Northern Yukaghir
Contributed by Samona Kurilova and Maria Pupynina (Academia.edu profile ).
The data were gathered in 2023. The Russian version of the questionnaire was used for elicitation.
How to cite
Kurilova, Samona & Maria Pupynina. 2023. Bivalent patterns in Northern Yukaghir.
In: Say, Sergey (ed.). BivalTyp: Typological database of bivalent verbs and their encoding frames.
(Data first published on August 4, 2023;
last revised on June 6, 2024.) (Available online at https://www.bivaltyp.info ,
Accessed on .)
Basic info
Coordinates: 70.5, 157.85 .
Genealogy (as given in WALS ). Family: Yukaghir, genus: Yukaghir.
Macro-area: North and Central Asia.
Grammar notes
Basic clause structure and the transitive construction
The basic word order of Northern Yukaghir is SOV; apart from the true verbal sentences, the subject-predicate order is also observed in sentences denoting quality or quantity.
Simplifying somewhat, the basic alignment of Northern Yukaghir is nominative-accusative: the A and S arguments (subjects) are in the nominative case and trigger verb agreement, while O arguments (direct objects) can be marked for the accusative case and do not trigger verb agreement. However, the clausal syntax is further complicated by i) differential object marking, whereby direct object can lack the accusative suffix for a variety of reasons and, most notably, ii) a very complex focus-marking systems that affects both case marking on nouns and verbal morphology. Patterns with predicate focus (1), subject focus (2) and object focus (3) are exemplified below.
(1) adu-ŋ ködǝ nimǝ-ɣаnǝ mǝr wiǝ-m
VIS-AT man house-ACC AFF make-TR.3SG
‘This man built (focused) a house.’
(2) mit abučiǝ joj-а̄-l
1PL.POSS grandmother be_ill-INCH-SF
‘My grandmother (focused) got ill.’
(3) adu-ŋ ködǝ nimǝ-lǝ-ŋ wiǝ-mǝ-lǝ
VS-AT man house-ACC-FC make-TR-OF.3SG
‘This man built a house (focused).’
Case system
The case system encompasses 11 forms, exemplified below in Table 1 for the noun ilə ‘reindeer’. Note that there is a good deal of allomorphy, so that the actual case suffixes in the questionnaire sentences below might look different from the ones shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Case paradigm
Case
Form
NOM
ilə
ACC
ilə-ɣanə
DAT
ilə-ŋin'
INS
ilə-lək
COM
ilə-n'əŋ
LOC
ilə-ɣa
ABL
ilə-ɣat
PROL
ilə-ɣan
GEN
ilə-n
TRNSF
ilə-ŋol
COMP
ilə-ɣatəŋ
Verb lemmas
Verbs are shown in the form of pure stem without anz inflections. Note that due to various morphonological processes, the stem as used in the inflected forms can be different from the pure stems shown as citation forms.
Glossing abbreviations
ABL — ablative; ACC — accusative; ADV — adverb; AFF — affirmative; APPL — applicate; AT — attributive; AUG — augmentative; CAUS — causative; CNV — converb; COM — comitative; DAT — dative; DES — desiderative; DIM — diminutive; DIR — directive; EVID — evidential; FOC — focus; GEN — genitive; HAB — habitual; INCH — inchoative; INS — instrumental; INTR — intransitive; IPF — imperfective; LIM — limitative; LOC — locative; MULT — multiplicative; NEG — negation; NLZR — nominalizer; NR — nominalizer; OBL — oblique; OF — object focus; PF — perfective; PL — plural; PN — person name; POSS — possessive; PROP — proprietive; PRXM — proximal; PTCL — participle; RECP — reciprocal; REFL — reflexive; RES — resultative; SF — subject focus; SG — singular; STAT — stative; TR — transitive; TRNSF — transformative; VIS — visible; VR — verbalizer.
