Lutsi Verbs
This section is a summary of some of the noun and verb morphology of Lutsi. The data in the examples is drawn from materials collected by researchers Paulopriit Voolaine, August Sang, Aino Valmet, Salme Nigol, Salme Tanning, and Elna Adler. The noun declension and verb conjugation paradigms are taken from August Sang’s unpublished studies of Lutsi noun and verb morphology. Unlike in the word list on this website, which is regularized according to the speech of Lutsi speakers from Lielie Tjapši, the data in these examples are written as they originally appeared in connected speech, though rewritten in my Lutsi practical orthography. All of the examples for this section are taken from speakers living in Lielie Tjapši and Škirpāni. Both villages are located in the former Pilda parish (pagasts, in Latvian), which is to the south of Ludza.
In this section I give an overview of some parts of the Lutsi verb conjugation system.
Lutsi
has two tenses: past and present. Verbs are conjugated according to the
person and number of the subject. More details will be added to this
description in time.
Present and Past tense
Some examples of the present tense:
(1.SG.PRES) ēstu kīlt kynele (6)
Estonian language speak
‘I speak Estonian’
(1.PL.PRES) Mīq kynelem kakoi slon (4)
we speak like elephant
‘We speak like an elephant’
(2.SG.PRES) Mis saq tan, vater, kynelat? (14)
what you there godfather say
‘What are you saying there, godfather?’
(2.PL.PRES) Tīq süvembäļe jo kynelat ēstu kīlt (9)
you.pl. deeper/better well speak Estonian language
‘Well, you (pl.) are better at speaking Estonian’
(3.SG.PRES) Dēda bābaga kyneles (15)
grandfather with grandmother speaks
‘Grandfather speaks with grandmother’
(3.PL.PRES) kyik kynelazeq (16)
all speak
‘all are speaking’
Some examples of the past tense:
(1.SG.PST) ma nī kyneli mulle (12)
I so said to me
‘so I said to myself’
(1.PL.PST) tak mīq kynelimi inne viņņe värkki (6)
then we spoke only Russian language
‘at that time we spoke only in Russian’
(2.SG.PST) Kaq, ku paļļo sa jōziq! (17)
look how much you ran
‘Look at how much you ran!’
(2.PL.PST) Syzareq, tīq minno tapiq üle üte maŗa vaka. (18)
sisters you.pl. me killed for the sake of one berry bushel
‘Sisters, you were killing me for the sake of a single bushel of berries.’
(3.SG.PST) timä mēļe kyneli (19)
s/he to us said
‘s/he said to us’
(3.PL.PST) vanaq kyneliq (10)
old ones spoke
‘the old ones spoke’
Verb negation
Verbs are negated by adding a negative enclitic to a special form of the verb. In Lutsi, just as in South Estonian spoken in Estonia, the negative morpheme follows the verb rather than preceding it as in Estonian, Livonian, Finnish, and other Finnic languages.
In Lutsi, the negative morpheme is stressed. This means that unlike in most other Lutsi words, word stress does not occur on the first syllable in negated verbs. Following the example of the South Estonian orthography, the negative morpheme is offset from the lexical verb with a dash (-). However, the dash does not necessarily indicate a syllable boundary. For the past tense negative morpheme -Vs, if the lexical verb ends in a short vowel and the negative morpheme begins with the same vowel, these vowels are pronounced together as a long vowel (e.g., taha-as ‘didn’t want’ is pronounced “tahās”). For the present tense negative morpheme -Viq, if the lexical verb ends in a short vowel and the the negative morpheme begins with the same vowel, then only the negative morpheme is pronounced (e.g., ole-eiq ‘wasn’t’ is pronounced “o.leiq” and anna-aiq ‘doesn’t give’ is pronounced “a.naiq”). If the verb ends in a diphthong, then the negative morpheme forms a separate syllable from the lexical verb (e.g., näe-es ‘didn’t see’ is pronounced with a syllable boundary between the lexical verb and negative morpheme: “näe.es”). The negated form of the verb differs in past and present tenses; however, within each tense, the same negated verb form is used for all subjects regardless of their person and number.
These examples show regular and negated forms of the same verbs in the present tense.
