Re: THEORY: Ergativity and polypersonalism

> > > Niuean, a Polynesian language, has a grammar that some call ergative,
> > > yet it typically uses no verb inflections at all (though some verbs >
> > change form depending on number -- I can't remember offhand whether > >
>they agree with the agent, patient, either, or both). > > > > Case is
>marked on the arguments of the verb with particles. > > Oh yes, now I
>remember that most Polynesian langs are considered ergative! > Thank you
>for the information. Anyway, it looks like I'm going to enjoy >
>polypersonalism for my newest project, as the main sources of its >
>inspiration use it! > > -- Yitzik
>
>Chechen is ergative and has verbal desinences, yet it is not polypersonnal.
>On the other hand a features of French (definitely accusative) can be
>considered polypersonnal.
Wich feature are you talking about?

French verbs never agrees with object or agent, only with the subject in
person and number: it is not polypersonnal at all...

I'm not even sure that French can be called "accusative" because there are
no markings or whatever and only the order makes the difference

And, contrarily to english, there is not a really solid distinction
nominative-accusative in pronouns, because the pronoun will vary in form and
position if it is the direct or the indirect object or if the object is an
enumeration with pronouns

so I'd like if you coud explain what you mean by that French polypersonnal
feature?

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