Minhast: Difference between revisions
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== Morphosyntax == | == Morphosyntax == | ||
=== Connectives and Conjunctions === | |||
Minhast has two classes of morphemes for joining two or more NPs into a larger phrase, one set being conjunctions, and another set called either ''ligatures'' or ''connectives'' which bind either mutually interdependent NPs (e.g. possessive phrases), or adjuncts to the nuclear clause. Most of the Minhast linguistic literature uses the latter term ''connectives'', as in this article. The purpose of both conjunctions and connectives is to link two or more phrases together to form a cohesive unit. However, there are major differences between the two. Conjunctions simply link a series of NPs with no implication that the individual NP units are interdependent. The connectives, on the other hand, are required for interdependent NPs or other adjuncts (e.g. evidential particles), otherwise the phrase would be ungrammatical when the connective is omitted. An example would be a possessive construction; omission of the connective min render the sentence ungrammatical because two NPs, namely the possessor and possessum, are “stranded”, and a possessive relationship cannot be inferred from the stranded NPs. | Minhast has two classes of morphemes for joining two or more NPs into a larger phrase, one set being conjunctions, and another set called either ''ligatures'' or ''connectives'' which bind either mutually interdependent NPs (e.g. possessive phrases), or adjuncts to the nuclear clause. Most of the Minhast linguistic literature uses the latter term ''connectives'', as in this article. The purpose of both conjunctions and connectives is to link two or more phrases together to form a cohesive unit. However, there are major differences between the two. Conjunctions simply link a series of NPs with no implication that the individual NP units are interdependent. The connectives, on the other hand, are required for interdependent NPs or other adjuncts (e.g. evidential particles), otherwise the phrase would be ungrammatical when the connective is omitted. An example would be a possessive construction; omission of the connective min render the sentence ungrammatical because two NPs, namely the possessor and possessum, are “stranded”, and a possessive relationship cannot be inferred from the stranded NPs. | ||
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There are two major connectives. One binds only NPs together, while the other binds a NP or adjunct (e.g. evidentials) and a clause together. The first type of connective, called the ''min''-connective, is used most notably for creating possessive phrases. The ''min''-connective also performs other functions. The other is called the ''wa''-connective and is used to bind adjuncts to clauses. The two connectives are described in further detail below. | There are two major connectives. One binds only NPs together, while the other binds a NP or adjunct (e.g. evidentials) and a clause together. The first type of connective, called the ''min''-connective, is used most notably for creating possessive phrases. The ''min''-connective also performs other functions. The other is called the ''wa''-connective and is used to bind adjuncts to clauses. The two connectives are described in further detail below. | ||
=== ''Min''-Constructions=== | ==== ''Min''-Constructions==== | ||
In addition to creating possessive noun phrases, the other functions of min are demonstrated in the following table: | In addition to creating possessive noun phrases, the other functions of min are demonstrated in the following table: | ||
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=== ''Wa'' Constructions === | ==== ''Wa'' Constructions ==== | ||
The ''Wa''-Connective clitic appears either at the head of a clause, or at the end of a final clause, usually doubling any consonant that follows. The ''Wa''-connective is therefore divided into two classes of constructions, based on the location of the particle in the sentential complex. The first classification is known as the Preposed ''Wa''-Construction” in which the ''Wa''= clitic appears at the head of a clause, and the second classification is called the Postposed ''Wa''-Construction, because it appears in the final position of the last clause of a sentential complex. Their structures are therefore different, as illustrated in the following table: | The ''Wa''-Connective clitic appears either at the head of a clause, or at the end of a final clause, usually doubling any consonant that follows. The ''Wa''-connective is therefore divided into two classes of constructions, based on the location of the particle in the sentential complex. The first classification is known as the Preposed ''Wa''-Construction” in which the ''Wa''= clitic appears at the head of a clause, and the second classification is called the Postposed ''Wa''-Construction, because it appears in the final position of the last clause of a sentential complex. Their structures are therefore different, as illustrated in the following table: | ||