Datapoint Bislama/Present reference of stative verbs and past perfective reference of dynamic verbs
In isolation there is no way of knowing whether a zero-marked dynamic verb, as in hem i karem is 's/he carries' or 's/he carried' (Example 89). Likewise, whether i gud is 'is good' or 'was good' (Example 90). Note that the larger discourse context for hem i karem bigfala spes gives an interpretation of 'he has taken' (even though there is no completive marker).
Values 
Stative verbs with present reference and dynamic verbs with past perfective reference are both unmarked
- Example 23-89:
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be hem i karem bigfala spes tumasbebuthem3sgiagrkaremtakebigfalabigspesspacetumasveryBut he's taken too much space.
Source: Meyerhoff nd
- Example 23-90:
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wok blong yu i gud blong wokbaotwokworkblongpossyu2sgiagrgudgoodblongpurpwokbaotwalk.aboutYour work is good for exploring.
Source: Meyerhoff nd
- Example 23-91:
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i se i go longwe, Janette i soem naoiagrsesayiagrgogolongwe,thereJanetteJanetteiagrsoemshownaonowShe said she went up there and Janette showed her some.
Source: Meyerhoff nd
- Example 23-142:
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evri man oli save yu, yu yu save mi, mi mi save yuevrieverymanmanoliagrsaveknowyu,2sgyu2sgyu2sgsaveknowmi,1sgmi1sgmi1sgsaveknowyu2sgEveryone knows you, you know me and I know you.
Source: Meyerhoff nd
- Confidence:
- Intermediate