ór
2SG-ADJ
‘your (male) friend.’
friend-M-NOM.SG
The normal position for the Itlani verb is at the end of its phrase, regardless of whether
it is a single word, participle with auxiliary, or infinitive with another conjugated verb.
However, in a sentence where two conjugated verbs would otherwise stand together
because of a sub-phrase standing in place of the predicate, the verb from the enclosing
phrase is repositioned forward, before the sub-phrase, for euphonic reasons. As with
most rules, of course, this may be ignored for poetic reasons, or in certain set phrases,
or in some dialectal speech patterns.
HOW TO FORM QUESTIONS
Questions show no special word order but are distinguished from statements by the
presence of the question marker kesh.
(8)
Daki-ramUn Miwyavor.
Daki-Ramún
mish-yav-or
Daki=Ramún-NOM go-PST-3SG.M
‘Daki-Ramún went.’
(9)
kew Daki-ramUn Miwyavor.
Kesh
Q
‘Daki-Ramún went.’
Daki-Ramún
Daki=Ramún-NOM
mish-yav-or
go-PST-3SG.M
Page 10 of 79
INTERROGATIVE WORDS
Many questions, in Itlani as in English, begin with a question word, which may be an
adverb, adjective or pronoun. “When,” “who” and “how” are examples in English. In an
Itlani question formed with such a word, the verb generally comes at the end of the
sentence. The most common question words in Itlani are the following:
QUESTION WORDS (INTERROGATIVES)
Reshkín?
Kinzá?
Ranti?
Kiinizhe?
Kiín?
Kinpá?
Kinpait?
Kinlán?
Kiinit?
(10)
rewkIn Kadimyavor?.
Resh-kín
for-what
‘Why did he come?’
kadim-yav-or?
come-PST-3SG.M
(11)
Why?
Where?
When?
How?
What?
Who?
Whose?
How much?
What kind?
onyaror?.
on-yar-or?
kinzA Bawit marfanOr
Kin-zá
what-place
‘Where is your (male) friend?’
bash-it manfan-ór
2SG-ADJ
friend-M-NOM.SG be-PRS-3SG.M
(12)
Ranti @ Teplen
Ranti
when
‘When does the museum open?’
teplen
ta
the museum-NOM.SG business-PRS-3SG.N
Cayagyara?.
chayag-yar-a?
Page 11 of 79
(13)
Kiiniqe Miwyavel?.
Kiin-izhe
what-ADV
‘How did she go?’
mish-yav-el?
go-PST-3SG.F
(14)
kiIn iId onyara?.
Kiín
what
‘What is this?’
on-yar-a?
be-PRS-3SG.N
iíd
this
(15)
idA satOr
kinpA
idá
Kin-pá
what-person-NOM.SG
that
‘Who is that gentlemean?’
sat-ór
document-M-NOM.SG be-PRST-3SG.N
onyara?.
on-yar-a?
NOTE: The noun satór (sir, Mr., gentleman) originally refered to documented land-
owners. It has the feminine counterpart satél.
(16)
kinlAn
Kin-lán
what-quantity
‘How much does it cost?
Grugyara?.
grug-yar-a?
cost-PRST-3SG.N
(17)
Kinpait
Kin-pa-it
what-person-ADJ
‘Whose dog is that?’
idA pasOk
idá
that
pasók
dog-NOM.SG be-PRS-3SG.N
onyara?.
on-yar-a?
(18)
kinju
Mininova Vemyare?.
Kin-dju
minin-ova
what-SPEF
cup-ACC.SG
‘Which cup do you want?’
vem-yar-e?
want-PRS-2SG
Page 12 of 79
These interrogative pronouns are declined for case and number depending on their
function in the sentence. The adjectives are not declined. The nature of declension in
Itlani is explained in other sections of these notes.
NEGATION
Negative sentences are formed by adding ra- immediately to the verb of the sentence.
The negative ra- is used in indicative sentences and in questions.
(19)
Miwya
Mish-ya
Go-INF
‘I do not want to go.’
Ra-vemyaru.
ra=vem-yar-u
NEG-want-PRS-1SG
(20)
Ra-kadimyavor.
Ra=kadim-yav-or
NEG-come-PST-3SG.M
‘He didn’t come.’
(21)
The negative is occasionally placed after the verb, for emphasis, without the
hyphenation:
Kadimyavor ra!.
Kadim-yav-or
ra!
come-PST-3SG.M NEG
‘He did NOT come!
(22)
Jasate ra!.
Djas-yat-e
ra!
fear-IMP-2SG NEG
‘Do not be afraid!’
Page 13 of 79
NOUNS AND ARTICLES
CASES
In an English sentence a noun takes special endings in two situations: to form a
possessive (e. g. the child’s toy, the president’s message) or a plural (cars, churches,
oxen). The general principle is similar in Itlani, though the number of situations
demanding special endings is substantially greater. Itlani distinguishes between singular
and plural, and, within each of those categories, between ten cases.
In Itlani the nouns cases are called sulukú or “boxes”. This terminology originated with
Itlani linguists and educators who originally arranged the ten cases in boxes or a grid and
Itlani children still study them in grid like fashion to this day.
The ten cases of the Itlani noun, in the traditional Itlani order are: nominative,
accusative, genitive, partitive, dative, ablative, locative, instrumental, prepositional, and
vocative.
CASE
Nominative
Accusative
Genitive
Partitive
Dative
Ablative
Locative
Instrumental
Prepositional
Vocative*
ITLANI CASES
MEANING
SINGULAR
PLURAL
subject, agent
object, patient
of (possession)
of (quantity)
to, toward (indirect
object)
from, out of, by
place in time or
space)
by means of
used with non-local
prepositions
direct address
-0
-ova
-a
-aris
-ese
-ay
-an
-ilu
-ey
-ey
-ú
-ovó
-arun
-ainen
-esea
-iena
-avá
-ilisa
-ín
-ín
*Although the prepositional and vocative appear to be identical in form, infact they
differ in that the preposition is never used without an accompanying preposition. The
vocative requires no preposition. For this reason, the prepositional and the vocative are
considered two distinct cases.
Page 14 of 79
NOMINATIVE CASE
The subject of a sentence in Itlani takes no special ending. This is called the nominative
case. the nominative singular is the form under which a noun is always listed in
dictionaries and grammar books. This form is referred to as the dictionary form. Itlani
nouns in the nominative case can end in any consonant or vowel.
(23)
@ malacOr
Ta malach-or
the young-M-NOM.SG
‘The young man lost his wallet.’
Sait
sa-it
3REFL-ADJ money-bag-ACC.SG
Yeralneyova Silyavor.
yeral-ney-ova
sil-yav-or
lose-PST-3SG.M
The subject of the above example is “young man” or malachór. Hence the third person
singular masculine agreement.
(24)
@ malacorU
Ta malach-or-ú
the young-M-NOM.PL
‘The young men lost their wallets.’
Sait
sa-it
3REFL-ADJ money-bag-ACC.PL
YeralneyovO Silyaven.
yeral-ney-ovó
sil-yav-en
lose-PST-3PL
The subject of the above example is “young men” or malachorú. The special ending for
all Itlani nominative plurals is -ú. This ending is added directly to the nominative
singular no matter what consonant or vowel the word ends in.
gimla
fitó
bredí
krioru
küinte
valley
cat
planet
situation
gnome
gimlaú
fitoú
brediú
krioruú
küinteú
valleys
cats
planets
situations
gnomes
Page 15 of 79
ACCUSATIVE CASE
The direct object in Itlani takes the ending of the accusative case. The accusative case is
required in Itlani for the objects of verbs. The ending for the accusative singular is -ova.
The plural accusative ending is -ovó.
(25)
@ darEl @ Malacorova Zeytariyavel.
ta
the
‘The queen met the young man.’
ta malach-or-ova
young-M-ACC.SG
the
zeytari-yav-el
encounter-PST-3SG.F
dar-él
leader-F
(26)
@ malacOr
Ta malach-or
the young-M-NOM.SG
‘The young man met the queen.’
@ Darelova Zeytariyavor.
ta
the
dar-el-ova
leader-F-ACC.SG encounter-PST-3SG.M
zeytari-yav-or
In certain very colloquial sayings one will occasionally hear the short form of the
accusative singular -o. This is a very informal usage and is never used for the plural.
This usage is rare and appears to be getting rarer.
(27)
Dralpuuto!.
Dral-puut-o
good-appetite-ACC.SG
‘Bon Appetit! (I wish to you)’
(28)
Kadimo!.
Kadim-o!
come-ACC.SG
‘Welcome!’
Page 16 of 79
GENITIVE CASE
The genitive case is used to show possession and with certain other verbs that require it.
The genitive ending for the singular is -a. The genitive ending for the plural is -arun.
(29)
Ferew
fer-esh
@
Ta
the write-tablet-NOM.SG
‘The teacher’s book (the book of the teacher)’
@ ayzandia
ta
the
ayzan-di-a
teach-expert-GEN.SG
NOTE: The Itlani used to write on reusable wax tablets and more permanently on clay
tablets that were then baked. When they transitioned to paper, ink and pen or brush
they kept the word feresh (writing tablet) to cover book as well.
(30)
fe-resh-ú
@ ferewU
Ta
the write-tablet-NOM.PL
‘The teachers’ books (the books of the teachers)’
@ auzandiarun
ayzan-di-arun
ta
teacher-expert-GEN.SG
the
(31)
@ nalyUn
Ta nal-yún
the official-administration-NOM.SG
‘The government of the province’
@
ta
the
taya
tay-a
province=GEN.SG
(32)
nal-yun-ú
@ nalyunU
Ta
the official-administration-NOM.PL
‘The governments of the provinces.’
@ tayarun
ta
the
tay-arun
province-GEN.PL
Page 17 of 79
(33)
NOTE: The verb shibatya (wibatya) requires the genitive case.
Siarel-it
@ Siarelit Meyleyna Wibatyaren.
meyleyn-a
Ta
the Earth-ADJ
species-GEN.SG
‘They belong to the Terran species.’
shibat-yar-en.
belong-PRS-3SG.PL
(34)
Siarelit Meyleynarun Wibatyaren.
Cadit
Siarel-it
Chad-it
Many-ADJ
Earth-ADJ
“They belong to many Terran species.’
shibat-yar-en.
belong-PRS.3PL
meyleyn-arun
species-GEN.PL
(35)
PARTITIVE CASE
The partitive case is a type of genitive case that is used to show the quantity of
something referred to. The partitive singular ending is -aris and the plural is -ainen.
anAm
anám
[a] part-NOM.SG
‘a part of the story’
@ praqenaris
prazhen-aris
ta
story-PRT.SG
the
(36)
halanIs
nashey-aris
Ha-lan-ís
Some-quantity-DIM-ADVL
crop-PRT.SG
‘A small amount of the crop was detroyed.’