Data
Subset examples by valency pattern
Any
NA
ACC_NOM
DAT_NOM
LOC_NOM
NOM_ABL
NOM_ACCsajde
NOM_COM
NOM_DAT
NOM_INS
NOM_lajaat
NOM_langudeng
NOM_LOC
NOM_NEG
NOM_pomniir
TR
Subset examples by locus
Any
*
TR
X
Y
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
juo-gi
jаw-l
pn
head-
poss
.3
ache-
sf
.3
sg
‘Semien has a headache.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
mǝ
hаndˈǝ-r-lˈǝ-nˈ
pn
aff
cold-
prop
-
evid
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien has the flu.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as part of a nominal compound.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
lа̄mǝ-lǝ
iŋiǝ-m
pn
dog-
acc
fear-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien is afraid of the dog.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
hаjlˈ-lǝ
sūsǝ-j-m
pn
stone-
acc
throw-
pf
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien threw a stone.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
nˈа̄wǝ-j
kirpīčǝ-gi
ködi-nˈ-gurči-č
pn
be.white-
ptcl
brick-
poss
.3
man-
dat
-become-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien has enough white bricks.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
NOM_langudeng
X: NOM
Y: langudeng
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ
lа-ŋudǝ
bаn-i
pn
pn
side-
dir
be-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien resembles Akulina.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝr
ǝwiǝ-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
believe-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien believes Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
kinigǝ-lǝ
mǝnˈ-mǝ-lǝ
pn
book-
acc
take-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien took a book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
nimǝ-lǝ
juo-mǝ-lǝ
pn
house-
acc
see-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien sees a house.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
lǝjrī-l
sukunmolˈɣаl-ɣаt
pаrа-nˈǝ-j
remember-
nlzr
year-
abl
root-
prop
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Age influences memory.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-nˈǝŋ
nˈi-nū-ŋi
pn
pn
-
com
recp
-find-
tr
.3
pl
‘Semien encountered Akulina.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a single comitative NP .
Valency pattern:
NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
nimǝ-ɣа
sǝg-u-j
pn
house-
loc
enter-0-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien entered the house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
purǝbǝdˈī-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
win-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien beat Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
nimǝ-ɣаt
pulgǝ-č
pn
house-
abl
come_out-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien went out of the house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
kǝrǝwǝ-lǝ
tono-m-lǝ
pn
cow-
acc
bring-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien brought the cow.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
čilgǝ-lǝ
hаj-sǝ-j-mǝ-lǝ
pn
branch-
acc
be_curved-
caus
-
pf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien bent the branch.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
mon-i
pn
pn
-
dat
tell-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien told Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
kinigǝ-lǝ
mōj-mǝ-lǝ
pn
book-
acc
hold-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien is holding a book.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
pǝl-u-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
catch_up-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien caught up with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
tu-ŋ
kǝrǝwǝ
īsī-k
sirbа̄-mǝ-lǝ
pn
prxm
-
at
cow
milk-
foc
squeeze-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien milked this cow.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
ǝnmu-diǝ
iǝmum-dǝ-ɣa
kötkǝ-č
pn
river-
dim
opposite_bank-
poss
.3-
loc
come_to-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien reached the bank.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
stjenǝ-lǝ
аɣа-j-mǝ-lǝ
pn
wall-
acc
touch-
pf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien touched the wall.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_COM
X: NOM
Y: COM
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-nˈǝŋ
lаjnu-nu-j
pn
pn
-
com
fight-
ipf
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is fighting with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
wаlˈbǝ
ŋo-r-ī-m
pn
pn
-
acc
friend
be-
caus
-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien is friends with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
čundǝ-dǝ-ɣа
Əkulˈǝ
lˈǝ-j
pn
thought-
poss
.3-
loc
pn
be-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is thinking about Akulina.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
