Datapoint Sranan/Comparative standard marking

There are two patterns involving the order of comparative degree words and adjectives in Sranan,
which relate to differences between two dialects. Dialect A is the default lect in the present Sranan data set and is spoken primarily by Surinamese of African descent in poorer areas of Paramaribo and in rural areas, and Dialect B is spoken primarily by Dutch dominant speakers (Winford 1997). In cases where only the item being compared is mentioned, as in mi brada moro langa ‘my brother is taller’, or mi brada na a moro langa wan ‘my brother is the tallest’, the comparative marker moro precedes the adjective, and can be interpreted as marking the adjective. This pattern is found in both dialects. In cases where both the item being compared and the standard are present, the degree word (moro or pasa) can either follow the property item, or, in case of moro, precede it, or even both precede and follow it. When moro precedes the property item, it can be interpreted as a comparative marker. When it follows the property item, it can be interpreted as a standard marker. The latter also applies to pasa, which can only follow the property item (Winford 1997).

Values

Secondary surpass marking Frequency: 56.2%

Example 2-92:
John bigi moro Peter.
John
John
bigi
big
moro
exceed
Peter.
Peter
John’s bigger than Peter.

Source: Winford 1997: 279

Example 2-93:
Amba tranga pasa Kofi.
Amba
Amba
tranga
strong
pasa
pass
Kofi.
Kofi
Amba is stronger than Kofi.

Source: Winford 2008: 22

Example 2-94:
John moro bigi moro Peter.
John
John
moro
more
bigi
big
moro
exceed
Peter.
Peter
John is taller than Peter.

Source: Winford 1997: 279

Example 2-95:
A oloisi disi moro diri moro a dati.
A
det
oloisi
watch
disi
dem
moro
more
diri
dear
moro
exceed
a
det
dati.
dem
This watch is more expensive than that one.

Source: Winford 1997: 279

Confidence:
Very certain

Particle marking Frequency: 43.8%

Example 2-96:
Kofi bigi moro leki Kwaku.
Kofi
Kofi
bigi
big
moro
more
leki
than
Kwaku.
Kwaku
Kofi is bigger than Kwaku.

Source: Sebba 1982

Confidence:
Certain