Agent marking on the verb (Synja Khanty)

PM: Person marking of the agent is marked on the verb (through verbal agreement) regardless of whether the agent is, or could be, expressed by a full noun or a pronoun.


(1) pisma xanš-l-ǝm.

I letter write-prs-1sg

‘I’m writing a letter.’ (S. O.)


(2) naŋ pisma xanš-l-ǝn.

you letter write-prs-2sg

‘You are writing a letter.’ (S. O.)


(3) luw pisma xanš-l.

(s)he letter write-prs.3sg

‘He/she is writing a letter.’ (S. O.)


(4) pox pisma xanš-l.

boy letter write-prs.3sg

‘The boy is writing a letter.’ (S. O.)


In Synja Khanty, the verb form reflects the person of the agent, irrespective of whether it is expressed by a pronoun (1)–(3) or a noun (4) (Honti 1984:  93‒96, Rédei 1965:  54‒74, Solovar 2009: 61‒81). Both nominal and pronominal agents can be omitted.

Author: 

Nikolett F. Gulyás