C. Although Dyirbal is classified as an ergativelabsolutive language, it is more
precisely defined as a "split ergative" language. To learn what a split ergative
language is, begin by filling in the spaces below.
- Subject of transitive sentence
Dyirbal form - Object of transitive sentence
Dyirbal form - Subject of intransitive sentence
Dyirbal form
English gloss"I""you"English gloss"me""you"English gloss"I""you"D. Noting the contrast between the first and second person pronouns in questions
C-l through C-3 and the nouns in questions A-l through A-3, state what you
think the properties of a split ergative language are. For example, are subject
and object marked the same way on nouns as they are on pronouns?