[Lingtyp] Pronominalised proper names in Old Tamil

[Bernhard Wälchli]

Dear all,

I had a quick look at what answers the Bible corpus (Mayer & Cysouw 2014) can give to this question. (Mayer, Thomas & Cysouw, Michael. 2014. Creating a massively parallel bible corpus. Oceania 135.273: 40.)

There are 10 examples with 1sg such as
eng-x-bible-lexham.txt           45016022        I , Tertius , the one who wrote this letter , ...
eng-x-bible-lexham.txt           47010001        Now I , Paul , appeal to you myself ...
and I did not check whether other person-number combinations are represented, which might yield further evidence.

After a quick manual search (this should be done more carefully with first identifying what the forms for 1sg affixes are), I had about 80 from 1686 translations left (about 1200 lgs). I certainly missed some instances with short suffixes. (I would have missed Alamblak (amp) where the suffix for 1sg is just -a, if Jan had not pointed out this language to us.) This is not at all a stratified sample, but a very rough first guess might be that about 3-10% of the world’s languages have the phenomenon. Of course, just a small minority of languages are in the sample, no Elamit, alas, and no Classical Tamil. But many of the usual suspects are in (that have been named in the discussion already). For further use, the list should be further cleaned, so do not take this for anything else than a first approximation. Certainly not all of the affixes to names are first person singular markers.
The preliminary results suggest – surprise surprise: (head-marking) American languages are strongly represented. Especially Mesoamerica (but note that North America is virtually lacking in the sample). There is also a great deal of doculect-internal variation (no surprise to me). Not all doculects where the phenomenon is attested have it in all 10 contexts where it could be used. There are also cases of doubling of forms for the pronoun such as Guajajára (gub) Ihe Ter ihe, which might be relevant as grammaticalization sources for the phenomenon, which I therefore did not remove from the list.
The procedure entirely ignores that authentic (non-foreign) names (not represented in the corpus) might behave completely differently from foreign names, which is, of course, an issue.
The bad news for the Elamit-Dravidian connection is that the phenomenon does not seem to be particularly stable genealogically.
See some examples below, the three first letters before the first hyphen are the ISO-codes. The list is roughly sorted genealogically.

Of course, we should first have a cross-linguistic comparative concept (a clear cross-linguistic definition, maybe Martin Haspelmath can suggest one). As David has pointed out, this is not at all that easy. You cannot just take univerbation in orthography as a criterion (cf. naq vs. nhr).

Looking at the predicates could also be done with this material, of course, but not that quickly.

