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THE VERB.
1. Varieties of verbs.
a. Vowel verbs.
b. Consonant verbs.
2. Derivative verbs.
3. Alternative verbs.
4. Active and Passive verbs.
5. Conjugation of the verb.
a. The imperative.
b. The H-tense form.
o. The Na- tense form: subjunctive.
d. The Ha-form, past.
e. The G- form, negative.
f. The K- form, negative.
g. The Hag-form, negative.
h. The Hak-form, negative.
j. The Haig- form, negative.
k. The Haik- form, negative.
l. The Maig-form, negative.
th. The His- form, clrcumstantla'’.
n. The Hals-form, circumstantial past.
o. The Gris-form, circumstantial negative.
p. The Hagls-form, circumstantial negative.
q. The Halgls-form, circumstantial negative, past.
r. The Cha-tense form, future.
s. The Hacha-tense form.
t. The Haglch-tense form, negative.
u. The Halch-tense form
v. The Hach-cha tense form, future.
w. The Beni cha gl- form, ’not yet’.
x. The Participles.
!•- Varieties of Verbs,
We divide the verbs into two
b. Consonant verbs#
a. Vows’! verbs are formed on
abe: reoeive, believe.
ere; come, bring,
etda: know, understand*
1tde: destroy, lose.
1toj: desire, seek.
Glasses: a.Vowel verbs, and
the model V * C + V. For example
ophl: be born, bear
ogbwe: write
uoha: drive away
upl: sit, stay
ut.da: build
A few verbs are formed of vowel, semi-vowel, vowel; e.g. awu,
take away, forgive; ayi, uncover. uyi, hate.
The 1 nit lai vowe’’ Is stable, as a rule. An exception is found
in the imperative of o-verbs, the initial vowe1 changing to u.
For example: ogl. hear. imperative: ugt, heart
an-ug!* hear ye!
olo* go. imperative: ui o* go!
an-ulo, go yel
Compare the fo1’’owing:-
eoha, stand. imperative: eoha, stand!
Ido, save Ido mgue, aave thyself!
2
as will be seen later ( j there Is also a semantic
alternation of the initial vowel in certain verbs, e.g. odo,
be headed, saved; ido, heal, save.
b. Consonant verbs are formed on the mode1 C - V * 0 +• V
For example:-
(1jladj: pass.
(1jlafu: reach, leave.
(1jlagu: beware.
(ijtama: run.
(i)tasi: stretch out.
(i jtenj; speak.
(1)tona: ask for, pray.
(1jgbwaga: begin.
(1jkuba: be ab^e.
(1jfuga: possess.
These verbs have an unstable vowe1 at the beginning. This
appears in certain tense forms, e.g. a-h-jtoba, they followed
c.f. a-h-abe, they received.
Tn the verb-noun the i appears sometimes and at other times
is absent, e.g. ahosu itda llodu: they feared asking him.
mocha I tana: T have pity.
But: todi itdabayl: his teaching.
The X is dropped in the imperative singular: e.g.
Tona udu anlsosa lye: ask what you like!
Tana umwe: have pity on me!
Tasj nahldle: stretch out thy hand!
- 3 -
It Is dropped also when the verb Is preceded by the
connected form of the persona’’ pronoun, e.g.
mutona Mugue; I pray to God*
2. DERIVATIVE VERBS*
Does the Efe verb form derivatives ’’ike the Bantu verb -
causative, prepositional, reverslve, etc.?
Our materia’’ provides on^y one example, and that is of a
reverslve form made by suffixing -go to the simple verb: Itu,
tie, be tied becomes 1tu-go, untie.
11.4. Ba holo, ba hupa kalnagbwl ba-ltu a Itisl llpl na,
tumbi ahltugo, ba hele jtda: they went and found a colt tied by
the door outside; then they untied and brought it.
11.5. Achu bal bo cha na anjtugo kainagbwi. ale? What do ye
untying the colt?
4
3. ALTERNATIVE VERBS.
There Is more evidence of alternative forms of the verb,
made not by suffixes, but by changing the initial vowel of certain
vowel verbs.
Tn certain verbs 1- appears to give a causative, or
transitive sense, while o- gives a stative or intransitive sense.
Examples:-
lsi, to satisfy. osj. to be satisfied, of. Nyoro: lgusa,lguta.
8.4. Aiohl bo hana abl hutdu alalye bugati hikuba isj
hegbwe-lnie merl abuia~mba? How is a man to get the bread
able to satisfy the stomachs here in the desert?
8.8. Tumbj ahanu, ba hegbwe-jnl host; Then they ate and the
stomachs were satisfied.
avu is to drink; i vu, cause or offer to drink, of. Nyoro:
nywa, nywjsa.
16.18. Hapl oha besi ba ahavu udu a hisufu alye bapere: and
if they shall drink any deadly thing...
9.4i. ,i^ara.,.ab 1 ..baja.ax.fi. .ahu, ad5 d.hl.,aji.t...ah.ixu; for whosoever
shall give you to drink.
N.B. avu sometimes appears as uvu: 10,39. avu anjhuvu,
drinking ye shall drink; 14,25. ubu jdenj musuvu ait the uay
in which I drink. But this change in vowel is probably due
to assimilation.
atde is to be astray, be lost, quenched; jtde, throw away,
destroy.
12.27. Tholahola anihatde: you are altogether astray.
9.48. okpwe a hakjsatde ai ya: (where} the fire is not
quenched.
throws away hi 3 life.
1.24. Amu haitde hu be nere? Art thou come to destroy us?
On the other hand an a-verb may be active; e.g. aka is to
divide; uka Is ’separated*, ’parted’, ’parting’.
15.24. Ba haka ldegu kombe jtdaba haisocha: they parted
among thmseives his garments.
10.4. •« ahachogbwe uka nj balye tdo^e anl al bat: 1et
there be written (a document; of parting of your wife
and you.
There appears to be no semantic relation between vowe1 and
consonant verbs, that is to say, our materia*’ provides no
evidence that the first or second syllable of the latter is a
prefix or suffix to the former: gbwaga, ’begin*, has no
apparent connexion with aga, marry; nor logo, * choose*,
with ogo, ’come out*. There is, it is true, an apparent
similarity of meaning between 1ja and le ja, ’offend’and
’cause to stumb'*e* - both used to translate the Nyoro
esitaza. But the 1a (la+i -e; does not appear to modify the
meaning of JJa.
