Alternations of Xârâcùù
| Alternation name | Coded? | Description | Examples | Verbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
U
|
n | Instead of A steals T from X, the oblique/direct alternation has the following coding frame: A steals X (ngê T). | 3 | |
|
U
|
n | Transitive verbs very often occur without any object. | 8 | |
|
U
|
n | Concerns labile verbs. | 3 | |
|
C
|
y | In the alternate frame, the object is introduced by a preposition, indicating that it is not entirely affected. | 0 | |
|
C
|
y |
Is coded on the verb with the middle prefix ù-, a reflex of Proto Oceanic *paRi-. This prefix is rare in Xârâcùù (less rare in Thio than in Canala), and only affects a dozen of verbs, always conferring middle values such as: - sociative cuè "site", ù-cuè "assemble" - grooming actions: cù "comb", ù-cù "comb one's hair" - generic/habitual: da "eat", ù-da "bite (fish)" |
3 | |
|
U
|
n |
Situation ("ambient") vs experience alternation. It is the case with verbs, such as xùpè, which may refer either to the weather (it's cold, warm...) when the construction is impersonal (no subject), or which describe a state (be cold, be warm) or an experience (feel cold, feel warm), when a subject is expressed. V vs VE |
2 | |
|
C
|
y |
The construction remains transitive, but mûgé "return, again", postposed to the verb, marks coreference between the subject and the object, expressing reflexivity or reciprocity. It can also express iterativity. |
0 | |
|
C
|
y | marked by the prefix fa-; may be derived from any intransitive or transitive verb. | 63 | |
|
C
|
y | The transitive/applicative suffix -ri (or other specific forms such as kaciri) only applies to a few Xârâcùù verbs. It is the only transitive suffix that remains from the Proto Oceanic transitive/applicative suffix *-aki(ni). | 4 | |
|
C
|
y |
This alternation is frequent, and may occur with any verb. Nominalized verbal constructions are very frequent in stories. There are different nominalizing prefixes: kèè- "manner of" is the general one and ù- "place of', or 'cause of" are the more productive ones in this kind of sentences. |
85 | |
|
U
|
n | Concerns labile verbs. | 2 |