-aato

== Ye'kwana == === Alternative forms === -kaato, -yaato (allomorphs) === Etymology === Seemingly from -a (nonpast suffix) +‎ -to (plural verb suffix); however, compare -ato (“recent past imperfective non-third-person plural suffix”), apparently formed from the same morphemes but without the unexpected vowel lengthening. According to Cáceres, it is unclear if this suffix in fact presents a long vowel, or if it rather has a geminated consonant after the vowel, and more study is needed to determine if perhaps it is not formed with -to but a different plural suffix specific to the nonpast tense. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): [-aːto] === Suffix === -aato Forms the plural of the nonpast tense. ==== Usage notes ==== This suffix can cause syllable reduction. The suffix takes the form -kaato when the preceding syllable is reducible and has an onset of k, -yaato when the preceding syllable ends in i, and -aato in other contexts. === References === Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionnelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana‎[1], Lyon, pages 223–224