When­-clause markers (Synya Khanty)

NoWhenMark: When­-clauses are not marked as such. The two events are described in juxtaposition, and the temporal relationship between them must be inferred logically or based on contextual cues.

WhenV: When-­clauses are marked by the use of a special verb form.

WhenWV1: When-­clauses are marked by the use of an independent word (referent) within the main clause.


(1) miša jox-i loŋ-əs, maša kim ēta-s.

Misha home-lat step-pst.3sg Masha out go-pst.3sg

‘When Misha entered the house, Masha left.’ (S. O.)


(2) miša jox-i loŋə-mən maša kim ēta-s.

Misha home-lat step-cvb Masha out go-pst.3sg

‘When Misha entered the house, Masha left.’ (S. O.)


(3) xūn miša jox-i loŋ-əs, maša kim ēta-s.

when Misha home-lat step-pst.3sg Masha out go-pst.3sg

‘When Misha entered the house, Masha left.’ (S. O.)


(4) ńāwrem-ǝt il ol-te-l jupi-jn, liza ān-lal loxǝt-ǝs.

child-pl away sleep-ptcp.prs-3sg after-loc Liza dish-pl.3sg wash-pst.3sg

‘After the children fall asleep, Liza washed the dishes.’ (S. O.)


(5) ńāwrem-ǝt il ol-me-l jupi-jn, liza ān-lal loxǝt-ǝs.

child-pl away sleep-ptcp.pst-3sg after-loc Liza dish-pl.3sg wash-pst.3sg

‘After the children fall asleep, Liza washed the dishes.’ (S. O.)


(6) jūxǝt ńāwrem-ǝt il ol-s-et, liza ān-lal loxǝt-ǝs.

after child-pl away sleep-pst-3pl Liza dish-pl.3sg wash-pst.3sg

‘After the children fall asleep, Liza washed the dishes.’ (S. O.)


(7) miša kim ēt-ǝs jēlpi-jn, āp-lal il jār-s-ǝlli.

Misha out go-pst.3sg before-loc dog-pl.3sg away tie-pst-obj.3sg

‘Before Misha left, he tethered the dogs.’ (S. O.)


(8) miša kim ēt-tǝ-l jēlpi-jn, āp-lal il jār-s-ǝlli.

Misha out go-ptcp.prs-3sg before-loc dog-pl.3sg away tie-pst-obj.3sg

‘Before Misha left, he tethered the dogs.’ (S. O.)


(9) miša kim ēt-mǝ-l jēlpi-jn, āp-lal il jār-s-ǝlli.

Misha out go-ptcp.pst-3sg before-loc dog-pl.3sg away tie-pst-obj.3sg

‘Before Misha left, he tethered the dogs.’ (S. O.)


(10) jēlpi-jn miša kim ētlij-s, āp-lal il jār-s-ǝlli.

before-loc Misha out go-pst.3sg dog-pl.3sg away tie-pst-obj.3sg

‘Before Misha left, he tethered the dogs.’ (S. O.)


In Synya Khanty, the temporal relationship between events can be expressed in three ways. The clauses containing finite verb forms can be connected without a special marker (1), (7). Anterior and posterior relations are expressed with the help of converbs (2), present tense (4), (8) and past tense (5), (9) participles, and prefixed constructions. Occasionally, subordinate constructions are also used (3), (6), (10), where the main clause contains a connective quide word (Honti 1984: 102‒106, S. O., F. L.).

Author: 

Nikolett F. Gulyás