Re: Ergative?

> From: Vasiliy Chernov
>
> On Fri, 28 Sep 2001 07:26:01 -0400, The Gray Wizard <dbell@...>
> wrote:
>
> [...]
> >I don't believe that split-ergativity affects these examples since the
> split
> >is generally along some semantic divide, although some splits could
> >certainly confuse these matters.
>
> Actually, split-ergativity makes the distinction easier, since there are
> no split passives... or am I wrong?
Depends on the criteria for the split.  In my conlang, amman iar, the split
is made along an animacy continuum causing speech-act pronouns to take a
nom/acc paradigm.

The girl-ERG kiss-ACT the boy-ABS     "The girl kissed the boy."
The boy-ABS kiss-PASS (the girl-INS)  "The boy was kissed (by the girl)."

You-NOM kiss-ACT the boy-ABS          "You kissed the boy."
The boy-ABS kiss-PASS (you-INS)       "The boy was kissed (by you)."

The girl-ERG kiss-ACT I-ACC           "The girl kissed me."
I-NOM kiss-PASS (the girl-INS)        "I was kissed (by you)."

You-NOM kiss-ACT I-ACC                "You kissed me.)
I-NOM kill-PASS (you-INS)             "I was kissed (by you)."

If you coupled this with an ERG/INS conflation (and perhaps a ACC/INS
conflation?? Hmmm?), I think you wind up with the same level of ambiguity.

Stay curious,
David

David E. Bell
The Gray Wizard
www.graywizard.net

elivas en ishron ordelmar cotronian
Wisdom begins in wonder.