Re: Ergative?

On Thursday 27 September 2001 04:21, Yoon Ha Lee wrote:

> On Wednesday, September 26, 2001, at 07:21 PM, Matthew Kehrt wrote:
> > I have a case in my lang, Eviendadhail, which I used to think was
> > ergative, but, after reading more about ergativity, I'm now
> > unsure. This case indicates the thing used to perform the action.
> >  For example, I could say, without using this case:
> >
> >         Éyaverog silen negeth.
> >
> > which is:
> >
> >         The boy killed the jabberwock.
I can't tell from the example whether *that* is ergative. How do you
say "The jabberwock was killed"?

> > Or, I could say:
> >
> >         Ilelés éyaverog silen negeth.
> >
> > which is:
> >
> >         The boy killed the jabberwock with a sword.
> >
> > This case indicates the sword, that is, the tool used to perform
> > the verb.  Does anyone know what this is called, if anything?
>
> Instrumental, I think?  I'm sure some Wiser Member of the List will
> correct me.  :-)
Yes, I'd also call that instrumental. In Valdyan:

hanie                    brachea         tylsien        trudut
adolescent--nom-s dragon-acc-s  sword-ins-s kill-PRT-3s
"The young (wo)man killed the dragon with a sword"

(I almost put "gylsien", which would mean "with a written page" :-)

   Irina

--
           Varsinen an laynynay, saraz no arlet rastynay.
irina@valdyas.org (myself)     http://www.valdyas.org/irina/valdyas