Locations and directions
Posted: 09 Jul 2012 03:07
I wonder how languages work with direction and location. In my conlang specific and non-specific directions and/or locations are marked by case.
Turn left at the intersection (Specific, there is a possibilty to go left there)
The church is at the intersection. (Specific location)
The church is to the north. (Not specific)
The church is to the left after the intersection. (The intersection is a specific location, left is not)
bödariiemu
Ernia shodj gĥdede mopöras.
go.IMP towards left.ACC intersection.LOC.SG
[‘ɛrnjɐ ᶊɔʧ gx‘dɛdɛ sjɔʧ mɔ’pørɐs]
Sasjlu plagt shodj mopöras.
Church.NOM.SG locate.PRS.3SG intersection.LOC.SG
[saʃu plakt ᶊɔʧ mɔ’pørɐs]
Sasjlu plagt shodj riorndas.
Church.NOM.SG locate.PRS.3SG towards north.LOC
[’saʃu plakt ᶊɔʧ ’rɔrndɐs]
Sasjlu plagt shodj gĥdedas dlodaa mopöre.
Church.NOM.SG towards left.LOC beyond intersection.ACC.SG
[’saʃu plakt ᶊɔʧ gx‘dɛdɐs ‘djɔdɐ mɔ‘pørɛ]
Turn left at the intersection (Specific, there is a possibilty to go left there)
The church is at the intersection. (Specific location)
The church is to the north. (Not specific)
The church is to the left after the intersection. (The intersection is a specific location, left is not)
bödariiemu
Ernia shodj gĥdede mopöras.
go.IMP towards left.ACC intersection.LOC.SG
[‘ɛrnjɐ ᶊɔʧ gx‘dɛdɛ sjɔʧ mɔ’pørɐs]
Sasjlu plagt shodj mopöras.
Church.NOM.SG locate.PRS.3SG intersection.LOC.SG
[saʃu plakt ᶊɔʧ mɔ’pørɐs]
Sasjlu plagt shodj riorndas.
Church.NOM.SG locate.PRS.3SG towards north.LOC
[’saʃu plakt ᶊɔʧ ’rɔrndɐs]
Sasjlu plagt shodj gĥdedas dlodaa mopöre.
Church.NOM.SG towards left.LOC beyond intersection.ACC.SG
[’saʃu plakt ᶊɔʧ gx‘dɛdɐs ‘djɔdɐ mɔ‘pørɛ]