Stilio/Morphology: Difference between revisions

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Parseltongue uses a system of [[grammatical case]]s similar to [[Latin]] or Estonian.  [[Person]], in Parseltongue, is conflated with special and temporal deixis, demonstratives, and honorifics.  Nouns and verbs are not marked for [[number]] or gender.  There are four noun-classes as well as four verb-classes.  Verbs have no tense, only one of two aspects.  Verbs have complicated forms for independent clauses and simple forms for dependent clauses.  Independent verbs ''must'' be marked for evidentiality, though that can be used metaphorically often.  There are two additional moods: imperative and illocutionary.
Parseltongue uses a system of [[grammatical case]]s similar to [[Latin]] or [[Wikipedia:Estonian language|Estonian]].  [[Person]], in Parseltongue, is conflated with [[Wikipedia:Demonstrative|demonstrativity]], [[Wikipedia:Deixis|deixis]], and [[Wikipedia:Honorifics (linguistics)|honor]].  Nouns and verbs are not marked for [[number]] or gender.  There are four [[Wikipedia:noun class|noun-classes]].  Verbs also divide into four declensions.  Verbs have no [[tense]], only one of two [[aspect]]s.  Verbs have complicated forms for independent [[clause]]s and simple forms for dependent clauses.  Independent verbs ''must'' be marked for [[Wikipedia:Evidentiality|evidentiality]], although it is often metaphorically.  There are two additional [[mood]]s: [[Wikipedia:Imperative mood|imperative]] and [[Wikipedia:Illocutionary act|illocutionary]].


== Case ==
== Case ==
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=== Core ===
=== Core ===
All verbs have a lexically contained expectation for which case the subject will be in.  Hence, all verbs are active or passive and volitional or non-volitional by default, which will also indicate which paradigm it follows.  When given an unexpected case, intentionality or casuality will be signified:
All verbs have a lexically contained expectation for which case the subject will be in.  Hence, all verbs are active or passive and volitional or non-volitional by default, which will also indicate which paradigm it follows.  When given an unexpected case, intentionality or casuality is signified:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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|-
|-
! Patientive
! Patientive
| Intentional D.O.
| Intentional Direct Object
| Pseudo-Passive Agent
| Pseudo-Passive Agent
| Absolutive Obj
| Absolutive Object
| Stative
| Stative
|}
|}


=== Oblique ===
=== Oblique ===
The oblique cases function generally like Indo-European cases, but with some notable exceptions.
The oblique cases function generally like [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] cases, but with some notable exceptions.
; Dative : Some linguistics prefer to call this the "topico-dative" because it can function similarly to the Japanese は/wa, or the Korean 는/은.  These instances are typically best translated as "in regards to" or "as for".  Otherwise, the Dative is often equivalent to the English prepositions "to, for, by, with, from" and/or indicates the Indirect Object.
; Dative : Some linguistics prefer to call this the "[[Topic-prominent language|topico]]-dative" because it can function similarly to the Japanese は/wa, or the Korean 는/은.  These instances are typically best translated as "in regards to" or "as for".  Otherwise, the Dative is often equivalent to the English prepositions "to, for, by, with, from" and/or indicates the Indirect Object.
''The other four cases fall under the '[[Genitive case|genitive]]' rubric in many languages''
''The other four cases fall under the '[[Genitive case|genitive]]' rubric in many languages''
; Partitive : Like the Uralic languages, the partitive means "some of" or "part of" or "any".  It can also be used for the object of an atelic actions or sensing/perceiving verbs.  'Half of my possessions’; ‘some of the branches’; ‘the poor among of the people’, 'partake of my meal'.
; Partitive : Like the Uralic languages, the partitive means "some of" or "part of" or "any".  It can also be used for the object of an atelic actions or sensing/perceiving verbs.  'Half of my possessions’; ‘some of the branches’; ‘the poor among of the people’, 'partake of my meal', 'I saw some of him'.
; Possessor : Like the English ''''s'''.  This is the subjective genitive.  "Love of God" would have to mean (in this case) "God's love", not "my love of God"
; Possessor : Like the English ''''s'''.  This is the subjective genitive.  "Love of God" would have to mean (in this case) "God's love", not "my love for God"
; Genitive : This can be Epexegetical or Attributive/Descriptive.
; Genitive : This can be Epexegetical or Attributive/Descriptive. e.g. "the horcrux of his body", "words of wisdom (i.e. wise words)"
; Ablative : Objective Genitive, "concerning, against, about, on, from", separation, adverbial
; Ablative : Objective Genitive, "concerning, against, about, on, from", separation, adverbial