9.43. Besi nahedj hachlleja: if thy hand cause thee to
offend •..
9.42. Ab! bap ere best edf abj hlja atdl a Peko: whosoever em— im» i ii — mm muwmw— »11 u i ■ ■»miiw-i ■ 1wwi.ii
causes a little child to offend....
Another example is seen in the verbs lagbwu and ogbwu,
cast, throw,away.
9.18. hene tai hl.lagbpu it da: it casts him down.
9.22. abu ailka ha1lagbwu Itda: ofttlmes it casts him
10.50. Tumbl ni hogbwu kombe Itda: then he cast away his
garment.
Vowe1 changes appear not to take place with semantic effeot
in consonant verbs. The only possible exception is in the
verbs legbwj, change; lagbwi. be changed.
11.15. abj a ahajal legbwl feza: men who were changing money.
9.2. Tumbl hjlagbwi ide auwe: he was changed before them.
4. active and passive vebbs
There appears to be no passive form of the verb. This is
replaced by inversion; l.e. instead of saying, he was killed,
the Pygmies say, they killed him.
Examples:
Hapi edl ahlaadu Balabaj haooha.
And one they-oalled Barabas (rel. t he-was.
l.e. and there was one named Barabas. (Nyoro: ayetwa)♦
toohue ahaohitenj
word they-shel**-speak.
l.e. the Gospe’’ shall be preached. (Nyoro: erakagambwaga)
ayaga ohlallofu Ide al tai: (when) the bridegroom sha*’’* be
taken from them. (Nyoro: lhl’-wa) literacy: the
bridegroom they take.
.ljere abu abu a\ika ahurnba itda: for he had been often bound:
literacy: because time time many they bound him. (Nyoro:
Bakamuboha).
Sometimes the reflexive pronoun is used. Thus, instead of
the English ’he was manifested’, end the Yoro akolekwa ’he was
shown* (passive^, the Efe has hltodu aguwa. ’he showed himself*.
Some verbs oan be used with both an active and passive
sense. Awu, e.g. may signify both ’to take away’ and ’to be
taken away’.
e.g. To bo ha hawu uduitda Muguul? Who can forgive
(take away) sins but God?
Uduitda uibayl hawu ba na igbwa; thy sins are forgiven
Uduitda ulbayl hawu nimba: thy sins are taken from thee.
Hapl ahlsoto benl hlna hawu ni imegbwj: they saw that the
stone was rolled back, l.e. taken away.
(Nyoro has Ihirwe; kumblslbwe - passive)
(1)La1 a means both ’to tear* and ’be torn*.
e.g. Lotdl hl1ala Itda lholahola: the spirit tore him grievously.
... hl1 ala ku fuku ltdabalye: he rent his clothes.
Tumbl ukmidu yekalu bal hl1alas then the veil of the temple
was torn. (Nyoro has the statlve, temuka, ’become torn’.
(1jToso means both ’to gather* and ’be gathered, assembled’.
Tumbl ahi toso Imbumbwe: then they gathered the fragments.
Ba hltoso banyakatagala abltlrl ltdamba bapere:•..and al 1
the chief priests came together to him.
5. CONJUGATION of thb vkrb
The verb stems are inf Teo ted more m Sfe than in other
Eastern Sudanlc languages. The main conjugations! elements are
prefixes.
a.- The Imperative.
(1) A oonrand or request to the person addressed may be
expressed by the simplest form of the verb. Vowel verbs m o
have u <n the Imperative: consonant verbs drop the Initial 1.
adas- ada ide aholo: Tell them to go I
awu:- awu mumba: take away from me I
echa:- ec ha: - stand upI
ldo:- Ido nlgues- save thyself!
ugl:- ufll Tsai er 1 ye; Hear, o jsrae’’I
olo:- u'o na nulembe:- go in peace!
(l^tana:- tana umues- have pity on me!
(l;tasl;- tasl nahIdle: stretch out thy hand!
(l)tona:- Iona udu anlsosa lye; ask what you ’’ike!
(1'toba:- to ba umue: fo^ow met
(2j More frequently the command or request is formed by
prefixing the connected personal pronouns, n- in the singular,
and an- in the plural. Thia is always done when two imperative
verbs come together. This may be oaVed jussive.
Singular: n- prefixed to the verb.
aha:- naha: out it off.
tail:- eoha, nitall bulu nj: stand and take thy bed.
ere,soha:- nere, naoha umue: come and follow me.
Ido:- njdo amue: help us.
lhi:- njhl nauwehl: pluck out thy eye
itdl:- nitdl itda: touch her.
olo:- nolo: Got
o^o, opa:- u^o nop a udu: go and seV things
oio, todu:- uio nltodu njgue: go, show thyself.
Plural: an- prefixed My to verb.
aso: ana so muiembe: live together in peace.
(l)bala: anibala tub! gbwogbwou ltdabaiye; make his paths straight
ere: anere itda: bring him.
etdl: anetd! Ide anue: give ye them to eat.
ogi: anugl: Hear yeI
°1 o: anulo na hene: go mto the village.
otro: anutro anjhltona: watch and pray.
(ipagu: anjlagu ayogbwenini mba: beware oi* the scribes.
In form there is no distinction between the imperative
nadu, calll and the indicative nadu, thou callest; or between
anetdl, GiveI and anetdi, you give. Possibly the difference
may be marked by the tone, or by stress, in speech. When an
objective pronoun accompanies an imperative, its position is
norms'* ^y after the verb: with the indicative It usually precedes
the verb.
umue nadu Is: me you oa**l, you aa"*! me.
umue nobo Is: me you leave, you leave me
But nacha umue i s: you-fo^^ow me, Follow meI
nido amue is: you-help me, Help met
(5) The H.-form
imperative (see )
of the verb is frequently used as an
Possibly, here again the distinction from
the indicative would be marked by tone or stress
ote!~ tymbl anihote Itda: then take ye him, or, you take him
(Nyoro has the subjunctive here: mumukwatej
(ijtoba:- tumbj ha anj anlhitoba: Then fo^ow (him), or, you
follow him. (Nyoro subjunctive: mukuratlre)
(i)tona:- anutro anihltona: watch and pray: or, watch and
you pray. (Nyoro has both verbs In the subjunctive,
muroie, musabe j
(4) Certain suffixes appear to emphasize or modify the
imperative
-JI
ogo:- U&O-11 ltdamba: come out of him I
alls- anal!-11 urn? answer met (N.B. umu not umue)
(l)lagu:- anilagu-Jli take heedl
oses- amuse-11: let us cross over.
