Navajo
Etymology
ʼa- (unspecified person object prefix) + ∅- (3rd person subject prefix) + -ł- (classifier, causative) + -leeh (imperfective stem of root -LĮ́Į́ʼ, “to become”)
Pronunciation
Verb
ałeeh
- he/she is putting on an event, throwing a party
- he/she sets a price, establishes a value
- bą́ą́h ashłeeh ― I set a price on it
- Compare:
- bą́ą́h aleeh ― it acquires a value
- bą́ą́h ílį́ ― it costs
- (with bee lą) he/she is approving it, agreeing to it (as a contract or proposal)
- bee lą aséłį́į́ʼ ― I approved it
Conjugation
Paradigm: Momentaneous (∅/si)
The si-Perfective seems to be a characteristic of the root more than an aspectual distinction.
| imperfective
|
singular
|
duoplural
|
plural
|
| 1st person
|
ashłeeh
|
iidleeh
|
daʼiidleeh
|
| 2nd person
|
íłeeh
|
ohłeeh
|
daʼohłeeh
|
| 3rd person
|
ałeeh
|
daʼałeeh
|
| 4th person
|
ajiłeeh
|
daʼjiłeeh
|
| Other forms
|
| Unspecified person
|
Spatial person
|
Passive A
|
Passive B
|
| —
|
—
|
aleeh
|
—
|
| perfective
|
singular
|
duoplural
|
plural
|
| 1st person
|
aséłį́į́ʼ
|
asiidlį́į́ʼ
|
daʼsiidlį́į́ʼ
|
| 2nd person
|
asíníłį́į́ʼ
|
asoołį́į́ʼ
|
daʼsoołį́į́ʼ
|
| 3rd person
|
asłį́į́ʼ
|
daʼasłį́į́ʼ
|
| 4th person
|
ajisłį́į́ʼ
|
daʼjisłį́į́ʼ
|
| Other forms
|
| Unspecified person
|
Spatial person
|
Passive A
|
Passive B
|
| —
|
—
|
azlį́į́ʼ
|
—
|