Katialang ni sýkotosí

Verbs in Katian

Camilo Ruiz Cortés

Katialang
Ko-séibazun ni, zátpa ztatmi hakommi
Katialang ni sýkotosí nú yoty. Pa hakommi
daka, edzókka, mehayka mu tendeka
katasí. Pa mou misemi platkeikatasí.
Englandlang
In this article, the writer intends to
describe the verb system in Katian. They
describe initial, imaginary, idealistic and
imperative forms. They also show
compound forms,

1. Introduction
Katian verbs are conjugated depending on several aspects: these encompass tense, confirmation,
mood, formality and interlocutor. The following diagram shows the full conjugation of the verb
zátmi (to write):

Kaehakomkafea (Transition into descriptors)9

Dako (Root) Ateka (Source) Mukakka (Receiver) Potential (karenka)
Zát- Zátka- Zátdea- Zátren-
“write” “writing, that writes” “written, that is written” “that can be written”

Zedaka (Indicative)

Register
Tense Norennisha (neutral-low) Bisoséiha (high-academic)
Confirmation  Affirmative Negative Affirmative Negative
Infinitive/present zátmi zátzéa zátmi zátzéa
“I write / I’m “I don’t write / “I write / I’m “I don’t write /
writing” I’m not writing” writing” I’m not writing”
Past zátpam zátzépam zátpamu zátzéapamu
“I wrote” “I didn’t write” “I wrote” “I didn’t write”
Future zátfem zátzéfem zátfami zátzéafami
“I will write” “I won’t write” “I will write” “I won’t write”

Edzókka (Conditional)

Register
Tense Norennisha (neutral-low) Bisoséiha (high-academic)
Confirmation  Affirmative Negative Affirmative Negative
Present zátmikum zátzéakum zátmikfimu zátzéakfimu
“I would write” “I wouldn’t write” “I would write” “I wouldn’t write”
Past zátpamkum zátzépamkum zátpamukfimu zátzéapamukfimu
“I would’ve “I wouldn’t have “I would’ve “I wouldn’t have
written” written” written” written”
Future zátfemkum zátzéfemkum zátfamikfimu zátzéafamikfimu
“I would be “I wouldn’t be “I would be “I wouldn’t be
aiming to write” aiming to write” aiming to write” aiming to write”
 Mehayka (Idealized)

Register
Tense Norennisha (neutral-low) Bisoséiha (high-academic)
Confirmation  Affirmative Negative Affirmative Negative
Present zátmitýni zátzéatýni zátmittíni zátzéattíni
“I should write” “I shouldn’t “I should write” “I shouldn’t write”
write”
Past zátpamtýni zátzépamtýni zátpamuttíni zátzéapamuttíni
“I should’ve “I shouldn’t have “I should’ve “I shouldn’t have
written” written” written” written”
Future zátfemtýni zátzéfemtýni zátfamittíni zátzéafamittíni
“I should be “I shouldn’t be “I should be “I shouldn’t be
aiming to write” aiming to write” aiming to write” aiming to write”

Tendeka (Imperative)

Confirmation
Register Affirmative Negative
Norenha (neutral) Zátten Zátzéten
“Write” “Don’t write”
Taiha (vulgar) Záttai Zátzétai
“Write, damn” “Don’t write, damn”
Bisoha (polite) Záttensúan Zátzéatensúan
“Write, please” “Don’t write, please”
Oto an lazóiha (male-oriented Zátku Zátzéaku*
affectionate) “Write, my dear man” “Don’t write, my dear man”
Ona an lazóiha (female- Zátla Zátzéala*
oriented affectionate) “Write, my dear woman” “Don’t write, my dear woman”
Bankoka (legislative) Zátmi Zátzéa
“Write” “Do not write”
Emaka (self-directed) Zátsó Zátzésó
“let’s write” “Let’s not write”
Sohbangaika (royal-divine) Záthou Zátzéahou
“Oh, mighty, be so kind to “Oh, mighty, be so kind not to
write” write”

*Southeastern dialects (such as Zétlamuha, Sorkyutyaha and Keitanha) will generally say “zátzéku” and
“zátzéla” instead. Nonetheless, these alternative forms are not well received in writing, even amongst
those who speak the aforementioned dialects (Rimopaski & Mazófei, 2010)

What has been provided above is a summary of the different possible conjugations in Broad
Universal Katian, or KSKT. However, further explanation is needed to grasp the Katian verbs

2. Confirmation
 One of the most important features to understand in the Katian verb system is Sánayufea
(Confirmation. Lit: Indication of yes or no). In brief, this feature expresses the affirmation or
negation of an utterance; in other words, whether or not something happens.

