Re: The Glyphica Arcana

Jim Henry wrote:
> On 12/15/05, Jefferson Wilson <jeffwilson63@...> wrote:
>
>>If the intent of the sentence is to show that Cecil is
>>experiencing sleep, then the name "Cecil" would be marked as an
>>indirect object with "sleep" as a verb.  (At one point I called
>
> _Indirect_ object!  Interesting.  A number of languages
> use the same case for at least some objects
> of transitive verbs and subjects of intransitive verbs,
> but I don't know if there are any natlangs that
> use the indirect object case for subjects
> of intransitive verbs.  Neat.
>
>>this 'indirect voice.' That is, a verb and indirect object making
>>a complete sentence.)  However, if the intent of the sentence is
>>to show that Cecil is performing the activity of sleep, "Cecil"
>>would be marked as subject.  "Cecil" might also be marked as a
>>direct object, indicating that "sleep" is being imposed.
>>("Taking the medication, Cecil sleeps.")
>
> So the "subject" is always some entity taking
> deliberate action?
Hmmm, no. In "net catches fish" "net" is still the subject.

> Maybe it should be called
> the "agent" case instead.
Well, strictly speaking, the GA doesn't have case.  I use the
term 'distinction' for the markers for subject, verb, object,
descriptor, and subordinator.  Secondary markers distinguish past
and future verbs, indirect and direct objects, and the like.
(See: http://www.meanspc.com/~jeff_wilson63/myths/ArcanaRef.html)

It might be appropriate to change it to "source" instead of
subject, but I don't know if that's clearer, and am reluctant to
change all my documentation at this point.

--
Jefferson
http://www.picotech.net/~jeff_wilson63/myths/