Value An expletive subject is used

Language:
Berbice Dutch
Parameter:
Expletive subject of existential verb
References
Kouwenberg 1994a: 120-126, 178-180; Kouwenberg 2007b: 41, 42

Examples

  1. o hab en taumama danga
    o
    3sg
    habu
    have
    en
    one
    tau-mama
    snake-mother
    danga
    there
    There is a 'snakemother' there (i.e. a snake spirit).

    See Kouwenberg 1994a: 608

  2. o ha gati wanga di mingi das paka
    o
    3sg
    ha
    have
    gati
    hole
    wanga
    where
    di
    the
    mingi
    water
    das
    hab
    paka
    emerge
    There are holes where the water comes out (lit. It has holes where the water comes out).

    See Kouwenberg 1994a: 380