We'll talk about... dative.
Codename: Nori case
1. About names/adjectives in dative
No big troubles here.
Reminders
With a consonnant:
Let's take the word mutil (a boy).
Absolutive: mutil mutila mutilak
Ergative: mutilek mutilak mutilek
Dative: mutili mutilari mutilei
With a vocal:
Let's take the word arreba (boy's sister)
Absolutive: arreba arreba arrebak
Ergative: arrebek arrebak arrebek
Dative: arrebai arrebari arrebei
(with the rule that a+a=a, a+e=e, etc...)
Nothing difficult here ? You have in front of you the three cases that articulate the whole Basque conjugation system. If you don't see what I mean, read part 2.
2. Nor-Nori-Nork, the Basque verbal song...
If you remember it well enough, you know that the auxiliary declines according to the subject and the direct object. Now I can tell you that it does the same with indirect objects.
Let's take simple examples. With the verb eman (to give), this is really easy.
I give a present to my brother
Nik opari bat nire anaiari eman diot.
Diot: D+i+o+t
D= direct object 3rd sing
I= root of ukan
O= indirect object 3rd sing
T= subject 3rd sing
I give a present to my brothers
Nik opari bat bire anaiei eman diet
Diet: D+i+e+t
D= direct object 3rd sing
I= root of ukan
E= indirect object 3rd plur
T= subject 3rd sing
These declension is called nor-nori-nork, because of the order in the auxiliary (in comparison with "simpler" nor-nork).
The plural for direct object is no more "it" but "zki"
I give two presents to my brothers
Nik bi opari nire anaiei eman dizkiet.
Okay, I think it is enough for today !!!
See you next time for the end of the dative case.
Zoroa
