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Si SLSEEN DI
 

Morphology
R4、
affna Publication

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JAFFNA TAMIL
Phonology and Morphology
S. SUSEENDIRARAJAH
Professor of Linguistics
University of Jaffna
Sri Lanka
University of Jaffna Publication

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JAFFNA TAMIL
1 (1)
Phonology and Morphology
S. SUSEENDIRARAJAH
First Edition 1993
University of Jaffna Publication Thirunelvely, Sri Lanka .
ISBN 955 - 91.94 - 03 - 8
Printers : Mahathma Printing Works, Earlalai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka

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MY PARENTS

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Contents
Preface
Foreword
Introduction
Phonology
Noun morphology
Verb morphology
Bibliography
Index
Map of Sri Lanka
Map of Jaffna
Page
i - iii
v — vi
vii
25
99
176
18
85
186

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Preface
Today Jaffna peninsula in Sri Lanka is fairly well known to people in several parts of the world due to the present political conditions in Sri Lanka. Another factor for Jaffna becoming widely known is the recent migrations of Jaffna Tamils to different parts of the world.
Jaffna peninsula is the most northern part of Sri Lanka, whose total area is about 950 square kilometres. There are several small islands adjoining the peninsula, whose total area is about 137 square kilometres. The use of the name " Jaffna came into vogue during the British rule. Before that, the name Jaffanapatam ' prevailed among westerners, and its use is attested in early documents. The Tamil name of the peninsula is Ya a 1 pp a a nam, and it has become Yaapane in Sinhala.
Tamils have lived for centuries in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, and Tamil has been the predominant language in both these provinces. Sri Lanka Tamils consider these two provinces their traditional homeland.
In Sri Lanka, Tamil has been in close contact with Sinhala for long. Sinhala, one of the modern Indo-Aryan languages, is the major language in Sri Lanka, and it had, in course of, time, become Dravidianized in some ways due to the influence of Tamil and Malayalam. Tamil borrowings, particularly lexical, are abundant in Sinhala.
There are several varieties of Tamil, geographical as well as social, within Sri Lanka. The variety of Tamil described in this book is that spoken in the Jaffna peninsula. The Jaffna variety of Tamil has some claim to being &
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prestige dialect with approximately 700,000 speakers, and its history goes back very many centuries. lt differs markedly from the Indian Tamil and other varieties in Sri Lanka.
It has se veral archaisms and innovations.
In the past, Jaffna played a very important role in the development of Tamil studies. Scholars from Jaffna contributed significantly to the advancement of studies in Tamil literature, grammar, and Saiva Siddhanta. Some of them gained recognition as pioneers in certain branches of Tamil studies.
The present book, perhaps first of its kind on Jaffna Tamil, was written during the period October 1987 - September 1988, when I was in the University of Edinburgh, U. K. on a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship. At Edinburgh, Professor R. E. Asher showed great interest in Jaffna Tamil, and urged me to write this book. But, regrettably, I could not reach my target, and this book remains incomplete without syntax. I hope to have it as part two of this
work sometime in the future.
In writing this book, I have used the structured questionnaire that appeared in Lingua 42 (1977), 1 - 72, for descriptive studies of languages. But the descriptions are not exactly in the order of the questions found therein. Professor R. E. Asher's work on the Indian variety of Tamil, titled Tamil ( North Holland Publishing Company - Amsterdam, 1982) was very useful in writing this book.
In working on the dialects of Tamil, I have greatly benefited from the initial training I had in research under many eminent teachers at the Annamalai University, South India. Herein, I wish to record my profound sense of gratitude to Professor T. P. Meenakshisundaran, Professor M. Shanmugampillai, Professor S. Agesthialingom and Professor S. V. Shanmugam.
ii ) ;

Subsequently, over the years I gained new experience in collaborating with Professor James W. Gair ( Cornell University, U. S. A.) and Professor W. S. Karunatillake ( University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka) in research on Tamil. I have had very useful discussions on Jaffna Tamil with Professor R. E. Asher. He has obliged me with a foreword to this book. I should express my indebtedness to all of them. Needless to say, they are not to be blamed for the faults that remain in the final version.
I am grateful to the Association of Commonwealth Universities for granting me a Fellowship that enabled me to write this book in its present form. I should thank the Publications Committee of the University of Jaffna for accepting my work for publication. I owe a special word of thanks to our Vice Chancellor, Professor A. Thurairajah for writing an introduction to this book.
I must record my appreciation of the work done by the Mahathma Printers, Erdalai. Most printers in Jaffna were hesitant to print this book, because of difficulties in obtaining paper, diacritic marks, electricity, etc., in the present war situation. However, Mahathma Printers have done their best inspite of several limitations. Certain adjustments had to be made in accommodating diacritic marks. For instance, more space had to be provided between letters in words, particularly when diacritic marks occurred. The press couldn't print the Tamil materials in italics, because they were not sufficiently available.
I am grateful to G. Robert for preparing the maps. J would express my thanks to Ratnamalar, Subathini, Sivarani and Jeyagowri who helped me with the correction of proofs.
Finally, members of my family too deserve my thanks for enduring the agony of the war in Jaffna when I was away in Edinburgh. They decided not to call me back abruptly.
S. Suseendirarajah
Department of Linguistics and English University of Jaffna, Jaffna December 1993
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Foreizvorad
For some centuries - one might almost say, since time immemorial - Tamil has been the most widely studied and the most frequently described of all the Dravidian languages. It is nevertheless only in the second half of the twentieth century that there have been serious attempts to provide full and objective accounts of the colloquial language. More - over, such descriptions as have been produced have
most typically been of dialects spoken in Tamil Nadu, with the varieties prevalent in Sri Lanka
being somewhat neglected. This is unfortunate, given the wide range of idiosyncratic features that are to be found in Tamil as spoken in informal contexts in, for instance, Jaffna and Batticaloa. There can be no doubt that there would be profound interest among Tamil scholars, both in South Asia and elsewhere, in reliable data on Sri Lankan Tamil dialects. It is also likely that the availability of such data would have a significant impact on work in the
field of comparative Dravidian linguistics.
No scholar is better equipped to provide the much needed description of Jaffna Tamil than Dr. S. Suseendirarajah, whose intimate knowledge
of the dialect is combined with a firm background in linguistics. From knowledge of his material
gained when we had the pleasure of his attachment
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to the Department of Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh in 1987-88, I am confident this first volume of his descriptive grammar, dealing with the phonology and morphology, will be seen as a major contribution to the field of Tamil linguistics. We shall look forward eagerly to the publication of a second volume on syntax.
R. E. Asher, DLitt, FRSE, FKSA, FRAS Vice - Principal and Professor of Linguistics
The University of Edinburgh Scotland, UK 21 July 1993
(vi)

Introduction
„JAFFNA TAMIL by Prof. S. Suseendirarajah is . a work giving a synchronic description of the Tamil language as spoken in the Jaffna peninsula. The dialect has its own peculiarities probably due to its lesser exposure to South Indian and other influences. The author points out that it differs markedly from the Indian and other varieties in Sri Lanka. He also notes that it has several archaisms and innovations. A closer study of these peculiarities could lead to further valuable findings.
The present volume limits itself to the phonology and morphology of the dialect studied. A further volume on syntax would complete the description.
I hope that this book will be welcomed by all interested in the descriptive grammar of spoken Tamil.
Prof. A. Thurairajah
Vice - Chancellor
University of Jaffna
1993. 11 .. 10
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1. PHONOLOGY
Distinctive segments
The distinctive phonological segments in the speech of the monolinguals speaking Tamil only are as follows: k, c, t, t , p, r, ñ, ñ, n , n, m, y, v, R, l, ! , i, ii, u, uu, e, Ce, o, oo, a, aa, ai, au, and in loan words b, s, s: ae. In addition to these the following segments occur in the speech of the bilinguals speaking Tamil and English - that too in loans mostly from English : g, j, d, b, h, f, z.
Realisation of segmental elements plosives and affrica tes
(l) k
[k] voiceless dorso-velar plosive in utterance initial position and in the medial position of a word after. R and s: e.g. k a a y shop I k a a il, teRiku "south It et k E J, paaskaran personal name Ip a ; s k a r a n)
(kij long voiceless dorso - velar plosive as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence - kk - : e.g. akkaa elder sister'. I a k: a J .
[IX] voiceless dorso - velar fricative in intervocalic position: kaakam crow'. I ka: x am J. Also in the medial position of a word after a consonant other than n, R or s : kalki name of a Tanil weekly' I k l xi ), ko I k a y, "policy' ΙΚ o 1 Χ α 11, m a a r k a i December " I m rx a i J
[g] voiced dorso - velar plosive occurs medially in the sequence – fik- : p a n ku "share I p a n gt l (2) c
voiceless palatal affricate in utterance initial position.
In the speech of some people it freely varies with voiceless apico-alveolar sibilant in some words: catt i vessel' & a : i),
cari ' right P! & Ed i~ I SS dil
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voiceless palatal affricate when preceded by a retroflex plosive, r or R : k a t c i party k at x i ), v i il ci “down - fall” [ v F ! ! i , muyaRci “ effort o um u y 8 t & i]
ku irc i coolness ku i r yi )
c. voiceless palatal affricate (with the stop element slightly prolonged) when doubled: paccay “green p c. a i
Isl voiceless apico-alveolar sibilant medially between vowels: paci hunger" ( p , s i J
Iil voiced palatal affricate medially after n | p a nic ul "cotton' I p 8 nj J. Voicing is not heavy.
(3) t
It 7 voiceless retroflex plosive medially before c : a a t c i rule I a : t , iJ
It : 1 long voiceless retroflex plosive as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence -tt - : p a t t u 'silk' ( p a t : 1
! YJ voiced sublamino - post alveolar fiap in intervocalic position : p at a m picture' I p a Y a m J. In some words it freely varies with the voiced retroflex plosive: t at a y "obstacle' I t a Ya i J M ( t a da i J
[ d ] voiced retroflex plosive in the sequence - in t , -mit- : v antu beetle I v and E J, emtan 'cunning person' I em d an 1. The word e mt an is a loan - word but occurs in the speech of all (monolinguals and bilinguals alike.
(4) t
It] voiceless lamino - dental plosive (i) utterance initially : ta m p i “ younger brother ” ( t a m b i 7,
(ii) in the sequence - t m-, - kt - : p atm a a personal name' Ip at m a : 1, p a kti piety.' I p a kt i 1 r
( 2)

It: long, voiceless lamino - dental plosive as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence -tt - : p a t t u “ten'' [ p a t : E ]
[3] voiced inter-dental fricative in intervocalic position and in the sequence - yt -, - rt-: at u that I a SFI ay tu "parseness” [ a i Žý E 7, te e r t a 1 “election” [ te : r :ý a 1 7. In the speech of some people it is a voiced inter-dental plosive.
Id J voiced lamino - dental plosive in the sequence - nt - : pantu ball I p a n d E J .
(5) р
[p] voiceless bilabial plosive in utterance initial position and in the sequence - Rp -, - cp -, - p -: puu * flower ” I p u : 1, keRpanay pregnancy” I ket p S na i 1, a ac pat tiri "hospital' I a : s p a ti i r i J, ka a p u prejudice I ka: 1p J. After a retroflex p is slightly long.
Ip:l long voiceless bilabial plosive as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence -pp-: appam “hoppers' I a p : a m J.
[ß] slightly voiced bilabial fricative intervocalically and in the sequence - rpo, —lp-: a a p at tiu “danger” [ a : 3 a t , : it ], maarpu "chest Im C:r B F J, iyalpu 'nature' ( i y B .
(b) voiced bilabial plosive in the sequence -mp-, -np- np -: kampu 'stick" [k a mb E J, anpu affection' Ign b E J, p a n p u "culture' I p a n b E. J. Voicing is not so heavy as in the Indian Tamil.
(6N R -
IRJ voiced apico alveolar trill occurs word-initially, and intervocalically : Racci o meat" [ R S c . č i J, Rakku o unload o 1 Rak : E J, Rappar 'rubber I R a p : Srl, kaRi curry' [ ka R i ], pori “trap” I p o R i ], kuu Ray “bridal sari” I k u : R a il.
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It1 voiceless alveolar plosive in the sequence of another consonant : meeRku west' I me: t k J. J., keRpany pregnancy" I k et p n a i 1, muya Rci effort' I m u y a t , i. 1
It:1 long alveolar plosive as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence - RR - veRRi “ victory * [vet:i], paRRu affection ( p , t: , oR Rai single " I ot: a i I, maRRa. 'other'. I m &t : o J. Words with medial - RR - are not many. Medial - RR - in words in the high variety is realised as -tt- in several words in the spoken Tamil
(7) g
Tg voiced dorso - velar plosive word - initially and wordfinally in loans from English: geem game' I ge: m 1, mag "mug". I mag I (only in the speech of bilingual)
(8) j
* TY1 voiced palatal affricate (i) word - initially : juuri jury" IY u : r i 1 (ii) intervocalically: kaju 'cashew nut' I k a Y J. In the speech of monolinguals initiati in loans is realised as y or c depending the word. Medial j is either S Or C.
Ii. Yl voiced palatal affricate with the stop element prolonged as the realisation of medial -j- perhaps only in one word: baji a savoury I baj. Yi J
(9) d
[ d ] voiced retroflex plosive in word — initial position: daappu “ attendance register ' t d a : p : IE 7, d a a k k otta r doctor t d a : k : ot: r J
(10) b
fb1 voiced bilabial plosive in word-initial and in intervocalic position: baaba “barber” ( b a : b ə 7, bil “bilo bil
(4)

Fricatives
(1) h .
Ihl voiceless glottal fricative in word-initial position - only
in the speech of bilinguals: h inti Hindi' s h in d is
(2) f
If I voiceless labio-dental fricative in word - initial and
word - medial position: foom form" I fo:m), kofi coffee
[kofi]
(3) z
; : Iz voiced lamino - fricative word - initially, only in loans from English: zuu "zoo" ( z u : )
Nasals
(1) in
In J voiced - velar nasal. Word - initially only when
reference is made to the letter h : ha an a a the letter h ’.
Word - medially it always occurs with k, - hik - : panku
'share' I p a h g E 1
In : J long voiced velar nasal occurs only in the high variety of Tamil only in two words : in h an a m in this way" I in : 8 n a m 1, an in a n a m in that way.' I a n : 8 n a m J
~~~~
(2) h .
In J voiced lamino - palatal nasal occurs only in a couple of words word-initially: na a pa kam "memory”. I n a : 3 a x a m ]. Word - medially it occurs only in the sequence - in c -: a nic ul "five' n YE J
I n : J long voiced lamino palatal only in two words (perhaps borrowed in recent times from the high variety): v in na an a moscience“ I vi n : a : na m), an fi a an am
"ignorance' fi : a : n a m J
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(3) n
In J voiced retroflex nasal (i) in the intervocalic sequence - nit -, - inm -: v a n t u 'beetle', I v a in d + 1, a ainm a y “ valour” [ a : n m a i 7 (ii) word-finally: a an “male” [ a : n , pen female' I p on J
In: long voiced retroflex nasal as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence - n n -: tan n i water I t a n : i I
In voiced retroflex nasal flap in intervocalic position: k an ippu judgement ' I k a n ip : )
(4) in
In voiced apico-alveolar nasal (i) word-initially: naan "I' I na: n (ii) intervocalically cani “saturday' I Sn il (iii) word - finally te e in “honey” s t e : n ] (iv) in the sequence - nm -, - nr -: ta n m a y “ nature ” I t - n m a i], en ray
my' Ie in d a il
In: I long voiced apico - alveolar nasal as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence - inn -: annam "Swan' I Sn: a m J, kannay "side as in a game“ (k & n: a i
In J voiced lamino - dental nasal in the intervocalic homorganic sequence - nt : pant u ball' I p a n d J
(5) m
Iml voiced bilabial nasal occurs (i) word - initially: m an soil' s m a n J (i1) intervocalically umi "husk" I u m i I (iii) in the intervocalic sequence - mp -, - tim -, - nm -, - n m-, — 1 m-, -mt , rim : kampu stick" I k a mb it 1, p a tim a a "personal name' s p at m a : ), nanmay benefit" In S n mail, a an may 'valour I a : n mail, ta a may humility I ta: lm a i J, em tan cunning person" I e m d a n 7, oormam “fortitude
o : rm a in j-. e. mt a n is a loan-word.
( 6 Y

sm: long voiced bilabial nasal as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence -nam-: ammi “grinding Stone” [ a m : i 7.
Liquids
(1) r
ft) voiceless alveolar plosive word - initially mostly in
loan - words : raacaa "king' It a : s a : J, raaman Rama - name'
I t a : m a n ], rentu “two” I t o n d HF J.
[d] voiced alveolar plosive (i) in intervocalic position: oru “one” (adj.) [ o d F l, pori “fry” [ p o di i ] (ii) in the sequence -nr-: enray my'. I end a i J. Voicing is quite light.
If J short trill or a flap when it does not occur immediately after the first syllable: c a koot a r i sister f & a x o : Xó a fi 7, c a a titi r i s č a : t : i f i J.
Ir] an alveolar trill Word-finally or word medially before another consonant: avar he, honorific I a v 8 r 1, k a n n ir tears I k a n : i r J, poorvay cover I po: rva i J, caarmanay ' easy chair I 8: rm S in a i J. Long alveolar trill is heard due to sandhi operation in certain types of morphemes (verb): oorren I run I o: r : en J (o ot u + r en); te e r r a m “we search” I ti ə :r : a m ] (te et u + r a m); ceerren 'I join' % e : r : e n 1 (ceer--ren).
Both r and R have plosive quality and R is taken under plosive.
(2) 1
I J voiced apico-alveolar lateral occurs (i) word-initially (in loan-words): lank ay "Lanka" [ 1 a n k a i ), laapam 'profit” fl a : p a mj (ii) inter-vocalically: pali “sacrifice” I p 8 l i J, puli 'tiger" ( p u i ij, (iii) finally : vaal ' tail " I v a : l J. paal “milk' I p a : 1 J, (iv) medially in the sequence -lp , -lk-, -lv-:
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iyalpu nature " I i y S 1 B E J kalki a weekly magazine'
I k S 1 x i J, to o 1 v i 'defeat.' I to : 1 v i I.
Monosyllabic words (only nouns) with short vowel ending in - 1 in the high variety have become - u ending words in spoken Tamil. kal 'stone" in the high variety is kallu in spoken Tamil. Also see nel "paddy' > nellu, pal teeth'> pallu. But mil "stay" S nil vil "sell" S vil.
I 1:1 long voiced apico - alveolar lateral occurs as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence -ll - : nalia "good" In S 1 : o 1, pallu teeth " I p - 1 : 1
(3)
I 1 voiced retroflex lateral occurs (i) word-initially in one loan word: la acci “drawer” (ii) intervocalically: k al i “paste” [ k a 1 i 7, p i a y ‘error” [ p f ! a i 7, (iii) word — finally : vaal “sword” ( v a : 1 ], t e e l “scorpian“ [I ti ə : 1 ] (iv) in the intervocalic sequence -lip-, - 1 k-, -m-, - 1 v : iyalpu "nature" [i y S 1 B El, kol kay policy' [k o 1 x a il, t a a l m ay “humility” [ta : 1 m a i]; v e elv i “animal sacrifice” (v ə : il v i 7.
Monosyllabic words (only nouns) with short vowel ending in - 1 in the high variety have become - u ending words in Jaffna spoken Tamil. Other consonantal ending words in the high variety do not take an - u finally when used in speech: mu “thorn') mullu, el gingely’ > e 1 u but k a n 'eye' > k a n.
In the speech of bilinguals Il J occurs initially in cluster with another consonant in loans from English: gla as 'glass'
gla : s]
( 8 )

Il:) long voiced retroflex lateral occurs as the realisation, of interve calic sequence - 1 - : k a u' toddy I k a 1: E I mu u thorn I m u : E 1.
Semivowels / approximants (1) y
Iv1 voiced dorso - palatal semivowel occurs (i) word -. initially : yaman “ God of death o I y a m a n 1, yaar ‘yard” , I y : r ), (ii) intervocalically : kaayam wound.' I k S ; y a m J, payan benefit' I p y Sn J, (iii) word - finally : kay hand" [ k a i 7, paay o mat ” [ p g : y 7, (iv) as the first element of word - medial consonant clusters a y t w spareness Ιε y και + 1.
Words with initial y are mostly loans.
In words ending in - aay the final y may optionally be dropped. When this happens the aa has the same phonetic quality I S : J that it would have if the y is still there. It is thus different from a final aa where no y existed in the first place. The following pairs of words would bring out . the difference ;
vaay mouth va a 'come o I v S : y J N I v C : ) W a it a a y mother it a a give ' Г t 8 : у 1 ~ [ і 8 : ј I a : ) саay * lean * caa “ death ”
I S S : y J. ~ I & S : J I a : )
In the speech of some speakers the final f : J in the variant form of these words may be heard as I ae; i.
Final y may also be dropped following ee : реey “ghost * f p e : у ј - f p e : ј meey "graze I m e : y J. ~ I m e : ) te e y “ rub ' [ t e : y l r { t e : 1
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I y J long voiced dorso - palatal approximant as the realisation of intervocalic -yy- : ayyaa “ sir " I S y : a : II. koyyaa a kind of fruit " I ko y : a : 1.
I v J voiced labio - dental approximant occurs (i) wordinitially vaa 'come' I va: J. van tu 'beetle' Ivan d EJ, (ii) intervocalically : avan o he " ( non honorific ) cevi “ ear ” I & J. v i ) ( iii) as the second element in word - medial consonant clusters : to y v u "a disease, asth ma' I toy v . J, to o 1 v i defeat I to : 1 v i J, veerway "sweat" Iv e : rva il
I v : J long voiced labio - dental approximant as the realisation of the intervocalic sequence -vv- : kavvu to take a thing with mouth' I k a v : E J, avvay personal name
a v : a i 1, vavvaal ' bat I v a v ; a ; J.
I J voiced retroflex approximant does not occur in Jaffna Tamil speech. However, a distinction is made orthographically between I J and I in written Tamil.
Syllabics
Vowels
Oral monophthongs
All vowels preceded or followed by nasal consonants
have the colouring of nasality but only very lightly. Similarly
when retroflex consonants follow, vowels get the colouring of this consonant lightly and may be somewhat centralised.
(1) а
[ 8 ] lower mid front un rounded vowel occurs before alveolar consonants ( r, n, l ), palatal consonants (c., n, y) and before R when it is double or followed immediately by another consonant : nari fox In 8 d jJ, pani "dew"
[ pg n i J, valay “net " I v 8 l a i l, paci“ hungor " I p8 s i l
(10)

kafici “ rico gruelo I kg n ji, ayyaa sir I gy: a: paRRu affection ( p , t: , ka Rpu “ chastity o [ k g t p + .
I a low central vowel occurs in other environments: appa then, so I ap : a 1, a tu that Í að T 1. p a t am picture ( p a a m J. Word - final a 1 freely varies with higher mid central vowel I e ] ( with lips unrounded ) in several words : appa so I ap : a 1 ~ I ap : o I.
(2) aa
I 8: I long low front vowel before y and r : naay 'dog' In 8 : y 7, aar “ who " [ 8 : r ], paar o look o I p 8: r J.
I a : J long low central unrounded vowel occurs in other environments : a at u goat a : F J, kaakam crow
I k a : X a m 1, appaa father " I ap : a 1.
(3) i
) I F1 high central unrounded vowel before retrofle consonants ( t, n, 1 ), S and before a single R when immediately followed by a vowel; i tiyappam' string hoppers' t if r iy a p: a m J, k in n a m vessel I k l n : a m J, k i li "parrot I k if il, v is n u God Vishnu
v F š in E l, ki Rukku o scribble " [ k + R + k: + l, ni Ray “ weight " In E R a i l.
I i J high front vowel occurs in other positions: ilay * leaf " [ i l a i ], vilay “ price " [ v i l a i ], cinna “ Small
in : a J, ini " hence forth in i J.
(4) iii
It : J long high central unrounded vowel occurs before retroflex consonants ( , , , ) and R before a vowel; ii tu
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“mortgage' E : y : ], v i in vain ' I v E : n, n i i a m o length' In E: 1 a m 1, kii Ru ' incise o Ik E: REJ.
I i : J Jong high front unrounded vowel in other environments: iir nit " I i : r ), iikku rib of palm leaf I i : k : E J, ti i v u island It if v . J, t a mp ii
brother (vocative) It a mb i : ).
(5) u
I u high back rounded vowel occurs in the first syllable of a word : umi' husk " I u m i ), kulay " bunch " I kula i J.
I high central unrounded vowel in any other syllable: at ukku arrange I a Y Ek : E J, k a a tu forest' I k a : Y J.
(6) uu
I u : ) long high back rounded vowel occurs word - initially, medially and finally : uur “ village ” I u : r ], ku u t a y '' basket ” I ku: Y a i J, puu ' flower I pu : 1.
(7) е
I a higher mid central vowel (unrounded) occurs before retroflex consonants ( t , n, , ), p, k, m, v, f and R followed by a vowel: e tu take" I a E J, e i in a y “oil I a n : a i 1. v D i open space I v D i 1, eppa when I op : a J, vckkam “ bashfulness '' v 2 k: a m J, vempal “ prematurely ripe fruit I v 3 in ball, evay who (plural).' I a va il, venkaayam onion " I v on g : : y a m J., veRu
hate f v e R F J.
I e I mid front short vowel in other environments eli ' rat " I eli j, veRRi ' victory " I vett i j.
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(8) ee
I 9 : 1 higher mid central long vowel occurs before retroflex consonants ( t , n, ), p, k, m, v, h and R followed by a vowel: ee t u ola manuscript " I o: y + 1, e eni ladder" to : n il, me e a m “ drum ’ Im 2: 1 am 1, eeppam “betching” [ ə : p : a m 7, teekku o teak ” [ ti ə : k : : J veempu 'margosa" [ v o : m b E 1, t e ev ay 'need' I t o : v a il, teenkaay "coconut I to : h g 8 : y J, t e C R u piece I ti ə : R + ].
e : J mid front unrounded long vowel occurs in other environments initially, medially and finally : een “why” [ e : njl, veer root " I v e : r I, avanee "he, emphatic' I a va ne: J.
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fo mid back rounded vowel initially and medially: o li * ray * I o ! i 1, k o t i * flag * [ k o yr i J
( 0) oo
I o : J mid back rounded long vowel occurs word - initially, medially and finally : oolay ' palm leaf I o : la i, koеyil o temple o f ko : y i 11, noo o pain o I n o : J. poo
go p O : ).
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I ae front low vowel occurs in a few loans from English: be in k bank" bae in k J.
In the speech of monolinguals and some bilinguals I S : J pronounced without the y in word - final sequence - aay isa Tamil words is heard as I ae J.
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Diphthongs
The Tamil letters ai and au are alternantly written as ay and av. The occurrence of au is infrequent. It occurs in a few personal names. In the speech of monolinguals only av occurs. For instance the monolinguals would pronounce the personal name Gowri only as I k a v u Ri J.
In the present analysis ai is treated as ay wherein a will have the phonetic quality I a ~ J.
