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Ask-A-Linguist - Message details
Subject: 'Subject-object' languages - Are there other kinds?
Question:
I've read recently about how English and other modern/western languages are built primarily around subjects and objects. The whole world is made up of nouns doing things to each other, as it were.

And I understand there are other languages where that is not the case; languages built on verbs and/or events and happenings. Nootka is cited as such an example, a language ''composed entirely of verbs.''

(1) Is this true of English (and of Nootka)?
(2) Are there official terms for these different types of languages? (E.g., ''subject-object'' languages, etc.)
(3) What other languages are there besides Nootka that are verb-based, that I might go read more about?

Reply:
In the case of Nootka (a Pacific Northwest language) I think you are referring to what
is called "Incorporation" found in many Native American languages.

In incorporation, a direct object may become part of the verb. There are limited
instances of English. For instance instead of saying "We went to watch the whales in
Maine", a speaker might say " We went whalewatching in Maine." (vs. sealwatching
in Nantucket) - both of which are gerunds referring to two distinct type of watching
activity.

Notice that in "whalewatching", there is no longer a separate direct object...because
it has been absorbed into the compound.

In English though, there are restrictions so that "whalewatching" and "sealwatching"
are more natural, but not "whaleviewing", "whaleseeing" or "whaletickling".

But in languages with incorporation, the possibilities for how verbs and nouns can
combine are much more extensive. In fact, in some languages/constructions, this
type of incorporation may be mandatory. Having said that though, there are rules
and generalizations. A good place to start might be "Incorporation" by Mark Baker.

Reply From: Elizabeth J Pyatt    click here to access email
Date: Aug-25-2009
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Page Updated: 27-Nov-2009

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