Datapoint Early Sranan/Subject relative clauses

The status of the relativizer disi is difficult to establish. Case-marking is not at issue, but it may be preceded by a preposition; see Feature 94 "Instrument relative clauses". A pronominal status is also suggested by the occurrence of disi in relativized possessive constructions such as Wan pikien disi Mama lange tatá lassi. 'A child whose mother and father are dead' (van Dyk c1765: 11).

Values

Relative pronoun Frequency: 90.0%

Example 1-27:
Den zomma disi brokke da koffi na zabatim den no moese myki zoo menni balibali lange da zinge.
Den
det.pl
soma
people
disi
rel
broko
break
da
det.sg
kofi
coffee
na
at
sabaten
evening
den
3pl
no
neg
musu
must
meki
make
so-meni
so-much
babari
shouting
nanga
with
da
det.sg
singi.
singing
The people that will peel coffee beans tonight (they) mustn’t make so much noise with their singing.
Dutch: Die daar 's Avonds de Koffi uit de Schil doen die moeten zoo veel geraas niet maaken, met haar Zingen. [op.cit.]

Source: van Dyk ca. 1765: 68

Example 1-28:
Wan uman ben de dapeh, dissi habi wan jeje vo siki sinsi tin na aiti jari.
Wan
art.indf.sg
uma
woman
ben
pst
de
cop
dape,
there
disi
rel
habi
have
wan
art.indf.sg
yeye
spirit
fu
of
siki
illness
sensi
since
tin
ten
na
at
aiti
eight
yari.
year
There was a woman there, who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years.

Source: Schumann 1781: 176

Example 1-29:
Soema dée diesie dee aksie na joe.
Soma
person
de
be.there
disi
rel
de
asp
aksi
ask
na
for
yu.
2sg
There are people who are asking for you.
Dutch: Daar zyn luiden die naar u vraagen. [op.cit.]

Source: Weygandt 1798: 92

Example 1-227:
No wan fassie dem sa kan teekie foe hollie wan nengre foe bakara diessie dem sa kissie effie diesie sa ronnowe com na dem.
Nowan
no
fasi
manner
den
3pl
sa
fut
kan
can
teki
take
fu
to
hori
hold
wan
one/art.indf.sg
nengre
black
fu
of
bakra
white
disi
rel
den
3pl
sa
fut
kisi
catch
efi
or
disi
rel
sa
fut
lonwe
run.away
kon
come
na
loc
den.
3pl
In no way shall they be permitted to keep a Black belonging to the Whites, whom they shall capture or who shall run away to them.

Source: SPT 1762

Example 1-228:
Hoe fa da mastra fom wan zomma diesi doore hem merki befon donkere.
O=fa
q=fashion
da
det.sg
masra
master
fon
beat
wan
indf.sg
soma
person
disi
rel
doro
finish
en
3sg
merki
mark
bifo
before
dungru.
dark
Why would the manager beat someone who finishes his work before dark?
Dutch: Hoe kan ik dat gelooven dat iemand zyn Hoop-Werk afmaakt, eêr het Donker is en dan nog Slaagen krygt. [op.cit.]

Source: van Dyk ca. 1765: 89

Confidence:
Certain

Zero and gap Frequency: 10.0%

Example 1-139:
Den zomma wan zi da didde homan a moes kom hessi.
Den
det.pl
soma
person
wani
want
si
see
da
det.sg
dede
dead
uma
woman
a
3sg.sbj
musu
must
kom
come
hesi.
quick
Those who want to see the dead woman, they (lit. he) must come quickly.
Dutch: Die de Overleedenen nog zien wil die moet koomen. [op.cit.]

Source: van Dyk ca. 1765: 110

Example 1-148:
Wan libisomma membre, takki, hem kann helpi hem srefi, a kori hem srefi.
Wan
indf.sg
libisma
living.person
memre,
think
taki,
say/that
en
3sg
kan
can
hèlpi
help
en
3sg
srefi,
self
a
3sg.sbj
kori
fool
en
3sg
srefi.
self
Anybody who thinks that he can help himself, (he) is fooling himself.

Source: Schumann 1783: 65

Confidence:
Very certain