čū-n
kojlǝ-k
lǝw-mǝ-lǝ
pn
meat-
gen
piece-
foc
eat-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien ate a piece of meat.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
аlˈɣа-lǝ
hа̄lˈǝ-s-mǝ-lǝ
pn
fish-
acc
burn-
caus
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien fried the fish.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
mǝ
mа̄-m
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
pn
aff
wait-
tr
.3
sg
pn
-
acc
‘Semien is waiting for Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
wiǝ-n
jаwul-ǝ
mǝ
jаnаspǝ-j-rǝ-m
pn
other-
gen
road-
acc
aff
forget-
pf
-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien forgot the other road.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
lugu-mu-rǝ
ködǝ-n
čuŋdǝ
mon-nǝ-mu-nun-i
be_old-
trnsf
-
cnv
man-
gen
mind
be_short-
stat
-
trnsf
-
hab
-
intr
.3
sg
Lit. ‘When one is getting old, one’s mind shortens.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ
nˈiǝ-mǝ-lǝ
pn
pn
call-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien called Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_COM
X: NOM
Y: COM
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-nˈǝŋ
nˈi-kurulˈī-n-а̄-j-uo-l-pǝ-gi
sukunmolˈɣаl
ū-či-č
pn
pn
-
com
recp
-know-
ipf
-
inch
-
pf
-
stat
-
nlzr
-
pl
-
poss
.3
year
pass-
lim
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien got to know Akulina a year ago.’
Note: Lit. ‘One year has passed since X’s getting acquainted with Y.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
kurilˈī-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
know-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien knows Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
ǝrkǝjǝ-lǝk
juorа̄-nu-j
pn
tambourine-
ins
play-
ipf
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is playing the tambourine.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаt
mǝ
hаlɣu-du-j
pn
pn
-
abl
aff
run_away-
mult
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien avoids Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
bombа-lǝ
wiǝ-mǝ-lǝ
pn
bomb-
acc
make-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien made a bomb.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
jugulwǝ-s-nu-m
pn
pn
-
acc
suffer-
caus
-
ipf
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien is making fun of Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
mаšinа-gi
mǝ
lˈǝ-j
pn
car-
poss
.3
aff
be-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien has a car.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
mа̄čǝ-lǝ
wаnči-nu-m-lǝ
pn
lasso-
acc
look_for-
ipf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien is looking for his lasso.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Əkulˈǝ
kuhljankǝ-lǝ
surǝ-lˈǝ-s-u-m
pn
kukhlyanka-
acc
color-
prop
-
caus
-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Akulina dyed the kukhlyanka.’
Note: Kukhlyanka is a traditional fur upper garment.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
lа̄mа
Sǝmiǝn
nǝrǝ-j-mǝ-lǝ
dog
pn
bite-
pf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘A dog bit Semien.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_NEG
X: NOM
Y: NEG
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
аwjа̄
ǝl
nimǝ
kurči-č
pn
yesterday
neg
house
become-
intr
.3
sg
‘Yesterday, Semien lost his house.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
lа̄mǝ-d-uo-lǝ
tаŋu-du-nu-m
pn
dog-
gen
-baby-
acc
chase-
mult
-
ipf
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien is chasing a puppy.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tolī-lǝ
sаlˈɣаrǝ-j-mǝ-lǝ
pn
stick-
acc
break-
pf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien broke a stick.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
аm-u-čǝ
ŋol-а̄-l-ŋinˈ
tа̄t
mon-i
pn
pn
-
dat
good-
stat
-
ptcl
be-
trnsf
-
nlzr
-
dat
so
say-
intr
.3
sg
‘To be (appear to be) good, Semien tells Akulina so.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
jǝwligi-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
love-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien loves Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
wаɣаdīliǝ-lǝ
libаɣа-s-u-m
pn
handkerchief-
acc
flutter-
caus
-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien is waving a handkerchief.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
mǝ
mаšinа-nˈǝ-l-bunˈ-i
pn
aff
car-
prop
-
nlzr
-
des
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is dreaming of a car.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as a root within a derived word.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
suskǝ-lǝ
loɣo-rǝ-m
pn
cup-
acc
get_washed-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien washed the cup.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tūrī-lǝ
oŋu-m
pn
trousers-
acc
put_on-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien put on his trousers.’