@ Nasheyaris Byudemyiva.
ta
the
byudem-yiv-a.
destroy-PAS.PST.3SG.N
(37)
Pevgurainen Lafiyare?.
kinlAn
pev-gur-ainen
Kin-lán
what-quantity-ADVL
sea-shell-PRT.PL
‘How many seashells do you have?’
lafi-yar-e?
have-PRST-2SG
Page 18 of 79
(38)
Sneha @ Parmaainen Xuvit
parma-ainen
Sneha
Several
fruit-PRT.PL
‘Several of the fruits were rotten.’
khuv-it
rotten-ADJ
ta
the
onyaven.
on-yav-en.
be-PST.3PL
Note that the partitive is only used when referring to a quantity of the thing or material.
Study the following distinctions carefully:
(39)
doqaris
dozh-aris
minIn
minín
cup-NOM.SG water-PRT.SG
‘a cup(ful) of water (no more, no less)’ (emphasizing quanity)
(40)
doqa
dozh-a
minIn
minín
cup-NOM.SG water-GEN.SG
‘a cup of water (and not something else)’ (emphasizing substance)
DATIVE CASE
The dative case has two related functions in Itlani. It is used to indicate the indirect
object of a verb. It is also used to show direction towards or to someone or something.
The dative ending for the singular is -ese and for the plural is -esea.
(41)
feresh-ova
@ Ferewova @ ayzandiese
ta
Ta
the
the book-ACC.SG
‘We gave the book to the teacher.’
ayzan-di-ese
teach-expert-DAT.SG
Dafaryavi.
dafar-yav-i.
give-PST-1PL
(42)
feresh-ovó
@ ferewovO @ ayzandiesea Dafaryavi.
ayzan-di-esea
Ta
dafar-yav-i
teach-expert-DAT.PL give-PST.1PL
the book-NOM.PL
‘We gave the books to the teachers.’
ta
the
Page 19 of 79
(43)
itlanese & siarelese Ruzay ra tuhiborese Miwyavor.
Itlan-ese
vey Siarel-ese
Itlán-DAT
and Earth-DAT
‘He went to Itlán and Earth but not to Mars.’
ra
NEG Mars-DAT
mish-yav-or
go-PST.3SG.M
ruzay
but
Tuhibor-ese
(44)
@ Tegesea Miwyaqel.
Ta
the
‘She will go to the shops.’
mish-yazh-el
tegesea
shop-DAT.PL go-FUT-3SG.F
ABLATIVE CASE
The ablative case is used to indicate direction from which something comes or material
out of which something is made. It also expresses the by-line of an author or agent. The
ablative ending for the singular is -ay and for the plural it is -iena.
(45)
@ ealirU
Ta ea-lir-ú
the dawn-wing-NOM.PL
‘The eagles flew from the village.’
@ Watay
ta
the village-ABL.SG wing-PST-3PL
Liryaven.
lir-yav-en
shat-ay
(46)
iwi @ runit watiena Kadimyaren.
shat-iena
Ishi
always
village-ABL.PL
‘They always come from the north villages.’
run-it
ta
the north-ADJ
kadim-yar-en
come-PRS-3PL
(47)
drevay onyara.
drevay
on-yar-a
labam
table-NOM.SG wood-ABL.SG be-PRS-3SG.N
idA labam
Idá
that
‘That table is (made) of wood.’
Page 20 of 79
(48)
cadit eynuiena Korunyiven.
chad-it
labam-ú
table-NOM.PL many-ADJ material-ABL.PL make-PAS.PST-3PL
idA labamU
Idá
that
‘The tables were made from many materials.’
korun-yiv-en
eynu-iena
LOCATIVE CASE
The locative case is used to show the location in time or space of the noun referred to.
It is most often used with prepositions of time or location. In certain set expressions it
may be used without a preposition. The singular locative ending is -an and the plural is
-avá.
(49)
dini @ neyan
@ yerAl
dini
Ta
yeral
the money-NOM.SG
in
‘The money is in the bag.’
ta
ney-an
the bag-LOC.SG
onyara.
on-yar-a
be-PRS-3SG.N
(50)
uriden
@
urid-en
Ta
the
eat-thing-NOM.SG
‘The food is in the bags.’
(51)
dini @ neyavA onyara.
dini
in
ta
the bag-LOC.PL be-PRS-3SG.N
on-yar-a
ney-avá
seti @ toit aspalan Miwyavel.
Seti
at
‘She went on the fourth day.’
aspal-an
mish-yav-el
day-LOC.SG Go-PST-3SG.F
to-it
four-ADJ
ta
the
(52)
mawrA to aspalavA mogeylo
to
Mashrá
aspal-avá
during
four day-LOC.PL
‘She stayed with us for four days.’
mog-ey-lo
1PL-PRP.SG-with
Samyavel.
sam-yav-el
remain-PST-3SG.F
Page 21 of 79
INSTRUMENTAL CASE
In Itlani the instrumental case is used to indicate the means by which something is done.
The singular instrumental ending is -ilu and the plural ending is -ilisa. In certain
situations the instrumental case case perform an adverbial function as well.
(53)
@ Labamova Majilu Sitagyaqel.
Ta
the
‘She will build the table by hand.’
madj-ilu
hand-INS.SG build-FUT.3SG.F
labam-ova
table-ACC.SG
sitag-yazh-el
(54)
@ yudjadovO vutit Majilisa Sitagyaren.
Ta
yuddjad-ovó
the house-ACC.PL
‘They are building the houses with their hands.’
vut-it
they-ADJ hand-INS.PL
sitag-yar-en
build-PRS-3PL
madj-ilisa
(55)
@ jakilisa jatyavi & @ ramilisa Manaragyari.
vey
Ta djak-ilisa
ta
and the
the ear-INS.PL
‘We hear with the ears and we walk with the feet.’
manarag-yar-i
walk-PRS.1PL
djat-yar-i
hear-PRS-1PL
ram-ilisa
feet-INS.PL
PREPOSITIONAL CASE
The prepositional case is used with all prepositions that do not logically require other
cases. The singular prepositional ending is -ey. The plural prepositional ending is -ín.
(56)
weri @ oznatey dini @ gimlaan bawese Ruvyavu.
oznat-ova
Sheri
about
river-ACC.SG
‘I told you about the river in the valley.’
ta
gimla-an
the valley-LOC.SG
ruv-yav-u
say-PST-1SG
bash-ese
2SG-DAT
dini
in
ta
the
Page 22 of 79
(57)
weri @ oznatIn jamO @ gimlaan bawese Ra-ruvyavu.
Sheri
about
‘I did not tell you about the rivers beyond the valley.
bash-ese
ta
the valley-LOC.SG 2SG-DAT
ra=ruv-yav-u
NEG-say-PST-1SG
oznat-ín
river-ACC.PL
djamó
beyond
gimla-an
ta
the
VOCATIVE CASE
The vocative case is used when directly addressing the person or persons you are
speaking to. The singular vocative ending is -ey and the plural is -ín. The vocative case is
similar to the prepositional case in form but never requires a preposition.
(58)
eEy,
Hey,
hey-EXCL Daki-VOC
‘Hey, Daki! What are you doing?’
Dakiey!. kiinova Korunyare?.
Daki!
korun-yar-e?
Kiin-ova
what-ACC.SG do-PRS-2SG
GENDERS
There are no grammatical genders in Itlani. Each object retains its natural gender unless
it has been anthropomorphized in some way. The names of animals and professions can
be genderized if needed for clarity, nuance or added detail.
NON-GENDERED
FEMININE
MASCULINE
klotash
pesh
ush
sitagdi
marfán
horse
silf
parent
construction
worker
friend
klotashél
peshél
ushél
sitagdiél
marfanél
mare
woman
mother
construction
worker (f)
friend (f)
klotashór
peshór
ushór
sitagdiór
marfanór
stallion
man
father
contruction
worker (m)
friend (m)
THE DEFINITE ARTICLE
There is no indefinite article in Itlani. The definite article, like its English counterpart is
an adjective. As all adjectives in Itlani, it is not declined, i. e. it does not change for
either case or number. The definite article in Itlani is: ta.
Page 23 of 79
The definite article is used in Itlani much as it is in English, except that abstract nouns
are generally preceded by the definite article. When cited, titles of literary works never
take the definite article.
(59)
@
ta
the-DEF.ART
‘the truth’
(60)
izmu
izmu
truth-NOM.SG
;pronU
“Pron-ú
song-NOM.SG
“Songs of Love”
@
ta
the-DEF.ART
Varema;
Varem-a”
love-GEN.SG
THE INDEFINITE ARTICLE
There is no indefinite article in Itlani. Occasionally the word mu “one” is used in this
capacity for emphasis. This usage is extremely rare. Compare the following examples:
(61)
pasokova Wunyavay.
@
Ta
pasok-ova
the-DEF.ART dog-ACC.SG
‘You all saw the dog.’
shun-yav-ay
see-PST-2PL
(62)
pasokova Wunyavay.
Pasok-ova
dog-NOM.SG
‘You all saw a dog.’
shun-yav-ay
see-PST-2PL
(63)
pasokova Wunyavay.
mu
Mu
pasok-ova
one-NUM dog-ACC.SG
‘You all saw a (one) dog.’
shun-yav-ay
See-PST-2PL
Page 24 of 79
NOUNS
As seen above in discussing cases, Itlani is characterized by a noun system with only one
pattern (declension) of noun endings. Nearly all Itlani nouns are regular and follow this
one pattern other than the words bungu [gremlin] and khará [prickly pear cactus] which
can refer to either one or more gremlins or cacti but is always declined in the singular. A
singular or plural verb can be used to indicate the number of bungu or khará involved.
Below is provided the declension of one noun ending in a consonant and one noun
ending in a vowel. Remember, always add the case ending directly to the dictionary
form of the word without dropping any of the final vowels.
SUMMARY OF ITLANI NOUN DECLENSION – Nouns ending in consonants:
NOUN DECLENSION
askes, ASKES (GREEN PEPPER)
Nominative
SINGULAR
askes
Accusative
askesova
Genitive
Partitive
Dative
Ablative
Locative
Instrumental
askesa
askesaris
askesese
askesay
askesan
askesilu
Prepositional
askesey
Vocative
askesey
PLURAL
askesú
pepper
(subject)
pepper (object) askesovó
of a pepper
part of a
pepper
to a pepper
from a pepper
on, in a pepper
by means of a
pepper
pepper (with
any non-local
preposition)
O pepper!
askesarun
askesainen
askesesea
askesiena
askesavá
askesilisa
askesín
askesín
peppers
(subject)
peppers
(object)
of peppers
portion of
peppers
to peppers
from peppers
on, in peppers
by means of
peppers
peppers (with
any non-local
preposition)
O pepper!
Page 25 of 79
SUMMARY OF ITLANI NOUN DECLENSION – Nouns ending in vowels:
NOUN DECLENSION
FITÓ (CAT)
PLURAL
cat (subject)
cat (object)
of a cat
part of a cat
to a cat
from a cat
on, in a cat
by means of a
cat
cat (with any
non-local
preposition)
O cat!
fitoú
fitoovó
fitoarun
fitoainen
fitoesea
fitoiena
fitoavá
fitoilisa
fitoín
fitoín
cats (subject)
cats (object)
of cats
portion of cats
to cats
from cats
on, in cats
by means of
cats
cats (with any
non-local
preposition)
O cats!
