Values

0 no 21
1 yes 13
? missing value 0

Is there a distinct category of dual for verbal agreement with a dual subject?

Uralic Areal Typology feature UT001

Is there a distinct category of dual for verbal agreement with a dual subject?

Dual is a grammatical number category that refers to two entities. In the case of agreement, dual is also marked on the verb. Agreement may be consistent for various kinds of nouns (e.g. animate and inanimate nouns) and pronouns. In South Saami, there is dual agreement only with pronouns:

(1) South Saami
Månnoeh luhkien
we.1DU read.1DU
‘We two read'

In other instances, the plural form is used:

(2) South Saami
Maanah låhkijägan
child.PL read.3DU
‘Children read’ (= two or more)

(3) South Saami
Göökte gaahtoeh byöpmedieh
two cat.PL eat.3PL
‘Two cats eat'

Coding. The value is ‘1’ if there is verbal agreement with dual subject in at least one of the possibilities mentioned above. The answer is ‘0’ if dual is marked only on the verb or only on the noun.

Language Value Comment Example Id

Values for this feature plotted on the phylogenetic tree