In English we have no special form for habitual action , but, on the other hand, we use the verb to be with the participle in -ing to express action continuing temporarily.
Fidob bodi, I am eating bread. Aifidob bodi, I eat bread (am in the habit of eating bread). Äpenob penedi, I wrote a letter, or I was writing a letter. Äipenob penedis mödik, I used to write many letters. The form "to be ----ing" is adopted in Volapük. Binob penöl, I am writing. Ai- is also used as a prefix denoting universality with other words. Aikel, whoever; aikitim, whenever; aikiöp, wherever.
EXERCISE 24
Lio- ? how- ? to what degree ? as lio-gletik ? how large ? lio-mödik ? how many ? Aispatob vädelo in gad obik. Li-aigebol spatini ?
No; spatins paigeboms te fa mans bäledik; li-tikol das binob bäledik ? No nolob; binob yunik, ab aispatob ko spatin. Li-aifidol miti vädelo ? No aifidob omi mälüdelo. Ven äbinobs in Flent, äidlinobs vini, ab nu ven binobs in Melop aidlinobs vati. Du yels lio-mödik äbinols in Flent ? Du yels kil.
Do you drink wine ? I drink wine, but now I am drinking water. In France they drink [one drinks] wine and not water. In Belgium they speak the French and the Dutch languages. What language do they speak in Australia ? They speak-English [one word] wherever many Englishmen are, one speaks English.
THE REFLEXIV
The reflexiv form is the same as the activ voice with the addition of -ok.
Vatükob, I wash. Vatükobok, I wash myself.
