Syncretism refers to the use of the same form to express distinct functions in a paradigm. In addressing verbal syncretism, this parameter considers the use of the same form to mark distinct numbers or persons that are formally distinguished in at least one of the other verbal paradigms.[1] Syncretism of person and number can be mostly easily identified when it is limited in scope, known as “partial syncretism.” For example, a language may use the same form for more than one person or number within a given tense, aspect, or mood, while those forms are distinct in another tense, aspect, or mood. Complete syncretism, on the other hand, applies consistently across that person or number, regardless of tense, aspect, or mood. In such cases, it is necessary to refer to other parts of the paradigm for indirect evidence of syncretism.[2]

Types:

NoSP: Verbs do not show person and number agreement with the subject.

NoSyncSP: Verbs show person and number agreement with the subject; the paradigm does not include syncretic forms.

SyncSP: Verbs show person and number agreement with the subject; the paradigm includes syncretic forms.[3]

[1] Syncretism does not, therefore, refer to a paradigm with no grammatical means of marking a given function, such as a language lacking number marking altogether.

[2] For example, German systematically uses the same form for first- and third-person plural, regardless of tense, aspect, or mood; compare wir machen (‘we make’) to sie machen (‘they make’). It is only by considering the equivalent forms in the singular (compare ich mache (‘I make’) to er/sie/es macht (‘he/she/it makes’)) that it is clear German displays syncretism of first and third person in the plural, rather than a lack of grammatical distinction of these two persons.

[3] These should be described in the commentary.