-BA
•Ils- n_Qll-ni-ba alyai hegbwe: return unto thy house
otos- uto-ba: see, beholdl (Nyoro: Doral)
upl:- aaup 1,- ba abu 1 a, , an 1 ho to: sit ye here and watch.
iya:* jya-ba na amuhoto: let be that we may see (Nyoro: Veka.
turot e)
£y_a-ba na atdi a hegbwe hoai: let the children be
satisfied.
-PS
oto:- uto-pe amuhtsobo: Behold we have left...
uto-pe: Beholdl (Nyoro: Doral)
(5) The Cohortatlve, expressing an invitation in which the
speaker includes himself, is formed by prefixing amu-, we, to
the verb.
afu:- anere na amuhaju: come, ‘‘et us klV (him;.
(6} A kind of Optative, expressing a desire or wish
or obligation, is formed by prefixing Hamb- to the verb.
Hamb- appears to be the H- form of a verb amba. in the
text It Is used with vowel verbs only.
afu:- afu na haxabafu: let him be put to death!
odo;- uwehlye hambodo: let (myj eyes be healed!
upl:- ahambup1-ba na he ne: let them sit on the ground!hambuhu
uhu:- a.Mka abi hosl ltda upl taattnr na: and many
rebuked him that he should be silent.
ere:- #11 ya hambere lebanas jHlaa must come first.
olo:- amuhambolo: are we to go?
aba:- help a lleko. al ahambaba ltda: that they should
bring him a little boat.
Some of theso instances show that this form Is used In
indirect as well as tn direct speech.
(7) A similar (If not identical optative Is formed by
prefixing hap- to the verb.
ogo;« Krlsto... hapogo upula ugbwa mba: Let Christ now
leave the cross.
ogi:- hapogl: let him hear!
Abt a ahisocha uplanl ant ahapogi Pemba: let men
who have ears hear well!
(8) 3oi.a imperatives are formed with na following the
verb, e.g. anulo na hens: go into the country (village).
The Nyoro here usee the subjunctive, Mugende omu kjka,
this being, as in other Bantu languages, a norma’’ way of
expressing a wish, or mild imperative. The na is
evidently employed for the sama purpose m ,>fe, and may
be regarded as forming the subjunctive,.
Other examples:*
eJi:- anal11 na: go away, depart.
upl:- Upl na mahedi agbwi: sit on my right hand.
adu:* ana du na: call ye (him) (Nyoro: Mumwete: subj.j
ldo:* an I do na Itda: leave her alone (Nyoro: Mumuleke:subj.)
ltdi:- anitdj na: take ye (ltj. (Myoro: Mukwate: subj.)
lju:* aniJu na: take ye your rest. (Nyoro: Muhumule: subj.)
(1>lube:* tube na ugbwa mba: crucify him (Nyoro: Mubambe
ha mutt: subj.)
(9) The Prohibitive, or negative imperative, is formed
in the singular, by infixing *agj* between the pronoun n*
and the verb. Tn the plural the infix la *hag» and the
pronoun is anl* Consonant verbs show their initial 1_*.
Singular:
afu:- nagafu: do not kill
ifo:- naglfo: do not accuse falsely.
osu;- nagosu: be not afraid
(l^hoka:- nagihoka: do not steal
(i)hobiya:- nagjhobiya: do not defraud.
(ijtochu:- nagit o^ohu-ha; do not tell.
Plural:
ibu:- anlhaglbu ekajje eslyate ekpwe: do not put on two
coats.
olo:- anjhagoio na udu: do not go with, l.e. oarry, a
thing.
osu:» anjhagosu: be ye^ not afraid.
(l)teni:- anjhagltenj: do not speak.
uhu:- anjhaguhu na: be not amazed.
Tn some rare instances -ak- takes the place of -ag
in the singular.
apa:- nakapa ltdamba aHnje esiglte: never enter him again
aje:- hakajl musosa ohj: ^et it not be as I desire.
(10) A future or continuous imperative is formed by
infixing -ach- between the verb and pronoun
Singular i
aha: - nachaha: out (it; off.
osa:- naohoaa Maka feugunjbai: thuu shalt love the
Lord thy God.
osuj* naohosu ebe erne a: honour thy father and mother.
Tn the pluralt the pronoun ani.« is followed by -hao.h~
instead of -oh-
etdl:- anthaohetdl: give ye (constantly;.
Itetes- tumhl anlhaohltete: then shake off.
(11) One form of the negative future imperative 1s
farmed in the singular by infixing -agtoh- between the
pronoun and verb, in the plural the infix fa ha^ioh-
and the pronoun is ant♦
Singular:-
(ijlasi:- nagiohilaal: do not enter: thou sha^t not
enter.
Plural:-
(1)taiu:* anl a lgbwa haglohltalu: be ye your selves
not troubled.
(*»2^ A variant of the negative future imperative
Is formed by infixing -khagls- • This appears to be
very emphatic.
a b e: - Ubu ale bee! abt haohlten! ani lachl, "Kriato
hooha na abu la mba", use hschasi, "atdule na
hooha"t anjkhaglsabe eajyate: in that day if a
men shaM say to you, "Christ 1s here", or say,
"Christ is there", believe <t not at aV .
This Is the only instanoe in the text*
13. A clraumstant!al negative, with a future Implication’,
1s formed by infixing ~ha^1a~ . As the infix -s- indicates
this form means that in such an such conditions, a certain
course Is not to be foVowed.
31ngular:
(ijtute: ha&1al tute: let him not descend.
Ploral:
(1) gbwaga:- anihagl stbwaga 1Values do not begin to
be anxious.
(i/ta"»u:* &r4 hast at t tP u it da: do not rebuke him.
anlhaKlaltal.u 1de: rebuke them not.
An indicative form is identical with thia (see )
e.g. okpwe a hagl sat de a!: a fire that is not quenched.
ant a aha^ieahe: you who do not believe.
anjye ahagis~ogl alt if they do not listen to you.
