Case/Tense/Suffix Clarification - For the Average Joe

Started by Eyktan ahìi Ayzekwä-ti hawnu, December 26, 2009, 04:02:38 AM

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Eyktan ahìi Ayzekwä-ti hawnu

Can we get a set of simple definitions regarding the function of Ergatives, Accusitives, etc? I'm no linguist, and it's hard enough to understand the wiki definitions of all the different cases. So, to lay out a criteria for each definition:

:) The function of the case (its role in the sentence)
:) a common example in English
:) an example in Na'vi *not the same phrase*
:) (direct translation in English)
:) (intended translation in English)

txum tukru

i have the na'vi pocket guide and have read it over and over again, but still cant fully understand it, although i understand some,  it would help me too!
pesu nga?          "who are you?"
Oe lu toktor.       "the Doctor!"
pesu?                "who?"
nì'aw, toktor.       "just, the Doctor!"

Is.


Eywayä mokri

This document is really well-done and useful yep, you should read it carefully.
°°We don't forget anyone, we only get used to their absence.°°

Eyktan ahìi Ayzekwä-ti hawnu

Turns out the most important thing in understanding Na'vi cases is learning how tripartite languages work. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripartite_language)

So if one examined:

"Oe-l nga-ti kam<ei>e"
I-erg you-acc see<laud>
(I see you)

you would find that "I" is the agent, and gets the ergative suffix, "you" is the object, and deserves the accusative suffix.

So case application comes down to adding an [-l] onto whoever is doing the action, and a [-ti] to whoever the action is being done to.

So if we wanted to say "You see me" we would get:

Nga-l oe-ti kam<ei>e  (???)
You-erg I-acc see<laud>


Correct me if I'm wrong

Is.

"Correct me if I'm wrong"

Looks good, I'd say. Problems for me starts when the sentences get more complex. I mean, how often do you say things like "You strike the bell!" and stuff?  :P