Restrictions of phonological segments to loan words
in the speech of the monolinguals loan words with foreign sounds have been maximally assimilated to the native phonological system. For instance punal ' funnel p un S 1 J, in c 1 pp a t t a r "inspector.' I in jip : at : Srl, koot u * court ’Iko : Yo + J, ciRaappar "shroff's Y + R a : p : gr J. Even foreign personal names have been assimilated : laccumi " Lakshmi ” I l a c. F m i J, innaaci “Ignatius” II i n : a : s i J, kappi Riyal “ Gabriel ” I k a p : E R i y 8 1 ].
This situation is different from the Indian where monolinguals use loan - words with sounds foreign to Tamil in their day to day speech.
medial -gg -, -j-, -dd-, -dd-, -bb- or final k, g, c, j, p, b is a loan - word. Similarly the presence of š, h, f. Z in any position of a word and the presence of
Any word with initial g, j, d, ... d, b, l, of
s word - finally will indicate that the word is foreign.
Most of the words beginning in r or R are loan-words. A couple of native words begin in r or R having lost an
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initial vowel, mostly i : rent u two It on d E J, Rakku unload I R a k : E J . These words are written and pronounced with an initial i in the high variety.
A consonant cluster word - initially or word - finally would indicate that the word is foreign. Words of this type cccur only in the speech of bilinguals.
Vowels occurring only in loan words
he occurrence of ae before nasal is foreign to Tamil. It occurs in the English loan bank’. Monolinguals have this word assimilated as van ki bank I v a fig i J
Restriction of phonological segments by grammatical categories Restriction by word - classes
In the speech of the monolinguals loan - words ( maxinally assimilated) occur only in the word class of nouns. The numeral laccam lakh is an exception. Bilinguals may use words belonging to other word - classes depending their codeswitching,
Borrowings are invariably in their root form. But native suffixes are added to them : kaar car k a a r k a
cars ', ravun town ravunilay in the town'.
Phonotactics Word - final consonants
The following consonants occur word - finally : r, n, n,
m, y, l .
Loans from English ending in consonants like k, c, t take a final u in the speech of the monolinguals a "break piReekku, watch " vaaccu, ticket rikke RRu.
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nitial consonants
All consonants except in occur word - initially. The initial occurrence of t and is restricted to loan - words' only.
Words with initial t , h, i, y, R, 1, and l are not many. in occurs initially but only in one word : h a a na a " the letter in "... y does not occur initially before front vowels or O in native words. 1 occurs only in one word : a a cc i 'drawer', r, R and 1 occur initially both in native and loan - words. Their initial occurrence in native words is due to the loss of an initial vowel usually i which is retained in the high variety of Tamil : i r a in tu two (high variety)) re in tu ( spoken ); iRakku unload > Rakku, i lant a y a kind of tree > 1 an it a y. v. does not occur word - initially before back vowels in native words. It may occur in this position in loan - words : v o o t t u vote ".
Distribution of consonant clusters
Native words do not have initial or final consonant clusters,
In the speech of bilinguals consonant clusters occur word - initially and finally in loan - words from English : skulul “ School ”, bReek o break ”, milk “milk”. In the speech of the monolinguals such borrowings are assimilated to the native phonological system by adding a vowel initially or finally depending on the position of the cluster and sometimes inserting a vowel in between the medial cluster : iskuul
school , pireekku break".
Possible consonant clusters : initially and finally
All the possible clusters in English would occur in the
speech of bilinguals who usually use a large number of
English words in their Tamil speech.
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Word - medial consonant clusters
Word - medial consonant clusters occur in both native words and loan words. Here only the clusters occurring in native words are given : kk, cc, t t , t c, t t , pp, RR, Rk, Rc, Rp, n k, n. c, n. n., n ț, nm, nt, nn, np, nR, nm, mm, mp, yy, yt yp, viv, rr, rp, rt, rc, rm, TV, ll, lp, lv. l, k, c, m, 1 v. Examples: akkaa elder sister", paccay green", p a t t u silk', k a t c i party', p attu "ten", appaa father', veRRi 'victory', t e Rk u " south ', muya Rci effort', keRpanay pregnancy', a h k a y there ', p a fic u cotton ’, a n n a y “elder brother', p a n ti "pig", aan may “valour”, p a n t u “ball”, t e n n a y “ cocomut tree ”, anpu affection', tamp i y in R a y younger brother's ', t a n m a y nature", ammaa “mother', ampu arrow', payya " slowly ', a y tu 'sparsely, kaypu bitter ", vavvaal bat , oorraan he is running', maarpu 'chest", a y art i forgetfulness , kul i r c i coolness , oormam fortitude '. veervay sweat", villu "bow", iyalpu nature , to o 1 v i defeat , p a 1 1 u "a kind of verse', ko k a y policy ', v i i ci “ down - fall ”, t a a 1 m a y humbleness ', v e el v i animal sacrifice'.
Words like pakti 'devotion', p at m a a "personal name", ka s t a m difficulty, v is n u God Vishnu occur commonly in the speech of a vast majority of speakers. These are borrowings from Sanskrit.
Some rural monolinguals with little literacy pronounce
w k a stam and v is nu as k a y i t t a m and v i t t up u respectively.
The words kaypu and k u i r c i are written with three - consonant clusters in the high variety of famil as kayppu and k u i r c. c i.
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In the Jaffna dialect of Tamil, inflected forms of nouns and verbs seldom create clusters that are not found within
a word.
Distribution of vowels Word - final vowels
All vowels occur word - finally except e, o and the diphthong au.
The short vowels i, u, e and a occur word - finally in a large number of words.
The long vowels occur word finally but in root forms they occur mostly in monosyllabic words and such words are not many. ii occurs word - finally in ii o fly ", pii “ excreta ”, ti i “ fire ”, cii “an expression indicating negation, * disapproval, disgust ", nii “ you, impolite '; uu occurs only in one word, puu flower ". It also occurs in an onomatopoeic word : cuu indicating "excess'. ee occurs word - finally with several words as an emphatic or as an interrogative marker. ee is also heard word - finally when y is dropped in the final sequence - ecy. aa occurs word - finally in monosyllabic forms like vaa ' come , t a a ' give ”, caa ' d:ath , maa flour'. A couplc of polysyllabic kin terms have aa word finally akkaa elder sister , ammaa " mother', appa a father , t a a t t a a “grand father ", etc. Also aa occurs word - finally as an interrogative marker with words : availaa is he , oo occurs word - finally with only two monosyllabic words : poo go', noo 'pain'. Also it occurs as an interrogative marker (indicating slight doubt with words : avanoo is he ( with slight doubt ). In phrases like veyyiloo veyyil" it is very hot', kul iro o ku 1 i r it is very cold . oo occurs word - finally indicating excess ".
Also long vowels occur in vocatives : t a m p i i oh younger brother , appuu oh father ', mannanee 'oh king
( in restricted contexts ), mannaa oh king . The root of the last two forms is mannan king '.
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Word - initial vowels
The vowels a, aa, i, ii, u, uu, e, ee, o, oo all occur word - initially : akkaa elder sister ", a a person , ilay * leaf ”, iir “nit', uppu “ salt', uur “ country', eli • rat ", een " why °, on t u “one', oom “yes'.
Sequences of syllabic vowels
Ia general, there are no Sequences of syllabic vowels in Jaffna Tamil. But sometimes sequences of syllabic vowels are heard in the speech of rural monolinguals due to the loss of a consonant.
Word - medially ua, luua, o ou, ooa, ooaa are heard as sequences : at u a thy, non - human ", puuaracu 'a kind of tree", po out u it is going', pooan ' I won't go', pooaan he won't go '. In the second word the glide v is dropped. An all other words the consonant k is dropped.
Word - finally uua, ooa and ooaa are heard: kulua to whistle", pooa to go ', pooaa she won't go '. In the first word the consonant v is dropped. In the other two, k is dropped When questioned about these words, the speakers
would pronounce the consonant too,
Suprasegmentals
Degrees of length
There are two degrees of contrasting length in vowels
and consonants : short versus long.
Vowels
There are five contrasting pairs of short and long vowels: a/aa, ifii, u/uu, elee, ofoo : a t i beat ', a a t i July"; t in eat '... t. iin "food'; kut a y “umbrella", k u ult a y o basket "; keli o greedy ”, keeli “ fun ”; kot i flag", koo ti " crore '.
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Semivowels
The semivowels y and v contrast in duration : ayar thin layer of skin on a healing wound", ayyar a caste title '; avay they, human', avvay personal name '. Minimal pairs for the contrast of y and v in their duration are not many in the language.
Liquids
There is contrast between 1 / ll and f l l ; pali 'sacrifice', palli house lizard ; p a 1 i sin , p a 1 li "woman belonging to Palla caste ".
Nasals
Nasals n | n n, n f inn and m / mm also contrast t an a y o accommodate a being ”, a n n a y “ elder brother ”; cani “ Saturday ”, canni “ coma ”; amay “ take shape ”, ammay “ small pox ”.
In the speech I n : J occurs only in two words and it is difficult to find a contrastive minimal pair for i I in n.
Fricative
In speech I s : J occurs only in two words : bassilay in the bus , kissilay ' echo form of bassilay. The monolinguals use the form vacu I v as E J instead of bas. The locative form of vacu is vacuvilay.
Stops and affricates
Examples for contrast between k I kk, c 1 cc, t I t t , t | tit and p 1 pp: in a ka 1 daughter ", m a k k a
people ; pacay ' paste , paccay green"; v at i filter ". v a t t i "interest'; v i t a y seed", v i t t a y 'knowledge"; сарау * аязепmbly ". capрау * fat *.
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Stress
Stress is not phonemic in Jaffna Tamil. However, the monolingual speakers have a phonetic stress. They usually pronounce words in isolation with a stress in the first syllable of the word.
In an utterance having a number of words, a particular word may be stressed, usually on the first syllable to indicate
emphasis. The stress may be accompanied by a slight high pitch. Sometimes the stress can be on a syllabic segment, and in such instances the segment would be pronounced slightly longer. If a long vowel is involved in the segment, it would be made still longer. Geminated consonants may be also pronounced longer to indicate stress.
Intonation
Only some of the intonation patterns are described here. To date no systematic work has been made on the intonation patterns in Jaffna Tamil.
Statement type of utterances are characteriscd by a falling intonation.
ܨܠ
naan poo Ren " I am going '
Interrogative utterances built around a question - word ' such as een why have the same intonation as that of the
Statement type.
nii een pooRaay "Why are you going?'
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But, if it indicates surprise, the intonation will rise at the end.
イ nii een pooRaay * Why are you going?"
Interrogative utterances with the question marker - aa in the last word of the utterance allowing a 'yes' or 'no' answer have a rise - fall on the question marker.
/N
avan ippa p a t i k k i R a a n a a * Does he study now 2.
It is possible to have the question marker on a nonfinal word in the sentence. In such an instance, the rise - fall will be on the question marker. There will be a fall at the end of the word.
avar n a a l a y k k u k o l u m puk k a a poo Raar
Is he going to Colombo tomorrow?'
A declarative sentence can be used as a "yes - no' question utterance. This type of utterance starts with relatively a low pitch, and the pitch gradually rises high. The whole utterance is usually uttered in a quicker sequence.
7س محصے لاح~ nii nee R Ru van 't a a y “ Did you come yesterday?'
Imperative sentences are usuallv uttered with a falling
ܠܠ
in c a y va a “Come here o
intonation.
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Exclamatory utterances are usually uttered with a mid - level tone
ージ enna v a t i v a a n a v i i t u
What a beautiful house this (is)"
Utterances conveying a sarcastic sense have a drawl in every word in the utterance. Pitch level will be more or less the same throughout the utterance. This type of sarcastic
utterance has a sustained terminal, finally falling down slowly.
nil nalaay p a t ic c a a y ܨܠ
You studied well' (in the negative sense)
Contrary - to - fact utterances have a different pattern. The utterance starts with a relatively low pitch, rises to the mid high level and the in falls down. It occurs with sustained
terminal.
ܢܔܠ ۶ سال
n i i pa t t an a m po on a a y The meaning of this utterance is, “ you said that you would not go to town, but, having said so, you had gone".
Assimilation
There are instances of progressive assimilation : among past tense markers -cc- and - in C - are realisations of the basic markers - t t - and -nt - when preceded by a stem ending in a front vowel or palatal consonant : a t u -tt-en * I accommodated ', a t i-cc-en beat '. There is only one word ending in - y whose past tense marker undergoes the progressive assimilatory process : s m a a y ) p e y -t- u t u it rained" > pe - in c - u tu. Both forms pey tutu and pen cut u are in use.
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Regressive assimilation takes place when a word ending in - m is followed by a word beginning in k - or c - in certain types of constructions: p a a m + caaRu is realised as I p a a c. & a : R E J or Ip a a fi : a : R E J depending the meaning ( or casal relation) of the words.
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2. NOUN MORPHOLOGY
Inflection
Noun inflection Mileans used to express functions of noun phrases
The basic means of expressing the function of a noun phrase is the use of a bound suffix (“case ending'). Bound suffixes are also used in derivational processes, and as markers of plurality. The order of these suffixes is derivational - number - case.
The different cases in Jaffna Tamil are exemplified by the following two paradigms for the singular of petiy an
boy and m arm tree'.
Nominative pet i y a n a a . Accusative pe t iy an a y m a r a tit a y Dative pe t i y an ukku m a rattukku Instrumental pet iy an a a la y m a r a tit a a 1 a y Comitative pe t i y a n oо t a y m a r a t t o o t a y Locative p e ti y a n i l a y m a r at til a y Referential p e t i y a n i t t a y waxaw Ablative pe t iy a nil a y m a ra t t i 1 a y
i run tu i run tu p e ti y a n i t t a y amb
ir unt u Genitive pe t iy an in r a y m a ratt in r a y
The dative case ending - ukku has an alternant -kk u occurring after vowels : appa a "father" appa a k ku, a mm a a " mother a mm a a k ku.
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When - um is added to the locative case ending - il a y, the locative ending has a variant - il ; or u i t atti la - y u m r or u it at till um in no place', 'no where".
Referential case ending - i ț ța y has an alternant - t t a y occurring only with nouns ending in - a a : a pp a a father a p p a a t ta y. w
Genitive case ending - i n r a y can be added to any stem. It has an alternant - r a y occurring with nouns ending in - n and also with human nouns ending in - r : m u r u ka n 'ʻMuruganʼ m u r u k a n i n r a y ~ murukanray.
Genitive has - u t a y a also as a suffix particularly with pronouns : en nut a y a 'my'. - a a y is a variant of u t ay a : u n ka t ay “your'.
The locative marker - il a y occurs with both animates and inanimates : a w a r i l ay p i l ay i l 1 ay “There is no fault in him ' a v a y il a y a a r a a r v a r u v in a m 'Who will come among them'; k a 1 lu ku u ray il a y v i ! un - tutu Stone fell on the roof’. The locative marker occurs in comparative and superlative expressicns too : k a n n an il (paakka) i v an ke t t ikka a R an He is clever than Kannan'; e l l a a r i ll u mfellaarillayum (paakka) i v a r ta a n in a l l a v ar 'Of all, he is the best person', e i I a a t t illum / ell a at it il a y u m (paakka ) in it a ni Ram taan in a l l at u Of all, this colour is the best ".
Only animate nouns inflect for referential case. The referential case is usually used with verbs of asking or o taking * : m a a m a a t t a y k es e 1 u n k o o “Ask uncle”, k a n n an i t t a y m a am p a a m et u k k a la a m * We can buy mangoes from Kannan', a v ar i t t a y collu in ko o 'Tell him". Possession and goal of motion
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too may be expressed by using the referential case : a vari t tay kaaou irukku He has money ', k a n n an it tay p oo n ko o * Go to Kannan ”.
The ending that corresponds to - i tt ay in literary Tamil is - it a ma.
With some verbs either the referential - it tay or the accusative - ay can be used without any difference in meaning : m a a ma at t a y kee u in ko o 'Ask uncle", m a a ma a - v a yk kee u in ko o 'Ask uncle'. Similarly, either - t. t a y or the dative - ukku can be used without any difference in meaning : a v ar it t a y collu in koo Tell him, a v a rukku c collu in ko o Tell him". Instances of contrasts are : a via a ku an it a y i t t a y k u t ut t a a “ She gavo (something) to the child ”, a v a a ku anta y a y k kut utta a She gave the child, a V a r i t t a y m a a mp a a m ill a y He has no mangoes', a v a r u k ku ma a m p a a m ill a y “There aren't mangoes (left) for him ".
The locative marker - illay and the referential marker - it ta y may give the samo meaning in some instances: a nt a k k a a cu a v a ril a y i r u k k a tt um “Let that money be with him', a nt a k k a a cu a v ar it t a y i ruk k a t t um "Let that money be with him; a n tap p o Rupp a y a v a ril a y v i t a ve ent a a m Don't leave that responsibility with him 1 on him, a n tap poR up pay a v a r it a y v it a vee n t a am Don't leave that responsibility with him f on him'. (Here too, some speakers may feel a subtle difference in sense between the use of - il a y and - it t a y. The use of - it t a y may give a more specific ' sense about the noun (location), whereas, the use of - il a y may give a general sense. On the
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other hand, there are instances where sharp contrast could be seen between these two cases : a v a r il a y veel a y ill a y He is not the man to get the work through", a v ar i t t a y ve e i a y ill a y “He has no work to offer'. The first example is an (idiomatic) expression commonly occurring in Jaffna Tamil.
For animate nouns, the ablative is expressed either with - il a y i run tu or - it t a y i r unt u. The use of - il a y i r unt u is, however, infrequent.
In some contexts - il a y i r unt u and - it t a y i run tu can make a difference in meaning and cause a contrast : t a a y t a kapp an il a y i r u at u pilla - y all e l l a a rum v a tant iy a y p p a rapp i in a m "All from parents to children are spreading the rumour', ta a y t a k a p p a n i t t a y i r u n t u p i 1 l a y a 1 e l l a a rum via tant iy a y p p a rapp i in a m All the children are spreading the rumour from their parents.
With verbs such as et u take, get ' and v a a fi ku "buy, receive, accept, take" the person from whom something is taken or received can appear in either the referential case + i r u n t u ( i. e., ablative) or merely the referential case : a v a r n a a a y k ku e n n a t t a y ( i r u in tu y
ka a cu va ank u v ar 'He will get money from me tomorroW'.
It is possible to analyse it unt u as a postposition, instead of setting up a separate case as ablative.
The oblique form (of nouns that have a separate form, before case endings) and the nominative form of nouns that
do not have separate oblique form too may occur as genitive: m a a t t u v a a l tail of cattle', k a n n a n k at a y
Kannan's shop ", pet i m u ult i lid of box ".
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Some adjectival forms too occur as genitive : m a ra u C c i top of tree' (m a ratt in r a y ucci, mar at tu u cc i top of tree " are other possibilities). Postpositions
Postpositions, some of which also occur as conjunctions or as adverbs, are used to express a wide range of syntactic and semantic functions. Some of them are bound, and others are free forms. They follow a number of different case forms. Postpositions (i) following a nominative : c e ent u together', m u ulam through, with, by means of, V a r a y k ku m / v a r a y “ upto, until ”, v a r a y i l a y “at about” (ii) following an accusative : cu R R i around , p a R R i about, concerning ”, t a v i r a o except for ” (iii) following a dative : me e la y on, above ", k i i a y beneath', munnaalay before, in front of ', mu n n ukku before, in front of', p in n a a lay after, behind', p in nukku afterwards, behind , - a a k a for (benefactive), ulla y inside', p a k k a t t i lay " in the vicinity of , et i r a y opposite ', a tiy i la y at the bottom of '.
Ways in which different syntactic functions are expressed
The subject noun, or pronoun of an intransitive or of a transitive verb is usually in the nominative case. But a small set of defective verbs have to be considered exceptions to this general statement. The commonest of these defective verbs are vee n . - 'want, need", t e ri- know ', puriunderstand, p it i - “like", k it a y - be available, obtain', v a 1 i-'pain, hurt, ache’.
Three of these, we e i t -, k it a y - and puri - may be said to have a nominative subject, because their arguments
comprise an NP in the dative, and an NP in the nominative case. The nominative case NP can be a member of the non
rational or rational class, but it is dominantly i non rational
class.
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e i k a ukku in a 1 1 a c a appa at u v e e num * We need good food
e i ka ukku in a l l a c in eek it a r v e e n u m
“We need good friends
e in k a ukku in ca y nalla c a appa at u k it a y kkuma a
Can we get good food here ?'
uh k a lukku in all a ma app i a y k it a y cc a a r
You got a good bridegroom '
e ñ k a 1 u k k u i n t a p p a a t a m p u r i y e e 1 1 a y " We don't understand this lesson
Of the other three verbs, t e r i - has an NP (the person who knows) in the dative, and the other NP in the accusative if it is animate, and in nominative if it is inanimate :
a r u ukku m a a ma a V a y t t e riya a tu
Arul does not know uncle "
e h k at a y pi a y a luk kuk kolu m pu ter iy a at u ( Our childron do not know Colombo "
The verb p it i - has an NP (the person who likes) in the dative, and the other NP in the locative ( freely varying with the accusative ) if it is animate, and in nominative if it is inanimate :
a v a 1 ukku t t a m piyil a y p i tikka at u a valukku t t a mp iy a y p p it ik ka a tu
She does not like younger brother "
a valuk kut to oc a y p it ikka a tu
She does not like dosai
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The verb v a l i - has an NP in the dative and the other NP ( which is invariably an inanimate one ) either in the nominative or in the accusative case, the nominative form being more dominant in use. s
en a k k u t t a lay v a 1 ikkut u e n a k k u t ta l a y & y v a l i k k u tu * I have a head ache
on a k k u v a y iR u v a 1 ikk u tu e n a k k u v a y it tay valikk u t u * I have a stomach acho
Another type of sentence where the verb does not have a surface subject in the nominative case is as follows :
en a k kuk k a a c ca 1 a. a y k ki a kku
I have fever
Subject of copular construction
The subject of a eopular construction is a nominal in the nominative case.
Direct object
A human noun form occurring as a direct object will always have the accusative suffix - a y : appa a v a y k k u u pp i t t e in * I called father
ta й k acci ya y p peе са v еe n t a a m
Don't scold younger sister "
If the accusative suffix is deleted in the above Second sentence, it would give a totally different meaning:
t a n k a c c i pe e c a veen t a a m
Let younger sister not speak '
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An animate noun other than human may or may not have the accusative suffix depending on the intended meaning :
m a a t t a y k k at tu
Tether the cow
v i i t t a y p pa at t u k k o 1
Look after the house
a van ma at u kattu Ra an
He is tethering the cow
a van ma at u k a t t u R a. an a a
Is he tethering the cow p
n i i po o y a a t u m e e у
Go and graze the goats
m a a t u v a a h ku
Buy a cow'
If the accusative suffix is deleted in the above first Sentence, it would form a compound, ma at u k at u and mean tethering of cow'. Usually the second sentence is not uttered without the accusative suffix. But, if someone were to say it, it would give the same meaning as the one with the accusative suffix.
All other sentences above could occur with accusative suffix, but, they would give a different meaning - the object noun would be particularized.
a van m a a a y k k a t t u Raan
He is tethering the cow'
a van m a. at a yk k at u Ra a na a
Is he tethering the cow?'
(32)

ni i po o y a a t t a y me ey
Go and graze the goat
m a a t t a y va a i ku ' Buy the cow
Generally for inanimate nouns the accusative marker is not suffixed, unless one wants to particularize or emphasize the object noun.
C in k a ukku or u v i it u p a a r
Look for a house for us '
a v ar a n ta v i it u v a a in ki Ra a r " He is buying that house
en k a ukku or u v i it a y p p a a r
* Look a house for us'
a v a r a n t a v i i t t a y v a a ñ k i R a a r
He is buying that house
In Jaffna Tamil, the noun v i it u house' plus the accusative suffix followed by either the verb po o 'go' or v a a “come” give the dative meaning : v i i t t a y p o o R e n " I am going home ", v if t t a y va an koo Come home '.
Indirect object
The indirect object noun is usually in the dative case.
m a a m a a e m k a 1 u k k u k k a a c u t a n ta a r " Uncle gavo us money ”
The verbs kut u give ", t. a a "give and col 1 u " say, tell ” can have an indirect object noun, both in dative and referential case.
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u nr a y k a a K a y a v a r u k kuk kut u " Give your car to him " ( change of ownership )
u n r a y k a a R a y a v a r i t t a y k u t u
Give your car to him "
at a y e in a k k u t t a a
Give that to me ' ( change of ownership )
a ta y e n n a t t a y ta a
Give that to me
at a y ma a ma a kku c coll u Tell that to uncle'
a ta y m a a m a a t t a y c o l l u
Tell that to uncle "
The dative case is used when a change of ownership is involved, and when giving takes place without a clear change
of ownership the referential case is used. here is no such difference of meaning with regard to the verb collu.
Object of comparison
The object of a comparison will be in the accusative followed by v i t a, k a a t t if u m, p a a k ka, p a a k ki
u m ' than '.
k o ! u m p u y a a 1 p a a n a t t a y v i t a p p e r i c u
Colombo is bigger than Jaffna '
The locative case optionally followed by um or land p a a k ka is also used for comparison.
e n n il ( p a a k k a a v an uy a r a m
He is taller than me
e n n ilu m ( p a a k k a ) a v an uy a r a m
He is taller than me
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Object of equation
There are two equative markers : pool a y like, similar to and m a a tir i like, similar to, manner ". The object of an equation will be either in the nominative or in the accusative case, if the equative marker is poolay :
cell a y y a a pool a y mu r u k a num in a l l a a y p p a tipp a r
cell a y ya'a v a y p pool a y mu r u k a num in a l l a a y p p a tip p a r
Murugan too will do well in studies like Chelliah
m a a ti i r i can be used as an adjective of comparison. That with which something is compared will be in the direct case :
ta m p i k k u v a a hk in a tu ma at i r i
en a k k u or u C at t a y va ank u in ko o i Buy me a shirt like the one bought for younger brother
m a a tiri can also form manner adverbials, that is, in such a manner, in such a way". In this usage ma & ti r i will be preceded by an adjective or verbal adjective :
in a ah k a a n ta vee lay a y in la m a a t i r і с се у у а 1 а a m * We can do that work in this manner
in a a h k a a n ta v e e i a y a y p p on n a r c e y ta Im a a t ii r i c се у у а l a a m * We can do that work in the manner Ponnar did it
Complement of copular construction
In copular sentences with nominal complement, Jaffna
Tamil makes a difference between the defining and the role
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type. A noun in the role type can optionally be preceded by or u 'one', whereas a noun in the defining type cannot be
preceded.
a va r ( o ru) va atti y a ar
He is a teacher
a v a n m a n i t a n
He is a man
In the identity type, the subject of the construction can
be either (i) a noun of a pronoun, or (ii) a neuter pronoun ( a tuis , i tu or u tu ).
a van p on in a n
He is Ponnan
it u p on n an 1 This is Ponnan
The complements of a a ku become
are also nouns in the nominative case.
