TZOTZIL (ZINACANTÁN)
SUMMARY
In Zinacantán Tzotzil, in the context of an applicative suffix on the verb, but not otherwise, the possessor of the direct object can control object agreement on the verb, rather than the direct object itself. Agreement features are person and number, although the agreement marker for third person absolutive arguments is null. Whether agreement is controlled by a third person possessor of the direct object or the direct object itself can be distinguished by the presence of the applicative suffix on the verb. Possessors of derived subjects in passives can control agreement as well.
Evidence for the possessor and the possessed noun forming a constituent comes from fronting the possessor and the possessed noun together in topicalisation and focussing, for example.
See also Chimane, Mi’gmaq, Nxaʔamxcin, Spokane, Tseltal.
LANGUAGE PROFILE
EVIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF PIPS
- In the context of an applicative suffix on the verb, the possessor of the direct object controls agreement on the predicate.
KEY SOURCES
Aissen, Judith. 1987. Tzotzil clause structure. Dordrecht: Reidel.
