Datapoint Tok Pisin/Complementizer with verbs of knowing

The use of the se complementizer is restricted to East New Britain. It could also be a shortened form of olsem.

Values

Complementizer not synchronically related to ‘say’ Frequency: 63.6%

Example 22-166:
Em save olsem samting rong long aus nau.
Em
3sg
save
know
olsem
comp
samting
thing
rong
wrong
long
prep
aus
house
nau.
now
She knew there was something wrong at home.

Source: nd: EHP F12

Confidence:
Certain

No complementizer Frequency: 27.3%

Example 22-168:
Klostu taim em bai dai tasol ol man no bin save ol bai mekim wonem.
Klostu
close
taim
time
em
3sg
bai
fut
dai
die
tasol
but
ol
pl
man
man
no
neg
bin
pst
save
know
ol
3pl
bai
fut
mekim
do
wonem.
what
It was close to the time he would die, but the people didn't know what they would do.

Source: nd: Rabhi6\Michelle\enb\f16\islan\enbp

Confidence:
Certain

Complementizer identical to bare ‘say’ Frequency: 9.1%

Example 22-167:
Ol i save se papa bilong ol i no bilong ples bilong mi.
Ol
3pl
i
pm
save
know
se
comp
papa
father
bilong
poss
ol
3pl
i
pm
no
neg
bilong
poss
ples
village
bilong
poss
mi.
1sg
They knew that their father was not from my village.

Source: Smith 2002: 160, ENB F19

Confidence:
Uncertain