Bernhard Wälchli


guh-x-bible.txt            45016022        Xanë , Tercionë , mapabaxutotaje Pablo pijume tajumeyaquinaponaenë . Xanë ata pacajamatabënajinatsi . Tsipaji Jesucristojavabelia vajanajamatabëcuenecopatsivi .
chd-x-bible.txt            45016022        Iya' ninTercio quiniƚi iƚta'a al je'e . Iya' jouc'a nihuequi Jesucristo . Canonilhuo' imanc' unc'aipimaye .
acu-x-bible.txt 45016022        Ju papin aarja juka wiitjai Tercioitjai . Wisha ii Apuri naarin pachisan chichaman akuptajrume .
agr-x-bible.txt 45016022        Wika Terciowaitjai , wi agajai jujú papiinak , nuniau asan wishakam Apu Jisukristu daajin kumpamjime .
hub-x-bible-1975.txt   45016022        Wisha iina Apuri Kristu nemarin asan , chichaman yamai akuptajrume . Wika Terciowaitjai , Pablo papi akupkattaj tamaunka wii aajai .
naq-x-bible.txt            45016022        Tita Tertiuta , nē ǂkhanisa goro xoata ge ǃKhūb ǃnâ ra tawede du .
nhr-x-bible.txt 45016022        Tíí Teretio ra , ncẽes tcgãyas dir góá-kg'ao ra ko X'aigam koe tsgám̀kagu tu u .
auc-x-bible.txt 45016022        Ñöwo botö Tedetiyobo ïñömö Pabodo önöneque tedecä ëñëninque ïï cadota ante në yewæ̈mönïmo inte botö adobaï , Waa quëwencæmïnimpa , ämopa .
crq-x-bible.txt 45016022        Kia'iyo pet ti ya'am , Terciok'i'm , ti yam ti 'etitk'iye 'ni Pablo siu'nie jip'esinik , atejwi'lase .
chf-x-bible.txt 45016022        No'on aj Terciojon . Aj Pablo u yäc'bon cä tz'ibän ni junda . Cä täscäbenetla täcä u c'aba' Dios , uc'a tubalonla chich Cajnojala .
ctu-x-bible-tili.txt       45016022        Joñon Terciojon chʌncol bʌ j cotyan ti ts'ijb Pablo cha'an ili jun , mic chocbeñetla tyʌlel saludos ti lac Yum .
tzh-x-bible-oxchuc.txt            45016022        Jo'on Tercioon te yacon ta sts'ibuyel ta jc'ab in jun to . Ya calbeyex spatjibal awo'tanic uuc ta stojol te Cajwaltique .
tzo-x-bible-1997.txt    45016022        Vu'un li Tercioun ti la jts'ibabe li scarta Pablo li'i , chabanuc chacalboxuc tal ec ta sventa li Cajvaltique .
tzo-x-bible-chamula.txt          45016022        Chabanuc xcalboxuc ta sventa ti Cajvaltique ti vu'un Tercioun ti ta jts'iba ti carta li'e .
tzo-x-bible-chenalho.txt         45016022        Vu'un Tercioun , vu'un la jts'iba tal li scarta Pablo li'i . Chabanuc chacalboxuc tal ec ta sventa li Cajvaltique .
tzo-x-bible-huixtan.txt           45016022        Ho'on ti Tercioune , ho'on ti jts'ibabe scarta ti quermanotic Pabloe . Hech yu'un hech chajtojboxuc avo'ntonic uc ti stojol ti Cajvaltique .
tzo-x-bible-newworld.txt        45016022        Voʼon Tersioun ti la jtsʼiba tal li karta liʼe , chabanukoxuk ta stojolal Kajvaltik .
tzo-x-bible-zinacantan.txt      45016022        Vo'on Tercioon , vo'on ijts'ibabe li svun Pablo li'i . Chacalbeic uc ti chabanicoxuque yu'un co'ol quich'ojtic ta muc' ti Cajvaltique .
cac-x-bible-ixtatan.txt            45016022        A in Tercio in , a in van in tz'ib'anb'at jun scarta vin̈aj Pablo tic d'ayex , svac'paxb'at stzatzil e c'ool , yujto yic ex Cajal Jesús ved'oc .
