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situations that are or were a reality. The verbal prefix bi- is best understood as a marker
for irrealis moods (IRR), an umbrella term for a number of mood categories, such as
subjunctive, conditional, optative, jussive, potential and imperative. In the sections that
follow, I discuss many of this marker’s multiple functions.
Unlike the imperfective aspect affix di, which is occasionally inserted within a
compound verb, the irrealis bi- always appears as a prefix. 51 In situations where di is
inserted within a complex verb, bi- is never inserted and the exact mood is understood by
means of the context. Like the imperfective aspect affix, di, the sounds in bi- often
undergo metathesis, and in some situations the i is not pronounced. Sometimes the i
disappears in the presence of a strong vowel or melds with a like vowel. Below I discuss
various situations where this irrealis aspect prefix is used.
Regarding one irrealis mood, Haiman (1995:329) writes, “Belief in its truth is
indicative…the wish for its realization, imperative or optative.” Optative describes the
mood(s) wherein someone expresses what they wish or desire. The following examples
show the use of the irrealis aspect prefix in expressing wishes.
(81) bi xêr bi-ç-î
with blessing IRR-go.PRS-2SG
‘Go well.’ / ‘May you be blessed as you go.’
(82) şîn bi-b-in nêrgiz (BS1:11)
grow IRR-be.PRS-3PL narcissus
‘May narcissuses grow… ‘
(83) em bi-ç-în (Şirîn and Buşra 2006:245)
1DP IRR-go.PRS-1PL
‘Let’s (or shall we) go?’
(84) Xwedê biçîk-êt te bi-hêl-it (Şirîn and Buşra 2006:238)
God baby-EZ.PL 2O IRR-keep.PRS-3SG
‘May God keep (alive) your children.’
51 The separate word bi should not be confused with the irrealis marker. It is a preposition usually meaning
‘with’ or ‘by means of.’