12.2 - Infinitive clauses
Infinitive clauses are very simple, and limited both in the range of allowable usage and in the possibility to expand the core with arguments and complements. There are two kinds of infinitive clauses: those construed with an infinitive and those construed with a participle.
The former are mainly used for subject clauses, or when the emphasis is on the action. The understood subject is the impersonal. An overt subject can be added in the form of a genitive complement, but no object can be specified.
The latter are mainly used for object clauses, or when the emphasis is on the person. The participle has to agree with a noun constituent of the main clause, and this noun is understood as the subject of the participle. A direct object can be specified, but this is rare.
Contrast the following examples:
[1] ná taa dííncan anáámaaccaa lálaam
and it of.you to.go.INFIN.IMPCT want.IMPFCT.1S
(And) I want you to go (lit. I want your going)
[2] ná úúc anáámuunnuu lálaam
and you to.go.PART.IMPFCT want.IMPFCT.1S
(And) I want you to go
The latter sentence is also a rare example of a clause without clitics.
:: Anawanda TOC :: Previous :: Up :: Next ::