Subject - complement
The form of a subject complement would be
in the nominative case
a v n r v i ta a n a y a n r a a k k a p pa i t u
ipp a re in u v a r u cam
It is two years since he was made the village headman
Object - complement
Object complements are usually in the nominative case in a a hk all a v ar a y t t a lay v ar a a k k in a m
We made him the president o
(36)

Objects governed by adjectives
Certain predicative adjectives can govern nouns. The noun in such cases is usually comitative or locative (but never the referential - it t a y).
unr a y pil 1 a y a loot a y a v a r a n p a a y i r u k ki Ra a r u n r a y p i ! 1 a y a ! i l a y a v a r a n p a a y i r u k ki Ra a r
" He is affectionate towards your children a v a r t a m p i y o o ta y C a r i y a a n a koop a ma a y i r u k kiR a a r a v ar t am piy i 1 a y car iy a a na koop a ma a y i r u k ki Ra a r " He is very angry with younger brother
a van v e e lay a a k k a loot a y r a m pa k ka nt i p pa ay i r u k k i Ra a n a van v e e lay a a k kalil a y ramp a k k a n tippa a y i r u k ki Ra an
He is very stern with workers Agent in passive / pseudopassive / impersonal constructions
In a passive construction, the agent would be a noun in the instrumental case ( suffix is - a a l a y) :
a n t a v e e 1 a y a v a r a a l a y c e y p a t. u m
* That work will be done by him Means of expressing nonlocal semantic functions Benefactive
The benefactive is expressed by the postposing of - a a k a or - e in t, u to a noun or pronoun in the dative case.
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it a y k k a mala a k k a a k a va a n k in en
I bought this for Kamala
i ta y k k a mala a k k ent u v a a nik i n e n " I bought this for Kamala
The use of - a a k a can convey the meaning of 'on behalf of ' too depending on the context of speech.
i t a y k a m a l a a k k a a k a v a a ri k i n e n
I bought this on behalf of Kamala
Source
Source is usually expressed by the use of the ablative case : - t t a y i r u n tu for animate nouns (freely varying with - if a y i r u ntu in some constructions and
- i l a y i r u n t u for non - animates.
e in k a 1 u k k u m a k a n i t ta y ii r u int u in nu m ta v a a on tu m v are e l l a y * We haven't yet received any letter from son
a v a r it tay i r u in tu on tu m a R i y a m utiya a tu a v a r il a y i r u in tu o u m a R iy a m u t iy a at u
We can't find out anything from him
e in k at a y m a kan kolu m pil a y i r unt u nee R R u v ant i t t a a r
Our son has come from Colombo yesterday
It is also possible to express source bv. the use of the instrumental case in constructions involving travel from one place to another. The use of the instrumental is very dominant in the speech of some speakers.
(38)

e is k at a y m a kan ko lump a a a y nee R R u v ant it ta a r “Our son has come from Colombo yesterday
instrumental
Instrumental is usually expressed by the case ending - a a lay.
"o * r atta y k k att i y a a 1 a y v e t t i na a n
He cut the tree with a knife
Negative instrumental is expressed by the use of ill a a ma (1) :
katti il la a ma (1) v e t ta m u t i y a a tu
It is not possible to cut without a knife"
Comitative
Comitative is expressed by the case ending - o of a y. Sometimes -ku u ta is combined with -o o t a y and the combination gives the sense of along with " :
a n k a y a p pa a v o o t ay p o o n ko o "Go there with father
а ћ Ka У appaa vo o ta y k u u (a p po on k o o * Go there along with father
Nagative comitative is expressed by the use of ill a a ma (1) :
a n k а у а p pa a ill a a ma (1) t a n iy a p p o O n e m
went there alone without father
Circumstance
Circumstance is usually expressed by the comitativo \uffix — o o t a y :
u ut ta y k k a y y o o t a y n i k k i R a pet iy a n p on n an * The boy with dirty hands is Ponnan"
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v e e t t i c a a 1 v a у o o t a y v a n t a v a r t a a n p o n n a r
The person who came in dhoti and shawl was indeed Ponnar
The second entence above can give another meaning too The person who brought dhoti and shawl was indeed Ponnar”.
An alternative way of expressing circumstance is by the use of participle construction:
p at tu ve et i u tutta or u v ar po o Ra a r ' A person dressed in silk dhoti is going "
Negative circumstance is expressed by using an appropriate verb with - a a ma (1) :
c at tay p o o ta a m a (l) p o o R a a r
He is going without s wearing) a shirt'
Possessive
Possessive in noun phrases is usually expressed by the genitive Suffix :
i v a a e n r a y t a ñ k a G c i
She is my younger sister'
i t u ratti n atti n ray ka a r
This is Ratnam's car
Quality
Quality is expressed by an abstract noun followed by - a an a or - u a :
ku in a ma an a pet iy an ku in a mulla pet i y a n boy of s good ) character
(40)

ir a k k a mul a man it a n
man of compassion
Negative quality is expressed by an abstract noun followed by ill a at a ( the relative participle of the negative verb ill a y ) or by ke t t a ( the participle of the verb ke tu
spoil ' ) : k u in a fi kett a pet iy an
boy without character "
(literally, boy with spoilt character )
ii r a k k a m i 1 1 a a t a m a n i t a n
"man without compassion'
Reference quality is expressed by the genitive case suffix :
a n t a m a n i ta n r a y y o o k k i y a m
the integrity of that man
Quantity
It is as in Indian Tamil (see R. E. Asher, Tamil 1982 : 113).
Material
It is as in Indian Tamil (see R. E. Asher, Tamil 1982 : 114) except in the figurative sense.
The expression of material in a figurative sense usually involves the device of compounding:
k a l n e i cu
a heart of stone
P O In a a m
a heart of gold
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Manner
Manner is expressed either by a comitative case form or by the adverbialising suffix - a a y or by - a a k. a. The use of - a a ka is, however, infrequent.
a van a nt a vee lay a y n a l l a u c a. a r o o t а у се у t a a n
He did that work with a lot of enthusiasm. "
a Van a n t a ve elaya y na 11а u ca a r a а у с се у ta a n " He did that work very enthusiastically
a v a n a n ta v e e 1 a y a y in a l l a u ca a r a a k a с с о у у і R a a n
" He is doing that work very enthusiastically '
Negative manner is expressed by using ill a a ma (l) :
a v an anta vee lay a y k k o ћ c a m u m u ca a r і 1 1 a a m a I се у у і R a a n
He is doing that work without even a little eathusiasm"
Cause
Cause is usually expressed by the instrumental case form :
a v a n r a y p e r u m a y a a 1 а у a van k et t a a n
He was ruined because of his pride
k an nan lant an ukku p p o o n a t a a 1 a y n a l l a a y p p a t i C c a a r
* Kannan studied well because of his going to London "
(42)

Purpose
Purpose is expressed by a nominal in the dative Case : unk at a y a a y u t a ni k a ! a y en ray v c e la yk k up p aа V і с са n a a n
* I did use your instruments for my work
Function
Function is expressed by the adverbialising suffix - a a у :
p e e n a y a y u u cі у а а у ра a v і с се n " I used the pen as a needle
Reference
Reference is expressed by adding the postposition p a R R i to a noun in the nominative or accusative case ( a human pronoun will be always in the accusative).
enk at a y na at u p a R R i a v a r u k k u C connen
Chk at a y n a a t t a yp p a R Ri
a v a rukku c c on n e n
" I told him about our country
a tu p a R R i k k e e k k a v e e n t a a m a ta y p p a R R i k k O e k k a v e e n t a a m
Don't ask about that
Essive
Essive is expressed by the use of the adverbialising suffix - aay
tamp i kolu m pil a y t a a k kottar a a y ve e lay cey y i Ra a r
Younger brother is working as a doctor in Colombo"
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Translative
Translative is usually expressed by a noun in the nominative case or by the use of the adverbialising suffix - aay. The choice depends on the verb that follows. For instance, if the following verb is a a k ku make ’, the noun will be in the nominative case; if the following verb is either n iy a mi appoint", or v a y place", or ter i elect ' the noun will have the suffix - a a y.
a v ar a y can k at t a lay v ar a a k k in a m
* We made him the president of the society
a v a r a y c a ñ k a t t a 1 a y v a r a a y n iy a mic c a m
We appointed him the president of the society
a v a r a y c a h k a t t a l a y v a r a a y te r i n c a m * We elected him the president of the society
Part - whole
Part - whole relationships are usually expressed by possessive noun phrases wherein the noun referring to the whole will mostly have the genitive case suffix :
in a a y ii n r a y ta li a y
the head of a dog'
m a r a t t in r a y nun i
top of a tree
Expressions like m a rattu nuni, mara nuni are also possible.
Partitive Partitive numeral
Partitive numerals follow nouns in the locative case. A classifier, peer follows the partitive numeral when reference is made to human nouns.
(44)

m a amp a 1 attila y p at tu “ ten of the mangoes ”
in a a y i lay rent u
two of the dogs'
pet i y a h k al il a y mu unt u peer
three of the boys'
Nonpartitive numerals
Nonpartitive numerals precede the noun they modify. m u unt u pet iy a nk a
three boys'
Partitive quantifiers
Partitive quantifiers follow nouns in the locative case. m a a m p a lattil a y k on cam “some of the mangoes'
in a a yi a y cil a tu a few of the dogs'
pet i y ah k a il a y cil a r pe t iy a n k a lil a y cil a peer
some of the boys
Nonpartitive quantifiers
Nonpartitive quantifiers precede the noun they modify. They are not specially marked.
cil a pet iy a fi k a
Some boys'
k onca p реe r a few persons '
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po ott a 1 i la y k onca e n n ay i rukku 6. There is some oil in the bottle "
Partitive negative quantifiers
Partitive negative quantifiers occur in the following sequence depending on the type of the noun involved :
(i) plural human noun in the nominative -- oruvar -- um. --
illay / verb with marker of negation
pe t iy a ni kal or u v a rum v are e l l a y
None of the boys came "
v e e lay a a k k a or u v a r u m pooke el 1 a y
None of the workers went
vee lay a a k kal or u v a r u m ah k a y ill a y
None of the workers is there "
(ii) singular nonhuman noun -- o n t u -- um -- illay /
verb with marker of negation
k at a y o n tu m ti Rakke e i la y
None of the shops is open
(iii) mass noun +- a minimising quantifier like k on c a m
+ um - illay / verb with marker of negation
a v ar p a a l k on cam u m via ankee l l a y " He did not buy a drop of milk '
In (i) instead of oruvar the question word aar who or e v ar 'who' too may occur. Similarly in sii) instead of on tu the question word e tu which " too may occur. But their occurrence is infrequent.
The nonhuman noun (ii) may sometimes occur in the plural.
(46)

A partitive sense is also possible with the question word ent a which placed before the noun irrespective of the type. When ent a occurs the numeral oruvar / on tu is dropped. The noun form will be usually in the singular (but gives plural sense ) :
ent a p pet iy a num v are e l l a y * None of the boys cameo
ent a k k at a yum ti Rak kee l l a y " None of the shops is open."
lf the speaker intends to emphasize the noun, he may have it in the locative case :
pe t iy ank a li1 a y or u v a rum v are e l l a y
"Among the boys none came '
(This can suggest that in another category, say among
girls, some came.)
k at ay i l a y o n tu m ti R a k k e e 1 1 ay " Among the shops none is open "
pa a i i l ay k on c a m um va a n ke e 1 1 ay literally, " Of the milk, not a drop was bought '
ii n ta a r ii c ii y ii l a y in a a n konc a m u m a van ukkuk kut uk keel a y
In this rice I did not give him any "
Nonpartitive negative quantifiers
A nonpartitive negative quantifier occurs as follows :
oru -- noun in the nominative -- um -- illay 1 vorb with marker of negation
or u pet iy an um v are ell a y * Not a single boy came '
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or u k at a yum ti Rak kee l l a y "Not a single shop is open
lnstead of oru, k on can occurs with mass noun:
k o ñ c A p p a a 1 u m v a a ñ k O e I 1 A y “ Not a drop of milik was bought ”
Zero quantifier too occurs with mass nouns : p o otta l i 1 a y en n a y i 1 l a y
There is no oil in the bottle "
Price
Usually the dative case is used to express the price paid for a thing :
in tap puttak atta y p pattu
r u u p a a y k k u v a a nk in en
I bought this book for ten rupees'
Sometimes the locative case is used when the speaker expresses the upper limit of the price which he would pay for a thing :
n u u Ru r u up a a y il a y or u c i il a y et up p a m literally, “ Let us by a sari worth ono hundred rupees ”
Value
For value expressed as an attribute of a noun, usually
an adjectivalised form of p e Rum at i worth is used.
The adjectival suffix is either - a an a or - u la:
a v a a m u p pa ta a y i r a m r u u p а а у p e R u m a ti y a a n a v a y i r a m v a y cc i r u k ki Ra a V * She has a diamond worth thirty thousand rupees
(48)

in a y ir a m r u up a a y pie Rum at i yu 1 a m a n ikku u tu
a clock worth a thousand rupees'
Distance
Distance covered is expressed by the noun denoting the distance ( like mayil mile', yaar yard", etc. ) either in the nominative or in the dative case :
in a an a van a y or u may ill ukku v i t ť u t t u r at ti n e n
" I chased him after for a mile"
in a a n a v an a y or u may it v it tuit tur attine in
" I chased him after for a mile "
n a a h k a p at t u m ay i n at a nt a tin
We walked ten miles'
in a ank a pattu may illukku in a tant a m
We walked ten miles '
With some verbs the use of noun in the dative case is dominant, and with others the use of noun in the nominative case is dominant. However, the use of both cases is acceptable.
Sometimes the form tu u ram distance may be postposed to the noun phrase. When it is postposed, it alone ( not the noun indicating the distance ) occurs either in the nominative or in the dative case :
in a an a van a y or u may il tu u r a t t u k k u v, i t tu t t u r a t t i n e n
" I chased him after for a mile
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Extent
For extent expressed as an attribute of a noun, commonly an adjective form of a noun containing the feature "extent' is used (e. g. uy a ra ' high , n i il a long ', a k a 1 a
wide ) :
p a t ta t i u y a r a c c u v a r
a wall ten feet high
p a t t a t ii n ii i la c c u v a r
a wall ten feet long "
or u at i a kala c cu via r
a wall one foot wide
Alternatively, an adjectivalised form of a noun containing the feature extent ' is also used. The adjectival suffix is either - a a na or - u a :
p a t t at i u y a ram ul a c u v a r
a wall ten feet high
in a a la i a k a la ma an a me ec a y
a table four feet wide
Concessive
Concessive is expressed by adding - un to a conditional form of verb with final - aal or to a past participle form :
a v a r k a a c u ta n t a a ll u m n a a n a n ta v e el a y c e yy en
I won't do that work even if he gives me money
In a a ni k a ! p u t ii m., a t i c o l l i y u m a van ti r u in te e l l a y * Even though we advised him, he did not improve '
(50)

inclusion
Inclusion is usually expressed by means of the past participle of the verb ceer join together (with)'. The noun included will be in the accusative case :
a r u a y um c e et tu na a lu peer
four persons including Arul
An alternative way of expressing inclusion is by using the form up a a inclusive of with that which is, included. That which is included will then be in the nominative Case
a r u ult p at a n a a lu peer
four persons including Arul '
Exclusion
Exclusion is expressed hy the use of either the postposition ta v i r a or by the use of one of the following past pariiciple forms : ta v it tu, v i 1 a k k i, n i i k k i, v i t t u. When ta v i r a occurs the noun may be either in the nominative case or in the accusative case. When a past participle is used, the noun will be in the accusative case.
m a ni t a v i r a e 1 1 a a r u m v a n t i n a m m a n i y a y i t t a v i r a e 1 l a a r u m v a n t i n a m “ All came except Mani ”
m an iy a y v i t t u a a R u p e e r v a r u v i na m
Six persons will come excluding Mani Addition
Addition is usually expressed by adding in n um "still, additionally o to a noun in the comitative :
m a n iyo o t ay in nu m m u u n u peer v a r u v in a m
o Three people will come in addition to Mani o
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Some speakers may use me e i at ik a ma ay, the adverbial form of m e e 1 a ti k a m :
in c ay i r u k ki R a pattup p o o t t a l o o t. a y m e O l a t i k a m a a y a a R u p o otta 1 v e e n u m
We need six more bottles in addition to the ten bottles that are here
En an expression like the above one, the form innum yet, more can optionally occur preceding either mo e a ti kama a y, a a R u or v c e nu m.
The combination of the coordinator – um...... - um and innum can indicate some kind of addition :
m an i yum in nu m n a a lu peer um vant in a m ' Mani and four more people came
Vocative
In addressing someone by name the ordinary direct case form may be used. Sometimes, the final vowel of the name or term of address is lengthened. When a name ends in a consonant, the consonant is dropped, and the remaining
vowel is lengthened.
Nominative Vocative ponman ponnan * Ponnan o
ponnaa m a ni i m a n i o Manio
m an i i in at a a R 2 A , uncle
n a a n a a I : )
There is no single vocative particle regularly used to precede a vocative form. There are, however, a number of
(S2Y

particles used for the purpose of drawing the attention of the addressee. Some of them are : to e y, at a, et a (only for males) ; iye ey, a ti, et i ( only for females). These are used only with inferiors in rank. Forns like in c a a r appa a ke et u te e y are common for males and females, and are used with persons who are very familiar.
Citation and label forms
The normal citation form for a verb is the singular imperative form. Nominalised form of a verb is also used. A couple of verbs are nominalised by adding - al to the infinitive form : kut u k k a l "giving', via a nk a l'taking, accepting'. Others are nominalised by adding — a t u to the tense base form of a verb: c e y + i + at u c e y y i Ratu 'doing", p o o + R + a tu 'going'. The normal citation form for a noun is the nominative singular.
The nominalised forms in - al or — at u seldom occur on notices, shop fronts, etc. Instead, usually the high variety forms are used. For instance, a notice like 'eggs are available here for sale will appear on notices in Tamil on shop fronts as inke e mutt a y v i R pana y kku un t, u.
Local semantic functions General location
General location is expressed by the locative case ("at rest the nominative or the dative case ( " motion to " ); the instrumental or the ablative case (“ motion from” j.
When motion to " is involved, place names ending in -m
may occur either in the nominative or dative case. All other , mouns occur in the dative case.
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t a mp i i p p a kolu m pil a y i r u k ki R at a r * Younger brother is now in Colombo
n a a n at u tta a an tu c it a m pa r a m po o v e n
na a n a tutta a antu c ita m p a r a t t u k k u p p o o v e m
* I will go to Chidambaram next year
m a a mi k a l a t u t t a m a a tam ko lump u k k up poo Ram
"We are going to Colombo next month
m a a ma a n a a lay k kuk ko lump a a a y V a a R a a r
m a a ma a na a 1 a y k kuk k o 1 u m p i l ay i r u nt u w a a R a a r
Uncle is coming from Colombo tomorrow
For motion past, the past participle of t a a n tu "pass', or k at a “cross is used :
ii n t a b a s m a 1 l a a k a t t a y k k at a ntu po ok um
This bus will go past Mallakam "
A noun in the dative case followed by either a fi ka a a y that side " or a nt a pp a k k a m that side will also give the sense beyond the location indicated by the noun:
inta bas m a 1 1 a a k at tu k k u ank a a la y pook a a tu
" This bus won't go beyond Mallakam
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Proximate location
Proximate location is expressed by the postposing of either Pakk at til a y or k it ta or a r u ki lay, usually following a dative case form :
e i k at a y v i it tuk k up p a k k at til a y or u koo y ill i r u k ku
There is a temple near our house
a nt a m a r at tu k k u k k it t ap pook a we ent a a m Don't go near that tree
a n t a c с u v а г. u k k u а г. u k i 1 а у
or u p a a m p u , i.r, ukku
" There is a Snake near that wall '
. There is a difference in the degree of nearness indicated by these three forms: arukilay inducates very close proximity, p a k k atti a y fairly close proximity and k it ta indicates ciose proximity.
Motion near to is expressed by the postposing of p a k k atta a la y ( instrumental form of pakkam “side') to a noun in the dative casc :
uur v a 1 am en k a in r a y
u u r u k k u p p a k k a t t a a 1 a y p o o C c u t u
* The procession passed near to our village
Interior location
Interior location in a place is expressed by the use of the locative case ending — i l a y :
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a v a r v i i t ti 1 ay i r u k k i Ra a r
He is in the house
Interior location inside something and motion into are expressed by using ul lay "inside" after a noun in the dativo case :
a v a r v i it t u k k u 1 1 ay ir u k k i Ra a r
" He is inside the house"
a v ar v i it tukku 1 a y po on a a r
“ Hie went inside the house ”
Motion from within is expressed by either the instrumental case or the ablative case followed by the postposition v e !! i y ii l a y or v e 1 i y a y “outside”.
a v a r v i i t t a a 1 a y v e l i y ii l a y v a n ta a "
He came out of the house'
v A at tiy a a r v a kup p i 1 ay i r un t u v e li y a y v a n ta a r
* The teacher came out of the class room '
For motion through, either v a liya a y " by way of " or ul a a lay is used. When v a liya a y is used the proceding noun governed by it will be in the nominative case, and for u a a l a y the noun will be in the dative case :
uur v a 1 am en k at a y u u r v а 1і у а а у р р о о с сut u
' The procession went through our village '
u u f v a 1 am e hk at a y u u rukku u a a lay pook u m
"The procession will go through our village"
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Exterior location
Location outside is expressed by the use of either
v e iy a a lay or v c 1 iy a y following a noun in the
dative Case :
ant a me ec a y a y a R a y kku v e iy a a la y k on a a in koo
Bring that table outside the room'
cay ikkil a y v i it tukku v e iy a y V a y kka at a y
Don't keep the cycle outside the house
Location upto. is expressed by using either varay or v ar a y k.k u m or m at tu m following a noun in the nominative case.
n a a n in c ay ir u n tu
m a n n a a r v a ray po one in
" From here, I went upto Mannar "
Location away from within is usually expressed by using v it u v e i y a y following a noun in the accusative case :
ve e la yk a a R a n v i it tay v i t t u
v e iy a y po of t a a n
"The servant has gone away from home
Movement past exterior location is expressed by the Same means as general location.
Anterior location
Anterior location is expressed by means of having m u in in a a l a y, m u n n u k k u, m u n p u R a t t i l a y, m u in p a k k attil a y, m unpu Rama a y, or m u in - p a k k a m a a y following a noun in the dative case:
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e in k at a y v i it tukku m unna a 1 a y o ru per iy a ve ep p a m a r a m n ikku
* There is a big margosa tree in front of our house'
unk a luk ku m unnukku a a r i r u n ta tu
* Who was seated in front of you ?
v i i t u k k u m u n pu R at ti l ay
to o t t a m i r u k ku
" There is a garden in front of the house
uňka ta y v i i t tu k k u m u n p a k k at ti l a y e n n a i r u k k u
* What is there in front of your house?'
en k at a y v i itt ukku m unpu Ram a a y or u v i it u k at t a la a m
You can build a house in front of our house
a nt a k k at a y k.k u m u in p a kk a ma a y
or u ka a ni va ank u v a m
Let us buy a land in front of that shop
Motion to in front of is expressed by m u n n a a la y CE m u n n ukku or m un p a k kattukku or In , in pu R a. m. a. a y or mu in p a k k a ma a y following a noun in the dative form :
avan v i i t t u k k u m u n n a a 1 a y p o o n a a n
He went in front of the house
The forms in - aay may give the sense toward, by the front of too
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The instrumental or the ablative case is used to express motion from in front of
a v a T v i i t t u m u n p a k k a t t a a l a y vant u k on i r u k ki Raar
He is coming from in front of the house k a m a la a v iii tukku m un p a k k at til a y i r u n t u v a a R a a
Kamala is coming from in front of the house p o n n a r t o 0 t t a m u n p a k k a t t a a 1 a y p o o R a a r
* Pornar is going from in front of the gaden *
Note that the noun preceding is usually either in the oblique form or in the dative. Sometimes an adjectival form of the noun (as in the last example above ) too can occur.
Motion past in front of is expressed as follows:
p o n n a r t o o t t a m u n p u R a t ta y
ta a n tip po on a a r
Ponnar went past the front of the garden
p on in a r to o t t a m unpu Rattukku
aň k a a 1 a y p o o n a a r
Ponnar went beyond the front of the garden'
Posterior location
Posterior location ( at rest) is usually expressed by the postposing to a moun of p i n n u k k u or p i n n a a l a y or p i n p u R at ti l a y or p i n p a k k at ti i a y or p in pu Rama a y or p in p a k k a ma a y :
enk at a y v i it tuk k up p in n a a la y
k an a ma am a r a m n ikkutu
"There are many mango trees behind our house
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Motion to behind is expressed by p in nukku or p in n a a lay or p in pakkam or p in p a k katt u k k u or p i n p u R at tu k k u or p in pu R a ma ay or p in p a k k a ma a y :
k u 1 a n t a y v i i t t u k k u p p i n n u k k u p p ook utu * The child is going behind the house
Motion from behind is expressed by p in n ukku ir unt u or p in n a a lay i r u ntu or p in p a k kait tukku i r unt u or p in p a k k at til a y i r u in tu or p in p a k k atta a la y ΟΥ p in pu Rattukku ir untu or p in p u Ratti lay i r u in tu or p in puR atta a la y or p in pu R a m i r u ntu or p in p a kk a m i r u nt u :
kulant a y v i it tuk k up p in n a a la y i r u n t u p o o k u tu " The child is going from behind the house
Motion past behind is expressed by either p in p a k kait tay or p in pu R atta y followed by ta a n ti or k at a ntu.
m a at u ka 1 v i it tup p in p u Ratt a yt
ta a n t i p p o o k u tu " The cows are going past behind the house
The expressions p in p a k k at tukku a ri ka a la y or p in p u Rattukku ank a a lay will give the sense
beyond behind ".
Superior location
The postposition meelay is added to a noun in the dative case to express superior location.
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v i i | uk k u m o e 1 ay o t u p at t a m p a R a k k u tu ' A kite is flying above the house
Motion to above is expressed by using meelay meelay:
p i ! e e n v i i t t u k k u m e e ! a y m e e 1 a y p o o k u tu
* The plane is going up and up above the house
The word meelay may be used only once but the Sense will be ambiguous :
pile en v i it tukku m O C lay p a R a n t u p o o k u tu
The plane is flying above the house * The plane is flying ( to ) above the house"
Motion from above is expressed by the use of the ablative case :
e ink at a y v i it tukku m eel a y i r u in tu pile en p a t t ent u u y a rap po oc cut u
* All of a sudden the plane went
up from above our house '
Motion past is expressed by using the past participle of ta a n t u “ pass over ” or k a ta “ cross ' with a noun in the accusative : W
ant a p pile en en kata y viitta yt t a a n t i p p o o c c u tu ' That plane passed over our house '
Superior - contact location
Jaffna Tamil does not make a distinction between
superior and superior - contact location. Only the context of
speech can indicate whether there is coat act or not.
