The Optative mode
Optative mode expresses wishes or desires for something to happen or not to happen in the future.
The mode prefix (in YM position VII) for optative is -ó-, sometimes with a low tone. If no prefix precedes this one, a w will appear just before the ó, so it starts with wó-. Consider these examples:
(1)
’Ahwééh | ła’ | wóshdlą́ą́’. |
coffee | some | 3-1-drink.O |
I wish I could drink some coffee. |
(2)
’Ahwééh | ła’ | yishdlą́. |
coffee | some | 3-1-drink |
I’m drinking coffee. |
The Imperfective in yishdlą́ becomes wóshdlą́ą́’ in the Optative mode.
Here is an example of optative used to express the hope that something will not happen:
(3)
Tó dílchxoshí | shits’ą́ą́’ | wóódlą́ą́ | lágo. |
soda | 1-from | 3-1-drink.O | don’t |
I hope you don’t drink my soda. |