Portative Portative

Portative - Definition and Overview

In Wichita linguistics, the term portative refers to a verb affix which turns a verb of motion into a verb of carrying. In this example, the verb to come (the root ?a) is combined with the portative affix ri to allow it to take a direct object:

taara?as [ta.i.aa.ri.?a.s]
INDIC.3sg.PVB.PORT.come.IMPF
He is coming
taatíísaaskinna?as [ta.i.aa.tíísaas.kir.ri.?a.s]
INDIC.3sg.medicine.liquid.PORT.come.IMPF
He is bringing (liquid) medicine. (lit. He is coming and carrying medicine)
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