14. Another oiroumstantiai negative is formed by
prefixing kt a- to the verb. Only one instance is given
in the text.
oji: kl sogi hjoht alinlye; let him not return back.
*»5. An imperative form is produced by reiterating the
verb, first in the substantive form and then with
prefixes, or without.
abet- abe n1 an1hac h a b e: believe ye, i.e. go on believing
or believe firmly.
abe ni abe: only believe.
abe a nabe atdl ^eko: allow the little children.
b. The H- tense form
This form states the action or Condition denoted by
the verb, with no definite indication of time. it is
used both of the present and of the past. It may also
be imperative.
H- is prefixed to the verb. Consonant verbs have the
initial vowel. This, in some verbs is changed, apparently
for the purpose of harmonisation: e.g. instead of
hllusj, ’he makes’, we get hulus*. Some o-vowe** verbs
change the o into u, e.g. hulo, for ho^ o; but this 1s not
always done.
The H- does not appear in the 1st and 2nd persons
singular. The normal form with the pronominal prefixes
appears thus:-
1 p. sing, m- with vowel verbs 1 p. pl. amuh-mu- with consonant verbs;
2 ’* w n-f 'H-t - vrvMu C-cXx,
2 ” " anlh-
3 " H -h- 3 ” ” ah-
In the 3rd per. sing, there Is no prononima*1 prefix:
hoto. he, or it, sees, in the plural the a- Is not always
written, but is absorbed in the preceding connective ba,
e.g. ba ho^o, ’and they went’, it would be better,
perhaps, to write this: ba aholo.
Examples of the 1st and 2nd persons, singular and
plural:*
1st person singular: m~ prefixed to the vowel
mu~ prefixed to the consonant verb; no h- .
verb:
tya: Mya: T do. Also: mays*
abe:- m-abej I believe.
ere: - mere: I come, I bring
osa: - mosa: I love, I desire
etdl:- metdi: I give
ltdj:- mltdi: I hold, I have held.
(I) teni mutenl: I say
oi o: - moi o: I go c to :
ocha: - mocha: I am
(1)lus1:- ant mulusl: I make for you
(1^1 ama: - mulama:
(ijrag*:- muragi:
(1) tapu:- mutapu:
I smite
T ki ss
I adjure, I swear
(1) tons: - lautona: ? pia y
(ijtuka:- mutuka: I beseech
2nd person singular: n- prefixed to the verb;
adu:~ umue nadu: you call me
obo:- umue nobo: you 1 eave me
no h
ochas- nooha: thou art
oto: - nuto: thou aeest.
(1)lusf:-- hllugI* you make
(1)teni:-• nitenf. you say
(f jkuba:*• nfkuba, you are able
(1 j todu: •• nltodu: you show
(ljtodf:-■ njtodf. thou teaohest
1st person plural: anu t h
osa:* agkuhosa: we desire, we love#
oto:~ amuhoto able: we saw a man
(tjta’u:- tumbl aauhltalu: then we rebuked him
otde:- b&ko aiauhotde: see, we are dying.
ooha:- amuhooha a1fka:wearw are many
aoha:- amuhacha fafe: we follow thee
(ljlusl: aauhulusi: we make
(l^kuba: amuhfkuba: we are able.
2nd person plural: an! f h*
osa: anfhosa: you desire
oto: anthoto: you see*
Itol: anlhjtoj: you seek
atde: Iholaho^a anjhatde: you ere very much astray
aftgFc* you come, you bring
(ijkubas anlkuba: you are well
(i/lual: anilusi: you do, you r.;ske
Tn our text we find the H* form used m these
ways:-
() 70 m d 1 o a xe the p re aer t
abe:- umue nl, ha be: he receives myself. (Nyoro:
atktrlze: perfect/
atdc- edt Marbo hatde: one th* ng thou laokeat.
ltes- Sabttt hi te t-t lbo huha nt <*: the Sabbath artists
for man*
yohtya:- umue am hlyohiya: you tempt me.
lema:- ah* lean anlye: they rule you.
(b j Tn questions:-
(tpupe:- zvQhudu bai bo eha ide anlhllupa? What are you
questioning them about?
og'owe:- taohl nt hapl hagbwe Magu ab! bat? How is It
written of the Son of man?
ooha; (1) 1 s'* 1 s- Ade ma hocha na omuhliaM hma alalye?
Who sha’’’’ ro11 ua away the stone?
ttdls- Ade hltdl a bo malfbwa? Who touched me?
awu:- To bo ha hawu uduitda ^ut^u nl? Who can forgive
sins but God only?
agi:- Anlhagl abule? Why think ye these things?
(1Huru:* Achudu bal be cha anihiiuru it da igbwa?
Why do you trouble her?
(o) As we have seen already ( ) the H* form is
sometimes used as an imperative* Some further
examples:*
osu- rya-ba na at di a hegbwe host: let the children be
sat!sfled.
1ta:* ...tumbl hit a agua 1gbwa: let him deny himself
o^o; abu;- ahoTo, ahabu ubo dehu; let them go and stay
elsewhere.
etda:- a bl a h 1 a 1 s om a I h e t d a: - ’’et the man who reads
understand.
(d) Sometimes, as the context shows, the action or state
expressed by the verb in the H* form 1s definitely In
the past; and sometimes, since its effect remains, it
wouM be translated in the perfect in English.
oto:* amuhote able: we saw u man
(l/taiu:~ tumbi amuhltaiu; then we rebuked (hlin)
ogbwe:- frtoa hogbwe amu laohi; Moses wrote unto us thus.
(1jhlka:» best ba 111 h1h!ke: for harvest has arrived.
(e) The H* form Is used often tn oondtttoml phrases,
following suoh conjunctions as Bestba: a be si; best;
betcha.
aka: Best be oka haka akugu oka itda naglkubauple
■sly ate: If a kingdom te divided ©g'inst Itself,
that kt ngdon cannot stand at aV.
11 d e: Abes! abt hl the a 1ghwaola itdabal...If a man
loses his life...
ata: Beal ab,i hats ur&ue ttoba: If a man desires to
follow me.
eba: Best ba idj hep a hodu u hodu: If the salt ’’oses
Its savour...
acha: pel- oha bari 1 tuoie huoha 1ya-agbwi-ye; If a
woman puts away her husband...
