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36_Polite Requests

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The kă Particle

Grammatical Concept: The Solicitative Mood

Asaxi distinguishes between Orders (Imperatives marked by hè) and Requests (Solicitations marked by kă). This particle serves as the equivalent of “Please” or “Kindly.”

1. The Particle (kă)

Grammatical Function:

  • Type: High Binding Particle (Suffix/Prefix).
  • Function: Polite Request Marker.
  • Meaning: “Please,” “Kindly,” “Would you.”

Pronunciation: IPA: /kaɪ/

Etymology: Derived from Japanese かい (kai), a masculine sentence-final particle, adapted here to mean a polite solicitation.

2. Usage & Positioning

A. Suffix (The Softener) Attaches directly to the end of the verb (replacing or softening the abruptness of the root). This is the standard way to say “Please do X.”

  • Structure: [Verb]-kă
  • Contrast:
    • Shěsonůè! (Read! - Order)
    • Shěsonůkă. (Please read. - Request)

B. Prefix (The Solicitative Voice) Attaches to the front of the verb root. This integrates the politeness into the action itself.

  • Structure: kă-[Verb].
  • Epenthesis: If the verb starts with a vowel, insert -x-.
    • kă + x + ijo → kăxijo (Please look / Kindly see).

3. The Instruction (xăkă)

Function: High Polite Request / Instruction. Used for formal instructions or authoritative directions. It is stronger than a request but softer than an order.

  • Etymology: xă (Indeed/Emphasis) + kă.
  • Structure: Can be used as a Prefix or Suffix.
  • Suffixing: [Verb]-xăkă.

Example:

No shěso shěsonůxăkă. “You are requested to read the book.” / “Please read (Instruction).“

4. The Negative Solicitative (náxăkă)

Function: Polite Prohibition. Used to tell someone not to do something while maintaining a polite or beseeching tone (“Please do not”). It contrasts with the strict prohibition náxăhè (“Must not”).

  • Etymology: ná (Not) + xă (Emphasis) + kă (Please).
  • Literal: “Emphatically-Not-Please.”
  • Structure: [Verb]-náxăkă.

Example Sentences

1. Standard Request (Suffix)

Apo chỏnůkă. apple eat-PLEASE “Please eat the apple.”

2. Solicitative Prefix

No wo kăxijo. 2SG 1SG PLEASE-see “Kindly look at me.”

3. Formal Instruction

Kamm pănůxăkă. building exit-INSTRUCTION “Please exit the building.” (Standard safety announcement).])]

4. Negative Request (Polite Prohibition)

Apo chỏnůnáxăkă. apple eat-PLEASE.NOT “Please do not eat the apple.” (Polite request).

Kamm pănůnáxăkă. building exit-PLEASE.NOT “Please do not exit the building.” (Instruction/Request, not a safety ban).

Ijonáxăkă. see-PLEASE.NOT “Please do not look (at me)”

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