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inferior and inferior a contact location
Jaffna Tamil does not distinguish inferior and inferior - contact situation. For both, the post position k i is a y is used following a moun in the dative case.
i n t a p p a la m m a r a titu k k u k k i i ay k it a nt u tu
6 This fruit was under the tree
p a a mp u k at till ukkuk ki i a y pook u tu "The snake is going under the bed
p a a mp u k at till ukkuk
k i i la a l a y v a r u k u tu
p a a mp u k at till ukkuk ki il a y i r u n t ua v a r u k u t u
The snake is coming from under the bed
ki i lay can also be used in a metaphorical sense :
a v a r un k a l u k k u k k i i l a y
v e o 1 а у се у у і R a a r a a
Is he working under you ? "
Lateral location
Lateral and lateral - contact are both expressed by the postposing of p a k k at t1 a y or a r u k il a y in the
vicinity", close to to a noun in the dative case :
t a mp i a mm a a k k up p a k k at til a y
n in t u k o n t i r u in ta a n
* Younger brother was standing beside mether'
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p a n t u u ni k a 1 u k k u p p a k k at ti l a y ir ukku * The ball is beside you
The adverbialised form of o or a m edge too can give the sense of beside " when the noun concerned is imanimate :
p a ntu ve e i i o or a ma a y kit a k ku
The ball is beside the fence '
a v ar ve el i o or a ma a y n ikki Ra a r
He is ( standing ) beside the fence'
The comitative case form too may give the sense beside :
a v ar veel i y o ot a y n ikki Ra a r
" He is standing ) beside the fence'
Motion to beside is expressed by using p a k k at tukku following a no un in the nominative :
t a m p i k a a r p a k k at tu k k u p p o o n a a in
Younger brother went beside the car
The adverbialised form of p a k k a m too can indicate notion to beside :
a van ca y ikki p a k k a ma a y p po on a a n
He went beside f toward the cycle
The form a tikku following a noun (inanimates only) in the nominative too can give the sense beside '.
t a m p i k a a R a t i y i 1 a y n i k k i R a a n
Younger brother is standing beside the car'
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a van k a a R at ikk up poo Ra an
He is going beside the car
Motion from and motion past are expressed as follows :
a van k a a r p a k k at til a y i r u n t u v a a R a a n
a v a n k a a r p a k k a t ta a l a y v a a R a a n
a v a n ka a R a ti y i l a y i r u n tu va a R a a n
a v a n k a a R a t i y a a 1 a y v a a R a a n
" He is coming from beside the car
a v a n k a a R u k k u p p a k k a t t a a l a y v a a R a a n
He is coming by the side of the car "
a v a n k a a R a y t t a a n t i v a a R a a n
He is coming past the car
The first four sentences have the same meaning. The
second sentence may give the sense, " He is coming by the side of the car too.
Citerior location
A noun in the dative case followed by the proximate pronoun int a ' this and by the locative form of p a k k a m o ide ” indicates citerior location :
p a ikku u t a m can tikku int a p p a k k at til a y i r u k ku
* The school is on this side of the junction
c a n ta y k k u ii n ta p p a k k a tt u k k u
va an ko o
* Come to this side of the market '
64)

c a n t a y k k u i n ta p p a k k att i 1 a y i r u n tu o o t at tu v a nk u v a m
Let us start running from this side of the market '
Alternatives to p a k k attukku are p a k k a m and p a k k a ma a y. An alternative to p a k k a titi - l a y i r u ntu is p a k k a m i r u ntu .
Ulterior location
A noun in the dative case followed by the remote demonstrative a nt a that ' and by the locative form of p a kk a m indicates ulterior location:
p a l li k k u u t a m c a nt i k k u a nt a p p a k k at ti l a y 1 r u k k u
' The school is on that side of the junction "
cant a y k.k u a nt a p p a k k at tukku v a. a n k o o
Come to that side of the market '
cant a ykk u anta p p a k k at til a y i r u n t u o o t at tu v aň k u v a m
Let us start running from that side of the market
A noun in the dative followed by a ni ka a lay or anka a lukku can indicate ulterior location i
p a ! ! i k k u u t a m c a n ti k k u ank a al a y /
ank a a lukku i r u kku
" The school is on that side of the junction "
An alternative to p a k k at tukku is p a k kam a a y.
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Motion past is expressed by the pastparticiple form of taan tu or k at a as in earlier instances.
Medial location.
There are three forms it a y, n at u and matti that may be used to indicate medial location. These forms can mean * between ', " among ' and in the centre . Of these, it a y is used to indicate medial location between two entities, and at times for location among three or more. The other two are used to indicate location only among three or more entities.
Medial location at rest is expressed by a noun in the dative or genitive followed by the locative of either ița y, n at u or m at ti.
anta rent u m a rattukku it a y il a y or u k in a Ru irukku
There is a weli between those two trees
f ent u k at a y in ray m at tiy i la y o ru k i na R u i r u k k u
* There is a well between the two shops'
The noun in question may occur in its adjectival form or in its oblique form too :
ni ink a a nt a rent u v i i t t u m at tiyil a y / it a y il a y / n at u v i la y in nu m or u v i it u ka t t a 1 a. a m
You can build another house in between
those two houses
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Motion to and from are expressed as follows :
ant a m a rank a 1 in ray it a y k.k up po o h k o o
Go to between those trees'
m a r an k a l u k k u it ay i l ay ir untu v e l i y a y v a a R a a n
m a rank a l in r ay it ay i l ay ir u n tu v e !! i y a y v a a R a a n
He is coming out from among trees
Motion past through may be expressed by the use of u ut a a ka or u ll a a la y :
m a r a hk a lukku u ut a a kap poo Ra an
He is going through trees
Circumferential location
Circumferential location is expressed by the postposing of c ut ti ( past participle form of the verb c u t t u
surround ' ) to a noun in the accusative case.
in a a nk a v i it a y c cutti m a til k at tap po o R a m
* We are going to build a wall around the house
Some speakers may use c ut ti v a r a instead of c ut ti alone.
m a ni v i i t t a y c c ut it i v a r a o o t u R a a n
Mani is running round the house '
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Citerior - anterior location
Citerior - anterior location ( at rest ) is usually expressed by the postposing of et i r a y or et i rily of et i r a a ka or et i r a a y or et i r p a k k at til a y or e ti r p u R at ti l a y to a noun in the dative.
The forms usually used to express " in front of may be also used to express citerior - anterior location.
koo y if u k k u et i r a y mu unt u k at a y i r u k ku " There are three shops opposite the temple
Motion to, from and past are expressed as follows :
k o o y i l u k k u e ti r a y p o o n a a l m a piy in r a y v i it i u k k up pook a l a a m
'You can go to Mani's house if you go
opposite the temple
a van koo y ill ukku e tir il a y ii r u n tu w a n ta a n
He came from opposite the temple
Motion past long object (in direction of its length)
Motion through a long ( hollow ) object in the direction of its length is expressed by vali y a or v aliya a y ( v a 1 i “ way” ) or m u u l a m o through” or u ut a a k a ( u u u means ' ) or u a a y ( u , u a y in '., When ull a a lay is used the noun will be in the dative case. With all other forms the noun Will bc in the nominative case.
t a n n i k u c i n i k k u k k u ! a a y vali y a v a r u kutu
* The water comes to the kitchen through a pipe
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t a n n i k u ! a a y k k u u 1 1 a a 1 a y to i t i k k u p p o o k u tu
The water goes to the tub through a pipe
For motion along an edge or border of something o or a ma a y ( o or a m edge' - a a y ) is usually used :
m a layt. tan ni v i i ti o o r a na a ay p o o k u tu
f The rain water is flowing along the edge of the street
When the motion takes place on the upper surface of
an object m e e la y or m e e 1 a a 1 ay is used :
a n ta p pa a l at tu k k u m e e la y 1 or i po o ka I a a m
' A lorry can go on that bridge
i n ta n i la t t u k k u m e e la a l a y in a t a k k a v c en ta a m
Don't walk over this floor "
Motion past long object (at right angles to its length)
Motion across a long object can be expressed by the use of the postposition k u Ruk k a y or k u Rukka a - lay following a noun in the dative case :
in ta. veli kku k k u Ru k k a y n a a lu m a y i l po o n a R i ka t a l te r i y u m
* If you go four miles across this open space
sea will be visible '
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inta a attukkuk k u Rukka a lay or u.
a na y k a t t a p p o o y i n a m
* They are going to build a dam across this river
Motion past a long object at right angles to its length is expressed by the past participle of ta ant u or k at a
cross :
m a n i Ro o t t a y t t a a n t ip p o o n a a n
Mani went across the road
Other directional locations
Location in terms of directions ( north, south, etc. ) is expressed by the postposing of the accusative form of the directional marker to a noun in the dative case. The directions are v at a k k u north ', ter ku south ', ki ! a k k u “ east ' and m e e r k u “ west ”.
a inta k k a t a y koo y ill ukkuk ki a k k ay i r u k ku * That shop is to the east of the temple
Location to the left or the right is usually expressed by the postposing of it at u pakkam - it a p p a k k a m and v a 1 a tu p a k k a m ~ v a la p p a k k a m appropriately to a noun in the dative or genitive case.
a v a r e n a k k u i a tu p a k k a m
i r u at a a r
a va r en r a y i t a tu pa K Ka a ir unt a a
He sat on my left
An alternative of p a kkam is Pakk at til a y.
70)

a v ar en a kku it at u p a k k at ti l a y i r u nta a r
In certain contexts, pakk at tukku can be yet another alternate form
ne er a y po o y it at u pak kam / p a k k attil a y | p a k kattukku
t i r u m p un k o o
"Go straight and turn to your left"
Location in time
The commonest types of question about times of day are usually expressed as follows :
-0 l at I e er a na
C C T a e in a e t t i na y m a n i m an i et t in a y p o ! ut u e n n a
What is the time 2
The time of day is usually expressed by the appropriate numeral indicating the time optionally followed by the Word m a n i hour when minutes are not involved in the
xpression :
i p pa ne e r a m j a A R u ( mani )
Now the time is six o' clock '
ipp a n e er a m a a Re e k a al ( m an i) "Now the time is quarter past six '
When minutes are involved, the word mani does not occur - na e r Cly the appropriate numerals are exprsesed.
i p p a n e e r a m e e ! u p a ti n a ñ cu
Now the time is seven fifteen '
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i p p a n e e r a m a a R u a m p a tu
Now the time is six fifty
Some speakers may use the words m a ni and n i m i s a m
appropriately to express the hour and the minutes precisely :
the
i p p a n e e r a m a a R u m a ni
a mp at u in im is a m " Now the time is six o' clock ( and ) fifty minutes When the time at which something done is expressed, numeral indicating the time will be in the dative casc: n a a f a y k k u k k a a l a m a y e t t u k k up po o V a m * Let us go tomorrow morning at eight '
in a a la y k kuk k a a la may et i u m an ikku po o v a m * Let us go tomorrow morning at eight o' clock '
a v a n n e e R Ru a a Ru i r u v at u k k ut ta a n v a n ta a n
He came yesterday only at six twenty
a van n e o R Ru a a Ru m a ni ii r u V a tu n i m i s a tt u k k u t ta a n v a n t a a n
" He came yesterday only at six twenty Note that when the word mani or n im is a m occurs
in the expression, it alone will be in the dative. If both
occur in an expression only the word n im is a m will be in
the dative.
Period of day
Expressions indicating a part of the day occur either in the
nominative or in the locative case. There is a difference in
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meaning between the use of these two case forms. When the locative case is used, it implies that it is the proper and usual or possible time for doing something. The direct case, however, implies a specific time on a specific day :
p in n e er at til a y va a hko o
* Come in the evenings'
in a a nk a l k o oy ilu k k up p in n e er at til a y pook a la a m
We can go to the temple in the evenings
p in n e er a m va a ni ko o
* Come this evening ''
in a a ri ka 1 in a a la yk k up p in n e era m ko o y ilu k k up po o v a m * Let us go to the temple tomorrow evening
Broadly, the parts of the day are as follows : k a a la m. a y “ morning ", m at ti y a a n a mi “ ( around ) mid - day ”, p i n n e e r a m “ evening ', r a a t t ii r ii r r a a “ night ”, i r a V a y k k u night '.
The form r a at ti r i or r a a is used orally to refer to past time, and may be preceded by an expression like nee R Ru yesterday" or mu nt an a a the day before yesterday . The form i r a v a y k.k u is used only in context of future time. And note that it is in the
dative case :
a v a r r a at ti r i v a n t a a r
" He came last night
a v a r i r a v a y k k u v a r u v a r o He will come tonight o
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Day of the week
The days of the week are: ia a yi R Rukkia - m a y, ti n k a k k i 1 a m a y, c e v v a a y k k i la m a y, p u t a n k i ! am a y, v i y a a 1 a k k i 1, a m a y, v e 1, ! i kk i a may, can ikki am a y. These have alternative forms : m a a y i R u, ti i n k a ! , c e v v a a y, p u t a n, v i y a a a n, vell i, can i.
Like the parts of a day, these forms too can occur either in the nominative or in the locative with the same semantic distinction :
n a a n i n c a y ti ň k a 1 v a r u v e n
* I will come here on (next) Monday
n a a n in c a y ti ri k a 1 i 1 a y v a r u v e n ' I will come here on Mondays '
In Jaffna Tamil, the form k il a may can indicate both the day and the week. Its use to indicate day is, however, restricted :
in t a y kku e n n a kil a may “What day is today ?
v a a R a k i 1 a ma a y a v a r v a r u v a r " He will come next week ' Another word commonly used to indicate day is n a a in t a y kku e n n a na a
What day is today ? c n ta In a a li a v a r v a n ta v a r
" On what day did he come p "
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ent a y k ku a v ar vant a var
On what day did he come 2
ent a ykk u occurs as an alternative for enta in a a 1. An expression like ent a k k il a ma y van - ta V a r is seldom used, for, it will be very ambiguous :
what day" or what week ".
Month of the year
Month - names are given usually with reference to the lunar calendar. They are as follows : c i t ti r a y ( AprilMay ), v a y k a a c i ( May - June ), a a ni (June - July ), a a ti ( July — August ), a a v a ņ i ( August - September ), pur at t a a ti N p u ra t t a a c i ( September - October ), a y p p a c i ( October - November ), k a at ti k a y (November - December), m a a r k a i ( December - January ), a y (January - February ), m a a oi ( February - March ), paikuni ( March - April).
The same set of month - names in Tamil is used whether one is referring to the western calendar or the traditional lunar calendar. For official purposes, the months are as the present day English months, i. e. tay is January, m a a c i February, etc. Speakers may make a distinction as ink il i is ukku ~ a v ank a - luk k u : for English ~ for them ' and enk a lukku for us . Names of months can be used with a locative marker or followed by m a a c a m ~ m a at a m with or without a locative marker :
a v a r ta y y ii l a y 1 an: an ukku papá'6R a a r
( از a v ar it a y ma at a m lant autikk up p o o R a a r
(75)

Page 48
a v a r t a y m a at at til a y lant an uk k up po o Ra a r
" He is going to London in January'
To express days of the month ordinal numerals (formed with - a a m ) followed by te et i are used. Some speakers m ay use te e ti in the locative case. In order of sequence, the day follows the month :
in a ank al va a R a ma at a m p atta a m teeti la n an u k k up poo R a m
* We are going to London on the
tenth of next month '
m u t a l te e t i is an alternate form for m u ta 1 a a rii. te et i.
Year
Speakers make reference to a year A. D. usually by the last two digits of the number followed by the locative suffix : in a a in k a a R u v a til a y in c a y vant a m
We came here in 60
The Hindu era is also followed but only in reference to rituals, religious ceremonies and traditional astrology.
Festivals
Locative expressions of time referring to festivals usually
consist of the name of the festival followed by either n a a
day in the locative case or by the form an u " that
day :
76)

p o h k a l na a i i l ay k at ay ti R a ntu i r u k ku ma a
Will the shops be open on the Pongal day ?
ti i p a a v a l i a n t u m a a m a a
in C a y var u var
“ Uncle will come here on the Dipavali day'
Some speakers may use the form t in a ttan t u ( ti n a m o festive occasion " -- a n t u “ that day ”), instead of ant u alone.
p o h k a l ti n a t t a n t u v a a n k o o
o Come on the Pongal day'
Seasons
Seasons fall into two broad divisions, koot a y hot season and maar i cold season ', rainy season'. The word k a a la m. time ' is sometimes used with these twc names. v e y y ill k a a a m Sunny period' is an alternate form for koot a y; m a a y k a a a m rainy season and kulir k a a la m. cold season are alternate forms for m a a r i. Locative time expression of these forms have
the locative suffix a dded :
k o o t ay i l ay k a a la m ay p at tu m a ni k k up p i Rak u to ott at til a y vee la y c e yya m utiya at u
During the hot season it is not possible to work in the garden after ten o” clock in the morning °
(77)

Page 49
Frequentative
Frequentative time expressions are usually formed
by having the time noun in question between ov v or u-...
o v v or u m an it tiya a la mum pilee n i r u k ku
There is a plane every hour
o v v o r u n a a ! u m m a a m a a v a r u v a r
Uncle will come daily '
a v a r o v v o r u ta y y u m an an u k k up po o v a r
He goes to London every January "
Some of the nouns may optionally take the locative
suffix and give the same meaning :
ov v or u tink a lilu m m a a ma a
i ñic a y v a r u v a r
( literally, Uncle comes here on every Monday )
Uncle comes here every Monday"
a v ar o v v or u ta y y illum lan t an uk k up po o v a r ( literally, He goes to London in every January )
He goes to London every January "
But not
* o v v o r u m a ņ it ti y a a l a t t i 1 u m pile en i r u k ku
* ov v or u in a a lilu m m a a ma a v a r u v a r
(78)

An alternative way of forming frequentative time (expressions is by adding - to o Rum every to a general time expression.
a van in c a y na al to o Rum vant a a n
He came here daily
a v a n iñc a y n a a ! to o R u m v a a R a a n " He comes here daily
pile e n n a a to o Rum i r u k ku
There is a plane daily "
m a a ri to o Rum m a rank a v i u m
" Trees fall during every rainy season "
Punctual - future
The sense of punctual - future can be expressed by using the locative, the instrumental or the dative case form of a time - noun following the numeral indicating the duration of the interval envisaged. u a y in is postposed to the dative case form :
n a a n r e n t u m an it ti y a a l at t i 1 a y t i r u m p i v a n t i t u v e n * I shall come back in two hours'
n a a n r e n t u m a n i t ti y a a 1 a t t a a l a y
tir umpi vant it u v e in * I shall come back after two hours
In a a n r e n t u m a ni t t i y a a l a t t u k k u ul a y tirump i v anti i u v e n
" I shall come back within two hours '
(79)

Page 50
Note that the use of different case markers convey subtle differences in meaning.
Punctual - past
The sense of punctual - past is expressed by adding
n un na a la y before, m u in th a m before ΟΥ
m u in ti " before to a noun phrase ( consisting of numeral -- time noun ) in the dative case :
m u u n t u m ani t ti y a a l at t u k k u m u n n a a l a y a v a n C a n t a y k k u p
p o O n a a n
m u u n t u m a n i t ti y a al at t u k k u m u n n a m a van cant a yk k up p o O n a a n
m u u n t u m a ni t ti y a a l at tu k k u m u n t i a v a n c a n t a y k k u p p o o n a a a
He went to the market three hours ago
When longer period of time is expressed in terms of years, the form ka a la m. time ', " period may be used
in the dative following the adjectival form of v ar us a m
year " :
i r u v at u v a r u is a k a a 1 at tu k k u m u n t i
twenty years ago
Duration
Duration of an action in the past or future is expressed by the numeral indicating the period of action
oilowed by the time - noun in the nominative :
80)

a v a r k o u m p i l ay a a R u w a ru sa m ir unt a a r
" He was in Colombo for six years'
m a a m a a l a In t a n i l a y a a R u m a a ta m ir up p a r
Uncle will be in London for six months
Duration of an action in the present tense is also expressed in the same way, but the adverbialising suffix - aay may be optionally added to the time noun :
a war ko 1 u m pily a a Ru v ar us a m i r u k ki Raar
a var k ou m pil a y a a Ru var u sa maа у i r u k ki Ra a r
He has been in Colombo for six years. '
Some speakers may use the time noun in its adjectival form followed by ka a la m. A sentence where - aay occurs will have the alternate form with the time noun in its adjectival form followed by ka a la ma a y. Note that the adverbialising suffix - aay is added to k a a l a m :
a v ar kolu m pil a y a a Ru var u ša k a a la m i r u k ki R. a a r
a var ko lump i lay a a R u v ar us a k a a l a ma a y i r u k ki Ra a r
He has been in Colombo for six years'
(8R 1 Y

Page 51
The extent of time that someone spent or would spend in a place is usually expressed by the appropriate numeral
followed by the time noun in the nominative or dative :
in a ank al in c a y or u kil a may kku
v anti r u k ki R a m
“We’ve arrived bere for a week ”
n a ank al in c ay o r u kila m y i r up p a m
in a a hkal in c a y or u k is a may k ku ir up p a m
We will be here for a week "
The use of the dative form is more dominant,
Similarly the extent of time within which an action is done may be expressed by using either the nominative or the dative case :
in a a n n e e R. Ru or u m an it tiya a 1 a m ańk a y v e e 1 a y c e y te m " I worked there for an hour yesterday
In a a n n e e R R u o r u m a n i t t i y a a l a t tu k k u a n k a y v e e il a y c e y te n
" I worked there for an hour yesterday
Anterior - duration
Anterior - duration, both past and future, are expressed by the postposition v a ray k ku m ^ v ar a y until ', " as far as ', up to following a word or phrase referring to the point or period of time in question in the nominative case.
(S2)

po on a tink al p in no e ram a a Ru m a ni v a r a y k k u m a v a r i ñc a y t a a n ii r u in ta a r
He was indeed here until last Monday evening six o'clock '
v a a R a tink a l v a r a y o n t u m
in a a wa at u
“ Until next Monday nothing will happen "
Posterior - duration
Posterior - duration, both past and future, are expressed by the ablative case form of a moun phrase referring to the point or period of time in question:
t i h kal i l ay ir u nt u on t u m n a t a k ke e 1 1 a y
Nothing has happened since Monday
t i h k a! i l ay ir u nt n na a n in c ay
i r u p pen
* I will be here from Monday onwards
Also consider the following types of constructions
t in kal to takk a m on tum in at a k k Cell a y
Nothing has happonsd from Monday onwards
ti h k a ! u k k u p p i R a k u o n t u m in a a k keell a y " Nothing has happened after Monday
(83.

Page 52
Anterior a general
Anterior - general is expressed by the use of m unti before ", m u n n a m before", m un nukku " before , m u n n a a la y before O mu ta 1 prior to following a noun phrase in the dative case. The verb is usually marked for perfective aspect :
p o on a tink a luk ku m unt i na a n
in c a y vant it t e in
p o on a tin ka u k ku m u n n a a lay in a a n
in c a y v a nt it t e n
p o o m a ti ni k a l u k k u m ut a l m a a n in c a y vant it ten
* I came here previous to last Monday
Posterior - general
Posterior - general is expressed by using pi R a ku afterwards' or p in n a a la y after following a noun phrase in the dative case :
put a nukk up p i Rak u a hk a y po o ven
I will go there subsequent to Wednesday
Expressions with numerals indicating the period may have alternative expressions With the time noun in the instrumental case :
a pp a a mu un tu ma at at tuk k up
p i R a k u v a r u v a r
a p p a a m u un i u m a a ta t ta a l a y v a r u v a r
Father will come after three months
(84)

Point in period
Reference to a point in a period in the past or future is expressed by using the appropriate numeral followed by the time noun in the dative case and u a y. In some types of constructions the time noun can also be in the locative, but then u a y won't follow :
p o on a or u m an it tiya al at tukku u ! ] a y t a a k k o t ta r p a t t u v a r u t ta k k a a R a r a y c c o oit i c c a a r
The doctor examined ten patients within the last ( past ) one hour
po on a or u m an it tiya al at til a y ț a a k k ot ta r p at t u v a r ut ta k k a a R a r a y c с о о t i c c a a r
The doctor examined ten patients in the past one hour
ren tu m an it tiya a lattukku u a y van t it u v en
* I will return within two hours
r e n t u m a n i t t i y a a l at ti l a y v a n t i t u v e a
I will return in two hours
a v ar po on a pattu in a a ukkula y i n са у v a n t a v a r
" He had come here within the past ten days
But not
* a v a r p o o n a p at t u n a а 1 і 1 а у
MNV 1 in c a y w a n ta v a r
(85)

Page 53
Number marking system and its nature
Most count nouns can potentially have different forms
for singular and plural. Mass nouns like tanni water, ka attu wind ’ are never used in plural.
Extent to which number a marking system is obligatory
Human nouns are always marked for number if the reference is to more than one :
nee R Ru na al u m an ic i y a
in c a y vant in a m
Four women came here yesterday'
va atti ma a rukku in i na l l a camp a a m kut up at u m a a m
It seems that teachers will be paid good salary hereafter "
The plural of nonhuman nouns is cominonly unexpressed, particularly when a numeral precedes. Usually the singular form is used with either singuiar or plural sense. In general, Tamil speak: rs use the plural in the nonhuman category only when they wish to einphasize plurality, that is, number of units are involved.
when a
Nouns referring to foodstuffs, fruits, etc. do not generally occur in the plural even if a number of units of the same variety are referred to. Note that these are the nouns which may be replaced by the singular ferm i tu
“ this ", a t u " that " and ut u “ that ' even whcin plural in SCSC
a v ay m a a t u w a ank a p p o o y in a m a a
Are they going to buy a cow?' * Are they going to buy cows?”
86)

a v a y p at tu m A a t u va a h k a p poo y in a ma a m
" It seems they are going to buy ten cows " .
in a a n k a n a a la yk kuk ka a y ka Riyal Va a in k a vee num
"We must buy vegetables tomorrow'
Manner of realisation of number distinctions
The basic form of the noun or the stean itself indicates the singular. Plural is formed by adding the plural suffix to Singular forms. The plural markers are several, and they are mostly lexically conditioned. It may be, however, possible to give a partial phonological coaditioning for their OCCLITTCCCB
The distribution of the lexically conditioned allomorphs of the plural suffix may be shown in different classes as follows :
Class I plural marker - ka
pe in female' p enk a females a a n male a a n k a in a les' pet iy an boy pet i yank a boys' In a r a n tree ' m a rank a trees v i it u house v i it u ka 1 houses
Word - final -n and - m are realized as in before k. When - kal occurs with nouns ending in - u, the k in - k a is very often dropped in speech leading to - u al.
(87)

Page 54
Class II plural marker - away
ti i v a a ! ti i v a a 1 a v a y
lady from an island' ladies from an island '
p an in a a lay a a p a n n a a 1 a y a a l a v а у
lady from the village ladies from the village called Pannaalai called Pannaalai
p on n a m p a la m. p on n a m p a la ma V a y
personal name - Ponnambalam and
Ponna mbalam ” ’ his family or people'
Note that personal names too occur in plural in this dialect of Tamil.
Class I plural marker - a
pe t t a y girl pe t t a y a girls' pil a y child pi lay a 1 children'
m i in k a a R i mi in k a a R iy a
woman who sells fish women who sell fish. " k ay ' hand ' k a y y a hands'
Final — y in a monosyllabic form with a short vowel doubles when a suffix beginning in a vowel follows.