(d> The H* form 1s used frequently where the subjunctive
m’ght be expected.
oka: Ada Ide ahoiq nhebu ubo dehu, ahokal anue;
bld them to go and stay elsewhere, so that they ray buy
themselves food, (tfyoro: be gu * re ebyokulya; sub].}
(1 A as 1 j iunutlsu na tlkohihl, amuhU&al ide al ya:
send ub Into the swine that we may enter Into them
(Nyoro: tuzttahemuf subj.j
The following sections were not available at time of digitisation.
• Conjugation of the verb.
o. The Na- tense form: subjunctive.
d. The Ha-form, past.
e. The G- form, negative.
f. The K- form, negative.
g. The Hag-tense form: negative
The use of this form as a Prohibitive, or negative
imperative, has been illustrated (see ). It is also
employed where a subjunctive might be expected;
e.g. Anuto, anihitona, anjhagiiasi lupe-iupe hegbwe:
Watch and pray, that ye enter mt into temptation.
(Nyoro: Muro^e, musabe, mutataha omu kwohebwa)
Gabe abe abj bapere hagiiadt ha na Mbjdte: He did not
a1low that a man should carry a vesse’’. Note the na
in this instance (see ). The Nyoro here has the
infinitive okurabya, to carry.
••• tumbj harm bugati todu-ni baiye, uduX-adada bai ga
nj al abj a pesj haganu banyakataga^a-nj: then he eat
bread of showing, which by the ’’aw other men except the
priests should not eat.
It is a1so used indicatively, after idere, ’because1.
Aniketda bo udud bapere hjsocha tefu si ye besi hi^asj ab-*
a igbwa hegbwe hakjmagu able esiyaie, idere hagi^asi
bo^uhehj hegbwe...?
Do you hot know that anything which is outside if it enters
into a man cannot make a man bad at all, because it does not
enter into his heart?
And a1so in other ways:-
(ijkuba:- haglkuba: he cannot, is not ab^e.
abj bo mba ihu ate hagi kuba... idere bapere hikuba
h. The Hak-tense foim: negative
This alternative form of the negative Is used to
translate the Nyoro negative subjunctive formed with
the aid of the auxiliary verb ieka, e.g.
&up a: abel oha here jfofo ide ha/upa anlye ubu-a-nj
(so that) If he comes suddenly he should not find you
sleeping. (Nyoro: obwaluja bwango al eke okubasanga
mugwl j.agire;
Tike Hag- it is also used 1ndlcat!ve1y after ldere.
etda: jdere ahaketda tochu ale: for they did not
understand that saying.
With cha (see ) It may form a future tense:
avu: makavu cha, I will not drink.
aga: ahlsltu^u a otde ku a oha ahakaga cha:
When they are risen from the dead they will not marry.
It is also used as a prohibitive
anu: ahakapa cha anue: let them not eat again.
Mugu mb a: To man it is not possible, but a1! things
are possible to God.
eba:- 1gbwa o? a h age ba a: life which does not end.
jThe Haig-tense form: negative.
This Is another infrequent form. It appears to have
a condltiona’’ or potential sense, always in the past,
achu; anu: - Tumbi ahoto aitodi itdabadie dehu hanu
anue hedj_ 1 tda, ahajgachu ide a hecPe. Tdere Abafa^isayo
ini Bayudaya ina bapere ahalgachu tai ide a hecH e
Pemba aha^ganu. .. Ahalgtsachu e ide hecHe ahaiganu
eslyate: Then they saw some of his disciples eating food
(with) dirty hands, not having washed their hands.
For Pharisees wlxh a11 the Jews unless they have washed
the-’r hands weP do not eat... Unless they have washed
their hands they eat not anything.
osa:- Tumbj hpasl, halgosa abj bape hetda; Then he
entered (a house) and did not wish any man to know.
(1) tochu:- Tumbj ahere ltda abl uplhuna, halgltochu
f emba: Then they brought to him a deaf man (who) did
not speak well.
k• The Hajk-tense form: negative.
Tn one Instance the alternative form Halk- occurs.
etda: -> jdere hajketda htsall alye tochu na: for he
knew not what to say in reply.
1. The Maig-tense form: negative.
There is one instance m the text. Perhaps it 1s an
error in transcription.
u b e: - Maka haiglsube ha ubu ale malgo do ha tgbwa bapere:
If the Lord had not shortened that time nobody would have
been saved
m• The His-tense form: clroumstantlai
de can this the circumstantial form, because It Is used
in dependent clauses.
The H- appears in the "’st and 2nd person plural and
tn the 3rd person singular and plural. The singular is
not preceded by a pronominal prefix: e.g. h-< sadu:
*he opJM'; in the plura’’ the prefix is a-, e.g.
a-tHsadu, ♦ they ca^ed’. The a- 1s usua^y dlsnitshd
when tt is preceded by the connective ba, e.g.
or the relative particle a, e.g* abi a hlsanu ( = abt a
ahtsanu)
Examples of the st person singular: mu 4» s-:-
e t d 1: - udu a anjni muse t di al bapere: whatsoever T give.,
osa:- mamagu musosa ai: my son whom v love.
(ijteni:- ... musjtenl: .... I have said.
(1jtibu:- umusitjbu a mukwenda maiye:....T send my
messenger.
osu:- mususu aninl alufue eohimbu: when I broke for the
3,000.
Examples of the nst person plural: amu _ f__ his-
obo:- ... amuhi so bo o1 ue bapere.... We : ave left a’’"’,
use:- amuhlsuse Yerusaiemu a: ... we go up to Jerusalem.
Examples of the 2nd person singular; ni 4 s.
anu: - lbu a idem nisanu al ye lodi nl a: a place where
thou mayest eat the Passover.
klena:- ugbwa nlslklena le: the tree which thou
cursedst••••
(l)tenl:- .... nisitenj..... thou sayest.
upl:- Tlemba ga nlsupi tdo^e: Tt is not good that
you stay with the woman.
Examples of the 2nd person plural: anl this
asi:- abl ale anlhlsasl ^e: the man you mention.
ejl:- ... anlhlsehl.... you depart.
ogl:- ... udu anlhlsugi... things which you hear.
osa:- Tona udu anlsosa alye:- ask what you "Hke.
