Predicative comparative constructions (Surgut Khanty)

Spec: The standard is marked using a specific case or adposition that only expresses the comparative function.


(1a) pūpi čēwer kīńťa wökkəŋ.

bear rabbit cmpr strong

’The bear is stronger than the rabbit.’


(1b) pūpi wökkəŋ čēwer kīńťa.

bear strong rabbit cmpr

’The bear is stronger than the rabbit.’


(2a) pūpi məŋ kīńťa-ɣəw wökkəŋ.

bear we cmpr-1pl strong

’The bear is stronger than us.’


(2b) pūpi wökkəŋ məŋ kīńťa-ɣəw.

bear strong we cmpr-1pl

’The bear is stronger than us.’


In Surgut Khanty, predicative comparative constructions are formed by attaching a special postposition (kīńťa) to the standard of comparison. The traditional Khanty word order is standard + adjective (1a)–(2a). The other adjective + standard word order (1b)–(2b) reflects Russian influence. If the standard of comparison is expressed by a personal pronoun, the comparative postposition takes a  personal ending coreferent with the pronoun (2a)–(2b).

Author: 

Márta Csepregi