Two suffixes which learners of Siye often confound are -mulu- and -like-. -mulu- indicates ‘to do X in vain’.

sili elekesomulunana.

shili elekesomulunana.

We two have built the house in vain.

The negation of the suffix works in the default fashion, by changing the suffix which indicates polarity, aspect, and mood (the PAM suffix).

sili elekesomulunanu.

shili elekesomulunanu.

We two have not built the house in vain.

The suffix -like- indicates ‘to fail to X’

sili elekesolikenana.

shili elekesolikenana.

We two have failed to build the house.

-like-, unlike -mulu-, is a member of a class of suffixes called ‘inverse suffixes’. These suffixes use the floating negative suffix -ku- rather than changing the vowel of the PAM suffix. There are (unfortunately) regions in which -like- is not treated as a suffix of the ‘inverse suffix’ class.

sili elekesolikekunana.

shili elekesolikehunana.

X sili elekesolikenanu.

X shili elekesolikenanu.

We two have succeeded in building the house.

So far, one might be tempted to think that the two suffixes do not intersect sufficiently to create confusion. Consider, however, the translation of these two sentences.

layuluwepumulukima. layuluwepulikekima.

layuluvefumuluchima. layuluvefulikechima.

The first sentence contains the suffix -mulu- and therefore should be translated ‘he searches for me/us in vain’. The second sentence contains -like- and therefore should be translated ‘he fails to search for me/us’.The first sentence indicates that the individual is searching for us. The second sentence suggests that the individual has not started the task. If these sentences are negated, they become

layuluwepumulukimu. layuluwepulikekukimu.

layuluvefumuluchimu. layuluvefulikehuchimu.

The first sentence should be translated ‘He does not search for us in vain’, probably indicating a successful search. It could, however (depending on context) indicate that the individual has decided that the searching is futile and therefore is not doing so – a more positive spin on the previous sentence layuluwepulikekima. The second sentence should be translated ‘He does not fail to search for us’ or ‘He succeeds in searching for us’. This sentence does not commit itself to the success of the search, just commends the individual for her devotion to the task.

Further illustration of the subtle interactions between these suffixes appears in the verb -uluwe-tu- ‘to find’.

i layuluwelomulutuna. i layuluweloliketuna.

i layuluvelomulutsuna. i layuluveloliketsuna.

She found us in vain. She failed to find us.

i layuluwelomulutuna. i layuluwelolikekutuna.

i layuluvelomulutsunu.  i layuluvefulolikehutsuna.

She did not find us in vain. She successfully found us.

The first sentence in this set indicates that we were found, but it did not accomplish the further goals of our captor (or rescuer). The second sentence indicates that the searcher failed to find us. The third sentence indicates that we were found, and the larger goal was accomplished. The fourth sentence indicates that she did find us but places stress on the finder rather than the finding (otherwise why not use the simple form layuluwetunu?)

So the relationship between the suffixes –mulu- and –like- is complex and demands careful attention from the translator of Siye texts.

A great river flows from the rains of the Mountain, through the Valley, pools in the Lake, then sinks into the sands of dying Mars. Siye is the language of the valley, Ulok is the language of the mountain, and altogether different is the language of the Southern Men who tend the covered canals. Here are the chronicles of those languages, principally Siye, although the others may also appear.

The Simayamka, the speaker of Siye, live in the Valley, a complex of city-states, bound together by trade and deference to the Guild of Scholars who ensure the clarity of the language.