While affirmation is the default setting for all endings, negations are always shown inserting the
suffix “-zéa” and after the root of the verb or the replacement of the ending “-mi” with the
former in present forms, as is shown below. Bear in mind that the following examples will all
be in the neutral-low register:

Mea zapmi není.

1s drink-AFF.PRE.IND water
“I drink water.”

Mea zapzéa není.

1s drink-NEG.PRE.IND water
“I don’t drink water.”

Mea zappam není.

1s drink-AFF.PAS.IND.NNH water
“I drank water.”

Mea zapzépam není.

1s drink-NEG.PAS.IND.NNH water
“I didn’t drink water.”

Notice that in the neutral-low register, the “a” at the end of the suffix “-zéa” is dropped both in past
and future tense. Nevertheless, this is never the case in the high-academic register.

3. Basic conjugation
3.1. Indicative forms
In Katian, the use of indicative forms imply veracity and certainty about the message. In
addition, this is the basis upon which both conditional and idealized forms are built. The basic
conjugation schemata are the following:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Zénzí (Present) -mi -zéa
Pamuzí (past) -pam/-pamu -zépam/-zéapamu
Famizí (future) -fem/-fami -zéfem/-zéafami

In order to get an overview, here are some examples. This time, these focus on the high-
academic register:
 Oto loyupamu ta sýnmi.
man jump-AFF.PAS.IND.BSH in order to die-AFF.PRE.IND
“The man jumped in order to die.”

Banhetsu tozýfami kunkadusí.

government close-AFF.FUT.IND.BSH national border-PLUR.
“The Government will close the borders.”

Nángusí sýnzéafami.
Angel-PLUR die-NEG.FUT.IND.BSH
“The angels will not die”

3.2. Conditional forms

In Katian, the use of conditional forms imply uncertainty or mere hypothesis about the message.
The basic conjugation schemata are the following:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Zénzí (Present) -mikum/-mikfimu -zéakum/-zéakfimu
Pamuzí (past) -pamkum/-pamukfimu -zépamkum/-zéapamukfimu
Famizí (future) -femkum/-famikfimu -zéfemkum/-zéafamikfimu

In order to get an overview, here are some examples:

Mea kaemamikum tensebanpa.

1s become-AFF.PRE.CON.NNH prime minister
“I would become the prime minister.”

Zóu ikifemkum sókia?

2s go-AFF.FUT.CON.NNH where
“Where would you be aiming to go?”

Séi bikozépamkum Belgie made.

3sf travel-NEG.PAS.CON.NNH Belgium POST[destination]
“She wouldn’t have travelled to Belgium.”

3.3. Idealized forms

In Katian, the use of indicative forms imply that the state of the world would improve if a
certain action were taken. I does not necessarily imply obligation. The basic conjugation
schemata are the following:

Confirmation
 Affirmative Negative
Zénzí (Present) -mitýni/-mittíni -zéatýni/-zéattíni
Pamuzí (past) -patýni/-pamuttíni -zépamtýni/-zéapamuttíni
Famizí (future) -femtýni/-famittíni -zéfemtýni/-zéafamittíni

In order to get an overview, here are some examples:

Zóu layakiuman gattakmitýni séi.

2s loving-ADV-COMP hug-AFF.PRE.IDE.NNH 3sf
“You should hug more lovingly.”

Pasúryoka dabezéafamittíni zumian

humanity eat-NEG.FUT.IDE.BSH meat
“Humanity shouldn’t eat meat in the future.”

Ku kauzépamtýni hanasí mea an!

Dear man buy-NEG.PAS.IDE.NNH flower 1s POST[dative]
“You shouldn’t have bought flowers for me, my dear man!”

3.4. Imperative forms

This is arguably one of the most complex phenomena in the Katian language, due to its
great social and cultural significance. The information presented below is based on the
study Katiapasí kana tendekatasí, carried out by Biosthosé (2013).

3.4.1. Neutral
People normally use this form to project “unromantic closeness/intimacy,” which,
in short, means that there is proximity in regards to social hierarchy. In this
category, one can find: similarly-aged friends and acquaintances, siblings, children,
nieces and nephews, cousins and co-workers with similar positions. This imperative
uses the following conjugation scheme:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -ten -zéten

Ateten spoly.
Give-IMP[neutral] salt
“Pass the salt”

3.4.2. Formal
People normally use this form to project “respectful distance,” which, opposed to
the neutral imperative, showcases respect towards people of higher hierarchical
status. It is usually directed at: visibly older friends, acquaintances, siblings and
cousins, bosses, relatives from previous generations (such as parents, grandparents,
 aunts and uncles) and in-laws. This form of imperative is also generally used
towards strangers. This imperative uses the following conjugation scheme:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -tensúan -zéatensúan

Stamau kutsitensúan hunin mu magompz.

