Jan06 Post A
2013-Jan-08, Tuesday 23:53![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
qiihoskehJan06 grammar is hierarchical with inverse marking. It also has noun classes.
In Jan06, at most one core argument phrase is allowed per clause (oblique arguments are treated as separate clauses). In a finite bivalent clause where both arguments are 3rd person, the more topical argument must have already been introduced in a previous clause, which may be a topic clause if needed. There's a sort of switch reference marked on the verb for that argument: if it keeps the same more topical argument as the preceding clause, the -OT (Old Topic) suffix appears, but if the argument is the less topical argument of the preceding clause (including the argument of a topic clause), the -NT (New Topic) suffix appears.
The less topical argument of the clause is marked by a verb prefix; if it's anaphoric, its class agreement prefix appears; otherwise, the 3- prefix does. When class agreement is used, the corresponding noun phrase appears only when needed for disambiguation. The inversion prefix (direct or inverse) occurs along with the argument prefix.
The suffix may be local (1st, 2nd, or inclusive person) instead; in this case, it's not clear yet if OT- and NT- prefixes can appear. There are 1st person prefixes which can appear only with 2nd person suffixes.
In a finite univalent clause, the sole argument is marked by a suffix; this can be local, -OT, -NT, -3, or a class agreement suffix. The finite univalent clauses include those with the passive, antipassive, reflexive, and auxiliary forms of bivalent verbs.
In a participial bivalent clause, the argument suffix on the verb is the same as for finite univalent verbs. Inversion is marked along with the syntactical function (attributive, depictive, or infinitive) prefix.
A participial univalent verb has only the syntactical function prefix.
Note: in the examples, single letters are used to represent the not yet defined class agreement affixes.
(1)
3-see-Pst-1S cat-c. "I saw a cat."
3-hunt-Dur-NT mouse-m. "It was hunting a mouse."
Neg m-catch-Pst-OT. "It didn't catch it."
very fast-Dur-NT. "The mouse was very fast."
A topic clause contains a particle instead of a verb; if the topic is indefinite, the particle Gnr is used, while if the topic is definite, the particle Top is used. Compare the following two examples:
(2)
Top elephant, "As for the elephant,"
Aux-want-Dur-J John-J Inf.Inv-see-NT. "John wants to see it."
Hab 3-like-Dur-NT animal-P. "He likes animals."
(3)
Gnr elephant, "As for elephants,"
Aux-want-Dur-J John-J Inf.Inv-see-NT. "John wants to see one."
Hab 3-like-Dur-NT animal-P. "He likes animals."
In Jan06, at most one core argument phrase is allowed per clause (oblique arguments are treated as separate clauses). In a finite bivalent clause where both arguments are 3rd person, the more topical argument must have already been introduced in a previous clause, which may be a topic clause if needed. There's a sort of switch reference marked on the verb for that argument: if it keeps the same more topical argument as the preceding clause, the -OT (Old Topic) suffix appears, but if the argument is the less topical argument of the preceding clause (including the argument of a topic clause), the -NT (New Topic) suffix appears.
The less topical argument of the clause is marked by a verb prefix; if it's anaphoric, its class agreement prefix appears; otherwise, the 3- prefix does. When class agreement is used, the corresponding noun phrase appears only when needed for disambiguation. The inversion prefix (direct or inverse) occurs along with the argument prefix.
The suffix may be local (1st, 2nd, or inclusive person) instead; in this case, it's not clear yet if OT- and NT- prefixes can appear. There are 1st person prefixes which can appear only with 2nd person suffixes.
In a finite univalent clause, the sole argument is marked by a suffix; this can be local, -OT, -NT, -3, or a class agreement suffix. The finite univalent clauses include those with the passive, antipassive, reflexive, and auxiliary forms of bivalent verbs.
In a participial bivalent clause, the argument suffix on the verb is the same as for finite univalent verbs. Inversion is marked along with the syntactical function (attributive, depictive, or infinitive) prefix.
A participial univalent verb has only the syntactical function prefix.
Note: in the examples, single letters are used to represent the not yet defined class agreement affixes.
(1)
3-see-Pst-1S cat-c. "I saw a cat."
3-hunt-Dur-NT mouse-m. "It was hunting a mouse."
Neg m-catch-Pst-OT. "It didn't catch it."
very fast-Dur-NT. "The mouse was very fast."
A topic clause contains a particle instead of a verb; if the topic is indefinite, the particle Gnr is used, while if the topic is definite, the particle Top is used. Compare the following two examples:
(2)
Top elephant, "As for the elephant,"
Aux-want-Dur-J John-J Inf.Inv-see-NT. "John wants to see it."
Hab 3-like-Dur-NT animal-P. "He likes animals."
(3)
Gnr elephant, "As for elephants,"
Aux-want-Dur-J John-J Inf.Inv-see-NT. "John wants to see one."
Hab 3-like-Dur-NT animal-P. "He likes animals."
