Re: THEORY: 'to say that...', 'to hope that...'
| From: | takatunu <takatunu@...> |
|---|
| Date: | Sunday, July 4, 2004, 9:19 |
|---|
Trebor wrote:
<<<
How do you guys' conlangs handle such sentences? I'd like some examples from
languages other than English to help me with mine. Thanks :)
>>>
In Pisina:
"(1) Subject Raising Verbs: An example is "He seems to be
good", which could also be "It seems he's good".
Timiko a tomana nai [o timiko] a simaka.
He PRED appearance i.e. [that he] PRED good.
"(2) Exceptional Case Marking (ECM) Verbs: "I believe him to be a problem."
See also: "I believe there to be a problem."
Pikani a tilolona nai o timiko a sai milana.
I PRED think i.e. that he PRED. be problem.
Pikani a tilolona nai a milana i minasa timiko.
I PRED think i.e. that he PRED there's problem CIRCUMSTANCE case this.
"(3) Subject Control Verbs: "I promised him to buy the cat food." (Also
called an Equi construction?) (*I* am the one buying the cat food.)
Pikani a pinonomi kai timiko i nai o pikani a mataki pimomoti manola i
salota kai kitola.
I PRED promise to him CIRCUMSTANCE i.e. that future buy food CIRCUMSTANCE
benefit to cat.
"(4) Object Control Verbs: "I persuaded him to buy the cat food." (*He* is
the one buying the cat food.)
Pikani a mosala potapotaso timiko i nai o timiko a soloni pimomoti manola
kai kitola.
I PRED past make-believe him CIRCUMSTANCE i.e. that he PRED had-rather buy
food to cat.
Reply