(negated) Kyrvust timä kūld silmist näe-eiq (12)
out of ears s/he hears out of eyes does not see
‘S/he hears out of [her/his] ears, but does not see out of [her/his] eyes’
(regular) Timä näge, kū lätt kalapǖḑjä (1)
s/he sees how comes fisherman
‘S/he sees the fisherman coming’
(negated) Kullane kalakene mulle bāba anna-aiq rahhu (20)
golden fish (dim.) to me grandmother does not give peace
‘Dear golden fish, grandmother does not leave me in peace’
(regular) Ma sulle ādres anna (21)
I to you address give
‘I give the address to you’
These examples show regular and negated forms of the same verbs in the past tense.
(negated) Näe-es sa sǟnest ņe sǟnest? (7)
did not see you that and that
‘Didn’t you see that and that?’
(regular) Näiq, kui saq minnu appetiq (14)
saw how you me cheated
‘I saw how you cheated me’
(negated) A imä taha-as tūd myŗsjat (22)
but mother did not want that bride
‘But mother did not want that bride’
(regular) Tahtse ez̦ändäpujale kaq tuvvaq (12)
wanted to master’s son also take
‘I wanted to take [that] to the master’s son’
Verb conjugation examples
These examples are taken from August Sang’s unpublished study Ülevaade lutsi murde verbi morfoloogiast (Overview of the verb morphology of the Lutsi dialect). The examples are given in my Lutsi practical orthography. Sang’s original forms written a form of the Uralic Phonetic Alphabet are given alongside in parentheses.
| olema (olē͔ma) 'to be' | minemä (minēmä) 'to go' | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | ole (oлe͔) | olem (oлē͔m) | 1st Person | lǟ (lä̂) | lǟm (lä̂m) | |
| 2nd Person | olt (oлt̀) | olt (oлt̀) | 2nd Person | lǟt (lǟt̀) | lǟt (lǟt̀) | |
| 3rd Person | um (um̅) | ummaq (um̆maˀ) | 3rd Person | lätt (lät̅) | lätväq (lät̀väˀ) | |
| Negated form: | ole-eiq (oлe͔i·ˀ) | Negated form: | lǟ-äiq (lǟäi·ˀ) | |||
| Past | Past | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | olli (ol̆’li) | ollim (ol̆’līm) | 1st Person | lätsi (lät̆’tsi) | lätsim (lät̆’tsim) | |
| 2nd Person | olliq (ol̆’liˀ) | olliq (ol̆’liˀ) | 2nd Person | lätsiq (lät̆’tsiˀ) | lätsiq (lät̆’tsiˀ) | |
| 3rd Person | oļ (ᵘol̅’) | olliq (ol̆’liˀ) | 3rd Person | läțș (lät̅’s) | lätsiq (lät̆’tsiˀ) | |
| Negated form: | ole-es (ole͔e·s̀) | Negated form: | lǟ-äs (lǟä·s̀) | |||
| tegemä (tegēmä) 'to do' | andma (aǹdma) 'to give' | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | tī (tî) | tīm (tîm) | 1st Person | anna (an̆nà) | annam (an̆nām) | |
| 2nd Person | tīt (tīt̀) | tīt (tīt̀) | 2nd Person | annat (an̆nàt) | annat (an̆nat̀) | |
| 3rd Person | tege (tegē) | tegeväq (tegēväˀ) | 3rd Person | and (an̅d) | andvaq (aǹdvaˀ) | |
| Negated form: | tī-eiq (tīei·ˀ) | Negated form: | anna-aiq (an̆nai·ˀ) | |||
| Past | Past | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | teijeq (teìjeˀ) | teijem (teìjem) | 1st Person | anni (an̆’nì) | annim (an̆’nīm) | |
| 2nd Person | teiq (teiˀ) | teiq (teiˀ) | 2nd Person | anniq (an̆’niˀ) | anniq (an̆’niˀ) | |
| 3rd Person | teķķ (tek̅’) | teiq (teiˀ) | 3rd Person | aņḑ (an̅’d) | anniq (an̆’niˀ) | |
| Negated form: | tī-is (tīi·s) | Negated form: | anna-as (an̆nā·s̀) | |||
| opma (op̅ma) ‘to study’ | lugēma (лugē͔ma) 'to read' | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | opi (opī) | opim (opīm) | 1st Person | lue (лue͔) | luem (лue͔m) | |