== Person ==
== Person ==
Verbs inflect for an astronomical ''eight'' persons:
Parseltongue has an unbelievable ''eight'' persons:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! #
! #
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! Demon.
! Demon.
! Time
! Time
! Discourse
|-
|-
! -1
! -1
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| None
| None
| Never
| Never
| Nothing
|-
|-
! 0
! 0
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| Some
| Some
| Some time
| Some time
| Something
|-
|-
! ½
! ½
| Dim. Proximal
| Dim. Proximal
| My mid-section
| "Royal We"
| This poor
| This (dim)
| "These days"
| Any second now
| This (already mentioned, dim)
|-
|-
! 1
! 1
Line 80: Line 84:
| This
| This
| Now
| Now
| This (already mentioned)
|-
|-
! 1½
! 1½
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| This*
| This*
| "Just now"
| "Just now"
| This (forthcoming)
|-
|-
! 2
! 2
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| That
| That
| Then
| Then
| That
|-
|-
! 3
! 3
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| Yon
| Yon
| "That time"
| "That time"
| That (previously mentioned)
|-
|-
! 4
! 4
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| Other
| Other
| "That other time"
| "That other time"
| That (other previously mentioned)
|}
|}


Notice, however, that "token-reflexive" deixis is not possible in Parseltongue.  A snake could not say, "This is my apology," but would have to say, "I apologize (illoc.)" (i.e. '''\aloqæmadassa''')
== Nouns ==
== Nouns ==
The definite article is a prefixed /s/, while indefiniteness is marked in the verb.
The definite article is a prefixed /s/, while indefiniteness is marked in the verb.
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As with nouns, Parseltongue verbs do not mark number.  Tense is assumed or conveyed via adverbs.
As with nouns, Parseltongue verbs do not mark number.  Tense is assumed or conveyed via adverbs.


Aspect is either '''imperfective''' or '''perfective'''.  There are four mood: '''Indicative''' - for independent clauses; '''Subjunctive''' - for dependent clauses; '''Imperative''' - for commands; and '''Illocutionary''' - for magical or pronouncement/promissory clauses.  The subjunctive is very plain, conjugating only for aspect, but not person or evidentiality.  The imperative conjugates for aspect and person only.
Aspect is either '''imperfective''' or '''perfective'''.  There are four mood: '''Indicative''' - for independent clauses; '''Subjunctive''' - for dependent clauses; '''Imperative''' - for commands; and '''Illocutionary''' - for magical or pronouncement/promissory clauses.  The subjunctive is very plain, conjugating only for aspect, but not person or evidentiality.  The imperative and conjugates for aspect and person only.  The illocutionary is always perfective and conjugates for person.


