Datapoint Tsimshian (Coast) / Alignment of Case Marking of Full Noun Phrases

Language
Genus: Tsimshianic, Family: Penutian
Feature
Alignment of Case Marking of Full Noun Phrases by Bernard Comrie
Value
Ergative - absolutive
References

Examples

note: The case markers are attached phonologically to the preceding word. Personal pronouns are used only for emphasis; there is some neutralization of absolutive, ergative, and general preposition, but the glosses given can be justified in terms of other examples.

the seal is swimming
yagwa hadiks a üüla
prs swim abs seal
the cat is smelling the fish
yagwa t huum da duus a hoon
prs 3A smell erg cat abs fish
I was speaking in Coast Tsimshian
´nüüyu nah alyag ad a sm´algyax
I pst speak 3sg prep Coast.Tsimshian
I am using the pencil
´nüüyu in hooy gantamiis
I top use pencil
and the bear saw me
ada t ´nüüyu nah niidz a ol
and 3A I pst see erg bear