c. In general the tense of verbs is to be discovered by the context. When it is absolutely necessary to fix the time, certain adverbs are resorted to; as, now, formerly, tomorrow. The future sense is expressed by tuké=wish.
d. The notion of condition is expressed by the Chinúk klunas=perhaps, or by the English pos=suppose. The only other conjunction in the language is pi =the French puis=and, or, then, &c.
e. The substantive verb is generally (as in the normal state of the Semitic languages) omitted—maika pilton = thou art foolish.
The changes that European words undergo may be collected from the following vocabulary.
WORDS OF ENGLISH ORIGIN.
- Boston, American[111]
- Bōt—boat.
- Hakatshum—handkerchief.
- Haus—house.
- Klai—clay.
- Klas—glass.
- Kintshosh—Englishman.[112]
- Kitl—kettle.
- Kōl—coal.
- Lēk—lake.
- Lēsi—lazy.
- Lûm—rum.
- Oluman[113]—father.
- Paia—fire.
- Pilton[114]—foolish.
- Pēpa—paper.
- Pōs—suppose.
- Shŭt—shirt.
- Stutshin—-sturgeon.
- Tala—silver, dollar.
- Tlai—cry.
- Tshaket—jacket.
- Tumola—tomorrow.
- Wām—warm.
- Wata—water.
- Win—wind.
WORDS OF FRENCH ORIGIN.
- Kapo—capot.
- Kasét—casette.
- Kuli—courir.
- Labúsh—la bouche.
- Lahásh—la hache.
- Laklés—la graisse.
- Lalán—la langue.
- Lamestin—la médecine.
- Lamontai—le montaigne.
- Lasuai—la soie.
- Latapl—la table.
- Lawie—la vieille.
- Lebiskwi—le biscuit.
- Liman—la main.
- Letan—les dents.
- Loup-marin—loup marin[115].
- Pasianks—Français.
- Putāli—poudre.
- Sawash[116]—Indian.
- Shante—chanter.
- Seápot—chapeau.
- Siápul—ditto.
ONOMATOPŒIC WORDS.
- Hehe—laugh.
- Liplip—boil.
- Tiktik—watch.
- Ting-ting—bell.
- Tum—heavy noise.
- Tum-wata—cataract.