Value Ability verb also expresses epistemic possibility

Language:
Berbice Dutch
Parameter:
Ability verb and epistemic possibility
References
Kouwenberg 1994: 74-85

Examples

  1. ɛkanel ɛni gut fa hisa tut pata ben
    ɛkɛ
    1sg
    kan
    can
    nel
    nail
    ɛni
    any
    gutu
    thing
    fan
    from
    hiri
    here
    so
    so
    tutu
    until
    pata
    road
    ben
    inside
    I could nail anything from here until in the path (refering to his former ability with bow and arrow).

    See Kouwenberg 1994: 80

  2. en ka alwes jɛ di mingi ben ka
    eni
    3pl
    kan
    can
    alwes
    always
    jɛn
    be
    di
    the
    mingi
    water
    ben
    inside
    ka
    neg
    They cannot be in the water forever.

    See Kouwenberg 1994: 616

  3. o bi, bidaka kan kum bek gau
    o
    3sg
    bi,
    say
    bidaka
    daylight
    kan
    can
    kumu
    come
    beki
    little
    gau
    quick
    She said, if only daylight could come soon.
  4. ju kan fɛndɛ gurma ken kaɲa stɛdi
    ju
    2sg
    kan
    can
    fɛndɛ
    find
    gurma
    ochroe
    ka
    neg
    eni
    3pl
    kain-a
    pick-ipfv
    stɛdi
    steady
    You cannot find / You won't find any ochroes, they are picking (them) all the time.

    See Kouwenberg 1994: 78