(ljtona:- anlketda udu a anlhisjtona le: ye know not
what ye ask.
NOTE
There are a few instances in which the H Is dropped:
these may be errors in transcription.
abe:- abl bapere 1sabe umu: every man who receives me.
(N.F. umu, not umue)
ere;- isere ma 1 ipo n1 al ltda: after me comes one...
ldere isere ai hl batlza: but one comes who
baptises.
The His- form Is used in various subordinate clauses:-
(a) Tn Relative Clauses.
These may be or frequently are not, introduced by a
and end with al or al ye (objective), or le (referencej,
or mba (postposl t« on).
abe:- Bapere hlkuba cha abl a In sabe al mba: A’’’’
(things) are possible to the man who believes.
abe: - atdl a jleko ^edl a #gbwa umue aahlsabe ^ede:
’’Itf’e ch^dren who believe tn me.
anu:- ... abl a hlsanu al lhehl: men who produce fruit.Ou
ere:- Hasanal ba ltda hetdl mugisa hlse^e Maka abe nl^al
Hosanna’. let blessing be given to him who comes in the
name of the Lord.
(ijlotde:- ... abl a hisl^otde nafugal mba: a man who
trusts in riches
(1 pubes- itda ga ahi silube ugbwa mba le: whom they
have crucified.
(ip.usi:- udu a hisl^usi aiye: the things which he did
obo:- abt a lusobo ai: a man who has left....
ogo:- udu ahjsogo abi mbai: things which come out of a man.
otde:- Yokana hitu^u hjsotde le: John is risen - he
who was dead.
oto:- udu ahisoto alye: The thing they had seen.
(ijsuna:- abi a Irsisuna kombe obu ajye: a man who sews
a new cloth.
There are other relative clauses on the mode’’ of
’the thing with which I did it’, or ’the place at which T
did it’. Tn such clauses ideni and the His- form are
emp’’ oyed.
(ijbatiza:- ibatiza a ideni umue ahjsibatiza; the baptism with
which T am baptized, i.e. they baptise me;
ere:- ubu a ideni aiubo hi sere aiye: the time at which
the master comes.
anu:- jbu a ideni nlsanu aiye: a p^ace in which you eat.
ajyai ideni aitodi hisanu a*: the house at which the
teacher eats
ocha:- tumb! ahere idem hai sacha abu a: the came
to the p^ace where he was.
ahitoao idenl halsocha abu a: they gathered to
the p^ace where he was.
avu:- kopo a Ideni 1 tda hl suvu nl a: the cup from which
he drinks.
11e:- uto-ba Ibu a idem ltda ahtslte: see the place
where they ^ajd him.
(bj Tn objective clauses.
a clause fo”1 lowing uto-ba, ’see, behold’, and
similar forms of oto, Is dependent because it stands
as the object of the principal verb, answering the
question, ’What am t to see?’ The H1s-form 1s used
in such Causes. It Is preceded, but not always, by
the particle na.
(1 ) 11 bu: - Uto-ba, umusltlbu a mukwenda mal: Beho*» d, T
send my messenger.
use:- Uto-ba na amuhisuse Yerusat emu a: Behold that we
go up to Jerusalem.
adu: - Uto-ba na hl sadu Ellya: Behold that he car's Elias.
o c ha:- Tnagoto bo cha tochu hisooha aMka jnt a
* ahisocha itjsu a? Dost thou not see that the
things are many of which they accuse thee?
Simper noun clauses, in which the His- form is
used, fo^ow the verbs etda, ’know’, ’understand’,
ogi, ’hear’; (l.P agu, ’take heed*, ’beware’, and
other verbs of mental action.
Following etda:-
aH:- aketda ahlsap ltda ni a: they knew not what to
answer him.
jdere halketda hisaij al ye tochu na: for he knew
not what word to say •’n rep^y.
ota:- ba hen hota benl cha ltda ketda hisota aiye:
the seed springs up, wh^e he knaws not how it
springs up.
ata:- Een< hetda udu a h^sata: knowing the thing which
had happened.
op a: - Ide re tumbi ahetda idem hlsopa mapa a^e a:
for he understood that he *»ikened them with that
parabie
Following ogi:-
(l)tenl: Anugj na apt musjteni al ye: Hear what I
say to you.
Following (1 P agu: -
ogi:- Anl^agu-ji udu anjhtsugi: Take heed what ye
hear.
(o) Tn Temporal clauses.
These are clauses which in English are introduced by
adverbs, such as ’when’, ’after’, ’until’, Tn Efe the
His- form is used usua^y without any adverb: the
adverb may fo^ow in the main clause. Tn Nyoro such
clauses are introduced by obu- which Maddox says marks
a participle.
ogi: - abj aMka hisogi alye udu a hisj^usl alye maha no,
tumbl ahitoba itda: many people (when; they heard
of the wonderful things which he did, then they
followed him.
agl:- Petero hlsag* a alye tumbi hjiaha oba: (when;
Peter thought thereon he wept tears. (Nyoro: kandi
obuyakitekerlze ya’ + a)
ata:- Hapi eslgl his^'ta ichl ni a abl a halsooha
adl Ja Petero nalo: And a Tittle (when) it
passed, a man who was standing there said to
Peter: (Nyoro: kandi akacu kake obukahlngulreho)
eba: - Hapl Isa jmaya hiseba, tumbl olu hosa hene bapere
and (when) the sixth hour passed, then darkness
covered the who1 e earth. (Nyoro: kandi esaha
eyomukaga obuyahikjre...;
1 b e: - Ahlsibe uwe ose ni a, tumbl aholo hene a
Genesal eslya: (when; they had crossed over, then
they came to the 1 and of G. (Nyoro: kandi
obubamazlre okwambuka...;
Hapi hlslbe lslma nl a, tumbl hube; and (when; he
had finished giving thanks, he broke... (Nyoro:
kandi obuyamazlre okusima...)
(1)1 afu: - Ahlspafu he^e hegbwe aiye, abuTelnanl ahetda
1tda:- (when) they came out of the boat,
iiijnedi ate*»y they knew him. (Nyoro: kand-^
obubarugire amu bwato...j
(1) 1 o d 1: - Hapl halsjiodl alye ba hoto left, magu
Allfayo batye: and (when) he was passing, then he
saw Levi, son of Alphaeus. (Nyoro: kandj obwakaba
naraba...;
Abuieinani ubu malya hisliodj nt a, tumbl:
Immediately the sixth day (when) it passed, then...
