Re: Alienable/inalienable possession

--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, Carsten Becker <carbeck@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I recently started a new project, Ukele [1], which is
> supposed to have alienable/inalienable posession. I wonder
> how would one express to have something or to give
> something away that is inalienable? E.g. a heart transplant
> or something? Body parts are usually inalienable, after all.
> May there be an evidence that it's a concept rather of
> philosophy than language? Would there be transplants in a
> society that speaks a language with an alienable/
> inalienable distinction? I bet I've got a PDF on this
> floating around on some backup CDs of mine ... However,
> according to Payne it seems to me that it's no problem to
> give away something that is inalienable, it's just specially
> marked for inalienability. I am confused. Does anyone care
> to explain?
>
> Thanks,
> Carsten
>
> [1] www.beckerscarsten.de/conlang/ukele
>
> --
> Keywords: alienable, inalienable, possession
>
> "Miranayam cepauarà naranoaris."
> (Calvin nay Hobbes)
>