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THEORY: NATLANGS: Pro-Forms

From:Eldin Raigmore <eldin_raigmore@...>
Date:Wednesday, May 24, 2006, 15:15
Various content-full words or phrases can be represented in various
languages by "pro-forms".

See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-form
for hints.

The most famous ones, of course, are pronouns, which can stand for full
noun phrases.  Greenberg has a universal that states that every language
has pronouns.

Probably the second most famous are "pro-verbs" (not the official term).

"Correct" Modern English has "do" as the pro-form verb; several related
languages use related words.

"Not-so-correct" "very-Modern" English uses "go" as a pro-form verb.

Several languages use a verb whose other meaning is "say" as a pro-form for
verbs.

The Wikipedia article also mentions "pro-sentences".

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Here're my questions, then;

1) What other "parts of speech" have pro-forms in various natlangs?

--

In particular:

2) Does any natlang have one or more pro-adposition(s)?

3) Does any natlang have one or more pro-conjunction(s)?

4) Does any natlang have one or more pro-interjection(s)?
4a) Does that question even make sense?

5) Does any natlang have one or more pro-pronoun(s)?
5a) Wouldn't that be gilding the lily and carrying coal to Newcastle?

6) Does any natlang have one or more pro-adjective(s)?

7) Does any natlang have one or more pro-adverb(s)?

--

8) What other lexically content-full meanings are there of verbs which also
have a grammatical use as pro-verbs, in various natlangs?

---

9) ObConLang: What conlangs have pro-forms other than pronouns, "pro-
verbs", and "pro-sentences"?  And what are those pro-forms?
9a) Pro-adjectives?
9b) Pro-adverbs?
9c) Pro-adpositions?
9d) Pro-conjunctions?
9e) Pro-interjections?
9e') Why, for goodness's sake?
9f) Pro-pronouns?
9f') Really?  How do you use them?

10) ObConLang: What conlangs have pro-form verbs?  Do these verbs also have
lexically content-full uses?  Please, describe and explain.

11) ObConLang: What conlangs have "pro-sentences"?  Is there anything
noteworthy or remarkable about one of these you think I or someone else on
this list would like you to point out?

12) Is there anything noteworthy or remarkable about some natlangs' "pro-
sentences", you think I or someone else on this list would like you to
point out?

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Thanks,

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eldin

Replies

Kit La Touche <kit@...>
David J. Peterson <dedalvs@...>