Verbs of handling

Kashaya verbs of handling involve holding, carrying, picking up, and putting down different kinds of objects. Handling a single object depends on whether it is has a long shape (like a stick, or a person) or some other "nonlong" shape (a rock, a baby, an animal). If a "bunch" of objects is handled as a group, their shape does not matter, but special verbs are used if the group of objects, or an uncountable mass, is held in a container, in which case the container itself is what the subject of the verb handles directly.

Many verbs in this set have the same root, and different meanings derive from the suffixes. The basic stem, unsuffixed, somewhat surprisingly means to stop handling, i.e. to put down. The Semelfactive /-c/ or /-hci/ means to start handling, i.e. to pick up. The Essive /-m(a)/ means to be in the state of handling, i.e. to hold. The combination /-m-c/ can indicate "pick up and (simply) hold; show to someone".

The following lists are adapted from Oswalt's 1975 vocabulary list, with underlying forms added. More verbs are also included to give a broader illustration.

These roots express the minimal distinctions among the four kinds of objects in handling verbs. Every directional suffix can occur with them, but only a few are illustrated. The root /di-/ is somewhat irregular in having short vowels with vowel-initial suffixes, and the Semelfactive allomorph /-hci/. The stem /bide·bic-/ has an /e/ vowel that is perhaps by analogy with /be·bic-/.

These roots have a general meaning of "put, set (down), throw". Addition of an element /ʔda/ from /hiʔda/ "path" changes the meaning to "throw away"; the combination behaves as a compound with phrasal accent, as shown by the lack of lengthening in forms like /dabánew/.

The "in container" column patterns in its own way: /cow/ is the same as intransitive "lie contained", and /ṭʼaʔ/ is suppletive, literally "spill, pour".

Verbs with the meaning "give" makes some similar distinctions, but with complications. The root /ho-/ is used for "long" and "contained", and often is used for serving food on a plate or in a bowl.

Singular /dihqaw/ "give one" somewhat resembles /di-hqa-/ "cause to hold one" but patterns as a two-syllable root; and /biʔdaʔ/ "give several" resembles /biʔda-aq-/ "carry a bunch away" but that ought to have the form /bida·q-/. There might, however, be a historical connection between those forms.