=== Evidentiality ===
=== Evidentiality ===
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; Hear/Vibration : A snake's entire body functions like an "ear", sensing vibrations.  This knowledge is very accurate, but because it comes from their whole body (not just their head) it is more like "gut knowledge".  '''''Magic causes snakes internal ear to hear external speech.  Only a Parselmouth magician may speak to a snake and be heard.'''''  For the rest of us (Muggles and non-Parselmouth magicians) Parseltongue may be learned and spoken amongst ourselves only.
; Hear/Vibration : A snake's entire body functions like an "ear", sensing vibrations.  This knowledge is very accurate, but because it comes from their whole body (not just their head) it is more like "gut knowledge".  '''''Magic causes snakes internal ear to hear external speech.  Only a Parselmouth magician may speak to a snake and be heard.'''''  For the rest of us (Muggles and non-Parselmouth magicians) Parseltongue may be learned and spoken amongst ourselves only.
; Sight : Most snakes have poor vision, with a majority not being binocular.  This mood is used metaphorically as a person would say, "I suppose" or "I guess".
; Sight : Most snakes have poor vision, with a majority not being binocular.  This mood is used metaphorically as a person would say, "I suppose" or "I guess".
=== Perfective ===
{| class="wikitable"
|
! -1 || 0 || ½ || 1 || 1½ || 2 || 3 || 4
|-
! Smell
|-
! IR
|-
! Hear
|
|-
! Sight
|-
! Imperative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
! Illocutionary
|
|
| colspan="2" | '''\a-'''
|}


=== To be at ===
=== To be at ===

Revision as of 17:38, 11 November 2012

Parseltongue uses a system of grammatical cases similar to Latin or Estonian. Person, in Parseltongue, is conflated with demonstrativity, deixis, and honor. Nouns and verbs are not marked for number or gender. There are four noun-classes. Verbs also divide into four declensions. Verbs have no tense, only one of two aspects. Verbs have complicated forms for independent clauses and simple forms for dependent clauses. Independent verbs must be marked for evidentiality, although it is often metaphorically. There are two additional moods: imperative and illocutionary.

Case

There are four "core" cases - Nominative, Accusative, Agentive and Patientive - and five "oblique" cases - Dative, Possessive, Partitive, Genitive, and Ablative. The core cases interact with lexical aspects of the verb to distinguish the subject and object. A few verbs take Dative, Partitive, or Ablative objects.

Core

All verbs have a lexically contained expectation for which case the subject will be in. Hence, all verbs are active or passive and volitional or non-volitional by default, which will also indicate which paradigm it follows. When given an unexpected case, intentionality or casuality is signified:

Active Non-Volitional Passive Non-Volitional Active Volitional Passive Volitional
Nominative Involuntary Agent Involuntary Cause Unintentional Agent Unintentional Cause
Accusative Direct Object Descriptive Unintentional Patient Pseudo-Passive Object
Agentive Agent! Cause! Ergative Subject Intentional Cause
Patientive Intentional Direct Object Pseudo-Passive Agent Absolutive Object Stative

Oblique

The oblique cases function generally like Indo-European cases, but with some notable exceptions.

Dative
Some linguistics prefer to call this the "topico-dative" because it can function similarly to the Japanese は/wa, or the Korean 는/은. These instances are typically best translated as "in regards to" or "as for". Otherwise, the Dative is often equivalent to the English prepositions "to, for, by, with, from" and/or indicates the Indirect Object.

The other four cases fall under the 'genitive' rubric in many languages

Partitive
Like the Uralic languages, the partitive means "some of" or "part of" or "any". It can also be used for the object of an atelic actions or sensing/perceiving verbs. 'Half of my possessions’; ‘some of the branches’; ‘the poor among of the people’, 'partake of my meal', 'I saw some of him'.
Possessor
Like the English 's. This is the subjective genitive. "Love of God" would have to mean (in this case) "God's love", not "my love for God"
Genitive
This can be Epexegetical or Attributive/Descriptive. e.g. "the horcrux of his body", "words of wisdom (i.e. wise words)"
Ablative
Objective Genitive, "concerning, against, about, on, from", separation, adverbial

Person

Parseltongue has an unbelievable eight persons:

# Name Person Demon. Time Discourse
-1 Negative No one None Never Nothing
0 Indefinite Someone/anyone Some Some time Something
½ Dim. Proximal "Royal We" This (dim) Any second now This (already mentioned, dim)
1 Proximal I This Now This (already mentioned)
Mesioproximal We (you and I) This* "Just now" This (forthcoming)
2 Mesiodistal You That Then That
3 Distal He/She/It Yon "That time" That (previously mentioned)
4 Obviative Him Other "That other time" That (other previously mentioned)

Notice, however, that "token-reflexive" deixis is not possible in Parseltongue. A snake could not say, "This is my apology," but would have to say, "I apologize (illoc.)" (i.e. \aloqæmadassa)

Nouns

The definite article is a prefixed /s/, while indefiniteness is marked in the verb.

