2. Agent equivalence: substantive-verb relationship.

There is a fixed relationship (called agent equivalence) between the primary forms of the verb and the substantive. In essence, the substantive always represents the agent of the corresponding verb; or conversely, the verbal endings function as a the verb to be when attached to a substantive.

For example:

kish, lover
kîsh-i, to love
kîshmi Ardas, I love Ardis;

kesh, living being, person
kêsh-mi, I live;

chel, ice
chêl-ti, it freezes

and so on. It follows that the verb to be (copular verb), hei, can replace the verb ending. Thus,

kêshmi, I live = heimi kesh, I am a living thing;
kîshmi, I love = heimi kish, I am a lover (one who loves);
sukti, she teaches = heiti suk, she is a teacher