Datapoint Gurindji Kriol/Alignment of case marking of full noun phrases

Gurindji Kriol is an optional ergative language. A arguments are marked optionally with an ergative suffix. Ergative markers occasionally appear on intransitive subjects. The use of the ergative marker relies on the discourse structure of an utterance.

Values

Ergative alignment

Example 72-80:
An dat warlaku makin fensta.
An
and
dat
the
warlaku
dog
makin
sleep
fens-ta.
fence-loc
The dog sleeps by the fence.

Source: Meakins 2003-2006

Example 72-89:
Karungku im pangkily im marluka.
karu-ngku
child-erg
im
3sg
pangkily
hit.on.head
im
3sg
marluka.
old.man
The kid hit the old man on the head. / It is the kid who hit the old man on the head.

Source: Meakins 2003-2006

Example 72-90:
Karu teikim Jetlmenjirri keik.
Karu
child
teik-im
take-tr
Jetlmen-jirri
Settlement-all
keik.
cake
The child takes the cake to Settlement (Kalkaringi).

Source: Meakins 2011: 267

Confidence:
Very certain