Nominative
Accusative
Genitive
Partitive
Dative
Ablative
Locative
Instrumental
SINGULAR
fitó
fitoova
fitoa
fitoaris
fitoese
fitoay
fitoan
fitoilu
Prepositional
fitoey
Vocative
fitoey
ADJECTIVES
FORMS OF ADJECTIVES
Adjectives in Itlani do not agree in case or number with the nouns they modify. The
adjective usually precedes the noun in Itlani, as it does in English.
All Itlani adjectives fall into two classes. One class, the predominant one, is the group of
adjectives that are derived from nouns or are independent adjectives. All adjectives in
this group have the characteristic ending -it. The second group is a small class of words
that are adjectival in function but do not take the characteristic ending. These are
known as adjectivals.
NOUN FORM
ADJECTIVE FORM
ADJECTIVES
banadjinúd
shprun
to
dozh
Itlán
dralúd
givanúd
sneha
beauty
strength
four
water
Itlán
good
dryness
grouping, variety
banadjinit
shprunit
toit
dozhit
Itlanit
dralit
givanit
sneha
beautiful
strong
fourth
watery
Itlani
good
dry
several*
Page 26 of 79
NOTE: The word sneha is considered by some Itlani grammarians as an adjective and by
some as a numeral. It does not carry the adjectival ending.
USE OF ADJECTIVES
Itlani adjectives normally precede the nouns they modify. They are, however,
invariable, that is, they do not change form for case or number. Thus, the following are
typical of noun phrases with adjectives:
(64)
@ Banadjinisit duxulEl
ta banadjin-is-it
the beautiful-DIM-ADJ
‘the pretty girl’
dukhul-él
child-F-NOM.SG
(65)
@ Gilirit doq
dozh
ta
water-NOM.SG
the cold-ADJ
‘the cold water’
gilir-it
(66)
isait pewOr
isa-it
pesh-ór
wise-ADJ person-M-NOM.SG
‘a wise man’
(67)
@ sulit
sul-it
ta
commercial-ADJ money-place-NOM.SG
the
‘the commercial bank’
yeralbIr
yeral-bír
(68)
sulit
sul-it
commercial-ADJ money-place-NOM.PL
‘commercial banks’
yeralbirU
yeral-bir-ú
Page 27 of 79
(69)
fad
fad
room-NOM.SG
‘a room in an expensive inn’
dini difit
dini
in
kiarabiran
kiara-bir-an
dif-it
expensive-ADJ guest-place-LOC.SG
(70)
isait vastriekarun
vastri-ek-arun
isa-it
ayzan-en-ú
teach-thing-NOM.PL wise-ADJ old-person-GEN.PL
@ ayzanenU
ta
the
‘the teachings of wise elders’
NOTE: The suffix -ek personalizes the root when no gender is indicated. Remember too,
that adject are invariable as in English.
(71)
qoyit RamgurU
Zhoy-it
1SG-ADJ
‘My shoes are blue.’
ram-gur-ú
foot-shell-NOM.PL
Siarit onyaren.
siar-it
blue-ADJ
on-yar-en
be-PRS-3PL
(72)
am-báz
@ ambAz
Ta
the animal-flesh-NOM.SG
‘The meat is well done.’
ik|iqnivivit
iküi-zhniv-iv-it
through-cook-PtAS.PST.PTCP-ADJ
onyara.
on-yar-a
be-PRS-3SG.N
When an adjective is used emphatically, it may follow the noun it modifies and the final
“t” is dropped. Stress then moves to the ultimate or final syllable.
(73)
@ duxulOr
ta
dukhul-ór
the child-M-NOM.SG beautiful-DIM-EMP.ADJ
‘the (really) good-looking boy’
banajinisI
banadjin-is-i
Page 28 of 79
When an adjective is part of a series, and is not followed by a noun, the final “t” is
dropped. Stress remains on the penultimate or next to last syllable.
(74)
min wolovO
Min
three
‘He studied three languages: Itlani, Alurhsa, and Klingon.’
istonyavor:
iston-yav-or:
study-PST-M-NOM.SG
shol-ovó
language-ACC.PL
itlani: aluri:
Itlan-i,
Alur-i,
Itlan-SER.ADJ Alurhsa-SER.ADJ and
& Dlingani.
vey Dlingan-i
Klingon-SER.ADJ
COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES
All Itlani adjectives form the comparative in the same way. The prefix ar- is added
directly to the adjective. This parallels the use of “more” in the English “important;
more important” or the “-er” in “big; bigger.”
POSITIVE
COMPARATIVE
banadjinit
shprashtit
malachit
antoit
djeyelit
beautiful
wild
young
sweet
deep
arbanadjinit
arshprashtit
armalachit
arantoit
ardjeyelit
more beautiful
wilder
younger
sweeter
deeper
USE OF THE COMPARATIVE
(75)
Wirit wiwA
Shirit Shishá
Shirit Shishá-NOM.SG more-big-ADJ
‘Shirit Shishá is larger than Shtemór.’
argidanit u
ar-gidan-it
wtemOr onyara.
u
Shtemór
than Shtemór
on-yar-a
be-PRS-3SG.N
NOTE: Shirit Shishá is the capital city of Itlán. Shtemór is the birth-place of the legendary
Itlani hero Tsirtsír-Ram.
Page 29 of 79
(76)
@ muit [ar
Ta mu-it
the one-ADJ mountain-NOM.SG more-tall-ADJ
‘The first mountain is taller than the second.’
dzar
artulit u @ zarit onyara.
ar-tul-it
u
than
ta
the
zar-it
two-ADJ
on-yar-a
be-PRST.3SG.N
(77)
qoyit seykAl
Zhoy-it
1SG-ADJ
‘My suitcase is heavier than your trunk.’
seykál
suitcase-NOM.SG more-weight-ADJ
arselamit u bawit [evsukUn
ar-selam-it
bash-it
u
than 2SG-ADJ
dzev-suk-ún
travel-box-AUG-NOM.SG
onyara.
on-yar-a
be-PRS.3SG.N
(78)
vunit maranOr
Vun-it
3SG.M-ADJ
‘His friend (m) is smarter than me.’
marfan-ór
friend-M-NOM.SG more-smart-ADJ
artariikit u
ar-tariik-it
qoy
zhoy
onyaror.
on-yar-a
u
than 1SG-ADJ be-PRS-3SG.N
SUPERLATIVE ADJECTIVES
The superlative forms of the adjective are formed by prefixing oy- directly to the
adjective in question. The superlative is usually used with the definite article ta.
COMPARATIVE
SUPERLATIVE
arbanadjinit
arshprashtit
armalachit
arantoit
ardjeyelit
more beautiful
wilder
younger
sweeter
deeper
oybanadjinit
oyshprashtit
oymalachit
oyantoit
oydjeyelit
most beautiful
wildest
youngest
sweetest
deepest
USE OF THE SUPERLATIVE
When comparing one individual or group of individuals with another group the adjective
is followed by the ablative plural.
Page 30 of 79
(79)
@ oytulit @ kurujeliena onyarel.
oy-tul-it
Ta
the most-tall-ADJ
‘She is the tallest of the daughters.’
ta
the offspring-F-ABL.PL
on-yar-el
be-PRS-3SG.F
kurudj-el-iena
The superlative may also be followed by the preposition dini (in) and a noun or pronoun
in the locative case.
AUGMENTATIVE ADJECTIVE
In addition to the comparative and superlative prefixes, Itlani also has an intensive
suffix. We may translate these intensives as “very” in English. The intensive form is
made by adding the suffix -un to the root of the adjective just before the adjective
ending -it.
COMPARATIVE
AUGMENTATIVE
more beautiful
wilder
younger
sweeter
deeper
banadjinunit
shprashtunit
malachunit
antounit
djeyelunit
very beautiful
very wild
very young
very sweet
very deep
arbanadjinit
arshprashtit
armalachit
arantoit
ardjeyelit
(80)
@ Gidanunit vorIn
Ta gidan-un-it
the big-AUG-ADJ
‘The giant wolf ran out of the forest.’
vorín
wolf-NOM.SG out
ta
the
fidiri @ derevuwsalay Virsiyava.
fidiri
derevush-sal-ay
virsi-yav-a
(81)
@ vastriit evistiOr
Ta vastri-it
the old-ADJ
‘The old tyrant was very wicked.’
evisti-ór
tyrant-M-NOM.SG wicked-AUG-ADJ
on-yav-a
be-PST.3SG.N
herebunit onyavor.
hereb-un-it
The beginner in Itlani may avoid the use of the intensive simply by placing pashni (very)
in front of the positive form of the adjective. Both are equally correct and used in
common speech and writing.
Page 31 of 79
(82)
@ pawni gidanit vorIn
gidan-it
Ta pashni
the very
big-ADJ
‘The very big wolf attacked.’
Mundroyava.
mundro-yav-a
vorín
wolf-NOM.SG attack-PST.3SG.N
THE DIMINUTIVE ADJECTIVE
In addition to the comparative, superlative and intensive prefixes, Itlani also has an
diminutive suffix. The diminutive form is made by adding the suffix -is to the root of the
adjective just before the adjective ending -it.
NOTE: Both the augmentative and the diminutive can be used with nouns as well, as in:
herebunór (very wicked man) and vorinís (small wolf).
COMPARATIVE
DIMINUTIVE
arbanadjinit
arshprashtit
armalachit
arantoit
ardjeyelit
more beautiful
wilder
younger
sweeter
deeper
banadjinisit
shprashtisit
malachisit
antoisit
djeyelisit
somewhat beautiful
somewhat wild
somewhat young
somewhat sweet
somewhat deep
COMPARISONS OF EQUALITY
The “as…as” of comparisons of equality (as in: ‘They are as hospitable as their cousins.’)
may be translated in Itlani by lan…lan.
NOTE: In some of the older texts it is possible to find the construction lan…u but this is
increasingly rare these days and is considered dialectal in some regions.
(83)
lan
Lan
as-ADVL happy-ADJ
‘I am as happy as you.’
afakit Lan baw
lan
bash
afak-it
as-ADVL 2SG-NOM.SG be-PRS-1SG
onyaru.
on-yar-u
Page 32 of 79
(84)
wprunit lan
lan
shprun-it
Lan
quantity-ADVL
strong-ADJ
‘He is as strong as a sailor.’
pevluwdi
pevlush-di
nyaror.
on-yar-or
lan
quantity-ADVL ocean-expert-NOM.SG. be-PRS-3SG.M
LESS
To express the concept “less” in Itlani, the comparative prefix la- is used. Like its
counterpart ar- (more) it is attached directly to the adjective or adverb it refers to.
(85)
u
laaanit
u
Laaan-it
than 1SG
less-honest-ADJ
‘He is less honest than me.’
qoy onyaro.
zhoy on-yar-or
be-PRS-3SG.M
(86)
kew idA lazaradit ba arzaradit onyara?.
Kesh
Q
‘Is that less difficult or more difficult?’
ar-zarad-it
more-difficult-ADJ Be-PRS-3SG.N
la-zarad-it
ba
less-difficult-ADJ or
on-yar-a?
idá
that
ADVERBS
ADVERBS DERIVED FROM ADJECTIVES
Adverbs are words that describe adjectives, adverbs or verbs. In English, many adverbs
are formed by adding -ly to an adjective: quiet, quietly; sure, surely. In Itlani, many
adverbs are formed from adjectives ending in -it by dropping the -it and adding
-izhe. In Itlani adverbs that are formed from adjectives are called “derived adverbs.”