(Nyoro: kandi ebjro mukaga obubyahingujreho...)
oto:- hapj jtda hjsoto atye abuieinani lotdi hjiaiahe
itda iholahoia: and (when) $hey saw him immediately
the spirit tore him greatly (Nyoro: kandi
abuyamuboine...j
hlsjiafu itda ni a goto iheh^ye: (when) he reached
it, he saw no fruit. (Nyoro: obuyarozire when
he saw)
(i )ias1: ogo:- Hapi hisjiasi aitaiye hisogo abj aijka
maiye, tumbl aitodi itdabadj hjlodu itda: and when
he entered the house and left the multitude, h-’s
disciples asked him. (Nyoro: kandi obuyatahire
omu nju, arugire amu kjtebe...)
(d; in conditional clauses the Hl- form 1s
frequently used following certain conjunctions:
sometimes the H1s- form is used a^one.
Ido:- Ba hup4 ttda osiye hjsjdo sabltl ni a: they were
watching him (in case) he headed on the Sabbath.
n. The Hals-tense form: circumstantial past.
This Is the past tense of the circumstantial H4s-
Examp^es of Its use:-
(1) tod 1: - CPu hobu ko manpl aniya yekaiu hegbwe,
majsitodi a, to be umu anlhote: I was dapy with you
in the temple (whi^e) teaching, and ye took me not.
(Nyoro:......... nj nyegesa j
ahi:- Haisahl gbwogbwou aiye... (when) he was going on
the road... (Nyoro: obwakaba nagenda...)
oya: - Hapl abi a^lka hltatu beni ahooha ltona abe hoya na
bent Ide ha1soya chi: and the multitude went up and
asked him to do as he as wont to do unto them. (Nyoro:
akoie nkokuyabako* +■ aga)
(ljkuba:- ... ahalsikuba It da umba lyembt ediate: a man
whom they could not bind in any way.
(ipadl:... ahaisliadt afye: (when) they were passing...
(l)iegbwl:- ... abi a ahalsp egbwl feza: men who were
changing money.
(1)1odu: ... hlsogl ide a ahalsllodu nt ldegu aiye tde
kugu aiye... (when) he heard them questioning among
themse’’ ves...
(l)ilsa:- ... abi a ahajsliisa: men who were heKbng...
o^o:- ... halsolo misirt: as he went through the fields.
o. The Gls- tense form: circumstantial negative.
There are three forms of the circumstantial negative,
vtz: G1 s- Hagis-; Haigls-
The Gts- form occurs rarely in the text.
ab e: - bahupt jtana agisabe a jhoiahoia: he stayed
astonished (because; they did not believe greatly, i.e.
because of their great unbelief.
a t u: - abuieinanj anlhjsjiafu alye ahe^j cha kainagbwl ba1tu
abj glsatu cha ide a ichu nl at edlate at: and
Immediately when you arrive, you will find a colt tied
upon which a man has never sat.
(1)1emba:- Tdere best oha ba anihoto udu a ahjsuwi atye
htsjtde hocha becha tdenl abu glsjiemba, tumbl...
But if so be you see a thing which Is hated (which they
hate; existing and standing in a place which is not good
(t.e.) where it ought not to be;, then...
ofo:- Hapj uohu nj a bugatl agisihofo a1 ba, 1 dent abu
ahlsttl 1 lodt n< a: and on the first (day, of
unleavened (unrisen) bread, when they sacrificed the
rassover. .... u \
The adjectival sense of this form is seen «n some of these
exampi es.
p• The Hagjs-tense form: circumstantla’’ negative
The use of this form as a Prohibitive has already-
been illustrated. The following are instances of the
usage tn the Tndlcattve, showing how it occurs in
dependent Causes.
abe: ogi: - ibu hapere idem aniye ahagisabe al aniye
ahagjsogl al, best anihachejl ahehi, tumbj...
And an peaces in which they do not receive you, end do
not listen, when you leave there, then...
ant a ahagj sabe... you who do not be'’■’eve.
otde; atde: ideni abu titro ’deba’ haglsotde a, okpw-’
a hagjsatde at ya: in the p^ace where their worm does
not die, and the fire is not quenched.
(1>todhu:- Aitodle, nimba ko mere magu maiya lotdl a
hocha hagisjtochu al: Teacher, T brought my son who has
a spirit which does not speak.
q. The Hajgjs-tense form; circumstantial negative.
The usage is similar to that of the Hagls-form, but the
active is regarded as past.
a o h u: — ahaigis-achu le ^de hedie ahaiganu esiyate:
Unless they have washed their hands, they do not eat
anything.
ochl.: - Pemba cha haooha abjmba itda mb a haiglsochi ha:
food were it for that man if he had not been born.
ube: - Mak a hajgisube ha ubu a^e ma! godo ha 1 gbwa bapere:
if the lord had not shortened that time no body
would have been saved.
r. The Cha tense form: future.
Un** Ike the forms hitherto described, this is not made
by prefix or infix. The seif-standing parVtfe cha
is placed before or after nne of the verb-forms, e.g. cha
hi tui u, he wpi use: hakotde cha, he w1’i not die.
This cha evidently bears a significance of time. Tn
one place in our text (13,32) It 1s used to translate the
Nyoro akasum1, * time*,’season*: Tdere ubu a^e usa cha
abl ahidetda iyembj edlyate: ’but of that day and hour
knoweth no man*.
As an adverb cha mould mean ’now* or ’then’, and
perhaps ’ever’
Tn conjunction with one of the other verb-forms it
often makes a future tense, and 1t Is common'’y used to
translate the Nyoro far-future (a-*»i-tera; t-a-"11 te^af,
and near-future (a-ra-tera; t-a-terej.I
But sometimes the sense Is present or perfect, and
*£ it is used to translate the Nyoro ’never’ tense
(t-a-ka-tera-gay, and ’not yet’ tense (t-a-ka-t^rej•
Cha may either precede the verb, or come after It.
As a ru^e, it cores before the verb when It is
adjoined to other parties such as hap i, tumbl, abes-^ b
etc.