Class IV plural marker - ukal
m a a n deer m a a nuk a deer
nu a a n nulla an uk a
small reddish ant' small reddish ants'
Via a n *. Van * v a a n u k a l " vans !"

In this class only nonhuman nours/agpur. ඉං spසඳgh the k in - u kal is sometimes dropped,
Class V
en c in iy a r
engineer'
kia a k ku
6 clerk
in a C C a
manager
t a a k k o t t a r 6 doctor "
plural marker - maai
en c in iy arm a a r
engineers
kia a k ku maar
clerks’
m a n e e C C a r n a a f
managers
taakkotta rm a a r
doctors
In this class usually professional terms and borrowings
from English occur.
Class V
a at a
uncle
a C C at 2 cousin'
it a hk a c ci
younger sister'
to oli
friend (female)'
plural marker - avay -maar
a m m a a n a v а у
a at a a
o uncles o
m a c c a. a n a v а у
a C C a a at a
cousins '
t a n k a cc i y a v а у tah k a c c i m a a r
younger sisters
to o 1 iy a v a y to o im a a r
friends (female)

Page 55
a y y a r a y y a r a v a y
Hindu priest a y y a r m a a r Hindu priests
Class VI plural marker - a 1 ~ -avay ~ - maar
c in ee k it i c in ee k it i y a
friend ( female)' c in ee kiti y a v a y
c i n e e k i ti m a a r friends ( female) '
c a koot a r i c a koot a ri y a
sister c a k o ota r i y a v a y
c a koot a rim a a r
sisters
Class Vl plural marker - r
c in ee k it a n c in ee k it a r 6 friend friends
pa at tukka a R an p a at tukka a R a r
singer " singers
e n n a ykk a a R an e n n a y kka a R a r
oil - seller " oil - sellers
The - r ending plural forms in this class can also qccur as masculine singular honorific forms. The concord with the finite verb would, however, indicate whether a form is singular honorific or epicene plural : if a finite verb with inflections of epicene plural occurs as predicate of the subject c in ee k it a r, then C in ee k it a r is plural as in cine e k it a r vant in a m Friends came '.. If c in eek it a r has concord in a finite verb inflected to masculine honorific singular, then c in ee k it a r is honorific singular as in c in ee k it a r v a n t a a r * Frientă
( honorific ) came !”.
(90)

Number - marking of foreign words
Foreign words have been assimilated into the language, particularly in the speech of the monolinguals, and usually such words take the Tamil number markers to form plural:
V a. a. In van ' va an u kal vans'
en c in iy a r en c in i y arm a a r
engineer engineers
Bilinguals, speaking Tamil and English, may use the plural form of English words (as they occur in English) in their mixed speech of Tamil and English :
in a a a ykk u re n u I m in is to : s ] y a a 1 p a a n attil a y per iy a [ s k u ul sikk if I p o o y in a m
Tomorrow two ministers are going to the big schools in Jaffna
Noun classes : their labels and meaning
In Tamil there are two major classes of nouns: human and nonhuman. Human nouns are further classifiable into two sub classes : masculine and feminine.
One can usually predict whether a noun is human or nonhuman by its meaning. If a noun or pronoun refers to a human being, it is human. If a noun refers to anything else it is nonhuman (some exceptions must be made for nouns referring to gods which can be either human or nonhuman ). Thus nouns referring to animals and other beings, except humans, are nonhuman.
(91)

Page 56
Gender in many of the nouns is lexically conditioned, and is definable syntactically in terms of concord: a masculine noun which occurs as subject of a sentence has concord with a finite verb inflected with masculine gender suffix. Examples of human nouns in the past tense are:
v e e 1 a y k a a R a n v a n t a a n
* The servant (male ) came ( nonhonorific ) '
vee la yk a a R a hik al vanta a hk al.
* The servants ( males) came (non honorific )
v e e 1 a y k a a R i v a n t a a 1 “ The servant ( female ) came ( non honorific ) ”
v e e l a y k a a R i y a I. v a n t a a ! a v a y
The servants (females ) came ( nonhonorific) '
m a a ma a van ta a r
Uncle came ( honorific ) '
mu a a m i v a n t a a
Aunt came ( honorific ) '
c on takk a a Rar vant in a m
Relations came ( epicene plural )
The corresponding anaphoric pronouns are : a v a n. a v a ñ k a I. , a v a ! , a v a l a v a y, a v a r, a v a a, a v a y.
There are a few nouns in which the masculine and feminine genders can be morphologically determined in terms of suffixes. There is no indication of gender in the no human except in the demonstrative and interrogative pronouns. Where -tu occurs.
(92)

The distribution of the allomorphs of the gender suffix
may be shown in different classes:
Class
(a) masculine - an
a van he '
i van he
u v an he
ev an who (male) '
(b)
k u r u t an
“ blind man ”
v i c a r a na
* mad man *
ce k it an
“ deaf man ”
ta. a y V an
leader ( male )
c in ee k it a n
friend male ) '
tuna y van
assistant ( male
(c)
p i r a a m an a n
brahmin (male) '
493)
feminine - a
a v a she
iv a she
u v a she
eval who (female)"
feminine - i
k u r u i
blind woman
v ic a ri
mad Woman
ce k it i
deaf woman"
ta l a y v i leader ( female)'
c in ee k it i friend ( female ) '
tu n a y vi
assistant (female )."
feminine — a titi p i r a a m a n at ti
brahmin (female)

Page 57
in a t t u v an
male in the drum -
beater community"
(d)
k at t a y an
* short man o
pe t iy an boy
pe e y a n fool (male,'
Class
(a) masculine - aan
k a t t u v an a a n
male from the village of Kadduvan '
p i R at ti y a a n
male from a different place
(b)
v an in a an
washer - man ”
ta t t a a n
goldsmith male) '
(c)
c i in a a n lord
in a t t u v atti
female in the drum -
beater community'
feminine – cci
k a t t a y cc i
short woman
pe t ic c i girl'
pe ecci fool (female)
feminine - a a
k a t t u v an a a
female from the village of Kadduvan
p i Rattiya al.
female from a
different place .
feminine - a at ti
v an in a at ti
washer - woman
ta t t a a t t ii
goldsmith (female) '
feminine - aa t t i
c iim a at ti lady."

v it tu v a a n v it tu va at ti
* learned man ” learned woman
Class
masculine - van feminine - titi
kuca v an k u c at ti
male in pot maker female in pot maker community community
k u R a v an k u R at ti * tribal man ” tribal woman
c in k a lav an c i ň k a lat ti * Sinhalese man Sinhalese woman
or u v an one man o r ut ti “ one woman ”
Claes V
In this class some community names indicate masculine
gender too :
feminine - it ti
pant a a r a m p a n t a a r at ti
male belonging to a female belonging to a community whose community whose profession is conch profession is conch blowing " blowing '
p a nt a a ram has p a a a r i as an alternate form to indicate masculine.
feminine – cci
c et ti ce t t ic ci
male belonging to female belonging to Cett i community Cetti community
(95)

Page 58
There are a couple of forms that are common to both masculine and feminine : v i y a a pa a ri trader , no oy a a li patient , p a a v i sinner .
Pronouns
Pronouns can occur in answer to questions of the type, * Who is that ?". Normally, the pronoun is followed by
ta an and the reply may also optionally contain the name of the speaker :
Spkr. A. a a r at u Who's that ?'
Spkr. B. a tu n a a n ( t a a n ) ( m a n i )
o that o "Io emphatic Mani
* That's I, ( Mani ) o
Jaffna Tamil speakers usually use at u in replying.
inclusion v. exclusion distinction
Jaffna Tamil does not make a distinction between inclusive and exclusive plural pronouns in the first person.
Degrees of proximity in the third person pronours
proximate i
intermediate in
rem Otot a -
j v a n W a a Wa he
i val u val a val She
i v а у u v а у a v а у they (human)"
(96)

Forns of pronouns
nominative
1st person singular Пl a 3, 11
1st person plural na ańka 1
2nd person singular n i i
( non hon. )
2nd person singular n i i r
( intermediate hon.)
2nd person singular n i in k a
( hon. )
2nd person plural n i in k a
3rd person singular a V a
(masculine) iv an ( non hon.) U V a
3rd person plural a v anka ! (mas... ) (non hon.) iv ank a
u van k a
3rd person singular a val ( fem.) ( non hon.) iv a
u val
3rd person plural a v a l a v а у
(fem.) (non hon.) iv a a v a y u v a a v a y
3rd person singular a War
(mas. ) (hon.) i v a r
U V a r
(97)
nominative -- -a a
a a a 2.
in a ank a la a
ni i y a a
n i i r a a
n i in kala a
n i if k a la a
3a V 8 8a 3.
iv a na a
V a a
a v ank a la a
iv a hk a la a u va in k a la a
a v a la a iv a a a u v a la a
a v a la v а у а а iv a a v a ya a
u v a a v a ya a
8a V 3. 1T 3 3
i V a r a a
W a 2 a.

Page 59
3rd person singular ( fem. ) ( hon. )
3rd person plural
(epicene )
3rd person singular
( neuter )
3rd person plural
( neuter )
Noun declensions
For many nouns, case endings are added directly to the nominative case form. For others, the noun changes its form
a tu k a l . itu k a u tu k a 1
: case formation
a V a. a Va a
i v a a v а а
V a. a Va a
a v а у а а i v а у а а
u v a y a a
a tu k a la a it uk a a a ut u kala a
when the endings are added. This changed form is
the oblique base. These changes are generally quite regular
and follow the rules below :
1. Nouns ending in - m replace - m by -tt-.
p a a m fruit p a latt -
2. Nouns ending in - tu double the -t u to when not preceded by a single short syllable. v i i u house v i it i u -
3. Nouns ending in - Ru replace - Ru by - t t.u.
co o Ru rice coottu -
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3. VERB MORPHOLOGY
Voice
Passive
The passive construction is productive in the Jaffna dialect of Tamil. It is formed by adding p at u to the base of a transitive verb : t a v a a 1 e 1 u t u p p a t u k ut u A letter is being written ; a nt a vee lay cey p a tum That work will be done '; k a a C u kut up at tutu Money was given . In this type of construction an agent in the instrumental case is understood, and usually it is not
overtly expressed.
The passive is also formed by adding the auxiliary verb un · eat ' to the following seven verbs, out of which one is intransitive, and others are transitive : V a. at u wither ', of tu 'paste", ta t t u “ knock ', v e t t u “cut”, k o t t u * pour', u uttu pour ' and pu uttu ! lock '. ka y v e t t u n ! ut u “ Hand got cut ”. In these forms un can freely vary with p at u except with the verb via at u. ka a 1 v e t tu p p a t i u tu “Log got cuto
Means of decreasing the valency of a verb
The means of decreasing the valency of a verb are very limited in this language. Intransitive verbs, for instance, are not made from a transitive verb by not indicating the subject of the transitive. But there are a couple of verbs that can be used as transitive, and also in a sort of passive sense. Examples: e : tu reach , Vilafik u understand '.
in a a n a n ta p p a l a t t a y e t t i in e n
* I reached that fruit'
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a n ta p p a la m e tit i c c u tu
' That fruit was reached "
V a at t i y a a r c o n n a p a a {: a t t a y vi !ank in en
" I understood the lesson taught by the teacher
va at tiya a r c on n a pa at a m v i lank i c c u t u * The lesson taught by the teacher was understood
In this construction the agent noun phrase will be in the dative.
a nta p p a 1 a m e n a k k u e t t i c c ut u
' That fruit was reached by me
Means of increasing the valency of a verb Means of forming causatives
The valency of a verb could be increased ( from intransitive to transitive, and from transitive to causative) by adding a causative marker to the root of a verb.
Causativisation is a productive process in Jaffna Tamil.
Causative verbs are formed by adding - vi to the root of weak verbs and - ppi to the root of strong verbs : ce y do + vi c e y v i “ cause someone to do ; a ti
beat ' -- ppi a pp i cause someone to beat '.
Usually - vi or - ppi is added to a transitive verb. A couple of intransitive verbs too take a causative marker exceptionally ; a u cry " + vi a u v i cause someone to cry "; e. e. Ru climb ' - vi e e R u v i " cause someone
(100)

to climb ". The verb n at a walk ' takes - tu and gives causal meaning. Similarly i r u be, sit + titu i r ut tu “ cause to be o also gives causal sense.
w
A couple of verbs take double causative markers : ce y do ” -- wi -- ppi ce y V i p p i cause ( someone ) to cause ( another) to do”, te e u o search o + vi + ppi te e t u v i p p i “ cause ( someone ) to cause ( another ) to search ", n at a walk ' -- t t u + vi n a tattu vi
cause ( someone ) to cause s something) to happen'.
The causative marker - vi freely varies as - ii with verbs that take - in - for past tense : e ! u tu v i i~ e i u ti i
cause (someone) to write ".
An alternative way of forming causatives is by the addition of one of the following verbs to the infinitive form of a transitive or intransitive verb : v a y place, c ey “ do ", p a n nu o do ”.
a v a a en r a y tamp iy a y k k on tu
e luta vac ca a
a v a a e n r a y t a m p i y a y k k o n t u
e il u ta c c e y ta a
a va a en r a y Lamp iy a y k k on tu e il u ta p p a m r i n a a
She caused my younger brother to write
a van a nk a y nint a a n
He stayed there '
a van a y a h k a y nik k a vac ce n
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a v a n a y a ń k a y n i k k a c c e y te m
a van a y a h k a y nik kap p a n n in en
* I caused him to stay there '
Of these, the use of vay is more common than cey and p a n n u. The use of causative in - vi or - ppi is more common than any others.
In the causative constructions the person who performs the action is in the accusative case followed by k on tu.
Also, there are numerous pairs of Verbs in which one is a transitive and the other an intransitive verb. In some of them, the transitives and intransitives differ in their root form, whereas in others the difference is in the tense
marker.
tir untu tir uttu
improve improve something
tir u m pu tir up pu f t u r n turn something
c u r un k u cur ukku
shrink shrink something
a at u a a t tu
swing swing something'
u r u ku u r u k ku
* met * melt something '
e e Ru e e titu ,
go up lift something up
(102)

n im ir n imit tu
be erect ' straighten something "
p i r a p i r at tu
turn turn something'
in an a y in an a y i. R en
* Wet * I am getting wet
in a n a k ki R en
I am wetting (something)"
There are a few similar pairs in which both are transitives : v i a nk u understand vi a k k u explain'. Such pairs are very limited in the language.
Ditransitive verb made causative
A ditransitive verb can be made causative by postposing the past participle of vay to the noun phrase referring to the cau See :
a a snakku c са а р р а a tu c a m a c c e n
I cooked food for me '
ve el a y k a a R an a y V a cc u e n a k k u o
c a app a a u C a m a C C e n
I got a servant to cook food for me
Some speakers use the causative form of the verb:
ve el a y ka a R an a y v a cc u e n a k k u c c a a p p a a tu c a m a p p і с се n
“I got a servant to cook food for me
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Instead of the form vac cu, the past participle of kol ( kontu ) or piti ( p it ic cu) too may be used:
v e e la yk a a R an a yk k on tu e nakku c
c a a pp a a u c a m a cc en
v e e la yka a R an a y p p it ic cu e in a k k u c c a a pp. a a u cam a cc en
Sometimes an indirect command is used instead of this type of causative.
n a a n a p p a a k k u t ta v a a 1 e ! u t i n e n
I wrote a letter to my father "
in a a n tamp iy a y appa a k kut
ta v a a l' e il u ta c c o n n e n
f
ممن
I
told younger brother to write a letter to father
རྩ་
Reflexive verb form
When kol is used following a past participle, it will
have the sense to do for oneself ".
in a l l a a y c a app i t t uk kol unko o " Eat well (for yourself
o v v o r u n a a 1 u m v a n t u k o 1 1 u ri k o o
“ Come daily (for yourself) o
In some sentences past participle + k on tu may give the broad sense while doing the action ( indicated by the past participle ) or simultaneously '.
en n a a lay p at ic cuk kontu v e el a y c e y y a m uti y a a tu " I cannot work while studying ta { i y a y p p i t i c c u k k o n t u v e t { u ñ k o o
Hold the stick and cut it
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Tenses
Morphologically there are three different tenses in
Jaffna Tamil, and they may be termed ' past ', " present and future ". But these tense forms do not have one to one correlation with past, present and future time. Consider
the following:
(i) A ketiya a y c e y y unk o o
* Do it quickly Even when action is not over or not begun,
one may say :
B : it o o c e y te n /
it o o c e y ti t t e n
Here, I have done it'
( ii ) in a a n n a a 1 a y k k u c et te n
ίOmΟΥTOVV dead
o II will be dead tomorrow ”
(iii) in e e R R u i n t a n e e r a m a ň k a y
yesterday this time there n ikki Ra a r
he is
* Yesterday he was there at this time
(iv) a v a r n a a 1 a y k k u a ń k a y n i k k i R a a r
he tomorroW there he is
He will be there tomorrow "
(v) a v ar m until n a l l a a y k ku tip p a r
he before well would drink
Earlier he drank heavily
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(vi) a v ar ipp. a a hk a y n a l l a a y k
he OW there well k u tip p a r would drink
Now he will be drinking there heavily
Use of formally distinguished tenses Universal time reference
Usually, the future tense form is used to make generic
statements or statements referring to all timo :
ра cu paa 1 La r u m
COW milk would give Cow gives milk
a v a r m u n t i k k ut i p p a r
he before would drink
Earlier he drank
a v a r i p p a k u t i p p a r
he O Wyo would drink
Now he drinks
a War in ik k u tipp a r
he henceforth would drink
* Hereafter he would drink '
Reference to present time
Reference to present time action and action in progress is usually made by present tense forms :
a var i p pa k o 1 u m p i l ay i r u k k i R a a r
He is now in Colombo
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Reference to past time
Reference to past time is usually made by past tense forms :
a v a r n e e R R u i ñ c a y v a n t a a r
He came here yesterday"
In seme simple constructions the use of the lexical items m u n n a m before and m unti " before makes a distinction between a recent past and a distant past. When used as time adverbs without a noun, m u n n a m refers to more recent time, whereas, m unti refers to the more distant past :
v a at ti y a a r i nca y mu n na m v a n ta a r
The teacher came here just a shortwhile ago."
v a a t t i y a a r i n c a y m u n ti v a n ta a r
* The teacher came here before ".
Reference to future time
Reference to future time is made by (i) present tense forms, (ii) future tense forms, (iii) infinitive -- poo o go ',
(iv) infinitive + n i n a y * think ", (v) infinitive + p a a r
look ', and (vi) infinitive + ( ent u ) + i r u be ".
If the speaker is certain about the action indicated by the verb, he would generally use the present tense form. If not certain ( relatively ), he would use the future tense form.
a v a r n a a la yk kuk kol u m pukku p p o o R a a r
He is going to Colombo tomorrow
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a v a r n a a 1 a y k k u k k o u na p u k k u p
p o o v a r
He will go to Colombo tomorrow
An infinitive - poo ( in present tense) is used to refer to an event that is about to take place in the future :
a v a r v i i tu k a t t a p p o o R a a r
He is going to build a house
This construction conveys an element of intention too.
An infinitive -- p a a r ( in present tense ) is used to indicate one's effort to do an action in the future :
a v a r v i it u k at a p p a a k ki Raar
He is trying to build a house
An infinitive + n in a y think ( in present tense) is used to indicate one's plan to do an action in the
future :
a war v i it u k at a n in a y k ki Ra a r
He is planning to build a house
An infinitive + ( ent u ) + i r u be " ( in present tense ) is used to express one's intention to do something in future :
a v ar v i i u k at ta en u i r u k ki Raar
He intends building a house
In this type of construction ent u is sometimes dropped.
(108)

The future tense form in Jaffna Tamil may also be used to indicate ability.
e n r a y ta m p i m a 1 a y a a 1 a m v a a c i p p a r
My younger brother can read Malayalam
With the first person plural subject the future tense form may indicate the sense of optative : po o v a m ' Let
us go ', c a app it u v a m ' Let us eat '.
Aspect
Perfect aspect
Perfect aspect is formed with the past participle of a
verb -- the auxiliary verb i r u be . It is pluper
fect or present perfect or future perfect depending the tense to
which the auxiliary i r u is inflected. i r u takes person and number endings to agree with the subject.
Pluperfect
The pluperfect is he past participle of a verb -- the
past form of i r u :
k a liya an a e uttukku mu n n a mee c i it an a m i v v a a v u ent u c o l l i yir unt en
Even before the registration of marriage, I had said that the dowry would be this much
vittiyum k u utt attuk k u v anti r u nt a a r
Withi too had come for the meeting "
One common use of the pluperfect is to indicate the completion of an action in the past commonly suggesting
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that the action took place before something else occurred. However, the uSO of pluperfect is not very common in Jaffna Tamil. Instead, the ordinary past tense of the verb is more commonly used.
Present perfect
The present perfect is the past participle of a verb -- the present tense form of i r u.
in a a n to oc a y ca app it i r u k kiR en
* I have eaten dosai
in a a n | a n t an u k k up poo y i r u k ki R en * I have gone to London "
t a mp i pet tikkul lay i r unt a ka a c a y e tutt i r u k ki Ra a r
Younger brother has taken the money that was in the box'
k at a y k.k u c c i in i v anti rukku
( literally, " Sugar has come to the shop ' )
fhere is sugar in the shop
kolu m pil a y i r u in tu ka a 1 am a y v e l i k k i t t a p ii l l a y a l ii p p a ta a n in c a y vant i r u k k in a m
Children who set out from Colombo this morning
have come here only now "
The present perfect indicates (i) that someone has the experience of doing something (first two examples), (ii) that an action has been completed before the time
of speaking.
(110)

Sentences like,
m a lay peyti r u k ku
It has rained
p a a mp u po o y i r u k ku
A snake has gone '
in a a n k a v i i t t il a y ill a at a n e era m a aro o v a n ti r u k k in a m
Some one has come when we were not at home
may be taken as indicating a suppositional and / or a factual sense depending on extra linguistic factors.
Future perfect
The future perfect is formed with the past participle of a verb - the future tense form of i r u .
m a a ma a in c a y n ik ki R. a a r ent u
te r in c i r u n ta a i ne e R R u v a n t i r u p p e n
I would have come yesterday, had I known that uncle was here '
a v a r c o o ti n a y p a a s p a nn i i r u p p a r
He might have passed the examination "
The future perfect indicates ( i) that an action could have taken place in the past but did not (first example), (ii) probability ( second example).
There are a couple of verb forms that appear to be perfective in their structure, but in actual use they may not function as perfectives. One such form is the compound verb k a at tir u (ka attu + i r u ) " await '. The perfective form of k a attir u is k a at tir unti r u - :
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n a a n m a a m a akk u et ti n a y o o n a a ! k a at ti r u n t i r u k k i R e n "I have waited for uncle several days
m a a ma a en k a luk kuk ka at tir unt i r up p a r
Uncle would have awaited for us
The past perfective form of this verb does not occur in the language.
Aspect as different ways of viewing the duration of a situation Aspects that are formally distinguished
The most commonly used perfective form is made of past participle + the auxiliary v it u. v i u may occur in
any form that the sentence requires. As a “full" verb v it u means leave ", give up ".
a v a n e l l a a v O. el a y u m or u m a n i t t i y a a l at ti i a y c e yt u v i t t a a n
He has done all the work in an hour
va attiya a r incay v a ntu v i t !, u v i it tu k k up poon a a r
The teacher went home after coming here
Usually the v of v it u is dropped in speech. If the past participle ends in u, the u is also dropped, and if it ends in i, a y' is inserted.
in a a lay kk u v a nt it uh koo
Surely come tomorrow
in a a n colliy i t t e n
I have already told
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Perfective of definiteness usually conveys (i) emphasis or certainty; or, (ii) the completion of an action.
Perfective of inteat
Jaffna Tamil uses p o ot u moreorless in the same sense of v it u as explained above. But po of u is stronger in sense than v it u, and often indicates more certainty or full completion.
a v a n e l l a a vee 1 a yum or u
m an it tiya a 1 at til a y c e y tu po otta a n
He has done all the work in an hour
n i i in c a y vant u po ot tu ma a ma at t a y
pook a ve ent a a m
Don't go to uncle after coming here "
Unlike v it u, poot u occurs only with certain verbs. It does not occur with all intransitives. For instance, it
does not occur with k a 1 a nk u agitate', whereas v it u
OCCIS
tan ni k a la ñki y it utu
Water is agitated
* t a n n i k a l a n k i p p o o t t u tu
But in sentences like,
kulant a y k.k up p a cic cup pool tutu
* Child is hungry
n a a ñ ka | ko o y i l u k k u p p o o k a lasa m, to on cu po of tu v a a hko o
We can go to the temple, come after a head - bath
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iv v a lav u n e er a mum a ri k a y n in tu p o o t t u ii p p a ta a n v a a R a a n
He is just coming after staying there all this time
a v a r c a r i yaа у а 1 u tu po o t t a a r
He had cried a lot
poo tu occurs with intransitive verbs.
Perfective of own action "
The perfective of own action is formed by adding the auxiliary poo to the past participle form of an intransitive verb. po o may occur in any form that the
sentence requires :
k u t t u v i l a k k u n u u n t u po o C cu (tu)
* The oil lamp got extinguished "
m a lar in r a y k a liya an am kulam pip po occu
Malar's marriage got messed up
This perfective indicates that the action of the verb takes place on its own ', and also adds a negative sense, that is, the speaker does not want the action to happen,
or, is unhappy about it.
Consider the following two conversations to under - stand the sense of past participle -- p o o better :
I. A : kul i r u tu. Cut a c cut a k koop pi
k on a a ni ko o
It is cold. Please bring (some) hot coffee"
A

B : i n ta a ii k o o k o o p p i
Here (your) coffee
A : i te n n a, a a R i p p o o c c u t u
What is this?. It is cold
(Usually v it u (as in a a R i y it tutu won't
be used in this context )
II. A : k o o p p i k o n t a a n k o o
* Please bring (some) coffee
B : i n ta a ħ k o o k o o p p i Here ( your ) coffee
A : it e n n a c a r i y a a y cut u k u tu
What is this?. It is very hot
B : i l i a y a a R i y it tut u k u t i y u h k o o
No, it is cold, drink"
(Change of state appears to be common for both v it u and poo - a a R i y it tutu' and "a a Rippo occu'. The action as in a a R i y it tutu need not have taken place on its own - someone else too could have caused
it unlike in a a Rippo occultu, where the action could not have been caused by someone else. )
Jaffna Tamils usually use the past participle of an appropriate verb + p o o to curse someone :
al in cu poo May you be ruined "
In such cursing the sense "on your own" ( n i i y a a y) is implied.
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Perfective of impatience
Perfective of impatience is formed with the past parti
ciple of a verb - tu lay. The full verb tu i a y (common
root for transitive and in transitive ) means “ lose .
antak ka a c a y k k u tuttu t t u la y unko o * Please give that money ( and finish off)
in a a n k a n n an a y epp it i y o o p a t i p p i c c ut tu l a y k k i R e n
I will somehow educate Kannan ( and finish off)
This perfective indicates a sense of impatience or disgust on the part of the speaker.
