Re: grammatical cases & semantic roles (was: ergative/accusative)

MorphemeAddict@WMCONNECT.COM wrote:
>>That doesn't answer the question.  If "all verbs have a patient", then it
>>doesn't matter how you choose to categorize the verbs;  where is the patient
>>in those sentences?  If it's implied, then *what* is it?
>>
>>
>
>
> Oh, I see now what you mean.  I don't know the answer.  This very same
> question came up a couple of years ago on the Klingon list.  The Klingon verb
> for
> "rain" has never been used with a subject, so we don't know what the subject
> of
> it is.
Did nobody think of asking Marc Okrand?

> There was lots of speculation about what it might be, but nothing but
> guesses.
It could just be, me seems, that just like the corresponding verb in so
many terrestrial languages (the majority?), it simply does not have one.
Why should Klingon need on if so many natlangs get along quite nicely
without one?

Just sort of curious and puzzled.

--
Ray
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http://www.carolandray.plus.com
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Nid rhy hen neb i ddysgu.
There's none too old to learn.
[WELSH PROVERB}