Verbal Morphology, Part IV: Causative Suffix

[linguavore]

The next suffix in the Siye is the causative suffix, which some have said is well-named, for it causes much distress. The causative suffix -sum- is the same as the applicative suffix -sum-, but receives separate classification because the causative suffix often changes the meaning of a verb. The addition of the causative suffix also interacts the the aspect of the verb. If a verb with a causative suffix has imperfective aspect, the causee is in an oblique case (that is, in this case, not accusative or absolutive), most likely the dative or the allative case, and the thing the causee effects is in the accusative or absolutive; if the verb with a causative suffix has perfective aspect, the causee is in either the accusative or absolutive and the thing the causee effects is in an oblique case, again often dative or allative. As noted previously, the number agreement of the perfective verb agrees with the grammatical object. Examples follow:
Le i-ka-tu tupi-lo elekopusumma.
I will show (cause to see) the many birds to all of them.
Le tupi-lo-tu i-ka eleyemkasumna.
I showed (caused to see) the many birds to all of them.