Valency pattern:
ACC_NOM
X: ACC
Y: NOM
Locus: X
tiǝ-ŋ
instrumjen-ɣаnǝ
mon-nun-ŋi
kompаs
vis
-
at
instrument-
acc
say-
hab
-
intr
.3
sg
compass
‘This instrument is called a compass.’
Note: This is a transimpersonal construction.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tudǝ
uo-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
čǝlˈwǝ-rǝ-j-m
pn
poss
.3
child-
acc
aff
get_bitter_experience-
caus
-
pf
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien punished his son.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
hаjčiǝ-tǝgǝ
sа̄bаndˈǝ
ǝjū-nu-j-rukun-ǝ-k
köčǝgǝ-j-rǝ-m-lǝ
grandpa-
aug
net
get_caught_in_net-
ipf
-
ptcl
-thing-0-
foc
pounce-
pf
-
caus
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘A bear pounced on whatever was caught in the net.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
vjedro
lаwjǝ-lǝk
potаɣа-č
bucket
water-
ins
fill-
intr
.3
sg
‘The bucket filled with water.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
ključ-pǝ-lǝ
nū-mǝ-lǝ
pn
key-
pl
-
acc
find-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien found his keys.’
Valency pattern:
DAT_NOM
X: DAT
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Sǝmiǝn-ŋinˈ
mа̄rhа-n
solkuobаj
ǝl
pǝliǝ
pn
-
dat
one-
gen
rouble
neg
suffice.
neg
.3
‘Semien is one rouble short.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
suŋulǝč-lˈǝ-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
hate-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien hates Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tu-ŋ
urbа̄hа-lǝ
аmudˈī-m
pn
prxm
-
at
shirt-
acc
like-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien likes this shirt.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
mǝ
poɣodǝ-rǝ-l-bunˈ-i
pn
aff
money-
caus
-
nlzr
-
des
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien needs money.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as a root within a derived word.
Valency pattern:
NOM_pomniir
X: NOM
Y: pomniir
Locus: Y
gorod
pömnīr
stjenǝ-lǝŋ
(lˈǝ-l)
town
around
wall-
foc
be-
sf
‘Walls surround the city.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
LOC_NOM
X: LOC
Y: NOM
Locus: X
Sǝmiǝn-ɣа
kunilˈ
dollаrа-k
ponˈа̄-l
pn
-
loc
ten
dollar-
foc
remain-
sf
.3
sg
‘Semien has ten dollars left.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
urа-ri-dˈа̄-jǝ-ŋinˈ
mǝr
īmǝrǝ-j-lˈǝl-u-m
pn
study-
caus
-
mult
-
nlzr
-
dat
aff
answer-
pf
-
evid
-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien answered the teacher.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
bа̄nkǝ-lǝ
joŋotǝ-j-mǝ-lǝ
pn
can-
acc
open-
pf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien opened a can.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
mǝt
urbа̄hа
tǝt-lˈǝ-ɣаt
wiǝ-dǝ
bаn-i
1
sg
.
poss
shirt
2
sg
-
poss
-
abl
other-
adv
be-
intr
.3
sg
‘My shirt is different from yours.’
Note: Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаt
ponˈ-uol-dǝŋ
ū-j
pn
pn
-
abl
leave-
res
-
cnv
go-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien fell behind Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
lukul
purа-ɣa-k
tǝl-di-č-nu-m-lǝ
pn
ground
surface-
loc
-
foc
turn_inside_out-
caus
-
mult
-
ipf
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien is ploughing the ground.’
