Re: Question on Géarthnuns grammar (sorta long)

Kou asked:

>Question:  What is "höi"?
Let's see:  "Höi" is used in the following contexts:

-- Precedes the direct object (or other dependent) of a participial verb.
-- Precedes the direct object (or other dependent) of an eventive noun.
-- Precedes the direct object (or other dependent) of a lexical verb in a
     causative construction.

Diagnosis:  "Höi" is a particle which marks the following constituent as
being the complement of a non-finite (i.e. untensed) predicate.

This analysis relies on the assumption that the lexical verb in a
causative construction is non-finite.  I must admit that causative
constructions in Géarthnuns look a little strange to me.  If I understand
your glosses, it seems as though causativity is marked by using a
special class of auxiliaries.  In most SOV natlangs that I know of,
causativity is marked either by adding a suffix to the lexical verb,
or by using a causative verb which takes a participial/infinitival
clause complement.  I would thus have expected one of these
constructions in Géarthnuns (for "John made me write the letter"):

   John  AUX  me  HÖI  the  letter  write-CAUS
   John  AUX  me  HÖI  the  letter  write-GERUND  cause

Perhaps if you explain how causative constructions in Géarthnuns
work...

Matt.