Semblative case
Encyclopedia
The semblative case is a grammatical case
that denotes the similarity of one entity to another.
, an indigenous Australian language, has a semblative case suffix -yiga, that is functionally identical to the -like suffix in English
, as in the example:
has a number of semblative derivational
suffixes, including -like and -esque.
However, as in many other languages, semblativity in English is marked with derivational affixes instead of being an inflectional case.
Grammatical case
In grammar, the case of a noun or pronoun is an inflectional form that indicates its grammatical function in a phrase, clause, or sentence. For example, a pronoun may play the role of subject , of direct object , or of possessor...
that denotes the similarity of one entity to another.
The semblative case in Wagiman
WagimanWagiman language
Wagiman is a near-extinct indigenous Australian language spoken by fewer than 10 people in and around Pine Creek, in the Katherine Region of the Northern Territory....
, an indigenous Australian language, has a semblative case suffix -yiga, that is functionally identical to the -like suffix in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, as in the example:
- gahan mamin dup-pa ga-yu jilimakkun-yiga
- that white man sit- 3sg-be woman-
- That white man sits like a woman
Semblative in English
EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
has a number of semblative derivational
Derivation (linguistics)
In linguistics, derivation is the process of forming a new word on the basis of an existing word, e.g. happi-ness and un-happy from happy, or determination from determine...
suffixes, including -like and -esque.
- Texas Man Catches Fish With Human-Like Teeth http://www.local6.com/news/9542967/detail.html
However, as in many other languages, semblativity in English is marked with derivational affixes instead of being an inflectional case.