Alternations of Nǀǀng
| Alternation name | Coded? | Description | Examples | Verbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
C
|
y | 1 | ||
|
U
|
n | 0 | ||
|
U
|
n | OBL <-> COM/INST alternation (theme flagged with n|a instead of ng) | 2 | |
|
U
|
n | COM/INST addition | 11 | |
|
C
|
y | If the action implies a goal, a source, or a recipient, a serial verb construction has to be used. The second verb of the SVC can be a verb like 'go.in/put in', 'go out', 'go.to/go.away', 'come' etc. Note that the goal/source/recipient argument does not have to be overtly expressed. | 10 | |
|
C
|
y | A serial verb construction with a second verb like 'go.to', 'come.to' is used to introduce a locational (?goal only) argument (X) as a direct object. | 2 | |
|
C
|
y | A serial verb construction with a second verb like 'descend (from)', 'come from' is used to introduce a source argument which is encoded as oblique argument (with oblique preposition ng). | 2 | |
|
U
|
n | 6 | ||
|
U
|
n | 1 | ||
|
U
|
n | dative deletion | 1 | |
|
U
|
n | S = A ambitransitive | 4 | |
|
U
|
n | S = P ambitransitive, possibly with addition of instrument or oblique | 5 | |
|
U
|
n | S = P ambitransitive | 1 | |
|
U
|
n | S =A ambitransitive | 14 | |
|
U
|
n |
direct object-oblique alternation; sometimes the use of the oblique gives rise to a partitive meaning, but there are also examples where this in not the case |
6 | |
|
U
|
n | direct object-oblique alternation | 1 | |
|
U
|
n | addition of oblique | 7 | |
|
U
|
n | deletion of oblique | 7 | |
|
U
|
n |
dative+direct <-> direct+oblique |
1 | |
|
C
|
y | 1 | ||
|
U
|
n | 1 | ||
|
C
|
y | 0 |