Sometimes the auxiliary v it u is added to a past
participle - the past participle of tu la y
a n t a v i i t ta y m a k a l u k k u k k u t u t t ut tu i a y c c i t u h k o o
"Give that house to daughter ( and finish off)
Another way of expressing impatience is to add the transitive ti i r finish , exhaust to a past participle. The sense conveyed by ti i r is not so strong as that of tul a y.
a p pa a con n a ve el a y a y c c e y tu ti i t te n " I finished off doing the work assigned by my father
e e to o c o 1 1 u R a ta y el 1 a a m c o l l it ti i r * Finish off saying what ever you want to say
(116)

When the infinitive of the intransitive ti i r precedes v e e nu m, it makes the obligation indicated by the past participle stronger, and it does not convey any sense of impatience or disgust : n i i p o o y t ti i r a v e e n u m "You must go '.
Perfective of excess
The auxiliary tallu is a ided to a past participle of a transitive to convey the Sense ' excess '' in an action.
a p p a a k a a c a y c e 1 a v a 1 i c c ut
ta l l i R a a r " Father is spending the money lavishly '
a k k a a p u ll u k i t ta l l i R a a
Elder sister is boasting too much
A couple of intransitives too take ta 1 u :
k u l a nta y a l u t u ta ! ! ut u
The child is crying intensively
In some contexts tallu conveys a notion of disposing of something :
i n i e n n a C e y y i R a t u, i n t a k k a a n i y a y k k u t ut tu t ta ! ! u v a m
* Now, what to do? Let us give away this land
untap p a a ni ka a R a y unk a ukku ee n. v itt ut ta l l u n k o o
Why do you want that old car? Sell it away
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Sometimes an element of unwillingness may be present in this sense.
Perfective of utility
Past participle of a transitive -- the auxiliary vay indicates prior action ( action in advance ) for future utility or benefit
p a a ukkuk k a a c a y k k u tuttu v а у у u n k o o * Give money ( in advance ) for milk '
In a a ň k a l k o l u m p u k k u p p o o R a tu k k u
ipp a vee k a a Rukku c coll i v a y pp a m
* Let us book the car now itself for us to go to
Colombo
m a a ma a v ank iyil a y k a a cu po ot tu v a y k k i Ra a r
"Uncle is depositing money in the bank (for future
benefit )
The auxiliary vay is sometimes pronounced as vey. The full ' verb vay means “put , place', ' set aside .
Habitual aspect
The most common way of expressing habitual action in Jaffna Tamil is by adding the appropriate pronoun to the present verbal adjective to agree with the subject of the
SentenCo.
p on n a r it a cc u v e e la y c e y y i. R a v a r
Ponnar does carpentry'
na an ov v of u in a alum ko oy illuk k up p o o R a n a a n
* I go to temple daily
(118)

The final a of the present verbal adjective is dropped before pronouns beginning in a.
The habitual usually indicates an action done habitually or consistently in the present. But it may also be used with past meaning where the context (such as a past adverb) indicates past time.
in a a n m unti ma a ma a v i it a y
p o o R a n a a n
I used to go to uncle's house before gy
cup p a r m untic car iy a a y k ku tikki Ra var ' Cuppair used to drink heavily before
Another common way of expressing habitual action is by adding the auxiliary va a to the past participle of a verb. v. a a may be in any form as the sentence requires. a r a v i n ta n k a n a k k u n a 1 1 a a y c O y t u v a n ta a r * Aravindan was (habitually) doing well in arithmetic
a v ar o v v or u in a a um ko o y i u k k up
poo y va a R a a r " He goes to the temple daily'
in a afik all e l l a a r u m in i o v v or u in a a lum c u u ri y an a y k kum p it i u v a r u v a m
Let us hereafter habitually worship the sun daily
The future form may give past meaning if the context indicates past time.
p on n a r m unti o v v or u in a a lum k o o y i 1 i l a y te e v a a r a m p a a t’i v a r u v a r
Earlier Ponnar used to sing devotional Songs in the temple daily
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The form k on u may occur optionally between the past participle and the auxiliary V a. a.
a r a v i n t a n k a n a k k u n a 1 1 a a y c e y t u k on tu v a n t a a r * Aravindan was ( habitually ) doing well in arithmetic
The present tense form may be also used to indicate habitual action in the present.
ippa a r a vintan k an a kku in all a a y се у у і R a a n
Now Aravindan is ( habitually ) doing well in arithmetic'
t a a k k o t ta r R a v i v a 1 a k k a m a a y ov v or u t in ka u m in c a y v a 2 R a a r
Dr. Ravi habitually comes here on every Monday"
The future tense form of the verb may be also used to indicate habitual action especially when the reference is to past time.
in a a n p a nk a u u ril a y p a tikke ek kay
ov v or u in a a u m y o ok a pp i y a a cam
се у v е n
* When I was studying in Bangalore, I used to do yoga
exercises daily
Habitual action in the past may be also expressed by the present verbal noun + ill a y, followed by the quotative particle e in tu, followed by the past form of i r u be'.
in a a n ko u m pil a y kut ump at to ot a y i r u k k e e k k a y po tu va a y y a a i pa a n a m poo Rail lay en tu i r u in ten * When I was in Colombo with my family, I generally
intended not to go to Jaffna
(120,

Habitual action in the future time may be also expressed with the future tense form of a verb or with infinitive - poo go '.
in i t a a k k ot ta r R a v i o v v o r u á a a l um in c a y v a r u v a r
Hereafter Dr. Ravi will ( habitually) come here daily"
i n i ta a k k otta r R a v i o v v o r u n a a ! u mfo in ca y v a rap poo R a a r * Hereafter Dr. Ravi is going to come here daily
Progressive form of a verb in all three tenses too can give habitual sense.
i n i m e e l i n c a y ta a k k otta r o v v o r u in a a um p in n e era t t il a y v a n tu k o n t i r u p p a r
Hereafter the doctor will be coming here daily in the evening "
Negative habitual aspect is indicated by adding ill a y no to the present verbal noun.
m a a m a a e n k a t a y v i i t t a y v a a R a ti l l a y
Uncle does not come to our house
The negative habitual has a variant formed by adding l 1 a y to the present verbal adjective instead of the present erbal moun.
m a a m a a e ni k a t a y v i i t t a y v a a R e e l l a y
'Uncle does not come to our house '
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The final a in verbal adjectives + i in ill a y gives ee.
The negative habitual aspect may be also indicated by using an infinitive -- future negative marker m a a t t -.
appa a e tukku m ka v a lay p p at a
m a at a a r
Father won't worry for anything
The negative habitual is generally used with present Sense, but it may also be used with past or future meaning
where the context ( such as an adverb) indicates past or future tinae.
A negative formed by adding ill a y directly to a sentence with a present verb may also indicate negative habitual sense.
m a k a n p a tikki R. a a r ill a y
“ My son does not study o
This type of construction conveys an implication that the speaker feels that the action should have taken place.
Progressive aspect
Progressive aspect is indicated with past participle of a verb + the imperfective auxiliary k on tir u. k on tiru may
occur in any tense, past, present or future.
po on a v a r u cam in a a n ko lump i 1 a y v e e l a y c e yt u k o n t i r u n te n
Last year, I was working in Colombo
in ta v a r u c a m nl a a n y a a l p a a n a t t i 1 a y
v e e i a y c e y tu k o n t i r u k k i R e n
This year, I am working in Jaffna
(122)

va a R a v a r u cam in a an int 1 ya a v i la y
vee lay cey tuk optir up pen
Next year, I will be working in India
Jaffna Tamil speakers may also use the simple tense forms instead of the progressive forms to express progressive
ᏚᏫeᎠlᏚᎾ
e n n a cey y i. R i in k a
What are you doing?'
in a a n peep par v a a c ikki R en
* I read ( or am reading) a paper
Prior completion
Past participle -- a a cc utu indicates completion of action prior to the time of speaking. Thus it always gives a past sense.
影
in a a ri ka e l l a a c ca a ma a num v a a ri k iy a a c cut ul
* We have bought all things'
m a ka u kkuk k a liya an a m pe e ciya acces "We have proposed marriage for daughter "
tu Rapp a y el I a a it at till um te et i y a a c c u ג
* We have searched the key everywhere
ni in ka e l l a a ve el ay um се у ta a c са а
Have you done all the work?"
a a cc utu is the third person nonhuman singular past tense form of the '' full' verb a a k u become '. In a a c c ut u the final -t u is mostly dropped in speech.
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In examples 2 and 3, the doer of action can be in any
person, number or gender, although for convenience the translation has been given as we'.
Some speakers may use m ut in c u (tu) o over ” in most contexts where a a c cut u would occur.
Combination of different aspectual values
The following combinations of aspect markers are common in the language :
participle + v acci ru
v a c c it u
v a cc a a cc utu
ta l l i y ii r u
ta li li y ii t u
ta li li p p o o t u
ta 1 l i t t u l a y
ta ! ! i y a a c c ut u
tu 1 a c c i r u
tu la cc it u
tu 1 а с с u p po o! u
tu I a c c a a c c u t u
kolu m puk k up pook a k k a a Rukku c coll i v a cc i r u k ki Re n
* I have booked a car to go to Colombo
ko lump uk k up pook a k ka a Rukku c с о 11 i v a c c it t en
* I have already booked a car to go to Colombo
(124)

kolu m puk k up pook a k k a a Rukku c coll i v a cc a a c cut u * I have already booked a car to go to Colombo m a a ma a lant an a a lay vant u pu u k it t a y i r u k ki Ra a r
Uncle has boasted after coming from London
m a a ma a lant an a a lay vant u p u ! u k i t t a 1 1 i y i t. t.a a r
Uncle has boasted (completely ) after coming from London
m a a ma a lant an a a lay van tu p u il u k it ta l l i p p o o t t a a r "Uncle has boasted (completely) after coming from
London
ta m p i k k u k k a a n i y a y n a n k o t a y a a y e ! ut it t a l l i t t u l a c c e n
I have transferred the land to younger brother as gift ( and finished off ) '
tamp ikkuk k aan iy a y n a n kot a ya a y e lu tit ta !! 1 it t u l a c c a a c c ut u
* I have transferred the land to younger brother as gift"
appa a a mm a a k ku e e to o co l l it
tu l a c c i r u k k i R a a r
Father has told mother something ( and finished off)
Lamp ikkuk k a a n iy a y na n kot a ya a y
e ! ut it t u l a c c i t t e n
* I have transferred the land to younger brother as gift"
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a p p a a t e e t i n a p o r u 1 e l 1 a a t ta y u m a n na y a ! i c c ut tu 1 a c c u p p o o t t a a r
Elder brother has destroyed ( spent ) all the wealth acquired by father
t a m p i k k u k k a a n i y a y e ! ut it tu la c са асс и и
& I have finished off transferring the land to younger
brother'
Three markers too occur in a single combination :
a v a r k a a n i y a y a a r u k k o o e ! ut it ta 1 1 i t tu 1 a c c i r u k k i R a a r
He has transferred the land to someone ( and finished off ) '
The progressive k on i r u combines with iru, v it u tula y and а a c cut u :
int a vee lay a y nu un tu ma at a ma a y C c e yt u k o n t i r u n t i r u k k i R a a r
• He has been doing this work for three months
m a ka n n e er attu k k up pooke ell a y. p a t ii c c u k k o n t i r u n t ii t ta a r
Son did not go in time. He had been studying
m a n t i r i k ua u ț at tu k k u n e e r a t t u k k u
v a r e e l l a y. a ta a l a y e l l a a r u m c a t t a m p o o ta t t o ta fi k i v i t t i n a m. k u u t t am kulam pip poom ent u pay a n tu na a n manti r i v a r u m
m a t t u m p a a t i k k o n t i r u n tu tu i a c c e n
126)

The minister did not come for the meeting on time. Because of that, all had started making noise. Fearing that the meeting would get messed up, I kept on singing (damn it) until the minister arrived"
Im a ni e h k a t a y m a k a l a y k k a l i y a a n a m ce y v ar ent u in a a 1 u v a r u cam ka at tuk k o n t i r u n t a a c c u t u. i n i a v a r a y
vee n a a m.
* We have awaited for four years hoping that Mani would marry our daughter. Now we don't want him '
Among perfectives -tu a y, -tallu, -tall it tu la y and - v a y combine with progressive and perfect yielding the following compounds:
- tu la cc ukk on tir u, - tu la cc ukk on tir untii r u, - ta l l i k k o n t ii r u, - ta l l i k k o n t i r u n t ii r u, - ta l l i t t u li a c c u k k o n t i r u, t a ! ! i t tu 1 a c c u kk on tir untir u, - vac cukk on tir u, - vac culkk on tir unt i r u.
appa a a mm a a kku ee to o coll it
tu la cc ukk on ti r u k ki Ra ar.
Father is telling something to mother { damn it) '
appa a a mm a a k ku ee to o coll it tul a cc ukk on tir unt i r u k ki Raar
Father has been telling something to mother (damn it)"
appa a a mm a a k k u e e to o coll it ta ' l i k k o n t i r u k k i R a a r
Father is telling something (excessively) to mother
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appa a ippa a mm a a k ku e l l a at t a y um c o ll 1 it ta l l i k k o n t i r u k k i R a a r
Now father is telling mother everything ( in excess )
Or
Father ( who did not say anything so far ) is telling (out) mother everything now
appa a a mm a a k k u ee to o coll it
ta l l i k k o nl t i r u ntii r u k k i R a a r
Father has been telling mother something ( in excess)"
a v ar e etoo e i u titta littu I a cc ukk on t i
r u k k i R a a r
" He is writing something (much) ( damn it )
a v a r e e to o e ! ut it ta !! 1 it t u 1 a c c u k - k on tir until r u k ki Ra a r
" He has been writing something ( much ) ( damn it) '
a v a r k a a ca y pott i v a cc uk
k on ti r u k ki Raar
He is having the money tightly
a v ar k a a cay pott i v a c c i r u k ki Raar
He has the money tightly
a v a r k a a c a y p ot t i v a c c u k
k on tir unt i r u k ki Raar
He has been having the money tightly '
(128)

Mood
Conditional
The past conditional is formed by adding - a a 1 to the
past base of a verb. It can be used to refer to any time,
past, present or future.
m a a m a a n a a !a y k k u v a n t a a l n a a ni k a ! can i k k il a may ko lump ukkup p ook a la a m
* If uncle comes tomorrow, we can go to Colombo on
Saturday
a v a r n e e R R up po on a a 1 in t a y k.k up p in n e er am vant it u v a r
" If he had gone yesterday, he would certainly come today evening
The final - 1 in - a a 1 may be optionally dropped
in speech.
Some speakers may use the perfective conditional p o oy i r unta a l instead of po on a a l in the second example.
The past conditional is used in forming if clauses.
Negative conditional
Negative conditional is formed by adding - a a til to
the infinitive of a verb. The final - a of the infinitive is
dropped when - a a t t il is added.
m a am a a na a a y k.k u v ar a at til
in a a hk a kou m puk k up pook a
m u tiya at u
* If uncle does not come tomorrow, We cannot go to
Colombo
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k a ma 1a a n e e RR up pook a at t i 1 in a a a ykk a a v at u k at a a y a m pook a v e e n u m " If Kamala did not go yesterday, she must surely go
at least tomorrow
n i i p a tikka at til n a an un a k ku on tu m t are n
* If you don't study, I won't give you anything
For strong verbs there is an alternant form which adds
- a a til directly to the roots.
ni i p a tiya at il na an un a k ku o n tt u m ta r e n - a at til has a variant form - a at a a 1. n i in k a v a ra at a a l n a a n po o R en
" I am going if you are not coming'
The final - 1 of the negative conditional marker is
optionally dropped in speech.
An alternate way of expressing negative conditional is to
make the final - a of the infinitive long, optionally followed
by
- m a 1, and add the verb v i tu followed by - a a 1.
n i in k a 1 v e e la y c e y y a a sm a l) v ii t t a a l n a a n k a a c u ta r e n
If you don't work, I won't give money
- v it a a 1 has vitt il and v it ill as variants. The
final - ) in v i t t a a l or v it til may be optionally
dropped in speech.
(130)

The negative conditional forms " if not clauses.
Concessive
The concessive form of the verb is formed by adding
- um to the conditional form with - a a l. ( It cannot be
added to the conditional with - aa).
a pp a a po on a a lum in a a n pook a m a a t t e n
* Even if father goes, I won't go '
Negative concessive
The negative concessive is made by adding - um to the negative conditional form with - a at til or - a a t t a a 1.
m a a m a a c ii i ta n a m t a r a a t t i ll u m n a a n
a va R R a y mak a a yt ta a n k a liya an a m
се у ve n
* Even if uncle does not give dowry, I will marry his
daughter only
An alternate way of expressing negative concession is to make the final a of the infinitive long, and add - um to the concessive suffix.
m a a m a a c i i ta n a em ta r a a v i t t i 1 u m n a a n a v a R R a y m a k a 1, a y t ta a n
k a liya an a m c e y ven
Optative
A wish for the happening of something is expressed in the case of a third person subject by - tum.
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m a a y n all a a y p pey y at tum
Let it rain well' -
in a a tu c e likk at tum
Let the country prosper
a van pe e c a a mal i r u k k at tu m o Let him be silent o
With the first person plural subject the future tense form may also indicate the sense of optative.
po o v a m va a hko o
* Let us go, come o
са а p p i t u vam v a a n k o o
* Let us eat, come o
Similarly with the first person plural subject the -l a a m form too may indicate some kind of optative sense.
pook a la am va a n koo
* Let us go, come o
c a a p p ii ta l a a m v a a ħ k o o
* Let us eat, come o
Infinitive plus vee n um may also indicate some kind of optative sense.
k a liya an a n k at tip pil a y k u t t i y o o ta y n a l l a a y v a a ! a v e e n u m
May I / you / he etc marry and live well with children'
132)

Intentional
Intention to do something may be expressed with the infinitive of a verb ( indicating the action intended) plus the quotative e in tu and the verb i r u be or n in a y 6 think". The verb i r u can occur in any of the three tenses. The verb n in a y does not usually occur in the future, but occurs in the past and present.
Instead of the infinitive, one may also use a verb in the form of the modal - la a m, followed by ent u and
the verb i r u or n in a y.
n a a ni k a l 1 a n t a n u k k u p p o o k a e nt u i r u k ki R a m
We intend going to London
in a a hk a l l an an uk k up pook a n in a y k kiR a m
We think of going to London
In the first example e in tu may be optionally dropped.
in a a nk a l l ant a nuk k up pook a
i r u k ki R a m
in a a nk a 1 1 an an ukkup pook a a a m
ent u irukki Ram
Note that ent u cannot be dropped when the modal - la am occurs.
Jaffna Tamil speakers may also use the modal vee num instead of - l a a m .
n a a í k a 1 1 a n tan u k k up p o o ka vee n um ent u i r u k ki R a m
The use of vee nu m indicates some sort of seriousness
in the intention.
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Intention to begin an action and continue it from that time forward may be expressed by adding the present tense form of the verb poo to an infinitive.
e n r ay m a kal na a l ay i l ay ir u n tu can ki it a m p at ik k a p po o Ra a
* My daughter will begin learning music from tomorrow
Negative intention is expressed by the infinitive of i r u or n in a y followed by ill a y.
in a a fi kal lant an uk k up pook a ent u ir u k keel lay
"We don't intend going to Loadon
in a a in k a l l ant an uk k up pook a n in a y k kee l l a y
We don't think of going to London "
in a a in k a lant a nuk k up pook a la a m ent u i r u k kee l l a y
' We don't intend going te London '
The negative can be in reference to any time.
Debitive
Obligation to do something is usually expressed by v e e nu m or ve ent - plus some other element. Negative
obligation is usually expressed by v c e a a m, k u u ta a tu or p a t a a tu.
Different degrees of obligation are indicated either by emphatic markers like ta a n, ee added to the infinitive preceding v e en u m or by forms like ti i r a ( infinitive
(134)

of the intransitive * * full verb ”o ti i r o finish ”, “ end ”, exhaust ' ), (v) it a, a a ka added to the past participle or to the past participle + ee. a a k a does not usually occur with negative obligation.
The adverbial form k a t t a a y a m too may be used in a construction to intensify the necessity of an action.
Examples are arranged from the weakest to the strongest in degrees of obligation.
n i i n k a 1 ka a c u k u tu k k a v e e n u m
You must give money'
n i in k a l k a a c u kut uk k a vee vee num * You must certainly give money
“ In i ii m k a 1 k a a c u k u it u k k a t ta a n v e e n u m
You must certainly give money'
in i in k a l k a a c u kutu t t it a vee n um
“You must definitely give money"
n i in k a ka a cu kut utt it a vee v e e n u m
"You must definitely give money'
in i i n k a ! ki a a c u k u t u t t i t at ta a n v e e n u m "You must definitely give money
n i i n k a l k a a c u k ut ut tu t t i i r a v e e n u m "You must certainly give money
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n. i i ň k a 1 k a a c u k u t ut te e t i i r a v e e n u m
You must definitely give money
in i i n k a l k a a c u k u t u t t e eta a n t i i r a v e e m u m
You must definitely give money
ni in k a l k a a C u kut utta a k a vee num
You must positively give money
ni in k al k aac u kut uit te e a aka ve en u m
You must positively give money
There is another way of indicating positive obligation, namely by using vee n ti ( past participle of v e ent - ) it ir u. The verb i r u may be in any of the three tenses with corresponding differences in meaning but will be always in the singular neuter form.
There is a difference in sense between the use of vee n um and vee n tiy i r u. The occurrence of v e e i u m mostly indicates a self - desire or self - motiva - tion to perform the obligation, whereas vee n ti - iru always indicates a need for the action due to circumstances.
Jaffna Tamil speakers may also use vee n t i + v a a in any of the three tenses, but only as a third person singular neuter form to indicate the necessity of doing an action.
in a a nk a l k Olum pukku p pook a vee n ti vantut u
We had to go to Colombo
( It became necessary for us to go to Colombo )
(236)

in a a ni ka ko lump uk k up pook a vee n ti v а r e e l 1 а у
* We did not have to go to Colombo'
in a a in k a 1 ka a cu c e la v a likka v e ent i
W a
* We will have to spend money
( "It would become necessary for us to spend money" )
When muti y a a mal without being able is used dependent on va a -, it conveys the sense that the situation comes about So that something cannot be done.
in a a ri ka 1 ko um puk k up pook a m utiy a am a l vant utu * It happened that we could not go to Colombo
The negative obligation of v e e in um is mostly expressed by v e e n ! a a m, or by the nominalised form of v e e n t - plus il la y •
n i in k a l k o um puk k up pook a vee num
You must go to Colombo "
O
You have to go to Colombo
in a a n kolu m puk k up pook a vee n ti i r u k k u (tu )
* I have to go to Colombo
ni ink a l k o lump u k k up pook a ve ent a a m
You mustn't go to Colombo
ΟΙ
You don't have to go to Colombo
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in a a n kolu m puk k up pook a vee n tiy at ill a y " I don't have to go to Colombo
a v ar ko lump ukkup pook a v e en ti y i r u n t u t u
He had to go to Colombo
a v ar kolu m puk k up pook a ve entiy i r u k kee l l a y
He did not have to go to Colombo
a var kolu m puk k up pook a
v e e n t i y i r u k k u m " He may have to go to Colombo
a v ar ko lump uk k up pook a v e e nt i y i r a a (tu ) " He may not have to go to Colombo
in a a n e i t a ray m an ikk u m u n n a m p a l l i k k u t a m p o o k a v e e n u m. a tu k k u p p i R a k u p o o k a v e e n t i y a ti l l a y " I must go to school before half past eight. After that
there is no point in going "
Sometimes negative obligation is expressed by using
either k u u t a a (tu) or p a t a a (tu) - forms most commonly used as prohibitives - in a sense, as negatives of the permissive - 1 a a m and - t t u m forms.
ul a y pook a la a m
can go in
u l a y po o k ak ku u ta atu
shouldn't go in
u la y po o ka p p at a a tu
shouldn't go in "
(138)

TDifferent degrees of negative obligation or prohibition expressed by the use of v e e n t a a m, k u ut a a tu or p ata a tu are ilustrated with the following examples on an increasing scale of negative obligation.
ni i pook a vee n a a m
You mustn't go" / "You don't go" / "You need not go"
ni i pook a vee we ent a a m ni i pook a vee pook a v e ent a a m n i i p o o k a v e en t a v e e v e e n ta a m
ni i pook a k kuuta at u
You mustn't go
n i i p o o k a v e e k u u t a a tu n i i p o o k a v e e p o o k a k k u u ta a tu
n i i p o o k a k k u u t a v e e k u ut a a tu
n i i pook a p p at a alu
You mustn't go"
n i i pook a v e o p a ta at u
n i i p o o k a v e e p o o k a p p a t a a tu
n i i po o kap p at a vee p at a at u
You shouldn't go
The forms v e en um and v e ent a a m also occur in a different type of construction, with the sense want , need and "don't want , don't need respectively. Both have a no un in the dative case.
e nakkuk ko opp i v e e num
* II want coffee "
en a k kuk ko opp i v e ent a a m
I don't want coffee
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Potential Physical ability
Physical ability is indicated by either muti yu m or e e 1 u m, and the corresponding negative forms are m u ti - ya at u and eel a a tu. The agentive noun phrase will be either in the direct or instrumental case. i y a lum and iy a 1 a. at u are variants of eel u m and e ela at u respectively. Final - tu may be optionally dropped in speech.
en n a a lay in tap pett i y a yt ta n i y at
tu u k k a m u t i y u m
in a a n ii n ta p p e t t i y a yt ta n i y at tu u k k a m u t i y u m
I can lift this box on my own
e n n a a l a y i n t a p p e t t i y a y t tan iy at tu u k k a e e l u m
I can lift this box on my own
n a a n i n t a p p e t t i y a yit ta n i y a t
tu u k k a e e l a a tu
“ I cannot lift this box om my own o
when the reference is to past time either m u tiñ c u tu or iy a n tutu is used for the affirmation of ability; for the denial of ability m u ti y e e 1 1 a y or i y a 1 e e 1 1 a y is used.
e p p i t i c o oit in a y n a l l a a y c e y y a m u ti mic u ta a
How 2 were you able to do well in the examination?
(140)

ill a y, n a l l a a y c e y y a muti ye e l l a y
No, I couldn't do well
nee RR u unk a a a 1 a y k a an a y p p i t i k k a i y an t u ta a
Were you able to catch the thief yesterday ?
ill a y, iy a le e l l a y
No, couldn't
The forms m u ti y e e 1 l a y and i y a 1 e e l l a y may be also used when the reference is to present time. They are never used for reference to future time.
mu nt i e n n a a la y ell a a veel a y u m се у у а m u t i n c u tu . ip pa e n n a a lay or u. .ve elayu m се уya m и tiу е е 1 1ау / iya 1е е - l 1 a y.
