Adjunctive phrases are dependent clauses optionally appended to a clause to clarify its meaning with additional information. Most adjunctive phrases are introduced by the unaccented versions of a corresponding interrogative particle.
4.7.1. Expressions of Identity with sai and pfai
An adjunctive phrase with the interrogative particle sai specifies the identity of an animate object NP:
ipfemi cheŋgu sai tutki.
ipf-en-mi
eye-1sg-v
cheŋ-u
body-3sg-pat
sai
who
tutk-i
Tutk-pred
I see the man who is Tutk.
When sai is unaccented, the clause is indicative. When accented, it becomes a question.
ipfemi cheŋgu sai tutki?
ipf-en-mi
eye-1sg-v
cheŋ-u
body-3sg-pat
sai
who
tutk-i
Tutk-pred
Is the man I see Tutk?
The interrogative pfai can be used in the same way to specify the identity of an inanimate object NP:
pfai gog? gog pfai betluŋ feshtopfi.
pfai
what
gog?
thing
gog
thing
pfai
what
betluŋ
name
feshtopf-i.
feshtopf-pred
What is that thing? That thing is called a _feshtopf_.
4.7.2. Expressions of Location with fai
The location where the action of the verb takes place is expressed by an adjunctive phrase constructed from the interrogative fai. If fai is accented, it turns the clause into a question; otherwise the clause is indicative.
ehrlunemi kuhteku fai ishi.
ehrlu-en-mi
tongue-1sg-v
kuh-tek-u
ear-2sg-pat
fai
where
ish-i
house-pred
I speak to you in the house.
ehrlunemi kuhteku fai ishi?
ehrlu-en-mi
tongue-1sg-v
kuh-tek-u
ear-2sg-pat
fai
where
ish-i
house-pred
Is it in the house that I speak to you?
Indicative adjunctive phrases can also be attached to questions:
sai cheŋ fai ishi?
sai
who
cheŋ
man
fai
where
ish-i
house-pred
Who is the man in the house?
4.7.2.1. fai Governing Various Cases
In verbal clauses involving motion, fai can modify the meaning of location nouns with various cases.
balaŋmi blopfat.
balaŋ-mi
shuttle-v
blopf-at
river-abl
The shuttle leaves the river.
balaŋmi fai blopfat.
balaŋ-mi
shuttle-v
fai
where
blopf-at
river-abl
The shuttle flies above the river.
balaŋmi blopftu.
balaŋ-mi
shuttle-v
blopf-tu
river-dat
The shuttle flies to the river.
balaŋmi fai blopftu.
balaŋ-mi
shuttle-v
fai
where
blopf-tu
river-dat
The shuttle flies under the river.
balaŋmi fai blopfu.
balaŋ-mi
shuttle-v
fai
where
blopf-u
river-pat
The shuttle flies along the river.
Evidently, the bare ablative and dative NPs indicate direction from or to the referent, inserting fai changes the meaning to indicate location at the referent, with various cases indicating various spatial relationships to the referent.
4.7.3. Expressions of Quantity with vai
The interrogative vai, when unaccented, is used to specify the quantity of an object NP.
suktu'aismi tkatttuhraulu vai shtuhren hrvashenshtehr sukah.
suk-tu-ais-mi
unit-3sg.p-pilot-v
tkatt-tu-hraul-u
torgue-3sg-planet-pat
vai
how_many
shtuhren
256
hrvashen-shtehr
forty-four
suk-ah.
unit-4pl
The pilot measured the planet's torque as 300 units.
4.7.4. Infinitives & Subordinate Clauses with nai
The interrogative marker nai, when unaccented, is used to introduce subordinate clauses.
ŋuŋgataumi nai movaumi buftunu.
ŋuŋ-at-au-mi
bowels-abl-1sg.p-v
nai
how
mov-au-mi
wall-1sg.p-v
buf-tu-u.
body-3sg.p-pat
I tried to stop him.
The verb ŋuŋgatmi, from the root ŋuŋ “bowels”, expresses strong or deep desire. When used with nai, it forms an infinite-like construct meaning “to try to“, “to attempt to”, “to exert oneself to”.
The interrogative gai, when unaccented, introduces an explanation of cause or reason:
cheŋ dahshtigi gai vorchishlagetmi!
cheŋ
man
dahshtig-i
suspicious-pred
gai
why
vorchishlag-et-mi!
clothes-3sg-v
That man is suspicious because he wears clothes!
Being a species that does not wear clothes, the Hrmitt regard clothing as disguise, and consider wearing clothes a suspicious action.
4.7.7. Expressions of Purpose with kai
The interrogative gai, when unaccented, introduces an explanation of purpose:
ruhtahmi tseŋgu kai feshtig-et-tseŋ-ni.
ruht-ah-mi
gas-4pl-v
tseŋ-u
glass-pat
kai
why
feshtig-et-tseŋ-ni.
solid-3sg-glass-become.v
Glass is treated with gas in order to harden it.
4.7.8. Vocatives with na
When addressing an utterance to a particular person or intended audience, an adjunctive clause introduced by the vocative marker na is appended to the end of the clause. This is usually done with imperatives and interrogatives:
aŋsh shogtaini na hrashopf!
aŋsh
imp.2pl
shog-tai-ni
tool-2pl-become.v
na
voc
hrashopf
adolescent
Make yourselves useful, young people!
ehrlutekaimi kuhenu na agakt?
ehrlu-tek-ai-mi
tongue-2sg-q-v
kuh-en-u
ear-1sg-pat
na
voc
agakt?
Agakt
Will you talk to me, Agakt?
Nevertheless, it can be used with indicative clauses as well:
hosh tzapjaktucheŋmi ishtautu tzai hreshlaunat na eripf!