reflexives in subject position

[Balthasar Bickel]

Dan Everett wrote:
> One question: does ERGative case in this language have any other
> functions, e.g. instrumental, locative, etc?

Yes, it also covers instrumental and cause functions. However, ergative
-le alternates with the nominative in non-past and non-perfective
contexts, while in other functions, -le shows no tense/aspect-driven
alternation. In the construction I quoted ("aaphaile Raamlaaii barbaad
garyo"), -le has an ergative function. As such, it alternates with the nominative:

aaphu    Raam-laaii barbaad  gar-cha
REFL:NOM R.-DAT     spoiling do-3SG.PT
'Ram will get himself spoiled.'

--- Balthasar Bickel.





__________________________________________

Balthasar Bickel
University of California at Berkeley
Department of Slavic Languages
6303 Dwinelle Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-2979
Phone:    +1-510-848 4875 (home)
Fax:      +1-510-642 6220 (office)
E-Mail:   bickel at socrates.berkeley.edu
Web Site: socrates.berkeley.edu/~bickel
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