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
selamit
uvakunit
bashlaisit
dralit
djamit
heavy
loud
quiet
good
bad
selamizhe
uvakunizhe
bashlaisizhe
dralizhe
djamizhe
heavily
loudly
quietly
well
badly
Page 33 of 79
NOTE: The adverbs formed from adjectives denoting nationality, besides having their
usual functions, also refer to languages:
(87)
uvakuniqe eypyavel.
Uvak-un-izhe
voice-AUG-ADV
‘She spoke loudly (big-voice-ly).
eyp-yav-el
speak-PRS-3SG.F
(88)
@ cumakova draliqe Korunyaqor.
Ta
chumak-ova
the
task-ACC.SG
‘He will do the task well.’
korun-yazh-or
do-FUT-3SG.M
dral-izhe
good-ADV
(89)
kew itlaniqe eypya Makayarel?.
Kesh
Itlan-izhe
Itlan-ADV
Q
‘Can she speak Itlani?’
maka-yar-el
can-PRS-3SG.F
eyp-ya
speak-INF
EXAMPLES OF SOME LANGUAGES
Angliit
Itlanit
Frantsit
Semeriit
Okunait
Alurit
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
English
Itlani
French
Semerian
Okuna
Alurhsa
Angliizhe
Itlanizhe
Frantsizhe
Semeriizhe
Okunaizhe
Alurizhe
in English
in Itlani
in French
in Semerian
in Okuna
in Alurhsa
PRIMITIVE ADVERBS
In Itlani there is a small class of adverbs that carry the ending -u. This is an ancient form
of adverb which is no longer productive but which is still found in certain fixed
expressions. Some Itlani linguists classify these as adverbials, that is, adverbial in
function but not in form; other insist on a separate designation and class.
Page 34 of 79
PRIMITIVE ADVERBS
for better or worse
by the way
in the name of
for the sake of
tamagu
hazbatu
drimalu
idamasagu
on the other hand
on the way
on purpose
on the other side of
dralu-djamu
mazhu-mazhu
mishtaratu
dralu
ADVERBIALS
There is a second group of adverbs that are not derived from adjectives and that do not
carry the characteristic adverb ending -izhe. These words are called “adverbials.”
For example: The word pakhizhe “accidentally” is a derived adverb from the adjective
pakhit. One could, however, express the same idea by saying pakhilu which also means
accidentally or by accident using the instrumental singular of the noun pakh accident.
The word pakhilu is an adverbial. Other adverbials are independent and not related to
adjectives at all.
ADVERBIALS
by accident
a little
outdoors
pashni
kashá-ba-rá
halán
very
whether or not
somewhat
pakhilu
kozhá
munka
(90)
Jurova halAn
ha-lán
Djur-ova
some-quantity-ADVL
3SG.N-ACC
‘We liked it somewhat (a little).’
Brinyavi.
brin-yav-i
like-PST-1PL
(91)
@ itlantanU
Itlan-tan-ú
Ta
Itlan-resident-NOM.PL
the
‘The Itlani love Itlán very much.’
itlanova pawni Varemyaren/.
Itlan-ova
Itlán-ACC
varem-yar-en
love-PRS-3PL
pashni
very
Page 35 of 79
COMPARISON OF ADVERBS
Adverbs form comparatives in the same way as the adjectives on which they are based.
OTHER ADVERBIALS
There are many common adverbs, sometimes called adverbials in Itlani, that are not
derived from adjectives. Some of the more important ones are listed below:
OTHER COMMON ADVERBIALS
bazhi
dzea
haku
hatá
hazá
idatá
iíz
ishi
izá
kinzá
piti
rakín
ranti
ratá
razá
say
shandi
sheyzá
shta
shuba
tamagzá
tsey
tsorni
under
already
sometimes
at some time
anywhere
at that time
here
always
there
where
above
for no reason
when
never
nowhere
now
yet
everywhere
again
immediately
elsewhere
still
now
Adverbs/adverbials in Itlani can either precede or follow the verbs they describe:
Page 36 of 79
(92)
]ir]Ir-ram iIz
Tistsír-Ram
Tsirtsír-Ram-NOM
‘Tsirtsír-Ram lived here.’
iíz
here-ADV
Depikyavor.
depik-yav-or
dwell-PST-3SG.M
(93)
]ir]Ir-ram
Tsirtsír-Ram
Tsirtsír-Ram-NOM.SG dwell-PST-3SG.M
‘Tsirtsír-Ram lived here.’
depikyavor iIz.
depik-yav-or
iíz
here-ADVL
(94)
pe itlanan Vananyivor.
iIz
pe
Iíz
here-ADVL
on
‘He was born here on Itlán.
vanan-yiv-or
born-PAS.PST-3SG.M
Itlan-an
Itlán-LOC.SG
NOTE: Remember, “here” is glossed as an adverbial because it is an adverb in function
but not in form, lacking the -izhe or -u endings.
(95)
miwya say Brinyanu.
Mish-ya
say
now
go-INF
‘I would like to go now.’
brin-yan-u
like-COND-1SG
(96)
qoyit zurhanOr
Zhoy-it
1SG-ADJ
‘My brother never sleeps.’
zurhan-ór
sibling-M-NOM.SG
salayaror ratA.
sala-yar-or
sleep-PRS-3SG.M no-time-ADVL
ra-tá
(97)
uramorova
Uram-or-ova
intimate-M-ACC.SG no-time-ADVL
‘She never chose a mate.’
ratA
ra-tá
Kelekyavel.
kelek-yav-el
choose-PST-3SG.F
Page 37 of 79
COMPOUND ADVERBS
A unique feature of Itlani is the hyphenating of closely related adverbs when one is
modifying the other. It can be difficult to know when to hyphenate an adverb and there
are no hard and fast rules. Although it is never wrong to use the full non-hyphenated
forms this may make you sound less than native to a Itlani. Study these examples:
(98)
Kul-helistiqe izA onyaqor.
Kul=helist-izhe
whole-certain-COMP.ADV
‘He will most certainly be there.’
izá
there be-FUT-3SG.M
on-yazh-or
NOTE: Instead of: kulizhe helistizhe
(99)
@ wolova
Ta
the
‘She studied the language well enough to understand me.’
shol-ova
language-ACC.SG enough-well-ADV
iston-yav-el
study-PST-3SG.F
Frel-draliqe istonyavel rew Qoyova Daya.
frel=dral-izhe
zhoy-ova
1SG-ACC
resh
for
da-ya
understand-INF
NOTE: Instead of: frelizhe dralizhe. It is never wrong to use the two modifying adverbs
independently. As always, sound and meaning determine this choice. It is completely up
to the speaker or writer.
ADVERB PARTICIPLES
TENSE
ADVERB PARTICIPLES
ACTIVE
PASSIVE
-avizhe
-arizhe
-azhizhe
-ivizhe
-irizhe
-izhizhe
Past
Present
Future
(100)
@ faday
Belonaviqe, @ pewEl
ta
Belon-av-izhe
shout-PST.PTCP-ADV
the
‘Having shouted, the woman ran from the room.’
ta
the person-F-NOM.SG
fad-ay
room-ABL.SG
pesh-él
Virsiyavel.
virsi-yav-el
run-PST-3SG.F
Page 38 of 79
(101)
Belonariqe, @ pewEl
Belon-ar-izhe
shout-PRS.PTCP-ADV
‘Shouting, the woman ran from the room.’
ta
the person-F-NOM.SG
pesh-él
@ faday
ta
the
fad-ay
room-ABL.SG
Virsiyavel.
virsi-yav-el
run-PST-3SG.F
(102)
Belonaqiqe, @ pewEl
Belon-azh-izhe
shout-FUT.PTCP-ADV
‘About to shout, the woman ran from the room.’
ta
the person-F-NOM.SG
pesh-él
@ faday
ta
the
fad-ay
room-ABL.SG
Virsiyavel.
virsi-yav-el
run-PST-3SG.F
PRONOUNS
Itlani personal pronouns, like nouns, have different forms according to their use and
position in a sentence. Itlani pronouns are declined exactly like nouns but there are no
plural case forms only singular.
In Itlani the following personal pronouns are in use: zhoy [first person singular], bash
[second person singular], Vu [third Person Deific], vuyín [third person singular feminine],
vun [third person singular masculine], pa [third person non-specific], vupá [third person
gender non-specified], djur [third person singular inanimate], sa [third person
sing/plural reflexive], mog [first person plural], ukh [second person plural], vut [third
person plural].
It is interesting to note that according to Itlani belief the Creator-God is completely
beyond description and is absolutely genderless. To express this concept when referring
to this Supreme Being in the third Person a special pronoun Vu is used that cannot be
translated as he, she, or it.
Also note that the pronoun vupá is a non-gender specific pronoun used by Itlani
individuals who are non-binary or gender fluid. There is no English equivalent for this,
although the non-pural they sometimes serves.
Page 39 of 79
PERSONAL PRONOUNS – SAMPLE DECLENSION USING ZHOY (I) AND MOG (WE)
NOMINATIVE
ACCUSATIVE
GENITIVE
PARTITIVE
DATIVE
ABLATIVE
LOCATIVE
INSTRUMENTAL
zhoy
zhoyova
zhoya
zhoyaris
zhoyese
zhoyay
zhoyan
zhoyilu
mog
I
mogova
me
moga
of me, mine
mogaris
part of me
mogese
to me
mogay
from me
on, in, at
mogan
by means of me mogilu
PREPOSITIONAL
VOCATIVE
zhoyey
zhoyey
me
Oh, I
mogey
mogey
we
us
our
part of us
to us
from us
on, in us
by means of
us
us
Oh, we
USE OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Itlan is a pro-drop language. Subject pronouns are not customarily used since verb
endings indicate the person and number of the subject, but they are used when some
special emphasis or contrast is required or desired.
(103)
tamelunese Miwyaqu.
Tamelun-ese
Tamelún-DAT.SG
‘I will go to Tamelún.’
mish-yazh-u
go-FUT-1SG
(104)
Tamelunese Miwyaqu Qoy!.
Tamelun-ese
Tamelún-DAT.SG
‘[It is ] I [who] will go to Tamelún.’
mish-yazh-u
go-FUT-1SG
zhoy
1SG
Otherwise personal pronouns are used very much as in English:
(105)
Vunova Wunyaru.
Vun-ova
3SG.M-ACC
‘I see him.
shun-yar-u
see-PRS-1SG
Page 40 of 79
(106)
Qoyova Wunyaror.
Zhoy-ova
1SG-ACC
‘He sees me.’
shun-yar-or
see-PRS-3SG.M
(107)
bawese naranova Dafaryaqu.
naran-ova
Bash-ese
2SG-DAT
apple-ACC.SG
‘I will give you an apple.’
dafar-yazh-u
give-FUT-1SG
(108)
uxese Jurova Dafaryaven.
djur-ova
Ukh-ese
2PL-DAT
3SG.N-ACC
‘They gave it to you all.’
dafar-yav-en
give-PST.3PL
(109)
pajAn-hadIn jurova qoyese Dafaryaqor.