| 2nd Person | opit (opit̀) | opit (opit̀) | 2nd Person | luet (лue͔t) | luet (лue͔t) | |
| 3rd Person | opp (op̅) | opvaq (op̅vaˀ) | 3rd Person | luge (лugè͔) | lugevaq (лuge͔vaˀ) | |
| Negated form: | opi-eiq (opiei·ˀ) | Negated form: | lue-eiq (лuei·ˀ) | |||
| Past | Past | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | ope (ope͔) | opem (ope͔m) | 1st Person | loije (лᵘoìje) | loijem (лᵘoìjem) | |
| 2nd Person | opeq (ope͔ˀ) | opeq (ope͔ˀ) | 2nd Person | loiq (лuoiˀ) | loiq (лᵘoiˀ) | |
| 3rd Person | oppe (op̀pe͔) | opeq (ope͔ˀ) | 3rd Person | lugī (лugì) | loiq (лᵘoìˀ) | |
| Negated form: | opi-is (opī·s̀) | Negated form: | lue-es (лuee·s̀) | |||
| kirotama (kirot̆tama) ‘to write’ | umblema (um̀ble͔ma) 'to sew' | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | kiroda (kirōda) | kirodam (kirōdam) | 1st Person | umble (um̀bлe͔) | umblem (um̀bлe͔m) | |
| 2nd Person | kirotat (kirot̆tat̀) | kirotat (kirot̆tat) | 2nd Person | umblet (um̀bлe͔t) | umblet (um̀bлe͔t) | |
| 3rd Person | kirotas (kirot̆tas̀) | kirotazeq (kirot̆taze͔ˀ) | 3rd Person | umbles (um̀bлe͔s̀) | umblezeq (um̀bлe͔ze͔ˀ) | |
| Negated form: | kiroda-aiq (kirōdai·ˀ) | Negated form: | umble-eiq (um̀bлei·ˀ) | |||
| Past | Past | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | kirodi (kirōd’i) | kirodim (kirōd’im) | 1st Person | umbli (um̀bl’i) | umblim (um̀bl’im) | |
| 2nd Person | kirodiq (kirōd’iˀ) | kirodiq (kirōd’iˀ) | 2nd Person | umbliq (um̀bl’iˀ) | umbliq (um̀bl’iˀ) | |
| 3rd Person | kiroț (kirot̀’) | kirodiq (kirōd’iˀ) | 3rd Person | ummeļ (um̆me͔l’) | umbliq (um̀bl’iˀ) | |
| Negated form: | kiroda-as (kirōdā·s̀) | Negated form: | umble-es (umbлe͔e·s̀) | |||
| magahama (magahama) ‘to sleep’ | küdzämä (küdzǟmä) 'to bake' | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | maka (mak̆ka) | makam (mak̆kam) | 1st Person | küdzä (küdzǟ) | küdzäm (küdzǟm) | |
| 2nd Person | makat (mak̆kat) | makat (mak̆kat) | 2nd Person | küdzät (küdzät) | küdzät (küdzät) | |
| 3rd Person | maka ~ magahas (mak̆ka ~ magahas̀) | magahazeq (magahaze͔ˀ) | 3rd Person | küdzä (küdzǟ) | küdzäväq (küdzǟväˀ) | |
| Negated form: | maka-aiq (mak̆kaiˀ) | Negated form: | küdz-äiq (küdzäi·ˀ) | |||
| Past | Past | |||||
| Singular | Plural | Singular | Plural | |||
| 1st Person | magazi (magāz’i) | magazim (magaz’im) | 1st Person | küdzi (küd’zī) | küdzim (küd’zīm) | |
| 2nd Person | magaziq (magaz’iˀ) | magaziq (magaz’iˀ) | 2nd Person | küdziq (küd’ziˀ) | küdziq (küd’ziˀ) | |
| 3rd Person | magaș (magas̀’) | magaziq (magaz’iˀ) | 3rd Person | küdzi (küd’zi) | küdziq (küd’ziˀ) | |
| Negated form: | maka-as (mak̆kaa·s̀) | Negated form: | küdz-äs (küdzä·s̀) | |||
Texts:
- ES MT 22 (Lugusid rebasest), Speaker: Jānis Hermans (Jaan Herman) (Lielie Tjapši), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- EMH 0191 (Maaharimisest), Speaker: Osips Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Documenters: Salme Nigol, Salme Tanning, Elna Adler, 1960, Transcribed from recordings by T. Iva, 2009.
- ES MT 22 (Õlekuningas), Speaker: Agata Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- F157 (Koduloomadest), Speaker: Jāzeps Germovs (Lielie Tjapši), Documenters: Aino Valmet, Paulopriit Voolaine, 5-6.6.1971, Transcribed from recordings by T. Tuisk, 2008.
