Re: Plurality

Don't forget Quenya and -n/-t.  Of course, this
doesn't really count as part of the verb, but more
like built in arguments.  Cxu ne?

Jake

----- Original Message -----
From: "H. S. Teoh" <hsteoh@...>
To: <CONLANG@...>
Sent: 16 April, 2003 12:15
Subject: Plurality


> An interesting thought occurred to me today. I've noticed that in
> languages that mark number on the verb, the number agrees with the number
> of the subject/agent. But has anyone thought about marking the number of
> the *object* on the verb instead? How possible is it to have the verb
> agree with the subject on person, but agree with the *object* on number?
>
> This occurred to me when thinking about how plural actions are viewed:
> one could view it as one vs. many agents performing the same action, or as
> one action affecting one vs. many objects. The person marking on the verb
> could still agree with the agent (indicating who is doing the action) but
> the number can agree with the objects (indicating how many things are
> affected by the action).
>
> Expecting an anadewism, :-)
>
>
> T
>
> --
> "Give us money for our scam, and you will succeed!" "No thanks, I'm not a
> bird. I don't suck seed."

Reply