Padján=Hadín
Padján-Hadín-NOM.SG 3SG.N-ACC
‘Padján-Hadín will give it to me.’
dafar-yazh-or
give-FUT-3SG.M
zhoy-ese
1SG-DAT
djur-ova
NOTE: Please note that other word orders are also possible:
(110)
Naranova bawese Darayaru.
Naran-ova
apple-ACC.SG
‘I am giving you an apple.’
dafar-yar-u
give-PRS-1SG
bash-ese
2SG-DAT
(111)
Jurova Mogese Dafaryanay?.
Djur-ova mog-ese
3SG.N-ACC 1PL-DAT
‘You all would give it to us?’
dafar-yan-ay?
give-COND-2PL
Page 41 of 79
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
The adjective form of the pronouns, ending in -it is used as the possessive form:
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
zhoyit
bashit
Vuit
vuyinit
vunit
vupait
djurit
sait
SINGULAR
my
your
God’s
her
his
their singular
its
self’s
mogit
ukhit
PLURAL
our
your
vutit
their
The possessive adjective precedes the noun it modifies and is invariable
(112)
Qoyit Qul
Zhoy-it
1SG-ADJ
‘My hat is black.’
zhul
hat-NOM.SG
Jolit onyara.
djol-it
black-ADJ
on-yar-a
be-PRS-3SG.N
(113)
qul
bawit koit
Bash-it
zhul
ko-it
2SG-ADJ white-ADJ hat
‘your white hat’
To express emphatic ownership add sa- to the possessive adjective:
(114)
saqoyit marfanEl
Sa-zhoy-it
REFL-1SG-ADJ
‘My own friend (f) came.’
marfan-él
friend-F-NOM.SG
Kadimyavel.
kadim-yav-el
come-PST-3SG.F
Page 42 of 79
(115)
@ mekerIs
Ta meker-is
the sphere-DIM-NOM.SG
‘The ball is her own.’
Savuyinit onyara.
sa-vuyin-it
REFL-3SG.F-ADJ
on-yar-a
be-PRS-3SG.N
RELATIVE PRONOUNS
The two most common relative pronouns in Itlani are kinpá who and kiín what. These
two pronouns are declined as is needed for the sense of the sentence:
(116)
@ duxUl
dukhúl
Ta
child-NOM.SG what-3SG.NS
the
‘The child who s swimming is strong.’
kinpA
kin-pá
Stanyara
stan-yar-a
swim-PRS-3SG.N
Wprunit onyara.
shprun-it
strong-ADJ
on-yar-a
be-PRS-3SG.N
(117)
@ pewEl
Ta pesh-él
the person-F-NOM.SG what-3SG.NS-ACC.SG
‘The woman whom I heard, sang beautifully.’
kinpaova
kin-pá-ova
(118)
Jatyavu, banajiniqe Pronyavel.
djat-yav-u,
hear-PST-1SG beauty-ADV
pron-yav-el
sing-PST-3SG.F
banadjin-izhe
@ duxUl
dukhúl
Ta
child-NOM.SG what-3SG.NS-DAT.SG
the
‘The child to whom I gave the apple ran away.’
Kinpaese
kin-pa-ese
@ naranova dararyavu inuvirsiyava
ta
the apple-ACC.SG
inu-virsi-yav-a
away-run-PST-3SG.N
dafar-yav-u
give-PST-1SG
naran-ova
(119)
@ ev
Ta
the
‘The client whose money I spent, complained.’
ev
client-NOM.SG what-3SG.NS-ADJ money-ACC.SG
kinpait
kin-pa-it
Yeralova eryavu,
yeral-ova
er-yav-u,
spend-PST-1SG
Dajlayava.
dadjla-yav-a
complain-PST-3SG.N
Page 43 of 79
The particle -vá is added in the sense of -ever in English:
(120)
kinpA-vA
Kin-pá=vá
what-3SG.NS=ever
‘Whoever swims stays happy,’
Stanyara afakit Samyara.
stan-yar-a
swim-PRS-3SG.N happy-ADJ
sam-yar-a
remain-PRS-3SG.N
afak-it
The pronoun kiín what, which like kinpá can be declined in both the singular and plural
and all cases.
(121)
Kew idA @ ferew
ta
Kesh
the write-tablet-NOM.SG be-PRST.3SG.N what-ACC.SG want-PRS-2SG
Q
‘Is the book that you want?’
kiinova Vemyare?.
kiin-ova
onyara
on-yar-a
vem-yar-e?
idá
that
fer-esh
(122)
iId @ teg
ta
Iíd
the
this
‘This is the shop I went to at that time.’
onyara
on-yar-a
teg
shop-NOM.SG be-PRS-3SG.N what-DAT.SG
kiinese idatá
kiin-ese
Miwyavu.
ida-tá
mish-ya-vu
that-time-ADVL go-PRS-1SG
NOTE: You may have noticed that words like kin, pa and ta are truncated forms of kiín,
pesh and tanto (what, person, and time respectively).
(123)
Kinpaesea @ azova
Kin-pa-esea
what-DAT.PL
‘Who did you give the jewel to?’
ta
the
Dafaryave?.
az-ova
dafar-yav-e?
jewel-ACC.SG give-PST-2SG
(124)
kinpaay
Kin-pa-ay
what-3SG.NS-ABL.SG
‘Who did we receive the text from?’
@ blavkaova Kamizyavi?.
ta
the
kamiz-yav-i?
receive-PST-1PL
blavka-ova
text-ACC.SG
Page 44 of 79
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS AND ADJECTIVES
In English, the words “this” and “that” may be either demonstrative adjectives or
demonstrative pronouns. The Itlani demonstratives iíd and idá may likewise be used as
either adjectives or pronouns. As adjectives they are indeclinable. As pronouns they
may be declined. These two demonstratives indicate a different degree of distance
from the speaker. Iíd refers to something near the speaker (English “this,” plural
“these”) and idá to something at a distance from the speaker (English “that,” plural
“those”).
DEMONSTRATIVES AS PRONOUNS
As pronouns Itlani demonstratives iíd (iidú), idá (idaú) follow the regular noun
declension in both the singular and plural. In modern colloquial Itlani, however, the
distinction between demonstrative adjective and prononoun is being lost.
(125)
iId
Iíd
this-NOM.SG
‘This is the hat of that man.
@ qul
ta
zhul
the hat-NOM.SG
idA
idá
that-ADJ
pewora
pesh-or-a
person-M-GEN.SG be-PRS-3SG.N
onyara.
on-yar-a
(126)
argidanit u
ar-gidan-it
iId
Iíd
this-NOM.SG more-big-ADJ
‘This seems bigger than that.’
u
than
(127)
arginanit u
ar-gidan-it
iidU
Iid-ú
This-NOM.PL more-big-ADJ
‘These seem bigger than those.’
u
than
idA
idá
that-NOM.SG
Bezyara.
bez-yar-a
seem-PRS-3SG.N
idaU
ida-ú
that-NOM.PL
Bezyaren.
bez-yar-en
seem-PRS-3PL
Page 45 of 79
DEMONSTRATIVES AS ADJECTIVES
When they are used as adjectives, Itlani demonstratives are not declined. They are
adjectival in function but not in form.
(128)
idA
Idá
that-ADJL
‘That man loves this river.’
pewOr
pesh-ór
person-M-NOM.SG
iId
iíd
this-ADJL
oznatova Varemyaror.
oznat-ova
river-ACC.SG
varem-yar-or
love-PRS-3SG.M
(129)
dini iId
Dini
in
‘In this life there are many sorrows.’
iíd
this-ADJL
zarideynan cadit musadenU
chad-it
zarideyn-an
many-ADJ
life-LOC.SG
musad-en-ú
sorrow-thing-NOM.PL
Qanyiren.
zhan-yir-en
find-PAS.PRS-3PL
(130)
mekerisU
iId
meker-is-ú
Iíd
this-ADJL
sphere-DIM-NOM.PL
‘These balls are for the game.’
(131)
rew @ tukbeley
resh
for
onyaren.
tuk-bel-ú
on-yar-en
sport-play-NOM.PL be-PRS-3PL
ta
the
iidU
Iid-ú
this-NOM.PL
‘These are for playing (with).’
rew tukbelya onyaren.
resh
for
tuk-bel-ya
sport-play-INF
on-yar-en
be-PRS-3PL
OTHER PRONOUNS
There are other important pronouns in Itlani, some of which are presented here. They
are declined like Itlani nouns:
SOME OTHER COMMON PRONOUNS
ha
hapá
havá
pa
rahá
rapá
shey
something
someone
anything (whatever) sheypá
one
nothing
tamaghá
tamagpá
no one
all, every, each
everyone
something else
someone else
Page 46 of 79
(132)
kew hapA
Kesh ha-pá
Q
‘Is someone coming?’
some-3SG.NS-NOM.SG
Kadimyara?.
kadim-yar-a?
come-PRS-3SG.N
(133)
ra-pá
Ra, rapA.
Ra,
NEG NEG-3SG.NS-NOM.SG
‘No, no one.’
(134)
rapA
Ra-pá
NEG-3SG.NS
‘No one is coming.’
Kadimyara.
kadim-yar-a
come-PRS-3SG.N
For additional emphasis, one could say:
(135)
kadimyara hapA.
kadim-yar-a
come-PRS-3SG.N NEG-3SG-NOM.SG
‘No one is coming.’
ra-pá
(136)
Kiinova Vemyaray?. Rahaova.
Kiin-ova
vem-yar-ay?
what-ACC.SG want-PRS-2PL
‘What do y’all want?’ ‘Nothing.’
Ra-ha-ova
NEG-thing-ACC.SG
(137)
Vemyaray?.
vem-yar-ay?
something-ACC.SG want-PRS-2PL
kew haova
Kesh ha-ova
Q
‘Do y’all want anything?’
Page 47 of 79
PREPOSITIONS
Itlani prepositions are followed by nouns requiring different cases according to the
desired meaning. Many can be used with more than one case and many others use only
the prepositional case. In certain stock phrases the preposition may be dropped.
PREPOSITION
SOME COMMON ITLANI PREPOSITIONS
TRANSLATION
CASE REQUIRED
bazhi
chey
dazhem
dazhini
dini
diváy
djamó
dje
dudj
fidiri
hiznu
iküí
kari
klaná
losh
mafáy
makhá
mudja
munka
pe
piri
piti
resh
rumbi
sayra
seti
shan
shas
sheri
tashi
teyni
udj
uv
under
opposite in location
between
among
in, into
around
beyond
inside of
up against
out of
behind
through
according to
across
with
against, opposed to
until (timewise)
instead of
outside
in
except
above
for
after
beside, by
at
alongside
without
about
before
toward
as far as, up to
in front of
locative
locative
locative
locative
locative, dative
locative
locative
locative
locative
ablative
locative
locative
prepositional
locative
prepositional
prepositional
locative
prepositional
locative
locative
prepositional
locative
prepositional
locative
locative
locative
locative
prepositional
prepositional
locative
locative
locative
locative
Page 48 of 79
varvari
veyla
vetáy
zav
because of
throughout
along
down by, down to
prepositional
genitive*
locative
locative, dative**
NOTE: Losh is the only irregular preposition. It should take the locative as it decribes a
place in time or space, however, it requires the prepostionsal case. Veyla “throughout”
is the only preposition in Itlani that takes the genitive case. In this sense it is a irregular
preposition. The preposition zav requires either the locative or dative case depending
on the sense intended. Other prepositions may be used with other cases at well to
enhance the nuance of intending meaning. No set of rules can cover all possibilities so
keep a sharp lookout for differing usages and learn as you go.
