Re: How many verbs?

Gary wrote:

<< This is just a random thought, but I was wondering if
there were any natlangs with this feature that
occurred to me for use in a conlang.  The number of
verbs in the language would be very small, covering
only the most basic form of a particular action and
the details would be provided by an adverb-like word
that narrowed down the meaning of the verb.>>

Ooh!   I want to be first to reply!

There's a language in Australia with three verbs: "to do",
"to be" and "to go".

Most verbal ideas are achieved with nouns, rather than
adverbs.   So "to hunt", is "to do a hunt", where "a hunt" is
the direct object.   Then of course there's probably "I am
happy" or "I am a teacher", and "to go" is self-explanatory.

Could it be done *without* "to be", though, per the recent
thread?   Possibly.   That might be interesting to see.   Though,
quite frankly, you could do without "to go", couldn't you?
You'd just do a going, or something like that.   :)

Emily: Do you know the language I'm thinking of?   I only
ask because you seem to have an encyclopedic knowledge
of everything.   Or maybe one of the Aussies on the list knows...?
I know it's from Australia, and I'm fairly certain it's not English.
Or Dyirbal.

-David
*******************************************************************
"sunly eleSkarez ygralleryf ydZZixelje je ox2mejze."
"No eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn."

-Jim Morrison

http://dedalvs.free.fr/

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