- ES MT 178 (Millal sõjamees koju saab), Speaker: Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Kuuldelisi tekste Lutsimaalt Jaani ja Kirbu külast, Documenter August Sang, 1936, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
- F157 (Keelekasutusest), Speaker: Jāzeps Germovs (Lielie Tjapši), Documenters: Aino Valmet, Paulopriit Voolaine, 5-6.6.1971, Transcribed from recordings by T. Tuisk, 2008.
- ES MT 22 (Vägimees Sergei Sarapontšik), Speaker: Jānis Hermans (Jaan Herman) (Lielie Tjapši), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- F157 (Jüripäeval kirikus), Speaker: Jāzeps Germovs (Lielie Tjapši), Documenters: Aino Valmet, Paulopriit Voolaine, 5-6.6.1971, Transcribed from recordings by T. Tuisk, 2008.
- EMH 0191 (Sugulastest), Speaker: Osips Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Documenters: Salme Nigol, Salme Tanning, Elna Adler, 1960, Transcribed from recordings by T. Iva, 2009.
- EMH 0191 (Eestlasest Lutsimaal), Speaker: Osips Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Documenters: Salme Nigol, Salme Tanning, Elna Adler, 1960, Transcribed from recordings by T. Iva, 2009.
- ES MT 178 (Hunt saab laulu tasuks vanamehe loomad), Speaker: Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Kuuldelisi tekste Lutsimaalt Jaani ja Kirbu külast, Documenter: August Sang, 1936, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
- ES MT 102 (Tige vend), Speaker: Agata Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Fonograafilisi tekste Räpinast ja Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1926, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- ES MT 22 (Suur varas), Speaker: Agata Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- ES MT 247 (Kalapüüdja ja rebane), Speakers: Meikuls Jarošenko & Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Murdetekste Lutsimaalt, Documenter: August Sang, 1938, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
- ES MT 22 (Kits), Speaker: Agata Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- ES MT 178 (Koolnud kosilane sõidab mõrsjale järele), Speaker: Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Kuuldelisi tekste Lutsimaalt Jaani ja Kirbu külast, Documenter: August Sang, 1936, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
- ES MT 22 (Poisikene ja suur mees), Speaker: Jānis Hermans (Jaan Herman) (Lielie Tjapši), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- ES MT 22 (Tigedad õed), Speaker: Agata Jakimenko (Škirpāni), Murdetekste Lutsist, Documenter: Paulopriit Voolaine, 1925-1927, Original transcript retyped by T. Tuisk, 2009.
- ES MT 247 (Paulopriit Voolaine), Speakers: Meikuls Jarošenko & Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Murdetekste Lutsimaalt, Documenter: August Sang, 1938, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
- ES MT 247 (Kuldkalakene), Speakers: Meikuls Jarošenko & Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Murdetekste Lutsimaalt, Documenter: August Sang, 1938, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
- F157 (Perekonnast), Speaker: Jāzeps Germovs (Lielie Tjapši), Documenters: Aino Valmet, Paulopriit Voolaine, 5-6.6.1971, Transcribed from recordings by T. Tuisk, 2008.
- ES MT 178 (Poja ja minia haudadel kasvavad puud kokku), Speaker: Tekla Jarošenko (Lielie Tjapši), Kuuldeliski tekste Lutsimaalt Jaani ja Kirbu külast, Documenter: August Sang, 1936, Original transcript retyped by M. Kalmus, 2009.
Sources:
M0030. August Sang. 1936. Morfoloogiline ülevaade (Noomen) Lutsi murdest. Referenced version recopied by hand by A. Täkke, 1952.
M0029. August Sang. 1936. Ülevaade lutsi murde verbi morfoloogiast. Referenced version recopied by hand by Ingrid Vuks, 1952.
Abbreviations in the above references indicate the following archive locations for the cited texts and recordings:
EMH — Eesti keele instituut (Institute of the Estonian Language) [EMH is an abbreviation for Eesti murrete helilint, or “Estonian dialect audiotape”)
ES MT — Emakeele Selts (Mother Tongue Society)
F — Tartu Ülikooli eesti ja üldkeeleteaduse instituut (University of Tartu Institute of Estonian Language and General Linguistics)
M — Tartu Ülikooli eesti murrete ja sugulaskeelte arhiiv (University of Tartu Archives of Estonian Dialects and Kindred Languages)