(138)
rumbi @ Tadranan,
Rumbi
After-PREP
‘After the war, they travelled in Amrút.’
ta
tad-ran-an,
the dispute-fight-LOC.SG
(139)
dini amrutan [evyaven.
dini
in-PRP Amrút-LOC.SG
dzev-yav-en
travel-PST-3PL
Amrut-an
@ malacOr
Ta malach-ór
the
‘The young man is without fear.
was
shas
young-M-NOM.SG without-PREP
@ jasey
ta
the
djas-ey
fear-PRP.SG Be-PRS-3SG.M
onyaror.
on-yar-or
PREPOSITINAL PRONOUNS
When a preposition is followed immediately by a pronoun, the pronoun follows a similar
pattern as a noun in taking the required case as shown in the chart above. In a holdover
from the time when prepositions were also used as postpositions a truncated for of the
postposition was appendend to the pronoun which was in the require case.
For example, “with us” would be literally translated as losh mogey, but it it could be
contracted into a single word, mogeylo (mogey + lo[sh]).
mogey (1st person plural “mog” in the prepositional case “mog + ey”).
mogey + losh = mogeylo (with us)
Similarly, “among them” dazhini mogan is contracted as mogani, and “between them”
dazhem vutan as vutanda. Note that the contracted forms of the prepositions are
truncated and must be learned independently. These contracted forms are called
Page 49 of 79
prepositional pronouns.
The use of prepositional pronoun forms is optional but in contemporary Itlani they are
increasingly used especially in formal situations.
NOTE: There exist some dialectal differences in the truncated forms in use but context
should make clear the intended meaning.
PREPOSITION /
CONTRACTION
INFLECTED PRONOUNS
TRANSLATION
CASE REQUIRED
bazhi, “-ba”
chey, “-chay”
dazhem, “-da”
dazhini, “-i”
dini, “-di”
diváy, “-va”
djamó, “-dja”
dje, “-dje”
dudj, “-du”
fidiri, “-fi”
hiznu, “-iz”
iküí, “-küi”
kari, “-ka”
klaná, “-kla”
losh, “-lo”
mafáy, “-ma”
makhá, “-kha”
men, “-me”
mudja, “-mu”
munka, “-mu”
pe, “-pe”
piri, “-pi”
piti, “-pi”
resh, “-re”
rumbi, “-ru”
sayra, “-sa”
seti, “-se”
shan, “-sha”
shas, “-sha”
sheri, “-she”
tashi, “-ti”
teyni, “-tey”
under
opposite in location
between
among
in
around
beyond
inside of
up against
out of
behind
through
according to
across
with
against, opposed to
until (timewise)
off of
instead of
outside
in, into
except
above
for
after
beside, by
at
alongside
without
about
before
toward
locative
locative
locative
locative
locative
locative
locative
locative
locative
ablative
locative
locative
prepositional
locative
prepositional
prepositional
locative
ablative
prepositional
locative
locative, dative
prepositional
locative
prepositional
locative
locative
locative
locative
prepositional
prepositional
locative
locative
Page 50 of 79
udj, “-udj”
uv, “-uv”
varvari, “-va”
veyla, “-vey”
vetáy, “-ve”
zav, “-za”
CONJUNCTIONS
as far as, up to
in front of
because of
throughout
along
down by, down to
locative
locative
prepositional
genitive
locative
locative, dative**
Conjunctions do not trigger any change in case. The most common coordinating
conjunctions in Itlani are vey “and”, and layso “even”.
(140)
Layso Baw Jurova
Layso
bash
even-CONJ 2SG
‘Even you can do it.’
djur-ova
3SG.N-ACC.SG do-INF
Korunya Makayare.
korun-ya
maka-yar-a
can-PRS-3SG.N
(141)
baw
Bash
2SG-NOM.SG
‘You and I are good friends.’
&
vey
and-CONJ 1SG-NOM.SG good-ADJ
qoy
zhoy
dralit marfanU
dral-it
onyari.
on-yar-i
marfan-ú
friend-NOM.PL be-PRS-1PL
NOTE: Remember that, in print, the Itlani words for “the” ta and “and” vey are always
represented by the ligatures @ (ta) and & (vey).
The most common subordinating conjunction is u that used with the imperative of the
verb. This is sometimes used where English would have an infinitive. Compare the
following examples with and without the conjunction u.
(142)
Miwya wovadilu Vemyaru.
Mish-ya
go-INF
‘I want to go by train.’
shovad-ilu
maglev-INS.SG want-PRS-1SG
vem-yar-u
Page 51 of 79
(143)
vemyaru u
u
Vem-yar-u
want-PRS-1SG
that-CONJ
‘I want you to go by ship.’
yoneyilu Miwyate.
yoney-ilu
ship-INS.SG
mish-yat-e
go-IMP-2SG
NOTE ALSO:
(144)
jatyavu u
Djat-yav-u
hear-PST-1SG
‘I heard that you all went.’
u
that
miwyavay wey ux.
mish-yav-ay
go-PST-2PL
shey ukh
2PL
all
As compared to:
(145)
uxova
Ukh-ova
2PL-ACC.SG
‘I heard you all leave.’
miwya Jatyavu.
mish-ya djat-yav-u
go-INF
hear-PST-1SG
Other subordinating conjunctions include ranti when, mashrá while, tiari as soon as,
mashrá-mashrá as long as, rumbi after, zi since, tashi u before, var because.
(146)
ranti Kadimyaqor, Miwyaqt.
mish-is-yazh-u
Ranti
when
go-DIM-FUT-1SG
‘When he comes, I will leave.’
kadim-yazh-or,
come-FUT-3SG.M
(147)
Ra-kadimyaqu Var
Ra=kadim-yazh-u
NEG-come-FUT-1SG
‘I will not come because I will be in Djino.’
var
because
Dini jinoan onyaqu.
dini
on-yazh-u
in-PREP Djino-DAT.SG be-FUT-1SG
Djino-an
Page 52 of 79
VERBS
COMPARISON OF ENGLISH AND ITLANI VERBS
The Itlani verb system is very rich and expressive but regular. Itlani verbs are divided up
into two categories: active and passive. There is one conjugational pattern for each. All
Itlani verbs are regular.
The Itlani, however, have a different way of looking at time than the speakers of Terran
English. According to Itlani grammarians there are six tenses (colors): Infinitive (Vanán),
Past (Yaván), Present (Yarán), Future (Yazhán), Conditional (Yanán), and Imperative
(Yatán). Each Itlani tense has ten forms, five active and five passive: Active Infinitive
(Korunarit Vananit), Simple Active (Muakit Korunarit), Completed Active (Karivit
Korunarit), Continuous Active (Bishit Korunarit), and Potential Active (Onmakait
Korunarit); Passive Infinitive (Vovavatsit Vananit), Simple Passive (Muakit Vovavatsit),
Completed Passive (Karivit Vovavatsit), Continuous Passive (Bishit Vovavatsit), and
Potential Passive (Onmakait Vovavatsit).2
For greater clarity, we will break down the verb system into Simple Tenses (those using
no auxiliary verb) and Compound Tenses (those using the auxiliary verb onya).
NOTE: All tenses are shown under their native Itlani designation. Some Itlani tenses
have no Terran English equivalent.
STRUCTURE OF THE ITLANI VERB
According to traditional the Itlani linguists Itlani verbs consist of three basic
components:
root or stem + tense or mood marker + person marker
Using the verb shunya (wunya) to see as an example, we have in the present tense:
shun-
root / stem
Wunyaru (shunyaru)
yar-
active present tense
I see
u
first person singular
2 Older terminology used the word tanto “tense/time” for this idea. Modern Itlani academics use an “color”
to better emcompass both tense and mood.
Page 53 of 79
Using the verb shunyi (wunyi) to be seen as an example, we have in the present
passive tense:
shun-
root / stem
Wunyiru (shunyiru)
yir-
passive present tense
I am seen
u
first person singular
As can be seen from the above example of shunya/shunyi Itlani uses thematic vowels to
distinguish active and passive forms of the verbs. This will hold true in all adjective and
adverb active and passive participles as well.
INFINTIVE
All Itlani verbs have one active infinitive form ending in -ya and one passive infinitive
form ending in -yi.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE INFINITIVES
ACTIVE INFINITIVE
shunya
varemya
zhnivya
daya
TRANSLATION
to see
to love
to cook
to understand
PASSIVE INFINITIVE
shunyi
varemyi
zhnivyi
dayi
TRANSLATION
to be seen
to be loved
to be cooked
to be understood
ROOTS
The active infinitive, ending in -ya, is the citation form or the form that verbs are found
in, in the dictionary. To find the root word simply remove the -ya. Roots never change
their form regardless of what ending may be attached to them.
TENSE/MOOD MARKERS
The Itlani verb changes for person, number, tense/mood. There are three tense
markers and two mood markers. They are added directly to the end of the active or
passive infinitive.
TENSE / MOOD MARKERS
Past
Present
Future
Conditional
Imperative/Optative/Subjunctive
yav-
yar-
yazh-
yan-
yat-
Page 54 of 79
PERSON MARKERS
There are six persons distinguished in Itlani, in the singular and three persons in the
plural. Each has its own separate ending which is attached directly to the tense/mood
ending.
PERSON
1st person
2nd person
3rd Person Deific (Deity)
3rd person feminine
3rd person masculine
3rd person non-gendered
-u
-e
-ad
-el
-or
-a
PERSON MARKERS
SINGULAR
PLURAL
-i
-ay
-en
NOTE: A complete sample conjugation of the verb daya “to understand” us given below.
In an ultimate sense this is not necessary as all Itlani verbs are regular and if you know
the root + tense/mood marker + infinitive + personal ending you can easily construct
any verb virtually without effort. This sample is given primarily for visual clarity and
reinforcement.
As you well see from the accompanying English meanings, not all “possible” Itlani tenses
are in actual use as it would be difficult to imagine cases in which the achieved meaning
of the form would be of practical use in everyday life. Yet there have been writers, poets
and storytellers that have pushed the limits.
All Itlani tenses have been given here under there formal Itlani designation, in English
translation. This is done for two reasons. One, the English tense/mood designations are
sometimes confusing even to English speakers. Two, not all Itlani tenses/moods have
English equivalents.
