Datapoint Papiamentu/Present reference of stative verbs and past perfective reference of dynamic verbs
Overt tense/aspect marking is essentially obligatory in auxiliary-less main clauses. Unmarked occurrences are acceptable only for a subset of the class of stative verbs, namely those which do not admit combination with preverbal ta (see Feature 46 "Tightness of link between progressive marker and verb"). There are no verbs which fail to combine with the other preverbal modifiers. Thus we can distinguish three sets of verbs:
a. stative verbs which do not combine with ta, e.g., konosé 'know, be acquainted with', sabi ~ sa 'know', ke (Curacao) and kjèr (Aruba) (both: 'want');
b. stative verbs which are optionally modified by ta, e.g., stima 'love', kosta 'cost';
c. all other stative and non-stative verbs, e.g., deseá 'want, wish', ke 'believe', kanta 'sing'.
The interpretation of the verb preceded by ta is not affected by stativity. Whether the verb is stative or dynamic, the presence of ta in out-of-the-blue utterances triggers a present tense interpretation.
Values 
Stative verbs with present reference and dynamic verbs with past perfective reference are marked differently
- Example 47-1:
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Awe mainta mi a bai subi Hooiberg.Awetodaymaintamorningmi1sgapfvbaigosubiclimbHooiberg.HooibergThis morning I climbed Hooiberg.
Source: Kouwenberg and Murray 1994: 46
- Example 47-91:
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Nos (ta) falta sinkuenta sèn.Nos1pl(ta)(tns)faltalacksinkuentafiftysèn.centWe are fifty cents short.
Source: Muller 1989: 323
- Example 47-103:
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Awor mi tin un lista basta largo.Awornowmi1sgtinhaveunindflistalistbastasufficientlylargo.longNow I have quite a long list.
Source: Kouwenberg nd
- Confidence:
- Very certain