Verb Type 3 – “An” Not Happening
Sometimes it is important to say what someone is not doing. The negative suffixes for a Verb Type 3 verb are different than what we learned for Verb Type 1 and 2. The following chart can be used to learn the Not Happening conjugations for Verb Type 3 verbs that end in “an.”
The following formula can be used when creating a statement that is not happening:
(gaawiin) + (pronoun prefix) + (verb) + (negative suffix)
Pay close attention to when the verb matches the plural noun (in all forms except niinawind and giinawind). This means that you make the verb plural when there is a plural noun.
To keep the conjugations consistent, we still ask that you remove the “an” ending just like you would for a “it’s happening” statement. This is so you don’t have to remember extra steps while learning. You will notice that it appears back in each suffix.
Pronoun In Ojibwe | Pronoun In English | Single Statement *remove the “an” and conjugate * add (an) for plural sometimes |
Question or Connected *remove the “an” and conjugate * no plural form needed |
niin | I | ni + verb + anziin (an) nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
verb + anziwaan |
giin | you | gi + verb + anziin (an) gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
verb + anziwan |
wiin | he / she | o + verb + anziin (an) | verb + anzig |
niinawind | just us | ni + verb + anziimin nin (initial d,j,g,z,zh) nim (initial b) nind (initial vowel) |
verb + anziwaang |
giinawind | all of us | gi + verb + anziimin gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
verb + anziwang |
giinawaa | you all | gi + verb + anziinaawaa (n) gid (initial vowel) gim (initial b) |
verb + anziweg |
wiinawaa | them | o + verb + anziinaawaa (n) | verb + anzigwaa |
The noun associated with your not happening statement can come before or after the verb that is not happening, as long as “gaawiin” and the verb are next to each other. When the noun comes before the verb it places emphasis on the noun. Syntax and connecting words are often used to achieve what English uses stress to achieve.
For example:
(noun) + (gaawiin) + (pronoun prefix) + (verb) + (negative suffix)
OR
(gaawiin) + (pronoun prefix) + (verb) + (negative suffix) + (noun)
Notice where these two options are displayed in the sentences below. There are 5 single statement sentences and 5 question or connected thought statements. Can you translate them?
Try to identify:
- 1 root verb (Verb Type 2)
- 12 root verbs (Verb Type 3)
- The pronoun and suffixes on each verb.
- 5 plural nouns.
- An example of past and future tense.
- Emphasis placed on the noun rather than the verb.
Single Statements:
Questions or Connected Thoughts Statements:
Giintam!
Now try and create your own sentences!
Bizindan (Listen to It)
Do you recognize the “Not Happening” endings? What verbs do you recognize?