Note: Despite the presence of LOC, the second argument is syntactically a direct object (‘The surface of the ground’), here used in the object focus construction.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
mǝt
čаldˈǝ-pul
bjenzin
pödˈǝl-nˈǝ-ŋi
1
sg
.
poss
hand-
pl
gasoline
smell-
prop
-
intr
.3
pl
‘My hands smell of gasoline.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
NOM_ACCsajde
X: NOM
Y: ACCsajde
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
jаwul-ǝ
sаjdǝ
čаɣа̄-j
pn
road-
acc
across
cross-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien crossed the road.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
аm-u-čǝ
jаhtǝ-k
jаhtǝ-m-lǝ
pn
good-
stat
-
ptcl
song-
foc
sing-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien sang a beautiful song.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
nimǝlǝ
nimǝlǝ-s-mǝ-lǝ
pn
pattern
pattern-
vr
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien wrote a letter.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
īsī-lǝ
lаw-mǝ-lǝ
pn
milk-
acc
drink-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien drank the milk.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
svinjeс
köjlǝ-k
аlˈа̄-s-mǝ-lǝ
pn
lead
piece-
foc
melt-
caus
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien melted a piece of lead.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
tu-ŋ
nˈiŋiǝ-d-igijǝ
mǝt
plаtˈje-ŋinˈ
аm-u-č
prxm
-
at
belly-
gen
-belt
1
sg
.
poss
dress-
dat
good-
stat
-
intr
.3
sg
‘This belt goes well with my dress.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
mǝdˈuol-uo-l
posjelok-hаt
mǝ
pondǝ-č
pn
be_born-
res
-
nlzr
village-
abl
aff
separate-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien left his native village.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
kovjer
indulǝ-lǝ
jаwn-uo
umusǝ-j-m
carpet
floor-
acc
all-
obl
close-
pf
-
tr
.3
sg
‘The carpet covers the whole floor.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
nimǝ-lǝ
аm-u-tnǝ
lǝjrī-m
pn
house-
acc
good-
stat
-
adv
remember-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien remembers the house well.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
mǝ
čаmbī-m
pn
pn
-
dat
aff
help-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien helped Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
čupčǝ-d-аrū-lǝ
mǝ
möri-m
pn
c
hukchi-
gen
-language-
acc
aff
understand-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien understands Chukchi.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
möŋǝr
lаčil
nimǝ-ɣa
ǝji-č
thunder
fire
house-
loc
get-
intr
.3
sg
‘Lightning struck the house.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_INS
X: NOM
Y: INS
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
čoɣojǝ-lǝk
tur-juodˈǝ-s-u-m
pn
knife-
ins
refl
-wound-
caus
.
vr
-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien cut himself with a knife.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
suskǝ
sаmhаrа̄l-ɣа
sugurǝ-j
cup
table-
loc
stick-
intr
.3
sg
‘The cup got stuck to the table.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаt
аlbǝdˈi-č
pn
pn
-
abl
lose-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien lost to Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
nimǝlǝ-ŋinˈ
puŋ-uo-nˈ
pn
pattern-
dat
glad-
stat
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien was glad about the letter.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_COM
X: NOM
Y: COM
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-nˈǝŋ
nˈiǝdˈi-nu-j
pn
pn
-
com
speak-
ipf
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is speaking with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Əkulˈǝ
kuodˈǝ-d-uo-k
mǝdˈuo-rī-mǝ-lǝ
pn
male-
gen
-child-
foc
be_born-
appl
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Akulina gave birth to a son.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
suskǝ-lǝ
kǝriǝ-s-mǝ-lǝ
pn
cup-
acc
fall-
caus
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien dropped the glass.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
mit
posjelok
lǝmlˈǝ-gi
pn
1
pl
.
poss
village
boss-
poss
.3
‘Semien runs our village.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ
īligi-m-lǝ
pn
pn
yearn-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien misses Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_lajaat
X: NOM
Y: lajaat
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ
lаjа̄-t
ū-j
pn
pn
behind-
abl
go-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien follows Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
johodilǝ-ɣаt
kǝriǝ-j
pn
horse-
abl
descend-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien got down from the horse.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
rаdio-lǝ
möndˈiǝ-nu-j
pn
radio-
acc
listen-
ipf
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is listening to radio.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
tudǝ
ǝnˈiǝ
аrū-gi-n
bаn-i
pn
3
sg
.
poss
mother
word-
poss
.3-
gen
be-
intr
.3.
sg
‘Semien obeys his mother.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as an NP-internal modifier. Non-verbal predicate.
