LINGUIST List 26.556

Tue Jan 27 2015

Qs: References

Editor for this issue: Anna White <awhitelinguistlist.org>


Date: 26-Jan-2015
From: Willem Burung <willem.burungstcatz.ox.ac.uk>
Subject: References
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Dear linguists,

I am doing a research on the issue of Experiential Events as a chapter for my D.Phil. thesis. It is apparent in the grammar of Wano, Experiential Events are expressed by inalienably possessed nouns (IPN). Items denoting physiological and psychological state of affairs, e.g. remember, pain, hate, love, etc. are experiential events.

In the clause 'I love you', for example, there is no verb present, which entails in the IPN being the head of the clause. I have no difficulties in comparing such structure with some related languages, like Walak, Nggem, Dani. But my question is, is such a construction language universals? Would this support the notion that nouns can be the head of clauses? If yes, would there be some references referring to other languages in the world you know of?

I would really appreciate your input. In replying to my query, please make it clear what language is and what references that talk about 'nouns can be the head of clause', 'nouns can have objects', and 'nouns can have argument structure'.

Many thanks in advanced. I am looking forward to hearing from anyone who is familiar with this issue.

Yours,
Willem Burung


Linguistic Field(s): Anthropological Linguistics
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