Syntax

Abstract

In the foregoing chapters certain subjects of a semi-syntactical nature have been mentioned because they were marginal features showing points which are reminiscent of both morphology and syntax, or because they were necessary for a good understanding of morphological phenomena. In the latter category belongs, for instance, the discussion in III. 4. 4 on the aspectual value of tenses, which was necessary for understanding the nature of what I have named the aspectual affixes. In the former belong discussions on borderline cases, such as those in III. 2. 2 and III. 4. 11. Interpenetration of levels cannot always be avoided in a complicated language as Sentani. In this chapter on Syntax such features will be touched upon again, but only to the extent that is necessary. Thus the discussion on borderline cases will only be mentioned in passing, when giving examples of syntactic constructions concerned therein, but the question of aspect and tense, which was only briefly mentioned in III. 4. 4, will be gone into in much greater detail when giving examples of the distinctions between them, and their use in the sentence.