Page 55 of 79
SAMPLE ITLANI CONJUGATION – SIMPLE ACTIVE TENSES
DAYA (to understand)
[1] SIMPLE ACTIVE PAST
“I understood”
ACTIVE INFINITIVE
daya (to understand)
ACTIVE PARTICIPLES
Past: daavit (having understood)
Present: daarit (understanding)
Future: daazhit (about to understand)
PERSON
SINGULAR
PLURAL
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N / PL
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N / PL
dayavu I understood
dayave you understood
dayavad God understood
dayavel she understood
dayavor he understood
dayava it understood
[2] SIMPLE ACTIVE PRESENT
“I understand”
SIMPLE ACTIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
dayaru I understand
dayare you understand
dayarad God understands
dayarel she understands
Dayaror he understands
dayara it understands
dayavi we understood
dayavay you all understood
dayaven they understood
PLURAL
dayari we understand
dayaray you all understand
dayaren they understand
Page 56 of 79
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
[3] SIMPLE ACTIVE FUTURE
“I will understand”
SIMPLE ACTIVE FUTURE
SINGULAR
dayazhu I will understand
dayazhe you will understand
dayazhad God will understand
dayazhel she will understand
dayazhor he will understand
dayazha it will understand
PLURAL
dayazhi I will understand
dayazhay you all will
understand
dayazhen they will
understand
[4] SIMPLE ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would understand”
PERSON
SIMPLE ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
SINGULAR
PLURAL
dayanu I would understand dayani we would
dayane you would
understand
dayanad God would
understand
dayanel she would
understand
dayanor he would
understand
dayana it would
understand
understand
dayanay you all would
understand
dayanen they would
understand
Page 57 of 79
[5] SIMPLE ACTIVE IMPERATIVE
“Understand”
SIMPLE ACTIVE IMPERATIVE/OPTATIVE/SUNJECTIVE
SINGULAR
dayatu that I might
understand
dayate understand!
dayatad that God might
understand
dayatel that she might
understand
dayator that he might
understand
dayata that it might
understand
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
dayaten that I might
understand
PLURAL
dayati that let’s understand
dayatay you all understand
COMPOUND ACTIVE TENSES
Itlani has thirty compound tenses, fifteen active and fifteen passive. Itlani compound
tenses are composed of participles (verbal adjectives) and the auxiliary verb onya to be.
In Itlani there are three active participles and three passive participles.
Adjective participles are composed of three parts:
active or passive theme vowel + tense marker + adjective ending
TENSE
ADJECTIVE PARTICIPLES
ACTIVE
PASSIVE
Past
Present
Future
Past
Present
Future
TENSE
-avit
-arit
-azhit
-ivit
-irit
izhit
ADJECTIVE PARTICIPLES FOR DAYA to understand
ACTIVE
daavit having understood
daarit understanding now
daazhit about to
understand
PASSIVE
daivit having been
understood
dairit being understood
now
daizhit about to be
understood
Page 58 of 79
Combining the two components of the Itlani compound verb, the adjective participle +
the auxiliary verb onya to be produces all the most common Itlani compound tenses.
(148)
daavit
Da-av-it
understand-ACT.PST.PTCP-ADJ
‘I have understood.’
onyaru.
on-yar-u
SAMPLE ITLANI CONJUGATION – COMPOUND ACTIVE TENSES
[1] COMPLETED ACTIVE PAST
“I had understood”
COMPLETED ACTIVE PAST
PERSON
SINGULAR
1SG / PL
daavit onyavu I had understood
2SG / PL
daavit onyave you had understood
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daavit onyavad God had understood
daavit onyavel she had understood
daavit onyavor he had understood
daavit onyava it had understood
PLURAL
daavit onyavi we had
understood
daavit onyavay you all had
understood
daavit onyaven they had
understood
[2] COMPLETED ACTIVE PRESENT
“I have understood”
PERSON
COMPLETED ACTIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
PLURAL
1SG / PL
daavit onyaru I have understood
2SG / PL
daavit onyare you have understood
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daavit onyarad God have understood
daavit onyarel she has understood
daavit onyaror he has understood
daavit onyara it has understood
daavit onyari we have
understood
daavit onyaray you all have
understood
daavit onyaren they have
understood
Page 59 of 79
[3] COMPLETED ACTIVE FUTURE
“I will have understood”
COMPLETED ACTIVE FUTURE
PERSON
1SG / PL
SINGULAR
daavit onyazhu I will have understood
PLURAL
daavit onyazhi we will have
understood
daavit onyazhay you all will
have understood
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daavit onyazhe you will have
understood
daavit onyazhad God will have
understood
daavit onyazhel she will have
understood
daavit onyazhor he will have
understood
daavit onyazha it will have understood daavit onyazhen they will have
understood
[4] COMPLETED ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would have understood”
COMPLETED ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
PERSON
1SG / PL
SINGULAR
daavit onyanu I will have understood
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daavit onyane you will have
understood
daavit onyanad God will have
understood
daavit onyanel she will have
understood
daavit onyanor he will have
understood
daavit onyana it will have understood
PLURAL
daavit onyani we will have
understood
daavit onyanay you all will have
understood
daavit onyanen they will have
understood
Page 60 of 79
[5] COMPLETED ACTIVE IMPERATIVE
“That I might have understood”
COMPLETED ACTIVE IMPERATIVE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
daavit onyatu that I might have
understood
daavit onyate that you might have
understood
daavit onyatad that God might have
understood
daavit onyatel that she might have
understood
daavit onyator that he might have
understood
daavit onyata that it might have
understood
daavit onyati that we might
have understood
daavit onyatay that you all
might have understood
daavit onyaten that they might
have understood
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
[6] CONTINUOUS ACTIVE PAST
“I was understanding”
CONTINUOUS ACTIVE PAST
PERSON
SINGULAR
1SG / PL
daarit onyavu I was understanding
2SG / PL
daarit onyave you was understanding
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daarit onyavad God was
understanding
daarit onyavel she was understanding
daarit onyavor he was understanding
daarit onyava it was understanding
PLURAL
daarit onyavi I was
understanding
daarit onyavay I was
understanding
daarit onyaven I was
understanding
Page 61 of 79
[7] CONTINUOUS ACTIVE PRESENT
“I am understanding”
PERSON
CONTINUOUS ACTIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
1SG / PL
daarit onyaru I am understanding
2SG / PL
daarit onyare you are understanding
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N/PL
daarit onyarad God is understanding
daarit onyarel she is understanding
daarit onyaror he is understanding
daarit onyara it understanding
PLURAL
daarit onyari we are
understanding
daarit onyaray you all are
understanding
daarit onyaren they are
understanding
[8] CONTINUOUS ACTIVE FUTURE
“I will be understanding”
PERSON
CONTINUOUS ACTIVE FUTURE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
1SG / PL
daarit onyazhu I will be understanding daarit onyazhi we will be
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daarit onyazhe you will be
understanding
daarit onyazhad God will be
understanding
daarit onyazhel she will be
understanding
daarit onyazhor he will be
understanding
daarit onyazha it will be undertanding
understanding
daarit onyazhay you all will be
understanding
daarit onyazhen they will be
understanding
Page 62 of 79
[9] CONTINUOUS ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would be understanding”
CONTINUOUS ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daarit onyanu I would be
understanding
daarit onyane you would be
understanding
daarit onyanad God would be
understanding
daarit onyanel she would be
understanding
daarit onyanor he would be
understanding
daarit onyana it would be
understanding
PLURAL
daarit onyani we would be
understanding
daarit onyanay you all would be
understanding
daarit onyanen they would be
understanding
[10] CONTINUOUS ACTIVE IMPERATIVE
“that I might be understanding”
CONTINUOUS ACTIVE IMPERATIVE
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daarit onyatu that I might be
understanding
daarit onyate that you might be
understanding
daarit onyatad that God might be
understanding
daarit onyatel that she might be
understanding
daarit onyator that he might be
understanding
daarit onyata that it might be
understanding
PLURAL
daarit onyati that we might be
understanding
daarit onyatay that you all
might be understanding
daarit onyaten that they might
be understanding
Page 63 of 79
[11] POTENTIAL ACTIVE PAST
“I was about to understand”
POTENTIAL ACTIVE PAST
SINGULAR
PLURAL
daazhit onyavu I was about to
understand
daazhit onyave you were about to
understand
daazhit onyavad God was about to
understand
daazhit onyavel she was about to
understand
daazhit onyavor he was about to
understand
daazhit onyava it was about to
understand
daazhit onyavi we were about
to understand
daazhit onyavay you all were
about to understand
daazhit onyaven they were
about to understand
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
[12] POTENTIAL ACTIVE PRESENT
“I am about to understand”
POTENTIAL ACTIVE PRESENT
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daazhit onyaru I am about to
understand
daazhit onyare you are about to
understand
daazhit onyarad God is about to
understand
daazhit onyarel she is about to
understand
daazhit onyaror he is about to
understand
daazhit onyara it is about to
understand
PLURAL
daazhit onyari we are about to
understand
daazhit onyaray you all about to
understand
daazhit onyaren they are about
to understand
Page 64 of 79
[13] POTENTIAL ACTIVE FUTURE
“I will be about to understand”
POTENTIAL ACTIVE FUTURE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
daazhit onyazhu I will be about to
understand
daazhit onyazhe you will will be about
to understand
daazhit onyazhad God will be about to
understand
daazhit onyazhel she will be about to
understand
daazhit onyazhor he will be about to
understand
daazhit onyazha it will be about to
understand
daazhit onyazhi we will be
about to understand
daazhit onyazhay you all will be
about to understand
daazhit onyazhen they will be
about to understand
[14] POTENTIAL ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would be about to understand”
POTENTIAL ACTIVE CONDITIONAL
SINGULAR
PLURAL
daazhit onyanu I would be about to
understand
daazhit onyane you would be about to
understand
daazhit onyanad God would be about
to understand
daazhit onyanel she would be about to
understand
daazhit onyanor he would be about to
understand
daazhit onyana it would be about to
understand
daazhit onyani we would be
about to understand
daazhit onyanay you would be
about to understand
daazhit onyanen they would be
about to understand
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
Page 65 of 79
[15] POTENTIAL ACTIVE IMPERATIVE
“that I might be about to understand”
POTENTIAL ACTIVE IMPERATIVE/OPTATIVE/SUBJUNCTIVE
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daazhit onyatu that I be about to
understand
daazhit onyate be about to
understand!
daazhit onyatad that God be about to
understand
daazhit onyatel may she be about to
understand
daazhit onyator may he be about to
understand
daazhit onyata may it be about to
understand
PLURAL
daazhit onyati let’s be about to
understand
daazhit onyatay may you all be
about to understand!
