Re: THEORY: Ergativity and polypersonalism

Skrivet gant Isaac Penzev:

>>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.

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