Re: Irrealis mood and non-finite verbs

Quoting "David J. Peterson" <dedalvs@...>:

What an excellent and clear explanation.


<snip>
> So the reason that the non-finiteness and irreality are tied
> together in Sidaan is really something of an accident.  Imagine
> if the verb system looked like this:
>
> longuno = realis, perfective
> longunE = realis, imperfective
> longuni = irrealis, perfective
> longunu = irrealis, imperfective
>
Although the acutal forms will be different, you have just described the verb
system for another conlang that I am working on.

I have designed a present tense form of the perfective which means that what
you are doing right now is perceived as something that will only be done once
and never again. Say for example that you have fixed your car for the
umpteenth time and are tired of it. You discovered what your mistake has been
and you can now fix it "for the last time." One would then use a present
perfect realis form.

If it were the irrealis it would mean something akin to "I could fix it for
the last time."

You must've read my mind somewhere along the way.

Scotto