Re: can a language be inflecting polysynthetic?

Sure; why not? Since a language like Spanish is considered�inflectional, let's
take its properties. In a verb like "amo", the�/-o/ suffix lets us know
several things:��-The subject is singular.�-The subject is 1st
person.�-The tense is present.��If the important thing is that (a) the
element indicate multiple�categories, and (more importantly, I think) (b)
there be no way�to express *singly* any of these elements on the same part
of�speech, then there's no reason why this can't be expanded to
a�polysynthetic language.��Let's use as a definition of polysynthetic a
language where on�the verb you have marked (using an accusative
language):��-Subject�-Object�-Indirect Object�-Tense�-Number of all
participants�-Evidentiality��Now let's say verbs have CVC stems. Give is
/kaz-/. It can't�appear on its own, but must appear with a suffix--either
the�infinitive /-ar/, or one of several subject/tense/number
combos:��Present�Sg.�1: -i�2: -en�3: -as�Plu.�1: -u�2:
-ol�3: -ov��Past�Sg.�1: -iz�2: -iz�3: -ur�Plu.�1: -uz�2:
-uz�3: -ev��Now let's make things fun and say if you flip all these
suffixes�around, they mark direct objects (not only that, but direct
objects�must agree in tense with the verb).��Next, let's throw in some
evidentials:��First-hand Experience: -at�Second-hand Experience: -om�No
Experience: -el��And let's add indirect objects, which are the same as
subjects, but�are added *after* the obligatory evidentials. Here are some
of�the results:��ukaziaten = "I give us to you."�rukazizatiz = "I gave
it to you." (Or "You gave it to me.")�sakazovati = "They give it to
us."�vekazuromur = "S/he gave it to him/her."��If you wanted to add
incorporation it'd be very easy to replace�the object with a noun--e.g.,
corn, /zolare/:��zolarekaziaten "I give corn to you."��The thing that
makes it inflection is the fact that it's not all�broken down (this letter =
this category; that letter = that
one,�etc.).��-David�*******************************************************************�"sunly
eleSkarez ygralleryf ydZZixelje je ox2mejze."�"No eternal reward will forgive
us now for wasting the dawn."��-Jim
Morrison��http://dedalvs.free.fr/��On Oct 3, 2008, at 9∞27 AM, Jack
Hall wrote:��> Hi!�> Can a language be inflecting polysynthetic?�> And
wich pattern is necessary to make a polysynthetic?