Earlier I was able to do all the work. ( But ) now I am unable to do any work
Another way of expressing physical ability is to use the future tense form.
a v ar m a r a m e e R u v a r
He can climb tree '
The corresponding expression of inability is made by using the infinitive + m a a t t -
a v a r m a r a m e e R a m a a t t a a r
He can't climb tree
The - I a am form of a verb too may indicate some sort of physical ability.
p at tu p p e e r e n n a t t u k k u n a a n m at tu m int a ve el a y a y c e y y a l a a m
Why ten persous ? ) alone can do this work
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If the speaker wishes to be more assertive in a given context, he would use m u t i yum instead of -la a m form. In general, the form mu t i yum has more the sense of capacity, i. e., " one has the power to ", whereas -la a m form has more the sense of possibility.
Permission
Permission is expressed by adding either - t u m or - la am to the infinitive form of a verb.
Usually - t t u m occurs only with third person subjects. It may occur with first person pronouns too, but only in questions. - a a m form can be with subjects of any person.
a v a n i n са у v a n tu ve el a y c e y y at tu m " He may come here and work
in a a fi k a in a a la yk k u v ar at tu ma a
* May we come tomorrow ? "
in a a ni ko o t t a y k kula y pook a la a m
" I can go into the fort'
ΟΥ " I am allowed to go into the fort'
O There is permission for me to go into the fort
in a a n p O ok a la a ma a In
It seems that I can go '
n i 1 ni k a a 1 p o o k a l a a m
You may go '
c in ee k it a r in c a y v a r a la a m
o Friends may come here o
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Jaffna Tamil may use a form in - t t e e instead of - t t u maa, but only in the first person singular.
in a a n n a a a y kk u v ar at tu ma a
na an in a a la ykk u v ar at t e C * May I come tomorrow lo
The -tt um form conveys a more positive and firm sense
of permission than the -l a a m form.
Permission is also expressed by adding v it u to the infinitive form of a verb. It means allow someone to do the action of the infinitive ".
va attiya a r k a n n an a y vak up puk -
k u ! 1 a y v a r a v i t t a a r " The teacher allowed Kannan to come into the class
Learned ability
Learned ability is usually indicated by the root te ri
be known '.
a r a vint an ukku k k a a r o o at t e r i y um
Aravindan knows how to drive a car "
m a k a n u k k u i n na u m c a y j k k i 1 o o t a t te r i y a a tu
* My son doesn't know how to cycle yet
(Note that Jaffna Tamil usually uses the intransitive verb oo tu to express the sense drive a vehicle . )
With ter iyum and t e riya at u, the one who knows is in the dative case. These forms are also used to express recognition or understanding of something. In general,
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if something is known in the sense of recognition, as in
knowing a person, it will be in the accusative case. If understanding is involved, such as knowing a language well, it will be in the direct case.
e nakku unk a 1 in r a y va attiya a rayt ter iyu m " I know your teacher'
en ak ku c c in ka lam te ri y u m
" I know Sinhala
Familiarity in doing an action
Familiarity in doing an action is expressed by adding the form p a lakkam to the past participle of a verb,
in a a n k a a r oot p p a lakk a m
" I am familiar with driving a car "
in a a n k a a r o o tip p a lakk a m ill a y
* I am not familiar with driving a car
en a k k u m a r a m e e Rip p a a k k a m
* I am familiar with tree - climbing
Degree of certainty
Possibility or probability of something happening is expressed by ( i) adding k u u t u in to the infinitive, (ii) a modal form in - la a m, (iii) concessive -- a modal form in - la a m, (iv) concessive -- a future tense form, ( v ) future tense form with an adverbial ( o r u v e e il a y sometime", cil a ve el a y sometime , etc.) preceding it.
( i J а р р а а V a a R a k i 1 a m a y
v ar a k k u u tum
" Father may come next week
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( ii ) a p p a a v a a R a k i ! a m a y v a r a 1 a a m
Father may come next week'
(iii) a p p a a v a a R a k i ! a m a y v a n t a a 1 u m
v a r a 1 a a m
Father may come next week
( iv ) a p p a a v a a R a k i 1 a m a y
v a n ta a ll u m v a r u v a r
Father may come next week'
( v ) a p p R a v a a r a k i 1 a m a y o r u v e e 1 a y
W a V a
Father may sometime come next week'
An adverb like or u v e e a y may optionally occur in other sentences ( i, ii, iii and iv ) too.
All the above constructions are stylistic variations, and do not usually make any difference in the degree of certainty.
Jaffna Tamil adds the form a a k ku m to an infinitive ( or to an utterance ) to indicate probability.
a v a rukku ipp a ka a cu et e n
Why does he want money now 2
m a k an ukku an up p a a a k ku m
Probably to send it to his son
m a a ma a lant an a a lay va a R a kil a may v a a R a. a r a a k ku m
Uncle is probably coming from London next week'
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palam a a ka a y a a
Is it ripe or unripe fruit 2
ka a y a a k ku m * Probably (it is) unripe fruit
Probability is also indicated by adding p o o l a y i r u k k u to an utterance. It can convey the senso
it seems " too.
m a a ma at t a y r a m p a k k a a cu i r u k k up pool a y i r u k ku
Probably uncle has a lot of money
Some speakers may use ter iy utu instead of ir ukku. The forms i r u kku and t e ri y utu may be optionally dropped in speech.
Infinitive + v e enum may be used to indicate more hope for the action to take place.
a p p a a v a a R a k i 1 a m a y v a r a v e e n u m
Father must come next week "
Both the present and the future tenses may indicate
certainty. The difference between the two is that the present tense indioates more certainty than the future.
a v a r n a a ! a y k k u v a a R a a r
He is coming tomorrow
a v a r n a a ! a y k k u v a r u v a r
* He Will come tomorrow
Infinitive -- present tense form of poo - too indicates certainty, but the certainty is less than that indicated by the present tense form.
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a nt a vee lay a y a v ar c e y y a p po o Ra a r
He is going to do that work
In some contexts it may give the sense one is about to do the action indicated by the infinitive.
ku utiyata a y i r u - used with an infinitive indicates that the action of the infinitive is possible or can take place. i r u can be in any tense.
ii p p a l a n t a n i 1 a y ta m ii l p a t i k k a k k u u t i y a t a a y i r u k k u
Now it is possible to study Tamil in London
When reference is made to a past action, possibility or probability is expressed by the perfect infinitive of a verb followed by any of the same set of modals.
tank a cc i ko um puk k up po oy i r u k k a k k u utu m
Younger sister would have probably gone to Colombo
a v a r n e e R R u k k u u t t at tu k k u p
poo y i r u k k a vee num
Probably he had gone to the meeting yesterday
The second example with vee n um can convey a negative sense too, that is, He did not go for the meeting yesterday . It also then conveys an expectation on the
part of the speaker that the action should have taken place.
In the case of negatives, the range of possibilities is the same as for positive. If the proposition is negated. the verb will be in the negative adverbial participle form, and it will be followed by i r u - modal.
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tank a c c i kolu m puk k up pook a a m a 1 i ruk k a k k u utu m
Probably younger sister may not have gone to Colombo
If the modality is negated, either muti y a at u or e e l a a tu is used.
n e e R R u n i i ṁ k a 1 p a t at tu k k u p poo y i r u k k a mutiya at u
You can't have gone to a film yesterday
Authority for assertion
When one relies on someone else for the source of an information, he may add - a a m finally to his utterance. This means that the speaker has no authority for the information that is being conveyed; it is rather based on hearsay.
ce I v i in t a y k k u v are e l l a y a a m
Jt seems Chelvi is not coming today."
c el v i y in r a y k a liya an a m va. A ra p u ta In a a m
* It seems Chelvi's marriage is on next Wednesday
An alternative way is to make use of ent u keel vi (p at u - ). p a tu - is inflected to person / number 1 gender ( p 1 n | g ). Also p a u may be optionally dropped. Then the sentence will give only a present sense.
can muk a m l ant a nukk up poo Ra a r ent u in a a nk a kee v i pp a t t a m "We heard that Chanmugam is going to London'
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can muk am 1 a nt a nukk up poo Ra a r ent u in a a hka kee 1 v i
"We hear that Chanmugam is going to London
Finite and nonfinite forms
Tamil makes a distinction between finite and notafinite verbal forms.
Tenses of finite verbs Positive indicative
Herein the three simple tenses-past, present and future are dealt with.
Morphemes in positive indicative forms have, for the most part, the following sequence : root - tense - person / number 1 gender.
Personal pronouns have corresponding p / n/g suffixes in the finite form. One exception is that the nonhuman plural finite form does not take plural suffix in any of the tenses, although its corresponding pronoun form always maintains the plural suffix.
The allomorphs of the tense morpheme are morphologically conditioned. Present and future are somewhat mutually predictable : present - k i r - ---> future - pp -; present - iR - or - R - ---> future - V -. Future tense allomorphs are also predictable on the basis of the infinitive : if the infinitive has - k k a finally, the future suffix would be - pp - ; if the infinitive has - a finally, the future suffix
would be - V - .
Paradigms for two representative verbs follow : oo tu run ", n at a walk '. The pronoun subjects appropriate to the tense forms are given here in the order followed in
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n a a n; (ii) first singular
(i) first person singular : n a a n k a 1 ; (iii) Second person
(iv) second person sijingular ( inter(v) second person plural : n i in
the paradigms : person plural :
( non honorific ) : n i i; mediate honorific ) : n i i r; k a l; (vi) third person masculine singular a van; (vii) third person masculine plural ( nonhonorific ) :
( non honorific ) :
a van k a ; honorific ) :
( non honorific ) : singular ( honorific ) : a v a r; singular ( honorific )
plural : a v a y ( a1 ); ( xiii ) third person neuter singular : a tu; (xiv) third person neuter plural : a tu k a l . past present future (i) oot i n e n oo t u R e n oo t u v e n (ii) oo t i n a m oo t u R a m oo t u v a m u i1i) oo t i n a a y oo t u R a a y oo t u v a a y (iv) oo t i n i i r oo t u R i i r ooț u v i i r (v) ootin iii - oo t u R i i n - oo t u v i i ñi - k a kal k a oot ini y a l oo t u R i y a ! ootu wiya 1 (vi) oo t i n a a in oo t u R a a n оо t u v a n (vii) oo ti na a n- oo t u R a an - oo { u v a ñ -
kal k a l k a (vii; ooti naal oo t u R a a ! oo t u v a 1 (ix) oo { i n a a ! a- oo tu R a a 1a - oo t u v a ! av а у v а у v а у (x) oo t i n a a r oo ! u R a a r oo tu v a r (x) oot in a a oo t u R a a oot u v ala (xii) oo t. i C c i - oo i i n a m oo { u v i n a m
a (xiii) oo t i c c ut u oo u tu oot um (xiv) oo t i c c u t u oot u t. u oo t u m
a val;
а V a a ;
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(viii) third person feminine singular ( non
( ix ) third person a v a a v a y; ( x ) third person masculine
( xi ) third person
xii) third person epicene
feminine plural
feminine

past
( i ) n at a n te n ( ii ) n a t a n t a m
(iii) in at a nta a y
( iv ) n a t a n t i i r
( v ) n at a n ti ih -
k a
n a t a n ti ya 1
(vi) in a t a n ta a n
(vii) na ta n t a an
k a
(viii) in a fi a nta a !
(ix) in a ta n ta a -
! a v ay
( X ) In a t a n ta a r
(xi) in a a nta a
(xii) n a tanti
8,
(xiii) n at a n t u tu
(Xiv) n ata n t u tu
In the first and second persons
present
in a ta k k i R e n in at a k ki Ram natak ki Ra a y in at a k is i Riir natak ki Ri in
k a na t a k k i R i y a !
in at a k ki Ra an
in at a k kiR a afik a 1
n at a k ki Ra a
in a ta k ki Raa
la v а у
in a a k ki Ra a r
in at a k ki Ra a
in a ta k k i n a m
n at a k k u tu
in at a k kutu
p / in 1g
future
in a appen n ata p pa m
in at appa a y
in at a pp i ir
in a a pp i ink all
in at a pp i y a
in a tapp an
in a tapp a hk a l
in a t a p p a
n at a p pala v a y
in at a pp a r
n a ta p paa
in at a pp in a m
in at a k k u m
n at a k ku m
endings of
both strong and weak verbs are the same in all tenses.
In the third person, past and present forms of
verbs have the same p | n | g endings.
forms of certain types take different endings either in the human plural alone,
in both the human plural
and
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nonhuman.
strong But past and present
of weak verbs (not all weak verbs)
o Compare the

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p | n | g endings of the following weak verbs: c e y do", a l u “ cry ', o o t u “ run ", ta a “ give ’.
past present
ce y - it - in a m се у -у - i n a m
се у - t - u tu се у -у - u tu
a lu -t- i n a m a u - k in a m
a u -t- utu a u - kutu
o of - ic c - in a m oot - i in a m
o o t - i c o — u tu o ot- utu
t a -nt- in a m ta - r - i ii m a m
t a - n t - u tu t a - r - u k u tu
In the third person the feminine singular honorific future forms of both strong and weak verbs have the same p / n | g endings as in the past or present forms. The human plural future forms have the same p | n | g endings as in the past. The nonhuman ending is realized as zero in future forms. The endings in other categories of third person future forms differ, but only in the length of the initial vowel of the endings, that is, the initial aa of the endings in the past and present is realized as 'a' in the future.
A tense morpheme for a given verb remains constant in the first and second person forms of the paradigm.
In the third person forms, a tense morpheme may remain constant, or vary depending on the specific tense and the type of verb.
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Past tense morpheme of strong verbs remains constant in the third person forms, that is, it remains constant throughout the paradigm. For instance, consider k at i bite . Present tense morpheme in strong verbs is realized as zero in the human plural and nonhuman forms. Again consider k at i bite ".
Past tense morpheme in certain types of weak verbs remains constant in the third person forms, that is, it remains constant throughout the paradigm. For instance, consider - y ending weak verbs like c e y do', or verbs of a u cry type. In certain other types the past tense morpheme varies in the third person human plural and nonhuman forms. For instance, consider verbs of oo u “run” type where - in - for other p 1 n | g suffixes corresponds to - ic c - for third person human plural and nonhuman.
Present tense morpheme is realized as zero both in strong and weak verb forms in the third person human plural and nonhuman forms.
Future tense morpheme is realized as - um in the third person nonhuman forms of all verbs.
Negative indicative
In Jaffna Tamil there is a nine-fold distinction in the set of finite negative forms:
(i) infinitive - ill a y (ii) nominalised past tense + i l l a y
(iii) nominalised present tense -- i l l a y
(iv) infinitive -- present / future nominalised form of
p o o -- i 1 1 а у
(v) infinitive -- m a a t i-,
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(vi) root -- p / n | g suffixes (vii) past 1 present finite -- ill a y (viii) past verbal adjective + p a a t u + i l l a y
(ix) root -- p / n / g suffixes -- a a m
The most commonly used form of negative is infinitive -- ill a y. It can be used in any tense, but, in general, the basic meaning is past, that is, if the context or a clue in the sentence does not indicate present or future time, one can assume that past time is meant : e.g. n a a n pookee l l a y I did not go ', n a a n na a l a y k k u p poo kee l l a y " I am not going tomorrow'.
Note that the final -a of the infinitive + i of ill a y becomes ee.
Nominalised past tense -- ill a y may be termed as past emphatic negative. It conveys a sense that one has never done the action indicated by the verb, or has not
had the experience of doing it.
in a a n lant a nuk k up po on a till a y
l've never been to London
The corresponding emphatic verb is formed in Jaffna Tamil by adding the appropriate pronoun to agree with the subject of the past verbal adjectival.
in a a n lant an ukku p po on a na an
* I did go to London
Nominalised present tense -- i l l a y indicates habitual negative sense, that is, one is not in the habit of doing something.
appa a ku tikki R a till a y
“Father does not drink '
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Infinitive -- present / future tense nominalised form of poo -- il lay conveys future emphatic negative sense.
k an in a n m a lar a yk k a liya an a m ce y y a p poo R a till a y
Kannan is not going to marry Malar "
Infinitive 4 m a a t t - gives, a future negative sense. m a a t t - takes p / n | g suffixes, and agrees with its subjects in the same way as verbs.
The p | n | g suffixes are the same as those for the future tense except that the third person singular masculine suffix is - a a r, rather than - a r, and the nonhuman suffix 1s - u tu.
m a at t- conveys the sense of inability too, and in the nonhuman it always indicates inability ", that is, it seldom gives the simple negative sense.
p a a t t a a c a a p p ii ta ma a t t a a r
* Grand father won't eat
* Grand father won't be able to eat ' a tu i ta y c c a a pp i ta ma a t t u tu
A goat won't be able to eat this
The negative formed by adding p | n | g suffixes directly to the root may be termed direct inflectional) negative.
For all forms, but the second person honorific, the third person human plural and the third person nonhuman, the p | n | g suffixes of the present tense are added directly to the root. If the root ends in -u, the -u is dropped. e.g. c a app i e n "I won't eat", c a app it a m We won't eat , ca app it a a r He won't eat '. c a app i ta a She won't eat '.
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For the second person honorific, third person human plural, and third person nonhuman, the p / in / g suffixes of the present tense are added to a negative base formed by adding - a a to the root, and the p | n | g suffixes are added as follows :
(i) for the second person plural, - ya is added to the negative base in - a a, e.g. c a app i a a y a
( Note that there is no negative form of this type in the second person singular intermediate honorific category corresponding to a subject in n i i r ).
(ii) for the third person human plural - y in a m is added to the negative base in - a a, e.g. ca a pipita ay in a m They won't eat '.
(iii) for the third person nonhuman, - tu is added to the negative base in - a a, e.g. c a app it a a tu It won't eat ”. % : د
The ( irregular ) verbs poo, taa, v a a and k on ta a take the forms pook-, tar-, v a r-, and k on tar - respectively before p / n | g suffixes.
The direct negative conveys a strong and more definite sense of negative than that conveyed by ma at t-.
There is a negative formed by adding ill a y directly to a sentence with a present / past verb. The negative generally implies disapproval. That is, the speaker feels that the
action should have taken place.
m a kan p at ik ki Ra at ill a y
“ My son does not study ” ( with the implication that he should study)
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The past verbal adjective -- p a a tu ill a y indicates that there is little chance of the action of the verbal adjective taking place. It also suggests that the speaker. would like the action to take place, even though he does not believe it will.
ка ас са 1 ku R a yn c a p a at ill a y * The fever is not subsiding (The speaker would like the fever to subside. )
Earlier the negative form (root -- p | n | g suffixes) was given. When - a a m is added to the p | n | g suffixes, the form, that is, root + p | n | g suffixes -- - a a m suggests that one is not doing the action indicated by the verb but the speaker would like the action ( affirmative) to take place.
a v a r k a a c u ta r a a r a a m
He is not giving the money (with the suggestion that he should give)
In the same form, - a a m may give the quotative sense too. Context has to be taken into consideration in deciding the meaning.
Tenses of nonfinite verbs Infinitive
Infinitives do not distinguish tenses.
Strong verbs form the infinitive by adding - k k a to the verbal root, and the weak verbs by adding - a to the root. e.g. p at i study p a tikka, a at u dance a a ta. A number of irregular verbs (usually weak verbs) change their root before adding the infinitive - a. e.g. poo go pook a ; k on a a bring k on a r a . .
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Infinitive is used to express purpose and simultaneity. It occurs in the following constructions:
Infinitive -- modal auxiliaries
forms of poo go' forms of v it u leave forms of p a a r look " forms of n in a y think ' ill a y no
( en u) past / present forms of i r u be"
forms of v e entiy i ru
have to", "it is necessary that ... "
Also infinitive may be used to form a when clause. e.g. n i i ň k a 1, ata y c c o 1 1 at ta,a n e n a k k ut ter iyum " It was only when you told me that that I came to know ( of it )". An infinitive may be doubled to form an adverb meaning as the action of the verb of the infinitive continued or the more one does such and such, e.g. in a a n k a a cu kee k k a k kee k k a a v a r ta a R a a r He gives as I continue to ask for money", in i i n k a li ku u p p i t a k k u u p p i t a a v a r v a r a a r
" He won't come as you keep on calling ( him )".
Aspects can occur in infinitival forms. e.g. el u t i t ta l l a .
Adverbial participle
The adverbial participle, or past participle does not distinguish between past, present and future tenses.
Weak verbs that take - in - in the past tense drop the - n - of the past tense to form the past participle. e.g. ka attu " show ", past tense base k a a t t in-, past participie k a at ti. Strong verbs and all other weak verbs
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form the past participle by adding - u to the past tense base. e.g. cey "do', past base c e yt -, past participle
ce y tu; in at a walk ', past base in at a nt-, past participle in a tant u. The verbs poo go, collu tell
have the past participles p o o y, co l l i respectively.
Past participles of perfective forms are similarly composed of the past tense base of this complex form + -i or -u as explained earlier. e.g. cey do' -- w it u + pp > c e y tu v i t t u ~ c e y ti t t u. Past participles of progressive forms consist of the past tense base of a verb + k on tu.
The negative adverbial participle is formed by adding - a am a 1 to the root of a verb. Strong verbs optionally add it to the infinitive. The final -a of the infinitive is then dropped. e.g. p a at u “ sing ” p a at a a m a l; p at i study pati y a a m a 1 N p a tikk a a mal. The final - 1 in - a a mal may be optionally dropped in speech - but not when suffixes follow.
Relative participles
Positive relative participles make a two - way distinction in tense, between past and present, and are formed by adding -a to the past tense base or present tense base. e.g. pati study p at ic ca, p at ikki Ra; p o o "go" po on a, p o o R a.
Relative participles of aspectual forms are similarly formed. e.g. cey “do” c e y ta (past), c e y y i R a (present, ce y tir unta (pluperfect), c cytir u k ki Ra (perfect), ce y titta (past perfective of certainty), c e yt it u R a (present perfective ), c e y tu k on tir unt a past progressive), ce y tu kont i r u k ki Ra (present progressive).
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Negative relative participles do not distinguish tense. They are formed by adding - a at a to the root of a verb. Strong verbs optionally add - a a ta to the infinitive. e.g. cey do c e yya at a; p at i study patiya at a ~ p a t i k k a a ta.
Nominalised forms
Nominalised forms consist of the tense base form -- the nominalising suffix - a tu. They usually occur in the past or present tense : e.g. collu “say” c on natu, coll uR a tu; p o o “go” p o o n a tu, p o o R a tu.
There is, however, one construction where the nominalised form of poo go' occurs in the future form: c e yya - poo се у у а p p o o v a tu.
n a a n се у у a p p o o v a tu e n n a e n tu or u v a r u k ku m te riya at u
* No one knows what I am going to do "
Classification of verbs
There are a number of tease markers, particularly in the past tense. It will be rather difficult to predict fully ( perhaps except in the future tense) which marker Will occur with a given verb.
The infinitive form can be used to predict whether the future marker will be - pp - or - v -. If the infinitive ends in -kka, - pp - is substituted for -kk a to form the future base. For other verbs, - v - is added to the root.
Different groups of verbs form their present tense in slightly different ways. Strong verbs form the present tense base by adding - iR to the infinitive. The final - a of the
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infinitive will be dropped : pati study, infinitive p at ikka, present base p at i k ki R -. Weak verbs that end in - y too add - i R to the infinitive to form the present base ; c e y ‘do’, infinitive cey y a, present base c e y y iR-; c a a y “lean, infinitive c a a ya, present base c a a y iR-. Note that the final - a of the infinitive is dropped. Weak verbs like a u : cry", ulu 'plough , a Ru be ruined add - k i R to the root to form the present base : a luk iR-. Other weak verbs add - R to the root to form the present base : po o 'go' poo R-, k on a a bring k on a a R-, in at u plant " n a tu R - .
For strong verbs a past tense marker is substituted for the - k k a of the infinitive.
Strong verbs have past tense in either -tt- (^ - cc -), - nt-, -tt- or -nt - . The choice between -tt- or -cois phonologically conditioned : root - final front vowel or y requires - cc -, nonfront ( other than - a ) requires it - Va a c i read", infinitive via a c ikka, past base v a a cic c-; k at a y “converse', infinitive k at a ykka, past base kata y cc-; u tu dress', infinitive ut uk k a, past base u tutt -. Strong verbs ending in a and the verb i r u be have the past marker - nt - in at a "walk', infinitive n at a k ka, past base in a tant - .
There are relatively few strong verbs with roots ending in consonants, and the changes that take place when the past tense markers are added are very complicated.
MOO infinitive past base k e el o ask o kee k k a keet tn i 1 stand n ik k a a in t
v i o sel o v i k k a v i t t — p a a r see p a a k k a p a att
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Tense bases of strong verbs are given below in the following order - singular imperative, past base, present base, future base, gloss:
kutu k ut u t t - kut uk ki R- kut up p - give
p i ti p it ic c- p i tikki R- p it ipp - 'grasp in at a n a tant - n at a k ki R- in at a pp-walk kee kee it - kee k ki R- keep p- ask'
n il n in t - n ikki R - n ip p as stand
A major division within the set of weak verbs is between those having - in - (~ - in ) for past and others. One can partially predict which marker a verb will take. Exceptions may have to be given.
Among others, the following types of weak verbs take - in - : (a) verbs ending in two consonants -- u, or a double consonant -- u ( except collu Say'): k a at tu "show', in a n ku agree", (b) verbs ending in a consonant + u preceded by a long vowel spoo tu drop is an exception): le et u search , p a a tu sing , (c) verbs of three short syllables ending in - u : k a u v u wash', e lu tu " write ”.
The verbs coll u " say ' and poo go are also members of this category, but both have - n - for past : con n — , po o n - .
- in - is the most common past tense marker for weak verbs.
Other weak verbs form their past tense base with -t-, - -, -nt -, - nt - or -n c -.
-t- is taken only by a few ( about ten verbs ce y do', ko y pluck ', a u cry'
(162)

-t- is taken by about fifteen weak verbs. These verbs have -t tu finally preceded by a short vowel ; ca app it u eat c a app it t-; v it u leave v it t-. The verb poo tu is an exception that takes -t- ( and not - in - ) to form the past base. The final - u of the verb is dropped when past marker is added.
About twenty verbs ending in - r - and the verbs v i 1 u “fall”, v a a ! " live ”, ta a “ give ”, v a a “ come ” and k on ta a "bring take - nt - to form the past base: c e e r o join ” c e e n t -; ta a o give ” t a nit -. Final consonant of the root is dropped when - nt - is added. ( The language does not usually allow a sequence of three consonants in colloquial speech ).
A set of about twenty weak verbs take -nt - to form their past base. Most of them end in - 1. A couple of verbs end in - 1. One verb ends in - n and two in - n a al rule a a n t-; p i r a turn p i r an -: v e 1 o win ” v e n t -; ti n “eat” ti t -.
Weak verbs ending in a front vowel have - c - for past tense. Of the weak verbs ending in - y, some may
take -nic - (a few others take -t-) for past : a R i know' a R ific -; n an a y wet in a n anc -. The verb
( m a lay) pey rain may take either -t- or
-n c - for past.
Verbs made causative by the addition of -vi or-ppi are strong verbs, and they form the past base by adding - cc - : cey "do", c e y v i cause to do ’, ceyvicc -; n a i' act, in a tipp i cause to act', n a tip p ic c -.