cac-x-bible-sansebastian.txt   45016022        An Tercio in tic , wan in tz'ib'n 'at jun scarta Pablo tic 'ayex . Tzwa't stzatzl e c'ojol , yujto yic ex xo Cajlil quet' on̈ .
toj-x-bible.txt  45016022        Ja queni Tercioon . Huanon stz'ijbajel ja jas huax yala cab ja quermanotic Pablo . Huax jeca spatulabil ja hua c'ujolexi yuj ja sbiil ja Cajualtiqui .
kjb-x-bible.txt 45016022        Ayin Tercio in , lanan in tz'iben el jun carta ti' . Chi wa c'apaxtok cawil e c'ul yujtol yet exxa Cham Jajawil jetok .
lac-x-bible.txt 45016022        A teno' , Terciojen , a quin ts'ibtic a je' ju'una' . A teno' quin ts'ibtic u t'ʌn Pablo a cu ya'aric ten . Quin t'ʌniquechex xan , quire' quin yamtic Pablo u ts'ibtic ti' ij quet acsa'orirob . Quin t'ʌniquechex , quire' quet ic yajquintiquex ic Jaj Ts'urirex .
poi-x-bible.txt 45016022        Ɨch aTercio , aŋcɨɨmɨ manjáyáypa yɨ́p to̱to iganam apɨɨmɨ́ypa jém Pablo . Maŋcutsadáypam wa̱t́idios iñt́u̱mpɨyt́am jém tánO̱mi Cristo iñɨyi̱mɨ .
bem-x-bible-newworld.txt      45016022        Ine , ne Terti , ne walemba uno kalata , namuposha muli Shikulu .
lam-x-bible.txt            45016022        Neŵo neTatyo , nendukulemba iŋkalata iyi , ndukumusekeleni muli ŵaSikulu .
leh-x-bible.txt 45016022        Nebo neTetiyasi nentoolemba nkalata iyi kweelana abutoondwiita Paulo , ndamwaansha noonse nobene Klistuma .
lai-x-bible.txt  45016022        Ane ne Telitiyo , umusimbi bulo uwa kalata uyu , inkubalamukila mwa Mwene .
tbz-x-bible.txt 45016022        Mí nTɛrisuusi wèè wɑ̃̀ri dipɑ́tíri dii , m múnkɛ di dɔunko ti Yiɛ̀ nkó mɛwɛ̃nnímɛ̀ miɛkɛ .
iws-x-bible.txt 45016022        Kara Tetiaskɨn , ta yokwowa Pol siira kara whɨn wɨnboɨnkika . Mɨ an kara ɨriipɨ hɨriinan kariir nokboɨnmamaɨra sɨmiiram mɨ boɨnkika .
nbc-x-bible.txt            45016022        ( Ngo , Tershiaei ho le doletkei ; ngei kan jungto Khristan sanou salem küntida ) .
13581  amp-x-bible.txt           45016022        Na Tertiusa , nann nda Porrhu gontwat wandfahukanr . Na nhaf wom kfo yindhorkfot kahukanko .tee-x-bible.txt     45016022        Pus ju quitʼin icTercio . Quitʼin ju icʼatsʼoknunilh ju Pablo ju ani alhiqui . Vachuʼ iclamacʼamiyau laʼixtapakaʼut ju quiʼucxtinʼan Jesús .
agm-x-bible.txt           45016022        Iyataatɨ nɨnɨ Tetiyaasihonɨnɨ Porɨhomɨ maahomwaaŋapɨ pɨwɨha netɨ sapɨ jɨpatɨpiyataayo . Saindɨ pɨwɨma Porɨhomɨ netɨ jɨpatɨpiyohɨmonɨnɨ samataindɨ Kɨraisihomɨhonɨnisɨ sangi gaahuraare satataato .
aak-x-bible.txt 45016022        Tetiasonɨ — Nionɨ Poro áwaŋí̵ nɨrarí̵ná payí̵ rɨna eaarɨŋáonɨrɨnɨ . Nionɨ enɨ Ámɨnáoyáyí̵né yayí̵ seaiwárénapí̵ɨnɨ .
byr-x-bible.txt 45016022        Nɨmɨ Tetɨyaazainyɨ Polɨmɨre maangikɨ yagaalyaꞌ maarena pɨkarya daꞌ yɨdaꞌmweinyɨ . Yɨ nɨmɨ Naangerɨ wɨlamwaaiheinyɨ “ Nyaꞌmweihi ! ” yɨhɨthɨvanɨge .
faa-x-bible.txt 45016022        Sawi one anopoko Téteasemo poparakanapo . Epo Unihae Yasuane hemakapukua reke , epo reane soko hemakapurakanapo , airakae .
for-x-bible.txt 45016022        Naeba Tetiyasina , Poro nkawamupisa kamana mae u'ma ma nkisapa kaemagi , pabiyama Wa'egawama nkagega'e uma : Aya pewe , yuwe .