Pronouns

'Measure words' can also be used as pronouns, with or without numbers attached.


1st person
Case Form Ex.
N
A
A
P
D madas
P
P
G
A
2nd person
Case Form Ex.
N gasas tzoægasas // You fell.
Acc gasgg kxvgasgg // You are green.
Abs gassi sayhagassi hœd / You (will) Leave him (alone)!
Pat gassa haceagassa cig / You (will) go away!
D gassaas to you
Par gashh
Pos gasy
G gas /She is longer than you
Abl gasswa
V gass / You who rattle, rattle!


Verbs

As with nouns, Parseltongue verbs do not mark number. Tense is assumed or conveyed via adverbs.

Aspect is either imperfective or perfective. There are four mood: Indicative - for independent clauses; Subjunctive - for dependent clauses; Imperative - for commands; and Illocutionary - for magical or pronouncement/promissory clauses. The subjunctive is very plain, conjugating only for aspect, but not person or evidentiality. The imperative and conjugates for aspect and person only. The illocutionary is always perfective and conjugates for person.

Evidentiality

All indicative/independent verbs in Parseltongue must be marked for evidentiality. Snakes senses are (in decreasing order of assuredness):

Taste/Smell
Snakes extend their tongues into the air/water and pull "smells" into their mouths, where their "noses" (Jacobsen's organs) are. This gives them a very refined and directional sense. Knowledge obtained this way is the most certain and so is most analogous to human's "I see" or "I know".
Heat/IR
Snakes have special sensors where other animals' "noses" would be which detect heat or Infra-red radiation. Snakes report not "seeing" a field - as humans do with sight - but "feeling" the nearness and/or warmth of things. This is most akin to a human saying "I feel like you are ..." or "I sense not everyone in the room agrees with ...".
Hear/Vibration
A snake's entire body functions like an "ear", sensing vibrations. This knowledge is very accurate, but because it comes from their whole body (not just their head) it is more like "gut knowledge". Magic causes snakes internal ear to hear external speech. Only a Parselmouth magician may speak to a snake and be heard. For the rest of us (Muggles and non-Parselmouth magicians) Parseltongue may be learned and spoken amongst ourselves only.
Sight
Most snakes have poor vision, with a majority not being binocular. This mood is used metaphorically as a person would say, "I suppose" or "I guess".

Perfective

-1 0 ½ 1 2 3 4
Smell
IR
Hear
Sight
Imperative
Illocutionary \a-

To be at

Imperfective
-1 0 ½ 1 2 3 4
Smell
IR
Hear tsæ tsv sa
Sight
Imperative saa

Adjective

Parseltongue is "verb-centric" language. Adjectives are often expressed via stative verbs in relative clauses. There are a few, common, dedicated adjectives which must match the noun they modify in case and class. These need not be anywhere near the noun they modify. All known examples of this type seem to have evolved from stative verbs that have sense passed out of usage.

Adverbs

There is no dedicated morphology to turn a verb into an adverb. Instead, the relative clause is used in the ablative case. When this matches something in the sentence, there is some ambiguity.

There are many dedicated adverbs in Parseltongue, all of which relate to "person". Since "person" is such broad concept in Parseltongue, this can also mean directional, temporal, respectful or referential.

Adpositions

Most adpositions in Parseltongue are enclitic, that is, prepositional. A minority are postclitic, that is, postpositional. Two are circumpositions.