Locative construction and positionals in Trumai
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Raquel Guirardello-Damian
Abstract
In Trumai, three constructions can possibly be used as a reply to a where question: (i) a construction with a positional verb, such as ‘sit’, ‘lie’, ‘stand’; (ii) a copular construction; (iii) a zero-copula construction. In the current study, I analyze the relationship among them, trying to determine what the Basic Locative Construction (BLC) of Trumai is. The main hypotheses are: (i) the zero-copula construction is just a subtype of the copular one; (ii) the system of Trumai is moving from one type of BLC (copular) to another type (positional verb), but the move is not completed yet, and this would be the reason why both constructions can function as replies to where questions. I analyze the relationship between these constructions and how they code spatial information. Another relevant issue explored in this article is the class of positional verbs that occur in the locative constructions. I describe the formal characteristics and semantics of such verbs, exploring the role that these verbs can have in classifying types of Figures.
© Walter de Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Introduction: The typology and semantics of locative predicates: posturals, positionals, and other beasts
- Four languages from the lower end of the typology of locative predication
- ‘To sit face down’ — location and position in Goemai
- Locative construction and positionals in Trumai
- Grounding objects in space and place: locative constructions in Tidore
- Why a folder lies in the basket although it is not lying: the semantics and use of German positional verbs with inanimate Figures
- Laz positional verbs: semantics and use with inanimate Figures
- The coding of topological relations in verbs: the case of Likpe (Sεkpεlé)
- Standing divided: dispositionals and locative predications in two Mayan languages
- Publications received between 2 June 2006 and 1 June 2007
- Author index to Linguistics, volume 45, 2007
Articles in the same Issue
- Introduction: The typology and semantics of locative predicates: posturals, positionals, and other beasts
- Four languages from the lower end of the typology of locative predication
- ‘To sit face down’ — location and position in Goemai
- Locative construction and positionals in Trumai
- Grounding objects in space and place: locative constructions in Tidore
- Why a folder lies in the basket although it is not lying: the semantics and use of German positional verbs with inanimate Figures
- Laz positional verbs: semantics and use with inanimate Figures
- The coding of topological relations in verbs: the case of Likpe (Sεkpεlé)
- Standing divided: dispositionals and locative predications in two Mayan languages
- Publications received between 2 June 2006 and 1 June 2007
- Author index to Linguistics, volume 45, 2007
