Datapoint Kriol/Raining constructions

Both a construction with expletive subject and 'rain' as a verb, and a construction with 'rain (n.)' as a subject and 'fall' as a verb are attested in Kriol. The latter corresponds to the construction in at least some of the traditional languages of the area. According to Hudson (1985: 59), a construction with expletive subject is used more generally in 'ambient' expressions in Kriol.

Values

It rains Frequency: 70.0%

Example 25-213:
Dijlot kid dei raning insaid la haus wen im reining.
Dij-lot
prox-pl
kid
child
dei
3pl
ran-ing
run-prog2
insaid
inside
la
loc
haus
house
wen
subord
im
3sg
rein-ing.
rain-prog2
These kids are running inside the house when it is raining.
Example 25-264:
I garra rein langa wi.
I
3sg
garra
fut/oblig
rein
rain
langa
loc
wi.
1pl
It's likely to rain on us.

Source: Hudson 1985: 59

Confidence:
Certain

Rain falls Frequency: 30.0%

Example 25-265:
Naidaim, ooo, rein bina boldan, maidi tu, thri dei [...] binish.
Naid-daim,
night-time
ooo,
interj
rein
rain
bin-a
pst-pot
bol-dan,
fall-down
maidi
maybe
tu,
two
thri
three
dei
day
[...]
[...]
binish.
finish
[During the] night, oh, the rain might have fallen, [for] maybe two [or] three days, [then it] finished.

Source: Angelo et al. 1998

Confidence:
Certain