That the position of cha has ho semantic signi'icanc
may be gathered from these successive phrases, (13,12;:
lyabi hetj cha tyachue... hap! cha afo hetl mague;
brother sha^l deliver his brother... and a father sha’’ ’
deliver his son.
Examples of cha preceding the verb, clearly
showing the future;
atde; amu;- tumbj cha Q1 hatde, hap! cha rlmba
haglchamu: then the sun sha'1’’ fap and the moon
sha’’’’ not shine.
avu:- hapl cha bes-< ba ahavu...and If they shaP drink,
echo:- tumbl cha butama hecho bapere: and the sheep
sha*’*’ be scattered
ere:- tumbl cha anlhere abi: then you wi?’’ meet a man
(Nyoro: muratanganaj
eti:- abu ett cha anje aheti maka bo: then they sha*’’’
de** •’ver you up to kings.
’’afu:- hapi cha itda ^afu eba-pa-i: he that shaV readh
the end.
(ipadl:- abesl ba cha ubu echlna hl’’ad-’: when three days
sha’’1 have passed.
(1 p odu: - ilodu cha hapi anle umu^odu tochu g-* edi; T a*»eo
ask you one question.
ote:- tumbl cha ahute uwa: and they shall take up snakes,
oto:- otro ni cha hapi anihuto Magu abi balye: and you
sha*11 see the Son of Man.
(ijtu^u:- tumbl cha hitu^u: then he w-’’’1 arise
Examples of Cha fo^ lowing the verb,_ (Pear',y with a future
sense.
eba:- Mu^embe a^ai hageba cha esiyabe: this generation
sha’’’’ never pass..
Ha^uitda-ini heba cha, tochu mai hageba nia cha: the
Heavens wlJt pass, but my word wi’’’’ never pass away.
(1 i 11ore: - Usa ha abl bapere h^ore, magi?ore cha: though
a’*’’ are offended, J w’V not be offended.
o^o:- mo bo a’’at hiPo cha: and these s*gns sha*» ■» follow.
o t d e: - tadj a ahlsooha abu^a mba baeoho ’’adl dehu hakotde
oh a esiyaye... of those who are here s$and-?ng some
sha1’’ never die...
(1 jkuba;- Bapere hlkuba oha abi a falsabe ai mba: a"11 t hi ngs
sha’’’’ be possible to a man who believes.
Examples in which Cha, whether before or after the verb, does
not give a future sense:-
(ijsoma:- anigtsoma cba udu a hisogbwe nl a? have ye not
read what is written? (Nyoro: ’never’ tense)
anlgjsoma cha kltato Musa bai hegbwe? Have ye not
read in the book of Moses? (Nyoro: ’never’ tense’ )
etda:- enfketda cha udue ise? Do ye not yet understand?
(Nyoro: ’not yet’ tense). The paitlcPe ise is
evidently ’yet’.
oto:- To bo cha nuto udue? - To cha muto able...: Canst thou
see anything? - T see men. (Nyoro: Nokweza.. ?
Nlmpweza... pre se nt.?
abe:- Mabeoha, gate mat huha: I be11 eve, he^p my unbelief.
(Nyoro: Nlnyikiriza, present)
r. The Haoh-tense form
We have already noticed (see ) that this form makes
an Imperative: e.g. anlhaohtten!: speak and go on
speaking. Tn the Indicative it translates the present
imperfect, the near and fur future and occasions*• 1 y the
subjunctive.
The text provides no instances of the "‘st per on,
singular, and on^y few of the 2nd person singular, and
these are Imperatives: nachucha: cut If off; nuchosa,
love, thou sha^t love.
(I) Present and near future.
881:- Betcha ant ale hachasl ajle ablttrl: If any of
you w*sh to be great men.
ejl:- Best anihaohejl aheht; when ye depart thenee.
echa:- hapt anlhaohecha tona hlohl: and whensoever
ye stand praying....
(tjleja:- Best nahedt hachlleja...: If thy hand cause
thee to stumble.
ogbwe:- Musa.hada na ba^ua na ahachogbwe: I’oses
ordered that they write a document. N.B. na:
subjunctive.
ogt: - Hapt best anihachogl.and If you hear...
o t d e: - Belcha abl a itlba hachotde: If a nan’s
brother die...
(1)tana:- Anihachltana besl anihachocha tochu a abl mba:
forgive ye if ye have aught against a man.
(ijtenl:- abl hachlteni anl: if a man says to you...
(l^todu:- ... ahaohltodl udu: they are teaching th-’ngs.
‘ 3 • Hagloh- tense form; negative
This rarefy used negative form inserts the particle
-gl- before the -eh-.
etdi:- /jgiuhaohetdl bo etil amuhagiohetdl bo? are v/e to
give or are re not to give? perhaps: go on giving.
tt . t. Balch - tense form
This form is s'*so infrequently found in the text.
Tts meaning cannot be distinguished from the Hach- form:
it Is used to translate the indicative near future and
the subjunctive.
(1)kuba:- Abes! hapl anlhachosa i»luhobu
anjhaichikuba ide oya jlemba: and if you desire you
wi^l be able always to do them good.
obo:- anjiagu abi bapere haiohobo anie itde ilupe:
Beware that any man may lead you astray. (Nyoro:
aiekege okubahabjsa;
TA u. Hach-cha tense form: future.
The addition of the particle aha, either before or
after the verb, imparts a future sense.
(i jkuba:- Anjhagisi taiu itda, jdere abi a hachjohjlusi
udu a mani baiya embi ediyate mabe nj aj haohjkuba oha
jfofo pule: Do not rebuke him, because no man who
does any deed of strength in sen my name will be ab^e
to blaspheme easily (quickly)
(i)tochu: ahachjtochu cha tochu abu a: and they shaP
speak new tongues
s. Ths Benl oha-gl tense form: yNot yet*
We have seen that oha Is sometimes used 1n translating
the Nyoro *not yet tense*. Tn an adverbla’’ dependent
o^ause oha may be preceded by benl and followed by the
negative gl« to express this idea.
11 e: anuto-ba, ani mutant a benl oha. glte bap ere:
Behold, I have toM you before a1! things oome to
pass, (while aV things have not yet oome to pass).
Nyoro; bl~ta~ka~balre~ko<