Datapoint Papiamentu/Reflexive constructions

Muysken (1993) provides a detailed description and analysis of PP reflexive constructions. Three main strategies may be distinguished:
(i) a bare object pronoun, used with what he refers to as inherent reflexives such as sinti 'feel (a certain way)', dibirtí 'enjoy (oneself), have a good time', komportá 'behave (oneself)';
(ii) a possessive pronoun + mes 'self' – this is the most commonly used strategy (NB only in the 3SG is the possessive pronoun different from the subject form);
(iii) a body reflexive consisting of a possessive pronoun + kurpa 'body'; this is restricted to verbs denoting physical action, where it is often ambiguous between a reflexive interpretation and a literal interpretation, and a few idioms (e.g., yuda su kurpa [help POSS body] 'help oneself').
Where the pronoun + kurpa strategy can be used, the pronoun + mes strategy is equally acceptable, but the reverse situation does not hold, showing pronoun + mes to be the main reflexive form.

Birmingham (1970: 69) points out that some reflexive constructions in Spanish correspond to non-reflexives in Papiamentu, e.g. Spanish se vistió [REFL dressed] compares to Papiamento el a bisti paña [3SG PFV wear clothes], both 'he dressed'.

Values

Compound reflexive pronoun with emphasizer Frequency: 87.5%

Example 47-165:
Bo ta sintibo manera ta na bo lugar bo ta?
Bo ta sintibo manera ta na bo lugar bo ta?
2sg tns feel 2sg as.if cop loc poss.2sg place 2sg cop
Do you feel at home (lit. Do you feel yourself as if it is in your place (that) you are)?

Source: Kouwenberg nd

Example 47-166:
Mi tei prepará mi mes pa e korant nan na Korsou publiká algu di mi.
Mi
1sg
ta
tns
bai
go
prepará
prepare
mi
1sg
mes
refl
pa
for
e
def
korant
newspaper
nan
pl
na
loc
Korsou
Curacao
publiká
publish
algu
something
di
of
mi.
1sg
I’m going to prepare myself for the Curaçao newspapers to publish something about me.

Source: Kouwenberg nd

Example 47-167:
Nos a dibirtí nos.
Nos
1pl
a
pfv
dibirtí
enjoy
nos.
1pl
We (have) had a good time.

Source: Birmingham 1970: 70

Example 47-169:
Mi por defendé mi mes.
Mi
1sg
por
can
defendé
defend
mi
1sg
mes.
refl
I can defend myself.

Source: Birmingham 1970: 70

Confidence:
Very certain

Reflexive pronoun with ‘body’ or body-part Frequency: 12.5%

Example 47-168:
Ela kansa su kurpa.
El
3sg
a
pfv
kansa
tire
su
poss
kurpa.
body
He has worn himself out.

Source: Birmingham 1970: 71

Example 47-170:
Bai sosega bo kurpa poko.
Bai
go
sosega
rest
bo
2sg
kurpa
body
poko.
little
Go take a rest.

Source: Muller 1989: 128

Confidence:
Very certain