Existential clauses 155
In each of these sentences, the NP in question is indefinite, regardless of how
complex the NP may be. In (30) and (31), the NPs consist of a single noun,
embi' ‘goat’ and gunong ‘mountain’, respectively. In (32), the derived nominal
kadaddiyan ‘happening’ is modified by ane ‘strange’. In (33), the indefinite
compound noun head reng lake' ‘man’ is modified by the relative clause se
andhi' ana' settong nyama-na Bang Pote ‘that had a child named Bang Pote’.
With a definite NP, the existential is a simple verb of existence. In this
instance, the NP is generally preverbal (34); however, it can still follow badha
(35).
(34) Sampe' sateya geddhang agung reya gi' paggun badha.
until now banana noble this yet still exist
‘Even now the agung banana still exists.’
(35) Serrena badha tor-ator kadi jiya...
because exist RED-say like this
‘Because of this order...’
The verbal nature of badha is clear from its compatibility with the future modal
bakal and the irrealis suffix -a.
(36) Oreng padha mekker badha'-a apa pole reya.
person same AV.think exist-IRR what again this
‘The people all wondered what would happen this time.’
(37) Bakal badha'-a pa-apa.
will exist-IRR RED-what
‘Something will happen.’
In (36) and (37), badha combines with the wh-element apa to assert that some
unknown event will take place.
To assert non-existence, the negative existential adha'/tadha' is normally
used. Its distribution is similar to badha.
(38) Tadha' nase'.
not.exist rice
‘There isn't any rice.’
(39) Adha' bungkel.
not.exist root
‘There aren't any roots.’