The Iroquois Book of Rites by Horatio Hale
page 109 of 271 (40%)
page 109 of 271 (40%)
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termination, or by prefixed particles, or by both conjoined. One
authority makes six other tenses, but M. Cuoq prefers to include them among the special forms of the verb, of which mention will presently be made. To give examples of these tenses, and the rules for their formation, would require more space than can be devoted to the subject in the present volume. The reader who desires to pursue the study is referred to the works of M. Cuoq already mentioned. The verb takes a passive form by inserting the syllable _at_ between the prefixed pronoun and the verb; and a reciprocal sense by inserting _atat_. Thus, _kiatatas_, I put in; _katiatatas_, I am put in; _katatiatatas_, I put myself in; _konnis_, I make; _katonnis_, I am made; _katatonnis_, I make myself. This syllable _at_ is probably derived from the word _oyala_, body, which is used in the sense of "self," like the corresponding word _hakty_ in the Delaware language. The "transitions," or the pronominal forms which indicate the passage of the action of a transitive verb from the agent to the object, play an important part in the Iroquois language. In the Algonkin tongues these transitions are indicated partly by prefixed pronouns, and partly by terminal inflections. In the Iroquois the subjective and objective pronouns are both prefixed, as in French. In that language "_il me voit_" corresponds precisely with RAKAthatos, "he-me-sees." Here the pronouns, _ra_, of the third person, and _ka_ of the first, are evident enough. In other cases the two pronouns have been combined in a form which shows no clear trace of either of the simple pronouns; as in _helsenonwes_, thou lovest him, and _hianonwes_, he |
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