What are relationship markers?

For VSO constructions, relationship markers are placed between the subject and the object.

They indicate the relationship between the subject and the object.

Impersonal marker

The impersonal marker is i

This is used when:

• at least one of the subject and the object is an inanimate object

• both arguments are people, but they have no relationship with each other (eg. they do not know each other, or have no opinions about each other)

Example: évt trâd i vor (a man sees a woman; where the man and woman do not know each other).

Personal marker

The personal marker is e

This is used when:

• there is an established relationship between the people

• the speaker wants to express a strong affinity or bond with an inanimate object or animal

Example: évt trâd e vor (a man sees a woman; where the man and woman do know each other).

Conceptual marker

The conceptual marker is ó

This is used when:

• the speaker is hypothesising, such as about having a husband/wife that they don't have

• at least one of the arguments is a concept, idea, or abstract noun

• the argument is a clause rather than a noun.

Example: sôdra ó vor = I want a wife (the wife does not yet exist)

Example: évt syna ó mâja i pome = the girl sees me eating an apple (ó is used between the idea of the girl seeing and the idea of me eating an apple)