Datapoint Louisiana Creole/Ditransitive constructions with ‘give’

Both constructions are possible with the verb done as well as with verbs like rakonte or dir. However, the indirect object construction is the more recent construction.

Values

Double-object construction Frequency: 70.0%

Example 53-62:
M a dòn vou enn pyas pou li.
M
1sg
a
fut
dòn
give
vou
2sg.pol
enn
art.indf
pyas
dollar
pou
for
li.
3sg
I will give you one dollar for it.

Source: Neumann 1985: 169

Example 53-238:
Mo don ma maman ponye-la.
Mo
1sg
don
give
ma
1sg.poss
maman
mother
ponye-la.
basket-art.def.sg
I give my mother the basket.
French: Je donne le panier à ma mère.

Source: Neumann 1985: 255

Example 53-390:
Mo done pikayon piti gasson mo fie ki kouri lékol.
Mo
1sg
done
give
pikayon
nickel
piti
little
gasson
boy
mo
1sg
fie
daughter
ki
rel
kouri
go
lékol.
school
I gave a nickel to my daughter's son who goes to school.

Source: Neumann-Holzschuh (eds.) 1987: 102

Confidence:
Certain

Indirect-object construction Frequency: 30.0%

Example 53-239:
Mo don ponye-la a ma moman.
Mo
1sg
don
give
ponye-la
basket-art.def.sg
a
to
ma
1sg.poss
moman.
mother
I give the basket to my mother.

Source: Neumann 1985: 256

Confidence:
Certain