Ca’ Foscari Japanese Studies

Collana | Ca’ Foscari Japanese Studies
Monografia | Materials and Methods of Analysis for the Study of the Ainu Language
Capitolo | 4 • Inalienable Possessive Forms

4 • Inalienable Possessive Forms

Abstract

HA makes a distinction among first, second, third, and fourth person, while SA only distinguishes first, second, and third person. The term ‘fourth person’ is actually an improper term since it could be easily misunderstood as referring to the obviative person in a directinverse alignment. Tamura (2000) prefers to discuss it as ‘indefinite person’. However, since referencing to an indefinite agent is only one of the functions of fourth person, this latter term has found its place in Ainu studies and it continues to be widely employed.


Open access | Peer reviewed

Pubblicato 04 Aprile 2022 | Lingua: en


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