Grandma cook-IMP[formal] chicken CONJ[and] carrot-PLUR
“Please cook chicken and carrots, grandma.”

3.4.3. Vulgar
People normally use this form to project anger, disrespect, hatred and/or contempt
for the interlocutor. The use of this imperative, according to Biosthosé’s findings,
transcends any hierarchical differences. This imperative uses the following
conjugation scheme:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -tai -zétai

Taktai zóu nú tákna mu teikoutai!

take-IMP[vulgar] 2s POST[possession] money CONJ[and] fuck off-IMP[vulgar]
“Take your damn money and fuck off!”

3.4.4. Male-oriented affectionate

This form of imperative is used when talking to a male romantic partner (such as a
boyfriend, husband or lover), regardless of the sex of the speaker. Its conjugation
scheme goes as follows:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -ku -zéku

Sjpernik1 gattakku mea!

Shark hug-IMP[M.O.A] 1s
“Hug me, my dear shark!”

3.4.5. Female-oriented affectionate

1 The Word “sjpernik” (shark) is a common nickname for a male lover. This is due to the traditional
association of this animal to masculine traits, such as strength and vision.
 This form of imperative is used in pretty much the same way as the previous,
except it is use addressing a female romantic partner (such as a girlfriend, wife or
lover), regardless of the sex of the speaker. That said, Biosthosé (2013) found a
modern trend amongst young females to use this imperative with close friends of
the same sex. Its conjugation scheme goes as follows:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -la -zéla

Nántem2 fuguadakiu kukula mea!

Tiger blazing-ADV kiss-IMP[F.O.A] 1s
“Kiss me like a blaze, my dear tiger!”

3.4.6. Self-directed

This form of imperative is used when addressing the first person. In other words,
when giving oneself or to a group of people that includes oneself. This imperative
is built as described below:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -só -zésó

Bikosó Sorhanguk made.

travel-IMP[self-directed] South Korea POST[destination]
“Let’s travel to South Korea.”

3.4.7. Legislative

This form of imperative is used in order to dictate rules and laws. This is mostly
used in written texts, such as signs and rulebooks. Its conjugation is identical to the
present indicative tense:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -mi -zéa

2 The Word “nántem” (tiger) is a common nickname for a female lover. This is due to the traditional
association of this animal to feminine traits, such as care for the offspring and sexual confidence.
 “Stop” sign “Do not use your cellphone” sign

3.4.8. Royal-divine

This form of imperative is used when asking something from either the Katian
royal family or from a divine entity. This imperative is built as described below:

Confirmation
Affirmative Negative
Neutral imperative -hou -zéahou

Sohossógai tersáhou baisú pasúryoka an.

Mighty universe bestow-IMP[royal-divine] freedom humankind POST[dat]
“May the Mighty Universe bestow freedom upon humankind.”

3.4.9. Verbless imperatives

When an object, a trait or modality is being requested, one can use verbless imperatives.
These are built by adding any of the previously presented imperative endings, except for the
legislative, to the syllable “mi-.” These imperatives should always go at the end of a
sentence.

Pomansanók, mitensúan.
Orange juice IMP[formal]
“Orange juice, please.”

Zamaetai! Honzí oto, mitai!

Stand up-IMP[vulgar] real-ADJ man IMP[vulgar]
“Stand the hell up!Be a real damn man!”

Osokiu, miku!
slow-ADV IMP[M.O.A]
“Slowly, my dear man!”

Simakazíman, miten!
Careful-ADJ.COMP IMP[neutral]
“Be more careful.”
 Notice that one should not use endings of negative confirmation, since verbless sentences
have a different type of negation. This is done by adding the word “na” (no) at the end of
the sentence.

Tamogy mitensúan na.

Egg IMP[formal] no
“No egg, please.”

4. Katian copula
Most Katian language registers, except for “séiha” (academic speech), have the possibility of using
verbless copula, by avoiding the verb “mammi” (to be). There are two aspects to consider when
using these phrases: first, they are negated in the same way as verbelss imperatives (by adding “na”
at the end of the sentence). Second, the tense of the sentence can be affected by the use of time
complements.

Mea gakupa.
1s student
“I’m a student.”

Zóusí pammyn sókia?

2p last night where
“Where were you last night?”

Kai mea nú tosak na.

3sm 1s POST[possessive] brother no
“He’s not my brother.”

Bibliography
Biosthosé, N. (2013). Katiapasí kana tendekatasí. Makarinzhobna: Naska H.
Rimopaski, K., Mazófei, L. (2010). Keulafea, Sorlafea mu Katialang (Northern love, Southern
love and the Katian language). In: Katian Journal of Sociology. Shindan: Síndanka Pasúgakutsu
Pp. 47-58.