Re: inverse constructions

Gerald Koenig wrote:

> I find it interesting to speculate on what is the next corresponding
> level of grammatical complexity for this model. It takes 6 more
> grapefruit to form a supporting layer for the structure on my table,
> giving a new pyramid of 10 objects total. On that theory, 10 is the
> next natural number of cases. As we know, there is no shortage of cases
> in conlangs. Is there a natural set of 10? One for each finger?
If cases are equivalent to prepositions, why do the IE languages
have so many of them, yet look with wonder on Finnish with its bunch?
Anyway, continuing the idea of 3 core cases for, approximately,
nominative accusative dative, there are 3 more common obliques,
genitive ablative locative.

But then they start splitting into infinite sub-types,
or until exhausting patience. There one can start using verbs
like "concerning". At this point, since my conlang had only,
effectively, 2 core cases plus a genitive, I left it:
no prepositions at all, just serial verbs and participles.
I think it really does "work", but I feel uneasy about it.