Magin_Edward-thesis

93
(94) ez di-şê-m b-ê-m
1D IPFV-can.PRS-1SG IRR-come.PRS-1SG
‘I can come.’
(95) te ci di-vê-t ez bu te b-în-im
2O what IPFV-want.PRS-3SG 1D for 2O IRR-bring.PRS-1SG
‘What do you want me to bring for you?’
4.4.3.7.3.2 Modal adjectives
Similar to modal verbs are the uses of modal adjectives (or adjectival verbs).
However, the initial modal adjective clause is always independent of the complement
clause that follows. If a complement is not uttered, the information must be understood
via the context of conversation. Like the examples above for modal verbs, the examples
in (96) through (99) show that the verbs in the complement clauses must receive the
irrealis prefix.
The modal adjectives lazim and pêtivî basically have the same meaning. Lazim
comes from Arabic; pêtivî, as far as I am aware, is of Kurdish origin. In English these
words may be translated as ‘must,’ ‘should,’ ‘ought’ or ‘necessary.’ For the adjectival
phrase, the copula is used, as illustrated in the examples below. Use of these modal
adjectives has the effect of a jussive modality. Example (97) uses the negative version of
the modal adjective baş, ‘good.’ While other modal adjectives exist, these are certainly
the most common.
(96) lazim e tu ser-ê xwe bi-şo-î
necessary COP.PRS.3SG 2D head-EZ.M REFL IRR-wash.PRS-2SG
‘You must wash yourself.’
(97) gelek ne baş e tu bi-ç-î (Şirîn and Buşra 2006:256)
very not good COP.PRS.3SG 2D IRR-go.PRS-2SG
‘It’s very bad that you’re going.’
(98) pêtivî ye tu li_gel ne axiv-î (Şirîn and Buşra 2006:256)
necessary COP.PRS.3SG 2D with (her) not speak.PRS-2SG
‘You ought not speak with her.’
(99) ne lazim bî-Ø ew bi-ç-it (Şirîn and Buşra 2006:256)
not necessary COP.PST-3SG 3D IRR-go.PRS-3SG (it)