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Chapter 15: Specifying Referent Subsets

TIAL morphemes and examples
Eng English glosses
dfn terms defined in this chapter
ref terms defined in other chapters
Tag interlinear tags

15.1 Partitive Construction

The partitive construction indicates that one entity is a subset of another one, denoted by a definite noun phrase, to which the subset particle do (Par) is preposed. There are a number of ways a subset can be specified: by a demonstrative, an ordinal number, a superlative (all with or without cardinality), or by cardinality alone.

uno do kano grando
  "one of the big dogs" (cardinality)

15.2 Superlative Construction

The superlative of selection is constructed by placing an adjective (with or without a quantifier) in front of a partitive.

duo vetro do kano grando
  "the 2 oldest of the big dogs" (superlative plus cardinality)

vetro do deko libro
  "the oldest of the 10 books" (superlative)

15.3 Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are constructed by placing the corresponding cardinal number, with its final -o changed to -a, in front of the ordinal verb derivational suffix -ban·e.

unabane   "first"
tetrokatipentabane   "405th"

Ordinal numbers are placed just like superlatives.

unabano do kano grando
  "the first [of the] big dog[s]" (ordinal)


Vocabulary


Exercises

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1. .

Translate into TIAL:
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page started: 2010.Jun.27 Sun
current date: 2012.May.11 Fri
content and form originated by qiihoskeh

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