daazhit onyaten may they be
about to understand
SIMPLE PASSIVE TENSES
[1] SIMPLE PASSIVE PAST
DAYI (to be understood)
PASSIVE INFINITIVE
dayi (to be understood)
PASSIVE PARTICIPLES
Past: daivit (having been understood)
Present: dairit (being understood)
Future: daizhit (about to be understood)
PERSON
SINGULAR
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
dayivu I was understood
dayive you were
understood
dayivad God was
understood
dayivel she was understood
dayivor he was understood
dayiva it was understood
PLURAL
dayivi we were understood
dayivay you all were
understood
dayiven they were
understood
Page 66 of 79
[2] SIMPLE PASSIVE PRESENT
“I am being understood”
PERSON
SIMPLE PASSIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
dayiru I am being
understood
dayire you are being
understood
dayirad God is being
understoof
dayirel she is being
understood
dayiror he is being
understood
dayira it is being
understood
[3] SIMPLE PASSIVE FUTURE
“I will be understood”
PERSON
SIMPLE PASSIVE FUTURE
SINGULAR
dayizhu I will be
understood
dayizhe you will be
understood
dayizhad God will be
understood
dayizhel she will be
understood
dayizhor he will be
understood
dayizha it will be
understood
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
PLURAL
dayiri we are being
understood
dayiray you all are being
understood
dayiren they are being
understood
PLURAL
dayizhi we will be
understood
dayizhay you all will be
understood
dayizhen they be
understood
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1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
PERSON
[4] SIMPLE PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would be understood”
SIMPLE PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
SINGULAR
dayinu I would be
understood
dayine you would be
understood
dayinad God would be
understood
dayinel she would be
understood
dayinor he would be
understood
dayina it would be
understood
PLURAL
dayini we would be
understood
dayinay you all would be
understood
dayinen they would be
understood
[5] SIMPLE PASSIVE IMPERATIVE
“that I might be understood”
SIMPLE PASSIVE IMPERATIVE/OPTATIVE/SUBJUNCTIVE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
PERSON
dayitu that I might be
understood
dayite that you might be
understood!
dayitad that God might be
understood
dayitel that she might be
understood
dayitor that he might be
understood
dayita that it might be
understood
dayiti that we might be
understood
dayitay that you all might
be understood
dayiten that they might be
understood
Page 68 of 79
COMPOUND PASSIVE TENSES
[1] COMPLETED PASSIVE PAST
“I was understood”
COMPLETED PASSIVE PAST
PERSON
SINGULAR
1SG / PL
daivit onyavu I was understood
2SG / PL
daivit onyave you were understood
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daivit onyavad God was understood
daivit onyavel she was understood
daivit onyavor he was understood
daivit onyava it was understood
PLURAL
daivit onyavi we were
understood
daivit onyavay you all were
understood
daivit onyaven (they were
understood)
[2] COMPLETED PASSIVE PRESENT
“I am understood”
COMPLETED PASSIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daivit onyaru I am understood
daivit onyare you are understood
daivit onyarad God is understood
daivit onyarel she is understood
daivit onyaror he is understood
daivit onyara it is understood
PLURAL
daivit onyari we are understood
daivit onyaray you all are
understood
daivit onyaren they are
understood
Page 69 of 79
[3] COMPLETED PASSIVE FUTURE
“I will be understood”
PERSON
COMPLETED PASSIVE FUTURE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
1SG / PL
daivit onyazhu I will be understood
daivit onyazhi we will be
understood
2SG / PL
daivit onyazhe you will be understood daivit onyazhay you all will be
understood
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daivit onyazhad God will be
understood
daivit onyazhel she will be
understood
daivit onyazhor he will be understood
daivit onyazha it will be understood
daivit onyazhen they will be
understood
[4] COMPLETED PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would be understood”
COMPLETED PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
PERSON
1SG / PL
SINGULAR
daivit onyanu I would be understood
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
daivit onyane you would be
understood
daivit onyanad God would be
understood
daivit onyanel she would be
understood
daivit onyanor he would be
understood
daivit onyana it would be understood daivit onyanen they would be
PLURAL
daivit onyani we would be
understood
daivit onyanay you all would be
understood
understood
Page 70 of 79
[5] COMPLETED PASSIVE IMPERATIVE
“that I might have been understood”
COMPLETED PASSIVE IMPERATIVE
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daivit onyatu that I might have been
understood
daivit onyate that you might have
been understood
daivit onyatad that God might have
been understood
daivit onyatel that she might have
been understood
daivit onyator that he might have
been understood
daivit onyata that it might have been
understood
PLURAL
daivit onyati that we might have
been understood
daivit onyatay that you all might
have been understood
daivit onyaten that they might
have understood
[6] CONTINUOUS PASSIVE PAST
“I was being understood”
CONTINUOUS PASSIVE PAST
PERSON
1SG / PL
SINGULAR
dairit onyavu I was being understood
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
dairit onyave you were being
understood
dairit onyavad God was being
understood
dairit onyavel she was being
understood
dairit onyavor he was being
understood
dairit onyava it was being understood
PLURAL
dairit onyavi we were being
understood
dairit onyavay you all were
being understood
dairit onyaven they were being
understood
Page 71 of 79
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
[7] CONTINUOUS PASSIVE PRESENT
“I am being understood”
CONTINUOUS PASSIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
dairit onyaru I am being understood
dairit onyare you are being
understood
dairit onyarad God is being
understood
dairit onyarel she is being understood
dairit onyaror he is being understood
dairit onyara it is being understood
PLURAL
dairit onyari we are being
understood
dairit onyaray you all are being
understood
dairit onyaren they are being
understood
[8] CONTINUOUS PASSIVE FUTURE
“I will be being understood”
CONTINUOUS PASSIVE FUTURE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
dairit onyazhi we will be being
understood
dairit onyazhay you all will be
being understood
dairit onyazhu I will be being
understood
dairit onyazhe you will be being
understood
dairit onyazhad God will be being
understood
dairit onyazhel she will be being
understood
dairit onyazhor he will be being
understood
dairit onyazha it will be being
understood
dairit onyazhen they will be
being understood
Page 72 of 79
[9] CONTINUOUS PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would be being understood”
CONTINUOUS PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
dairit onyanu I would be being
understood
dairit onyane you would be being
understood
dairit onyanad God would be being
understood
dairit onyanel she would be being
understood
dairit onyanor he would be being
understood
dairit onyana it would be being
understood
PLURAL
dairit onyani we would be being
understood
dairit onyanay you all would be
being understood
dairit onyanen they would be
being understood
[10] CONTINUOUS PASSIVE IMPERATIVE
“that I may be being understood”
CONTINUOUS PASSIVE IMPERATIVE
SINGULAR
PLURAL
dairit onyatu that I may be being
understood
dairit onyate may you be being
understood!
dairit onyatad that God might be
being understanding
dairit onyatel let her be understood
dairit onyator let him be being
understood
dairit onyata let it be being
understood
dairit onyati let’s be being
understood
dairit onyatay you all be being
understood!
dairit onyaten let them be being
understood
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
Page 73 of 79
[11] POTENTIAL PASSIVE PAST
“I was about to be understood}
POTENTIAL PASSIVE PAST
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daizhit onyavu I was about to be
understood
daizhit onyave you were about to be
understood
daizhit onyavad God was about to be
understood
daizhit onyavel she was about to be
understood
daizhit onyavor he was about to be
understoo
daizhit onyava it was about to be
understood
PLURAL
daizhit onyavi we were about be
understood
daizhit onyavay you all were
about to be understood
daizhit onyaven they were
about to be understood
[12] POTENTIAL PASSIVE PRESENT
“I am about to be understood”
POTENTIAL PASSIVE PRESENT
SINGULAR
PLURAL
daizhit onyaru I am about to be
understood
daizhit onyare you are about to be
understood
daizhit onyarad God is about to be
understood
daizhit onyarel(she is about to be
understood
daizhit onyaror he is about to be
understood
daizhit onyara (it is about to be
understood)
daizhit onyari we are about to
be understood
daizhit onyaray you all are
about to be understood
daizhit onyaren they are about
to be understood
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
Page 74 of 79
[13] POTENTIAL PASSIVE FUTURE
“I will be about to be understood”
POTENTIAL PASSIVE FUTURE
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daizhit onyazhu I will be about to be
understood
daizhit onyazhe you will be about to
be understood
daizhit onyazhad God will be about to
be understood
daizhit onyazhel she will be about to
be understood
daizhit onyazhor he will be about to
be understood
daizhit onyazha it will be about to be
understood
PLURAL
daizhit onyazhi we will be about
to be understood
daizhit onyazhay you all will be
about to be understood
daizhit onyazhen they will be
about to be understood
[14] POTENTIAL PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
“I would be about to be understood”
POTENTIAL PASSIVE CONDITIONAL
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
SINGULAR
daizhit onyanu I would be about to be
understood
daizhit onyane you would be about to
be understood
daizhit onyanad God would be about
to be understood
daizhit onyanel she would be about to
be understood
daizhit onyanor he would be about to
be understood
daizhit onyana it would be about to be
understood
PLURAL
daizhit onyani we would be
about to be understood
daizhit onyanay you would be
about to be understood
daizhit onyanen they would be
about to be understood
Page 75 of 79
[15] POTENTIAL PASSIVE IMPERATIVE
“that I might be about to be understood”
POTENTIAL PASSIVE IMPERATIVE/OPTATIVE/SUBJUNCTIVE
SINGULAR
daizhit onyatu that I might be about to
be understood
daizhit onyate be about to be
understood!
daizhit onyatad that God might be
about to be understood
daizhit onyatel may she might be
about to be understood
daizhit onyator may he might be about
to be understood
daizhit onyata may it might be about
to be understood
PERSON
1SG / PL
2SG / PL
3D
3SG.F
3SG.M
3SG.N
NUMBERS
PLURAL
daizhit onyati let’s be about to
be understood
daizhit onyatay be about to be
understood
daizhit onyaten may they be
about to be understood
The Itlani use a decimal system for counting. All forms of math, from simple to complex
are known to them as bakhnanír or “number-science”.
mu
zar
min
to
shim
brol
dan
yal
sha
mak
ONE
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
makmú
makzár
makmín
maktó
makshím
makbról
makdán
makyál
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
eighteen
Page 76 of 79
makshá
nineteen
zarmak
zarmak mu
zarmak zar
twenty
twenty one
twenty two
minmak
tomak
shimmak
brolmak
danmak
yalmak
shamak
mutali
zartali
mintali
totali
thirty
forty
fifty
sixty
seventy
eighty
ninety
one hundred
two hundred
three hundred
four hundred
muchovód
zarchovód
minchovód
tochovód
one thousand
two thousand
three thousand
four thousand
mushavád
zarshavád
minshavád
toshavád
one million
two million
three million
four million
muufód
zarufód
minufód
toufód
billion
two billion
three billion
four billion
WORD FORMATION – COMPOUNDING AND AGGLUTINATION
The depth, richness, and nuanced expressiveness is best exhibited by means of its strong
tendency to compounding and agglutination. The use of affixes, compounding and the
flexibility of Itlani words to cross word class boundaries is one of the many joys of this
bautiful language. THIS SECTION IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Keep watch for
periodic updates. –TIILC
Page 77 of 79
CONCLUSION
This Quick Guide to Itlani is merely an overview of the most salient Itlani grammatical
features for the layperson and student. Lessons, both oral and written in everyday
written and spoken Itlani will be needed by the student to see how all of these are used
in actually practice. For more information, please refer to: TA ITLANIT SHOLOVA TILYA –
Learning Itlani. These bi-monthly lessons are available on the Itlani Language
Community’s (ILC) Facebook page and are freely offered to the public.
iskem & yavyo!.
ISKEM VEY YAVYO!
“SUCCESS AND JOY!
Page 78 of 79
