[Page 20]
8
KAMILAROI GRAMMAR
VERBS.
The modifications of verbs are very numerous and exact. There are causative, permissive, reflective, reciprocal, and other conjugations. For example, from the root ηummil (see) comes ηummilmulle (cause to see or show) ; from buma (beat) comes bumanabille (allow to be beaten).
"Gir" (verily), an adverb of emphatic affitmation, is frequently used with the past indicative. "Yeäl" (merely) is commonly used with the same tense, when the intention is to give assurance that the speaker having told the truth, will add nothing more as a reason or excuse for the fact. In answer to the question, Why did you come? a blackfellow may say, "yeäl yanani," I just came ; that's all.
EXAMPLE.
(Root) goäl ... speak.
PAST: goäldne (contracted) goë - spoke
gīr goë ... did speak
PAST IN SMALL DEGREE: goälηain or goälηē ... spoke to-day
gīr goälηain ... did speak to-day
PAST IN GREATER DEGREE: goälmiēn (or gīr goälmiēn) ... spoke yesterday
PAST STILL MORE: goälēn ... spoke long ago
PRESENT: goälda ... speaks
FUTURE: goälle ... will speak
"Yilā" and Yerālā," "soon" and "by-and-by," are often used before this tense of the verb.
goälηari or goalηurri ... will speak to-morrow
Sometimes "ηuruko," to-morrow, is used with this tense. It is not necessary.