Multiple ergatives

Abstract

This paper presents a cross-linguistic survey of case systems with several non-phonologically distributed markers of ergative case, based on a convenience sample of more than 70 languages from all over the world. It is shown that in most languages the distribution of different ergative markers splits along the lines predicted by the referential hierarchy (local pronouns > non-local pronouns > proper names > kinship terms > humans > nonhumans > inanimates), thus complementing the much better known ergativity splits. Other types of conditioning of “multiple ergatives” include gender, such nominal morphosyntactic features as number and (in)definiteness, as well as clausal morphosyntactic features like tense/aspect, polarity and person of co-arguments. “Fluid” systems where the choice of ergative marker is based on semantic or pragmatic factors are attested as well. The article also discusses the implications of ergative allomorphy and ergative alternations for the typology of ergativity and case marking in general.

Ergativity and depth of analysis

“…[Haspelmath, 2020b] An ergative flag is not used with prominent (locuphoric) A-arguments, and an accusative flag is not used with non-prominent (full nominal) P-arguments, regardless of the syntactic features. And Arkadiev (2017) observes that when a language has two different ergative markers, there is a (slight) preference for the longer ergative marker to be used with less prominent referents. These effects of formal coding are predicted by efficiency of coding, but not by Baker's abstract features.…”