[Lingtyp] Please help me label two Dalkalaen (Oceanic) TAM markers

[Christian Lehmann]

Dear Cat,

given function #d of /ga-/, it seems to be a universal subordinator; and 
this function would include #a - #c. In the interlinear gloss, just 
abbreviate it by SR.

It seems that you will have to both define a concept and coin a term for 
/sa-/. Something like 'apprehensive' might suit it.

Best,
Christian
> Dear Lingtyp community,
>
> I'm trying to understand the function and relationship of two 
> morphemes in Dalkalaen (Oceanic). I'm not sure they're prefixes, but 
> for now, let's assume they are. They both occupy the same slot in the 
> prefixal template of verbs, namely the outermost one.
>
> 1.: ga-
> As far as I can tell, this prefix serves four functions:
> a) specific temporal co-/subordination, e.g. GA-go "when they went (to 
> place x, event y happened)"
> b) general temporal/conditional co-/subordination, e.g. GA-chirp "when 
> [a kingfisher] chirps (under circumstances x, then that means y)"
> c) final/purposive subordination, e.g. GA-make "(x got ready) to make 
> (food item y)", ga-GO "(x got up) to go (to the restroom)"
> d) a kind of general complementation, e.g. we want GA-x "we want that 
> x happens"
>
> 2.: sa-
> This one never occurs on its own, but always in combination with
> a) the potential marker (which refers to future possibilities, 
> prospectives, hortatives), in which case the combo seems to refer to 
> an undesirable prospective, e.g. SA-POT-eat "this fire could/will 
> consume me [if I don't get out of here]". This combo is pretty rare.
> b) the negative potential marker, which in fact can't occur without 
> sa-. This combo refers to warnings and prohibitives, e.g. 
> SA-NEG.POT-fall "(watch out so you) don't fall!", but also to more 
> generally negated future possibilities, e.g. SA-NEG.POT-hurt "we're 
> not going to / don't want to hurt you".
>
> Ga- also often occurs with other TMA markers, including the potential 
> marker, but I haven't been able to identify any kind of transparent 
> pattern as to what exactly those markers contribute in those contexts; 
> they seem to be kind of optional and interchangeable.
>
> So my question is basically: How would you label these two markers?
>
> Please send ANY kind of idea, literature recommendation etc. etc. etc. 
> my way. Thank you, and I hope you have a nice week.
>
> Warmest,


-- 

Prof. em. Dr. Christian Lehmann
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99092 Erfurt
Deutschland

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