(p120)
(7) mar/mor(before consonants),mars/meth/moth(before vowels) : if .
pe na (see [B](3) above) is used to express the negative
Used before the Present Tense to express a present possibility
Used with the Future Tense to express a future possibility
Used with the Conditional Tense to translate 'would', or 'should'.
Used with the Past Subjunctive of failed past conditions.
This conjunction causes hard mutation. See section 47.
- Mars ô hụi Dzhûan..(L/NB): If you are John
- Mar peth traveeth gwrez tho gwetha Curnooack(NB): If nothing is done to save Cornish
- Mar kressa an dean deskez feer na gwellaz hemma(NB): If that wise intelligent man saw this
- Mar kra wonen veeth leverol(NB): If anyone at all says..
- Mar pee angy mouy fortidniez(NB): If they had been more fortunate
- Mar petham Francan-Belgan(NB): If I am to be regarded as a Franco-Belgan
- Meth ewe da gene gasawaz(TB): If you be pleased to listen
- Mar pethama kibmiez(NB): If I may be allowed
- Mothosta maab Deew(R): If thou art the son of God
- Mothosta mâb Deew(R): If thou art the son of God
- Mor minta poz cotha an doer ha gortha ve(R): If thou wilt only bow down and worship me
- Marsew an nowothow da(733): If the news is good
- mar pleage(756): if it pleases ; please
(8) a : if, if only
This conjunction is not usually expressed, but is understood to be present, and due allowance made for the hard mutation it causes [see section 47]. It is used (sic) to indicate conditions that are more hypothetical than those associated with mar in (7) above. It is used with the Present Tense where this is used in the English, and with the Conditional where the English verb is in a past tense.
- Peea dua e veea gwel(JT): It would be better if there were an end...
- a menta(Gw): if thou wilt
- Fatla qura ve ackas gorra why en doar?(T): What if I put you on the ground?
- Fatla qura ve ackas dry why gen flo?(T): What if I get you pregnant?
(9) ca : though [older ken], keth/kenth [before vowel]:
This is only used with boaz: to be. The form ca is followed by a v tense (older f). The Present Tense follows where there is a suggestion of fact, the Present Subjunctive where there is an unresolved future condition, the Conditional where the main clause is conditional.
- Ni venja pea a munna seer,ez boaze whelees car thurt an Tir, ca veea a vlethan veth mar hir ni veea plaises me ore gwir(JT): We would rather pay the money certainly, than be sought away from the land, though the year were ever so long we should be pleased I know well
- Ow thase, ken fova serrys pan glowa an nowethys(1133): My father, though he be angry when he hears the news..
- kethewa lethys(1140): although he has been killed
- kenthewa fure(491): though he is wise
- kynthota skydnys in wharthe(2307): though thou hast fallen about with laughter
- keth ynsy mar venys(1384): though they are so tiny