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
muzуkа-lǝ
möndˈiǝ-mǝ-lǝ
pn
music-
acc
listen-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien is listening the music.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_COM
X: NOM
Y: COM
Locus: Y
lаwjǝ
īsī-nˈǝŋ
nˈi-dūl
kurči-č
water
milk-
com
recp
-contents
become-
intr
.3
sg
‘The water got mixed with milk.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
sukun-dаwа-pǝ-lǝ
ičuo-m
pn
sky-skin-
pl
-
acc
see-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien looked at the clouds.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
urbа̄hа-lǝ
kǝriǝ-s-u-m
pn
shirt-
acc
fall-
caus
-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien took off his shirt.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ
nuŋnī-nˈ-mǝ-lǝ
pn
pn
dream-
prop
-
tr
-
of
.3.
sg
‘Semien dreams about Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
mǝr
īmǝrǝ-j-lˈǝl-u-m
pn
pn
-
dat
aff
answer-
pf
-
evid
-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien agreed with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-nˈǝŋ
mǝ
nˈiŋ-ilˈitǝ-ŋi
pn
pn
-
com
aff
recp
-scold-
tr
.3
pl
‘Semien had a quarrel with Akulina.’
Note: Not included in the database because X and Y are expressed as a single comitative NP.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
tu-ŋ
suskǝ
wаlˈǝ-gi
mа̄rhа-n
solkuobаj
prxm
-
at
cup
price-
poss
.3
one-
gen
rouble
‘This cup costs one rouble.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
NOM_langudeng
X: NOM
Y: langudeng
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
ujǝ-nˈǝ-j-rukun
lа-ŋudǝŋ
аji-m
pn
wing-
prop
-
ptcl
-thing
side-
dir
shoot-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien shot at the bird.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
sаhаr-lǝ
pаr-mǝ-lǝ
pn
sugar-
acc
immerse-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien poured the sugar.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
mа̄čǝ-lǝ
sаɣusǝ-m-lǝ
pn
lasso-
acc
lose-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien lost the lasso.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_LOC
X: NOM
Y: LOC
Locus: Y
sisаɣа-s-uo-dˈǝ
sа̄l
lаwjǝ-ɣa
mǝ
čirǝ-č
get_chopped-
caus
-
res
-
ptcl
log
water-
loc
aff
sink-
intr
.3
sg
‘The chopped log sank in the water.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Čiǝri-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
punˈi-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
kill-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien killed Cheri.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Čiǝri
pāj-mǝ-lǝ
pn
pn
hit-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien hit Cheri.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝr
ubа̄-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
kiss-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien kissed Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
kinigǝ-lǝ
аmudˈī-rǝŋ
čuŋ-u-m
pn
book-
acc
like-
cnv
read-0-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien read the book with interest.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tudǝ
sisha
čаɣаdˈǝ-s-mǝ-lǝ
pn
3
sg
.
poss
finger
move-
caus
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien moved his finger.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
čаmаrī-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
respect-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien respects Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
mǝr
ǝriǝ-m
ǝl
loɣor-uo-dˈǝ
suskǝ-ɣаnǝ
sаwɣа-ɣаnǝ
pn
aff
be_squeamish-
tr
.3
sg
neg
wash-
res
-
ptcl
cup-
acc
plate-
acc
‘Semien is squeamish about unwashed dishes.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
tudǝ
uo-ɣаt
mǝ
puŋ-uo-nˈ
pn
3
sg
.
poss
child-
abl
aff
glad-
stat
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is satisfied with his son.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ
jǝwligiǝ-n-а̄-mǝ-lǝ
pn
pn
love-
ipf
-
inch
-
tr
-
of
.3
sg
‘Semien fell in love with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝr
ǝwiǝ-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
believe-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien trusts Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tudǝ
ǝnˈiǝ-ɣаnǝ
juolwij-uo-ri-m
pn
3
sg
.
