mark case relations in a few
instances. The morphemes representing the case relations are considered
suffixes primarily due to their non-occurrence independently and the absence
of the potential pause between the Noun Phrases and the case markers.
Nominative :
This relates the surface subject in
the sentence to the predicate. The subject and the predicate agrees as to
number and person. The case, however, may have different semantic functions.
Agent :
This is the volitional animate precipitator or instigator
of the action identified by the verb. The case is unmarked. The first
unmarked Noun Phrase in the sentence is identified as the agent*. This
typically is the subject of the action verbs (for a detailed description of
action verbs and other semantic verb classes used here and elsewhere, please
see the section 2.5.2.2.) and one type of action-causal verbs.
(1)
/nyś1 į2
bóyą3/
`you1 will go3
home2’
Noun [A] Acc
* In all examples given hereafter,
the Noun Phrase in the case being described is underlined.
(2)
/h1
pya2
ode3/
`I1 shall shoot3
Nom [A] Acc
a bird2’
Executor :
This is the non-volitional animate
precipitator of the action identified by the verb. The case is unmarked. The
first unmarked Noun Phrase in the sentence is identified as the executor.
This typically occurs as the subject of the action-causal verbs.
(3)
/h1
tap2
thįdebo3/
Nom [Exec] Acc go-If (ISg)-Cau
`I1 was caused to eat3
food2’
(4)
/nyś1 pya2
ódebo3/
Nom [Exec] Acc shoot-IF (2Sg)-Cau
`you1 were caused to shoot3
a bird2’
Experiencer :
This is the animate being which directly experiences the
physical, physiological or psychological state, sensation or emotion
identified by the verb. This typically occurs as the subject of the sensory
and cognitive state verbs. The case is marked by the Noun Phrase taking the
suffix /-wč/.
2
bóyą3/ 
1
p
ya2
ode3/ 
2
thįdebo3/
