Article Title

Verb agreement and case marking in Burushaski

Authors

Stephen R. Willson, SIL-UND

DOI

10.31356/silwp.vol40.05

Abstract

Burushaski verb agreement and case marking phenomena are complex and have not been described adequately by any current theory of syntax. In particular, no explanation has yet been given as to why a variety of nominals can trigger agreement in the verbal prefix. In some cases the apparent subject triggers this agreement, in others the direct object appears to do so, in others the indirect object, in others the possessor of the direct object, in others a benefactive or source nominal. Also the constraints on the usage of ergative, absolutive and oblique case, and other indicators of grammatical relations on nominals, have been insufficiently characterized in the literature on Burushaski. In this paper I propose an account of these facts, and several others relating to Burushaski clause structure, within the framework of Relational Grammar.

Recommended Citation

Willson, Stephen R. (1996) "Verb agreement and case marking in Burushaski," Work Papers of the Summer Institute of Linguistics, University of North Dakota Session: Vol. 40, Article 5.
DOI: 10.31356/silwp.vol40.05
Available at: https://commons.und.edu/sil-work-papers/vol40/iss1/5