163)

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Imperative Positive imperative
Imperative forms occur in singular and plural. There are two types of singular forms one is nonpolite, the use of which indicates the subordinate position of the addressee, or speaker's familiarity with the addressee, and the other is polite form, the use of which indicates some degree of respect to the addressee. The plural form too can be used in the singular to indicate politeness and greater degree of respect to the addressee. These verb forms correspond to the three second person pronouns, namely, n i i singular nonpolite, n i i r singular polite and intermediate respect form and n i in k a 1 plural or singular polite and respect (greater degree ) form.
Verb root is used as the singular nonpolite form. - um is added to the root to form the singular polite form. And the plural imperative is formed by adding the suffix -n koo to verb roots ending in a vowel other than - i and - a, and by adding - un koo to roots ending in consonants and the vowels - i and - a.
non pol. sing. pol. sing. plural
p a i p at i yu m p at iyu hko o 'study" се у ce y y un cey y unk o o 'do' e u et um e i u in ko o take
The verbs va a “come , k on a a “bring' and ta a "give change their root form to take - um : v a a r u m, k o n t a a r u m, ta a r u m... The verb p o o “go” takes -m instead of - um to form the singular polite: poom. Note that certain morpho - phonemic changes take place when suffixes are added to some types of roots. For instance, when - un ko o is added to a monosyllabic verb ending in a consonant, that consonant doubles if the preceding vowel is short.
(164)

The second person plural imperatives of v a a come and t a a give have the alternates v a a r u hko o and ta a run koo respectively. The second person plural form in - su) hkoo has an alternate form in - (u) in k a 1 which is less frequent : coll unko o say coll unk al. The plural imperatives ta a n k o o, v a a ni k o o and k o n t a a rik o o have ta a r u h k a ! , v a a r u ň k a ! and k on ta a runk all as alternate forms.
In Jaffna Tamil - en is added to an imperative form to express some sort of request t w a a “ come ' -- en va, a ven, c e y do' -- u m -- en c e y y u men, poo go' -- hko o -- en po on ko o ven, p a a r look" + unk a - en p a a runk a len.
Negative imperative
All the positive imperative forms have parallel negative forms, and the negative is formed by adding - a at a y to either the infinitive ( with loss of final - a ) or to the root. The verbs va a come , a a give ", k on ta a "bring and po o go add - a a tay to the infinitive only.
nonpol. sing. pol. sing. plural
(and pol. sing.)
p a tikka a tay patik ka a - p a tikk a a -
ta y u m ta y u m k o o
p at ikka a - t a y unk a
p a tikk a a -
ti i n k a !
don't read
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nonpol. sing. pol. sing. plural
(and pol. sing.)
p a a k k a at a y p a a kka a- p a a kka a -
t a y u m ta y u ħ k o o
p a a kka a
ta y u ħ k a l
p a a kka a -
ti i n k a
don't look
се у у а a t а у се у у а a - се у у а а
ta y u m t a y u fi k o o
с с у у а а
ta y u ħ k a 1
c e y y a at ii ni k a !
don't do
et a at a y e ta a ta y u m . et a at a y unko o
ea at a y unk a et a at i in kal
don't take
In Jaffna Tamil - en 'why didn't you may be added to the negative imperative to give the sense that the speaker is asking the hearer why he did not do something
that the speaker feels he should have done. It also implies that he had the opportunity to do so.
p a tiya at a y e in * Why didn't you study? p a tiya at a y unk a le n (with the implication that the action could have been
done, that is, the hearer
could have studied)
(166)

Defective verbs
A certain number of verbs in Tamil lack many of the forms that the majority of verbs have. They are defective verbs. Of them the more important ones in common use
3C
positive negative
vee n um want vee n ta a m mut i yu m “ possible o mut i y a a ( tuj e e i u m o possible o e e l a a (tu ) k u utu m o possible o k u u ta a (tu ) te r i y u m know te r i y a a ( tu) p i tikku m like ' p i t i k k a a (tu)
k it a y k.k um
Forms associated
follows :
v e e n u m
v e ent a a m
pitiya a stu) be available k it a y k ka a ritu)
k i ta y a a (tu)
p a t a a ( t ui)
with these defective verbs are as
ve ent iy a ( past verbal adjective)
we ent a (infinitive)
vee n tiy at u ( positive nominalised form )
v e e n t i y i r u — v e ent i v a a -
( can occur in any tense, but only as third person neuter singular )
v e e m t a a ta ( negative verbal adjective)
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v e en t a at a tu ( negative nominalised form )
m ut i y u m m ut i m c a mut i y utu ( past verbal adjective ) (present finite) muti y i. R a
( present verbal adjective)
m ut in c u tu m u t iy a ( past finiie ) ( infinitive ) m u ti y e e l l a y m ut i n c a tu ( past, present ( past nominalised form ) negative finite) m utiy i Ratu
(present nominalised form )
m u t i y a a (tu) m utiya at a
(verbal adjective )
m u ti y a ata tu ( negative nominalised form )
Infinitive of muti- occurs only in the emphatic
construction n utiy a vee m utiya at ul 6 absolutely impossible ".
e elum ~ iy a lum i yant a i y an t ut u ( past verbal adjective) ( past finite) i y a l i R a
iy a lut u (present verbal adjective) ( present finite ) i y a n t a tu
iy a le e l l a y (past nominalised form )
( past, present neg. finite)
iy a l i Ratu ( present nominalised form)
iy a l a ~ eel a ( infinitive )
(168)

e e lar iy a la occurs only in the emphatic eel a vee
e e l a atu, i y a l a v e e i y a l a at u “ absolutely not possible o
e el a a (tu) - i y a la a (tu) e ela at a rv i y a la at a (negative verbal adjective)
k u utu m ku utiy a (verbal adjective)
k u u ta ( infinitive ) ku u ti y a tu ( nominalised form )
k u uta occurs only in the emphatic k u ult a vee k u uť a atu “ absolutely mustn't ”.
k u u t a a (tu) k u ut a at a
( verbal adjective ) k u ut a at at u ( nominalised form )
te r i y u m
ter ific utu te r i m c a ( past finite ) ( past verbal adjective) t e r i y u tu ce r iy i R a ( present finite ) (present verbal adjective) ter iye e l l a y ter iy a ( past, present Degative finite) ( infinitive )
te r i c a tu (past nominalised form )
te r i y i R at u ( present nominalised form ) t e r i y a a (tu) ter iy a at a
( verbal adjective ) te r i y a at at u ( nominalised form )
p it ik kum p it i c c ut u p it ic C a ( past finite) ( past verbal adjective)
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p i t i k k u tu
present finite) p it ik keel 1 a y ( past, present finite )
i p it i k ka a tu r
p it i y a atu
k it a y k k u m k it a y C C utu ( past finite )
k i t a y k k u tu ( present finite)
k a y k kee l l a y ( past, present finite)
k ita y kka a tu -
k it a ya at u
p a t a a : tu)
p i tikki R a ( present verbal adjective) p it ik k a (infinitive p i t i c c a tu (nominalised form )
p i t i k k i R a tu ( present nominalised form )
p it ikka at a r p it iy a at a ( verbal adjective ) p i t i k k a a tatu NV
pi i ya at a tu ( nominalised form )
k i t а у с с а (past verbal adjective)
k it a y k ki R a (present verbal adjective)
k it a y k k a ( infinitive ) k it a y cc at u ( past nominalised form )
k i t a y kk i R a tu (present nominalised form) k it a y k k a at a ru
k it a y a at a verbal adjective ) k i ta y k ka ata tu r k i t a y a a tatu ( nominalised form )
p a ta ( infinitive)
infinitive p a ta occurs only with the emphatic ee
( се у у а ) pa t a v e e
p at a a { t u) “ absolutely not *.

The verbai root ea
The quotative particle ent u is the past participle form of the verb e. n say . It takes the past suffix - t - e n + t e i t -.
In colloquial speech, ( and also in literary famil), en is one of the three verb forms, (others being k a a n see , ti n “ eat ” ), that take - p - to form the future tense base.
All the three are weak verbs.
All three verbs have alternants with the suffix - v - in their future base : en n u v -, k a a u v - , t in n u v -.
The past and present bases of en are ent - and e n k i R - Nu e n m u R - respectively. The conditional form is ent a a (l), and the concessive is ent a a lum.
Adjectival or nominalised form of this verb usually occurs only in the past : en ta, e in t a van, ent a v ar, ent at u etc. Of these, the forms ent a and ent at u are used primarily for the embedding of factual statements.
The present verbal adjective or the present nominalised form of en seldom occurs in Jaffna Tamil speech. If some situation warrants the use of present forms, one may say ent u collu R a ( instead of en ki Ra), ent u collu Ratu (instead of en ki Ratu ). Examples:
cant i r a n p r of e car a a k i v i t t a a r
Chandran has become a professor
c a nt i r a ni pr o fe c a r a a k i w i ti ti a a r e natu un may
That Chandran has become a professor is true ' cant i r a n p r of ec a r a a k i v i t t a ar ent a un may
the fact that Chandran has become a professor'
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Page 96
c anti ran p r of e car a a k i v i t t a a r ent a c a n to oc a m
the joy that Chandran has become a professor
a v a r i p p a m a n tir i en t ata y m a R a nt it ten " I completely forgot that now he is a minister
k u n a mi so n, ta v a r a y u h k a ! u k k ut
ter iyu ma a
Do you know a person called Gunam? "
This quotative verb occurs as finite form, but usually only in the past tense. It can occur in all three persons.
in a a n w a a Re n e in ten " I said that I would come '
a v a a p o o k a m a a t t e n e n da a
Sbe said that she won't go
n i ii r v a a R e n e m ii i ii r
You said that you would come
Jaffna Tamil speakers usually use the present and future finite forms of e in tu col i u - instead of the present and future finite forms of the verb e. n -.
in a a fi ka 1 v a a Ram ent u collu R a m
We say that we are coming'
in a a n k a va a R a m e in tu coll u v a m
" Let us say that we are coming "
(l72)

Occasional action
The defective verb unt u is added to present or past nominalised form of a verb to express that the action indicated by the nominalised form is done from time to time
or occasionally.
a var ku tikki Ratu ս ոt u " He drinks ( occasionally ) '
a v a r k u t i c c a tu . u n t u
He drank ( occasionally ) '
Try to do an action
The verb pa a r look" used with a dependent infinitive gives the sense try to '.
a n t a p p u t t a k a t t a y v a a ñ k a p p a a r u ri koo
Try to buy that book'
Questioning an action ( with disgust )
Jaffna Tamil has a verb form made by adding the suffix - a a n to the future tense base : v a r u v -- a a n, ce y v -- a a n, po o v -- a a n. (Note that the third person masculine non honorific singular suffix in Jaffna Tamil is -an).
The future base -- a a n is always used with a ' why interrogative like een why ', en n attukku for what '. It indicates that the speaker is surprised that such a thing should happen, and wonders why it did, that is, why on earth . This form does not change whatever the number, gender, and person of the subject may be :
n i i ñ k a ! e e n a v a r u k k u e l 1 a a t t a y u m
с о I 1 u v a a n "Why on earth should you tell him everything?"
(173)

Page 97
a v a a e n a k k u e e n t a v a a l e ! u tu v a a n Why on earth should she write a letter to me?'
* While an action is done"
While or when an action is done" is expressed by adding - e. ek k a y M - e. ek ki a y to the infinitive. The final - a of the infinitive is dropped.
pooke ek k a y while going " colleek k a y while saying"
a 1 a, ill a y
Jaffna Tamil makes a distinction between the use of a l l a and ill a y.
ill a y is the negative of i r u k k u :
c i in i i r u k ku There is sugar "
c i in i ill a y There is no sugar "
Jaffna Tamil uses a l l a to emphasize that something is one thing, and not another.
a tu c i i n i a l l a * That is not sugar. a v a r t a a k k o t t a r a l l a ʻ He is not a doctor
i l 1 a at t i l is the conditional form of i l 1 ay but only when ill a y is used in the sense of nonexisting, ( that is, when it is the negative of i r u k ku ) . Thus, it
has the sense if not there ".
to o c a y i 1 1 a a t t i l v a t a y ta a ñ k o o " If there is no dosai, give me vadai"
a la at til is an alternant for a l l at u.
(174)

to o c a y a 1 1 a a t t i l v a t a y ta a ñ k o ô * Give me dosai or vadai ”
k u t u “give' ta a “ give '
Jaffna Tamil makes a distinction between the use of k u ti u and ta a.
ta a is used when either the speaker or the hearer is the recipient. If a third person, that is neither speaker nor hearer is recipient, the verb kut u is used.
ii n ta p p a li a t t a y e n a k k u t ta a ii k o o
Give me this fruit
in tap p al att a y un k al u kk uit tar a la a m
“ (II) can give you this fruit o
i n t a p p a ! a t t a y a v a r u k k u k kut unk o o
Give this fruit to him "
Frequent or continuous action
When a past participle is doubled it has the sense that
the action is frequent or continuous.
n i in k a 1 p in tip pinti va a Riyal * You are always coming late
a v a r a y p p o o y p p o o y p p a a r u ñ k o o
Go and see him frequently
* As soon as '
To express the sense as soon as ', -um is added to
past verbal noun. It would imply that the action has just
been completed when something else happened.
ta m p ii v i ll u ntat u m a lu ta a r
Younger brother cried as soon as he fell "
175)

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Bibliography
Besides the following, there are several publications in
Tamil too. For information on them see Kirupananthy, P., (1990).
1
Agesthialingom, S. (1969), o Pronominal Endings in Ceylon Tamil ', Journal of Annamalai University, Vol. 26, pp. 49-64, Annamalai Nagar, India.
Balasubramaniam, T. and Thananjayarajasingham, S.
(1973), ' Some Observations in the Plosives in Colloquial
Tamil as Spoken in Jaffna, Indo - Iranian Journal, XIV, pp. 800 - 806.
James W. Gair, Suseen dir arajah, S. , and Karuna tillake, W. S. (1978), An introduction to Spoken Tamil, External
Seryices Agency, University of Sri Lanka, Colombo.
Jamaes W. Gair and Suseendirarajah, S. (1981), Some Aspects of the Jaffna Tamil Verbal System", International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, Vol. X, No. 2, pp. 370 - 384, Kerala.
Kanapathipillai, K. (1958), The Jaffna Dialect of Tamil : A Phonological Study , Indian Linguistics, Turner Jubilee Volume 1, pp. 219 - 227, Poona, lndia.
Kanapathipillai, K. (1965), Verbs in the Jaffna Dialect of Tamil ', University of Ceylon Review XXIII, Vol. 1. No. 2, pp. 241 - 26 , Peradeniya.
Kandiah, T. (1978), ' Standard Language and SocioHistorical Parameters : Standard Lankan Tamil ', International Journal of the Sociology of Language : Aspects of Sociolinguistics in South Asia, Braj B. Kachru and Sridar, S. N., eds., pp. 59 - 76, Mouton.
(176)

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Karunatillake, W. S. and Suseendirarajah, S. (1973), Phonology of Sinhalese and Sri Lanka Tamil : A Study in Contrast and Interference". Indian Linguistics, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 180 - 190, Poona, India.
Karunatillake, W. S. and Suseendirarajah, S. (1975), Pronouns of Address in Tamil and Sinhalese A Sociolinguistic Study, International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, Vol. IV, No. 1, pp. 83 - 96, Kerald.
Kirupananthy, P. (1990), A Bibliography of Sri Lanka Tamil Linguistic Studies '. International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, Vol XIX, No. 1, pp. 107 - 124, Kerala.
Kuiper, F. B. J. (1962), “ Note on Old Tamil and Jaffna Tamil ', Inde - Iranian Journal, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 52 - 64.
Sanmugadas, A. (1974), Some Aspects of the Tamil Spoken in Sri Lanka , Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference - Seminar of Tamil Studies, Vol. II, pp. 237 - 250, Jaffna.
Sanmugadas, A. (1983), Separation of Sri Lanka Tamil from Continental Tamil", Tamil Civilization, pp. 75 - 82, Tamil University. Thanjavur, India.
Shanmugampillai, M. (1962), A Tamil Dialect of Ceylon , Indian Linguistics, Vol. 23, pp. 90 - 98, Poona, India.
Suseendirarajah, S. and Karunatillake, W. S. (1973), Readings in Modern Literary Tamil, Mimeographed, University of Colombo.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1966), Contrastive Study of Ceylon Tamil and English', Proceedings of the First International Conference - Seminar of Tamil Studies, Vol. II,
pp. 751 - 756, Malaysia.
(177)

Page 99
17
18
19
20
2
22
23
24
2S
Suseendir arajah, S. ( 1970 ), o Reflections of Certain Social Differences in Jaffna Tamil', Anthropological Linguistics, Vol. 12, No. 7, pp. 239-245, Bloomington, U. S. A.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1972), 'Some Pronunciation Problems of Tamil Speakers Learning English, Indian Linguistics, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 59 - 66, Poona, India.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1973), ' A Study of Pronouns in Batticaloa Tamil ', Anthropological Linguistics, Vol. 15,
No. 4, pp. 172 -182, Bloomington, U. S. A.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1973), Phonology of Sri Lanka and Indian Tamil Contrasted", Indian Linguistics, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 171 - 179, Poona, India.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1974), " Tanil Language in SriLanka , Souvenir, Fourth International ConferenceSeminar of Tamil Studies, pp. 55 - 58, Jaffna.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1974), Some Archaisms and Peculiarities in Sri Lanka Tamil ', Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference - Seminar of Tamil Studies, Vol. II, pp. 221 - 236, Jaffna.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1975), o 1ndian Tamil and Sri Lanka Tamil : A Study in Contrast (Noun System)', Indian Journal of Linguistics, Vol. II, No. 2, pp. 107 - 117, Calcutta.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1975), * ANote on Animate - Inanimate Contrast in Tamil ', Journal of Tamil Studies, International Institute of Tamil Studies, Vol. 1.7, pp. 50 - 51, Madras. Suseendirarajah, S. (1978), Caste and Language in Jaffna Society , Anthropological Linguistics, Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 312 - 319, Bloomingtion, U. S. A.
(178)

26
27
28
29
30
3
32
33
34
Suseendirarajah, S. (1980), Religion and Language in Jaffna Society ", Anthropological Linguistics, Vol. 22, No. 8, pp. 345 - 362, Bloomington, U. S. A.
Suseendirarajah. S. (1981), "Vowel Splits in Jaffna Tamil', Suniti Kumar Chatterji Commemoration Volune, pp. 254 - 264, University of Bardwan, West Bengal, India.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1982), "Unique Kinship Terms in the Dialects of Jaffna and Kanyakumari, International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, Vol. XI, No. 1,
pp. 201 - 202, Kerala.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1982), Kinship Terms in Jafna Society : A Sociolinguistic Appraisal ', International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, Vol. XII, No, 1, pp. 126 - 148, Kerala.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1983), Beliefs Based on Sound Similarity ', Tamil Civilization, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 41-43, Tamil University, Thanjavur, India.
suseendirarajah, s. (1984), o Lexical Diferencés Between Jaffna Tamil and Indian Tamil ', Tamil Civilization, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 22 - 32, Tamil University, Thanjavur, India.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1986), Personal Name in Jaffna Society : A Sociolinguistic Appraisal, Tamil Civilization, Vol. 4, No. 1 and 2, Tamil University, Thanjavur, India.
Suseendirarajah, S. (1992), English in Our Tamil Society : A Sociolinguistic Appraisal ', Unpublished paper, University of Jaffna.
Thananjayarajasingham, S. (1962), Some Phonological Features of the Jaffna Dialect of Tamil ', University of Ceylon Review, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 293 - 302, Peradeniya.
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35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Thananjayarajasingham, S. (1974), "Nominal Compounds in Ceylon famil A Grammatical Analysis , Acta Orientalia, Vol. 36, pp. 157 - 169.
Thananjayarajasingham, S. (1974), Adjective System in Jaffna Tamil Indian Linguistics, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 31 - 43, Poona, India.
Thananjayarajasingham, S. (1975), "Aspiration in Jaffna Tamil ", Linguistics, An International Review, 149, pp. 59-63, Mouton.
Thananjayarajasingham, S. (1975), Nasalisation in Jaffna Tamil ', Linguistics, An International Review, 149, pp. 65 – 73, Mouton,
Veluppillai, A. (1983), Number in Jaffna Spoken Tamil ', Work in Progress, Linguistics Publication, pp. 45 - 57, University of Edinburgh.
Veluppillai, A. (1983), “ Modality in Jaffna Tamil ', Indian Linguistics, Vol. 44, No. 1 - 4, pp. 83 - 96, Poona, India.
Zvelebil, Kamil. (1959), “ Notes on Two Dialects of Ceylon Tamil ' Dr. Siddheswara Varma Jubilee Volume, pp. 28 - 36, Transactions of the Linguistic Circle of Delhi.
Zvelebil, Kamil. (1966), “ Some Features of Ceylon Tamil ', Indo - Iranian Journal, Wol 9, No. 2, pp. 113 - 138.
(180)

Index
8
addition, 51
adverbial partici ple, 153
a/fricates, l, 19
agent, 37
anterior : duration, 82;
general, 84; location, 57
approximants, 9
aspect : perfect aspect, 109;
pluperfect, 109; present perfect, 11 o; future perfect, l 1 l
aspectual values, 124
assimilation, 2.3
authority for assertion, 148
b
benefactive, 37 bilinguals, 4, 5, 8, 13, 15, 16 borrowings, 15, 17
case formation, 98 causatives, 100 f O3
саиSe, 42
certainty, 146 circumferential location, 67 circumstance, 39 citation form, 53 citerior — anterior location, 68 citerior location, 64 classification of verbs, I 60 code - switching, 15 comitative, 39 concessive, 50, 13
conditional, 129 consonant clusters, 16, 17 consonants, 15, 16 continuous action, 175 contrasting pairs, 19 copular construction 31, 35 count nouns, 86
d
day of the week, 74 debitive, 134 defective verbs, 29, 167 degrees of: length, 19;
pro vimity, 96; certaint y 144 diphthongs, 14 direct (inflectional) negative, direct: object, 31; negative, 56 distance, 49 distinctive segments, 1 distribution of vowels, 18, 19 di transitive verb, , 03 drawl, 23 duration, 80
e
English, 4, 5, 8, 13, 5, 16 English loan, 15 English words, 16 epicene plural, 90 essive, 43 exclusion, 5. exclusive plural, 96 extent, 50 exterior location, 57
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f familiarity in doing an
action, 144 feminine, 91
festivals, 76 finite and nonfinite forms, 149 foreign personal names, 14 foreign sounds, 14 forms of pronouns, 97 frequent action, 星75
frequentative time
expressions, 78
fricatives, 5, 19 function, 43 functions of noun phrases, 25 future, 149
g
geminated consonants, 2 l gender, 92 general location, 53
h
habitual aspect, 1 18 high variety, 4, 5, 8, 15, 16
hawman moun S, 91
i
imperative, 164, 65 inability, l 4 l
inclusion, 51 inclusive plural, 96 indirect object, 33
inferior, 62 inferior - contact location, 62 infinitive, 157
inflection, 25 instrumental, 39 intentional, 133 interior location, 55
intonation, 2
lateral location, 62 learned ability, 143 liquids, 7, 19 loans, 4, 5, 8, 9, li 3, 15
loan - words, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15,
16, 17
location: away from within, 57. in terms of directions, 70; in time, 7t; to the left, 70; to the right, 70; up to, 57 locative expressions of time, 76
таптer, 42
masculine, 91
mass поитs, 86
material, 4 l medial location, 66 medial location at rest, 66 monolinguals, 13 - 27 nonth - ames, 75
mood, 129 motion : across a long object, 69; along an edge of something, 69; from, 64, 67, 68; fron above, 6 1 ; from behind, 60; from in front of, 59; from within, 56; into, 56; near to, 55; past, 54. 61, 64, 66, 68; past a long
(182)

object, 70; past behind, 60;
past in front of 59; past
through, 67; through a long (hollow) object, 68; through, 56; to 53. 67, 68; to above, 6 l; to behind, 60; to beside, 63; to in front of, 58
movement past exterior loca
tion, 57
nasals, 5, 19
negative : adverbial participle,
158; circumstance, 40; comitative, 39; concessive, ll; conditional, 129; habitual aspect, 121; imperative, 165; indicative, 153: manner, 42; obligation, 137;
quality, 4 l; relative partici
ples, 160 nominalised forms, 160 non finite verbs, 157 nonhuman, 91 non partitive: negative quantifiers, 47; numerals, 45; quantifiers, 45 noun : classes, 9 ; declensions,
98; inflections, 25 number: distinctions 87; mark
ing system, 86
O
object : complement 36; of comparison, 34; of equation, 35
objects, 37 oblique base, 98 occasional action, 173 optative, 13 oral monophthongs, to
p
partitive :
46; numeral, 44, quantifiers, 45
parts of the day, 79 part - whole relationships, 44 passive, 37, 99
past, 149 perfective : of excess, 1 17: of impatience, 1 16; of inient, 113; of own action', 14; of utility, 18 period of day, 72 permission, 142 phonological segments, 14, 15, phonotactics, 15 physical ability, 140 pitch, 21
negative quantifiers,
plosives, 1 plural : markers, 87; of human nouns, 86; of nonhuman тоитS, 86 point in period, 85 positive: imperative,
indicative, 149
164
possessive, 40
possibility, 144, 147,
posterior: duration, 83 general,
84; location, 59
( 183)

Page 102
postpositions, 28 potential, 140 predicative adjectives, 37 present, 149
price, 48 prior completion, 123
probability, 44 - 147
progressive aspect, 128 proтоитs, 96 proximate location, 55 pseudopassive, 37 punctual : future, 79; past, 80 purpose, 43
0
quality, 40, 41
questioning an action, il 73
quotative : particle, 120; verb,
72
r
reference, 43
reference to : future time, 107; past time, 107; present time,
106
reflexive verb form, 104
relative participles, 159
S
Sanskrit, 17
seasons, 77 segmental elements, 1 semi vowels, 9, 19 sequences of syllabic vowels, 19 Short and long vowels, 19
singular honorific, 90 Source, 38
stops, 19 StreSS, 21
subject - complement, 36 superior - contact location, 61 superior location, 60 suprasegmentals, 9 syllabics, 10
sутtactic fитсtions, 29
t
tenses, 105 tenses of finite verbs, 149 translative, 44
trill, 3
ulterior location, 65 universal time reference, 10t
у
valency of a verb, 99 value, 48
yocative, 52 voice, 99
vowels, 10
y
year, 76
ZA
zero quantifier, 48
( 184)

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(185)

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Page 105

The Author
Dr S. Suseendirarajah was educated at the University of Madras and at the 4nnamalai University, South India. He has taught Linguistics in the Annamalai University, and in the Universities of Colombo and Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He is now the Professor of Linguistics and head of the Department of Linguistics and Eglish in the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He was a Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, U. K. in 1987 - 88. His publications in learned journals including Anthropological Linguistics, International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics (IJDL), and Indian Linguistics range over a wide field - applied Linguistics, Dialectology, Sociolinguistics, and Tamil language, both as the mother tongue and as a second language. He is also co-author of the book: An Introduction to Spoken Tamil (with James W. Gair and W. S. Karunatillake, 1978). Apart from Linguistics, his academic interest includes Tamil literature and Hindu religion as currently practised.
Mahathma Printing Works, Earlalai.

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