Datapoint Ternate Chabacano/Expression of pronominal subjects

Ternate Chabacano allows null subjects in sequential verbal structures, when there is an overt subject with the first verb or earlier in the story. (Overt subject pronouns are never ungrammatical in sequential constructions.) This is especially typical of oral discourse, but can also be used in writing.

Values

Optional pronoun words

Example 44-117:
Múʧo péhro, kel el kompanyéro de mi na kása, kabándu, ta le, ta sintáw ya numá [...].
Múʧo
many
péhro,
dog
kel
that
el
def
kompanyéro
companion
de
of
mi
1sg.poss
na
loc
kása,
house
kabándu,
then
ta
ipfv
le,
read
ta
ipfv
sintáw
seated
ya
already
numá
just
[...].
[...]
Many dogs, they are my companions in the house. Then, I read, I just sit [...].
Example 44-118:
A busca ung lugar para queda lotru. Ya camina y camina, ta pasa nah monti.
A
pfv
busca
look.for
ung
a
lugar
place
para
for
queda
stay
lotru.
3pl
Ya
pfv
camina
walk
y
and
camina,
walk
ta
ipfv
pasa
pass
nah
loc
monti.
mountain
They looked for a place to stay. [They] walked and walked, passing the mountain.

Source: Nigoza 2007: 13

Confidence:
Intermediate