bef-x-bible.txt 45016022        Nani Tetiasita , Poluhi baga'aguti kaga ma noligo fayahi koyolata bo Sipi Boti'mu yabe luto lenebe notugube .
gah-x-bible.txt            45016022        Neza Teletiona pepa imane Pauló lo neme neme noigo luhuva gizo nolukumu vémina áminagó oko Guivahanímini avogisaló lekelikumú geké nololeketuve .
ino-x-bible.txt 45016022        Nakaeya Tetiasi'na Polo avayafati ke afite'na mani avo kaove . Anumayamo'ae lo'ka'na mai'ne'na hu'na falu fala hulapatoe .
kbq-x-bible.txt            45016022        Nagra Tertiusina , Poli ke nehigena ama avoma kre'noa ne'mo'na musenke Ra'mofompi hurmantoe .
kmu-x-bible.txt           45016022        Nagaya TetiusiꞋna Polo avayafiti ke aliꞋna mani avona kaeꞋna Anumayamo agile “ Felugae . ” huꞋna hu falu fala hunelamatoe .
kyg-x-bible.txt            45016022        Nagaemo Tetiyusi'namo mani gemo Polo avayafati'mo ali'na avo kae'nae'mo Ala kava nepi'mo mai'ne'nae'mo ge lapamamae'nove .
yby-x-bible.txt            45016022        Nemoya Tetiyusikahoya pepaloya Poloda gala maya luhuwa nojeko We napamidana omudaloya dupamu nelaiyoko loe .
tbg-x-bible.txt 45016022        Te Tetiusika maa qarara ntuvate vaurauka tevata Nora Vaiinti autuqaa ni uva mantama nimite vai .
waj-x-bible.txt            45016022        Pauruuso ni tikiai na Teretiivaano aa yanaa aavaa rauvoono ta mmuaakaraama ausa hanigiaunnaivaara neetama ngiiiyara yaata utuee boo kiaunoo .
mcq-x-bible.txt           45016022        Na Tetiasira asurakaho Natohwi jihuni vaji veji'i ja 'ajoravu .
knv-x-bible-aramia.txt           45016022        Bägala eta komo . Na Tetiyasiti Poloko mabumä bämoe leta tabo ämiyätemo , bäma käna nale aeno Kodawoeno mahilamo naeno nolata tabo atumu lätamo näkapoememo .
knv-x-bible-fly.txt      45016022        Egäwalo me tanalo idila . Na Tetiyasite Poloko mabumä me leta tabo akulolemo , ma kunu nale aimano Kawodawano mailamo naimano nilakapo tabo atumu lätamo nakapalibomo .
gub-x-bible.txt            45016022        Ihe Ter ihe , amuapyk ko Pawru ze'eg kwez ko pape rehe ihe . Amono kar heze'eg peme ihe no .
cap-x-bible-2004.txt   45016022        Niźaśa werh Terciutki ti kartal khjirźkućha , niźaśa anćhukakin Yöś Tatź thükiś tsänźkućha .
nch-x-bible.txt            45016022        Na niTercio cati niquijcuilohua cati Pablo nechilhuijtiyajqui , nojquiya nimechtajpalohua ipan Tohueyiteco .
nhe-x-bible.txt            45016022        Na niTercio tlen niquijcuilohua tlen Pablo nechilhuijtiyajqui , nojquiya nimechtlajpalohua ipan Tohueyiteco .
nhg-x-bible.txt            45016022        Naja neTercio , öque nequejcuelojteca ini nönca cörta de tocni Pöblo , naja nuyejque nemiechtlajpaloa tieca toTlöcatzintle .
nhw-x-bible.txt           45016022        Na niTercio catli niquijcuilohua catli Pablo nechilhuijtiyajqui , nojquiya nimechtlajpalohua ipan Tohueyiteco .
nhy-x-bible.txt            45016022        Nej , niTercio , katlej nikijkuilojtok in yin amatlajkuilole , noijki namechontlajpaloa ika itlasojtlalis in toSeñor .






















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