Documentation

Linglib.Fragments.Basque.Agreement

Basque Agreement Fragment @cite{just-2024} #

@cite{laka-1996} @cite{preminger-2014} @cite{blake-1994}

Basque (isolate) has a rich agreement system where the finite verb indexes up to three arguments: ergative (A), absolutive (S/P), and dative (R). Crucially, object (P/R) agreement is person-conditioned: the verb cross-references 1st/2nd person objects but not 3rd person objects in many constructions.

This is a classic case of differential P indexing conditioned by person prominence: SAP objects are indexed, 3rd person objects are not.

Agreement Paradigm Overview #

ArgumentCaseIndexed?
A (transitive agent)ERGAlways
S (intransitive subj)ABSAlways
P (transitive patient)ABSSAP only (differential)

Person-number combinations in the Basque agreement paradigm.

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      All person-number values.

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        Is this a SAP (speech act participant)?

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          Argument positions in a Basque clause.

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              Whether a P argument at a given person-number is indexed on the verb.

              Basque cross-references SAP objects (1st/2nd person) but not 3rd person objects in the relevant constructions. A and S arguments are always indexed regardless of person.

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                Whether an A/S argument at a given person-number is indexed. Always true — A and S indexing is not differential in Basque.

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                  P indexing is differential: some person-numbers indexed, some not.

                  A/S indexing is NOT differential: all person-numbers indexed.

                  Basque agreement-relevant case inventory: {ERG, ABS, DAT}. The full Basque case system has ~12 cases (ERG, ABS, DAT, GEN, LOC, ABL, ALL, INST, COM, PERL, BEN, and more), but the agreement system only distinguishes these three.

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                    The full Basque case inventory (representative selection).

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                      The full inventory is valid per Blake's hierarchy (ranks 6 down to 1, all represented).