semblative case

The semblative case (abbreviated ) or similative case (abbreviated ) is a grammatical case that denotes the similarity of one entity to another. The semblative case is sometimes referred to as the similative case.

The semblative case (abbreviated ) or similative case (abbreviated ) is a grammatical case that denotes the similarity of one entity to another. The semblative case is sometimes referred to as the similative case.

In Wagiman

Wagiman, an indigenous Australian language, has a semblative case suffix -yiga, that is functionally identical to the -like suffix in English, as in the example:

In Warlpiri

In Warlpiri, the semblative case can be a semantic case, i.e., it can be semantically richer and less dependent on the verb. In the example below, the -piya ('like') suffix can act as the main predicate and can attach to a demonstrative, suggesting that it is not purely a derivational affix. 'The barn owl is white. The Boobook owl is just like him except that the barn owl is white.'

In English

Although the semblative case is not found in English, there are several semblative derivational suffixes, including -like, -ish and -esque. Texas Man Catches Fish With Human-Like Teeth As in many other languages, semblativity in English is marked with derivational affixes instead of being an inflectional case.

See also

Comparative case Formal case Equative case

References

External links

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1371168691 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.