Datapoint Principense/Predicative locative phrases

The locative copula is obligatory in all cases except if the predicator is a prepositional phrase headed by na 'in, etc.', as in Example 126. Notice, however, that some native speakers do not accept sentences like the one in Example 126. They would prefer Sun arê ki san ranha sa udêntu palaxu. 'The king and the queen were in the palace.'

Values

Variable copula

Example 37-125:
[...] ranha taa ufu-kumi.
[...]
[...]
ranha
queen
taa
cop.pst
ufu-kumi.
road
[…] the queen was on the road.

Source: Maurer 2009: 95

Example 37-126:
Sun arê ki san ranha n'udêntu palaxu.
Sun
mister
arê
king
ki
with
san
lady
ranha
queen
na
loc
udêntu
interior
palaxu.
palace
The king and the queen were in the palace.

Source: Maurer 2009: 95

Example 37-212:
Wosê ami eli ki a nixi na tabwe [...].
Wosê
now
ami
1sg
eli
foc
ki
rel
a
cop.prs
nixi
here
na
loc
tabwe
trouble
[...].
 
Now I am the one who is here in trouble ...

Source: Maurer 2009: 95

Confidence:
Very certain