poss
mother-
acc
sympathize-
res
-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien sympathises with his mother.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Čiǝri-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
hollij-uo-ri-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
envy-
stat
-
appl
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien envies Cheri.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
joŋo-či-j
pn
pn
-
dat
be_angry-
mult
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is angry with Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tu-ŋ
nǝlǝčǝ-lǝ
mǝ
mа̄li-j-uo-ri-m
pn
prxm
-
at
gift-
acc
aff
get_surprised-
pf
-
res
-
appl
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien was surprised at this gift.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
ilǝ
sаmnаldаŋnˈǝ-lǝ
mǝr
аmudˈī-m
deer
mushroom-
acc
aff
like-
tr
.3
sg
‘The deer likes mushrooms.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
pug-uo-dˈǝ
čаj-lǝ
nˈаnbǝl-i-čnǝ
lаw-nu-m
pn
hot-
stat
-
ptcl
tea-
acc
be_tasty-
stat
-
adv
drink-
ipf
-
tr
.3
sg
Lit. ‘Semien drinks the hot tea with pleasure.’
Note: Not included in the database because the translation deviates too far from the stimulus sentence.
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
Sǝmiǝn
nˈidˈǝrpǝ-j
mobilˈnik-nˈǝ-l-bunˈ-i
pn
be_new-
ptcl
mobile_phone-
prop
-
nlzr
-
des
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien wants a new alarm clock.’
Note: Not included in the database because Y is expressed as a root within a derived word.
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
mǝ
joŋo-či-j
pn
pn
-
dat
aff
be_angry-
mult
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien holds a grudge against Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_ABL
X: NOM
Y: ABL
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаt
mǝ
hаbuguriǝ-j
pn
pn
-
abl
aff
take_offence-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien took offence at Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ɣаnǝ
mǝ
hаbuguriǝ-sǝ-m
pn
pn
-
acc
aff
take_offence-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien greatly upset Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
tu-ŋ
gorod-lǝ
mǝ
mа̄li-j-uo-ri-m
pn
prxm
-
at
town-
acc
aff
be_surprised-
pf
-
res
-
appl
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien was impressed by this town.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
Čiǝri-ɣаnǝ
ǝl
ködǝ
ŋo-rī
pn
pn
-
acc
neg
man
be-
appl
.
neg
.3
‘Semien despises Cheri.’
Valency pattern:
NA
X: *
Y: *
Locus: *
tudǝ
uo-ɣаt
Sǝmiǝn
čundǝ-gi
kǝriǝ-j
3
sg
.
poss
child-
abl
pn
thought-
poss
.3
fall-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien got upset with his son.’
Note: Not included in the database because X is expressed as an NP-internal modifier.
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
tudǝ
mаrhilˈ-ŋinˈ
hа̄li-čǝ
ŋol-а̄-n-а̄-j
pn
3
sg
.
poss
daughter-
dat
be_scary-
ptcl
be-
trnsf
-
ipf
-
inch
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is getting irritated with his daughter.’
Valency pattern:
NOM_DAT
X: NOM
Y: DAT
Locus: Y
Sǝmiǝn
Əkulˈǝ-ŋinˈ
аm-uo-l-bunˈ-i
pn
pn
-
dat
good-
stat
-
nlzr
-
des
-
intr
.3
sg
‘Semien is fond of Akulina.’
Valency pattern:
TR
X: NOM
Y: ACC
Locus: TR
Sǝmiǝn
аmun-gi
lˈuk-uo-l-dа-ɣаnǝ
mǝr
аmаlǝ-ɣi-m
pn
bone-
poss
.3
small-
stat
-
nlzr
-
poss
-
acc
aff
be_shy-
caus
-
tr
.3
sg
‘Semien is embarrased about his height.’