Chapter 42 - Verbal Derivation

 Generalities: 

In Somali, there is a way to modify verbs by adding suffixes to the end of the root. This phenomenon is called Verbal Derivation.

However, this process is quite limited, as Somali has only 2 verbal derivations (whereas a Bantu language like Swahili has 7), and it only applies to a small number of verbs.

Verbal derivation results in modifying the meaning of the verb, but also often its properties: an intransitive verb can thus become transitive, or conversely.

We refer to these modifications as "forms" of the verbs:

 Verbs in the Causative Form: 

The causative form means that the action described by the verb does not affect the subject itself, but rather another thing or person. It is somewhat equivalent to "making someone do something" in English.

We add the suffix -i to the verbal root.

Example with the verb Toos = to rise:
Toos + -i -> Toosi = to wake up, to make someone rise.

It is noticeable that the suffix -i transforms the intransitive verb into a transitive one.

For phonetic reasons, some verbs change their final consonant before the suffix -i. For example:
Daaq = to graze -> Daaji = to make graze.

EXAMPLES:

 Verbs in the Benefactive Form: 

The benefactive form means that the action described by the verb relates to the subject itself. There is no exact equivalent in English.

We add the suffix -o to the verbal root.

Example with the verb Gubid = to burn.
Gub + -o -> gubo = to burn oneself.

For phonetic reasons, some verbs take the suffix -so. For example:
Joog = to stop someone (transitive) -> Joogso = to stop, to halt (intransitive).

EXAMPLES:

 Verbs Derived into Nouns: 

This is not strictly a verbal derivation, as the verb loses its verb quality and cannot be conjugated anymore.

Nevertheless, it is interesting to see how these nouns are formed from the root of verbs, mostly derived in the benefactive form.

We add the suffix -asho to the verbal root.

EXAMPLES: