Biwa Syntax

Unmarked syntax is:

SVMOC in transitive verbs

SVMC in intransitive

Where M is the modal, and C is any complement (besides direct object).

When topic is fronted, subject is displaced after the verb (transitive) or after the modal (intransitive).

In interrogative sentences, the interrogative word is fronted, either the interrogative modal in yes/no questions or the interrogative pronoun in "wh" questions.

Syntax: SVO (V2).

The usual unmarked syntax for transitive verbs is:

SVMOC, where M is the modal and C any complement.

When topic is fronted, the subject is placed after the verb (before the modal).

For intransitive verbs, the syntax is:  SVMC

When topic is fronted, the subject is displaced after the modal (before any other complement).

In interrogative sentences, the interrogative word is fronted (either the interrogative modal or the interrogative pronoun: i.e. cuun /k}n/ /kʉn/ + article)

Gij flerda pé dimbe el — I burned the house

Dimbe el flerda gij pé — The house I burned

Cij flerda gij dimbe el — Did I burn the house?

Gij flerda ár dimbe el — I didn't brun the house.

Cuun el flerda gij pé — what did I burned?

Cuun el flerda gij ár — what didn't I burned?

Gij flerda eh dimbe el, flerda sỳn tibbuna el — If I had burned the house, I would have burned the garage

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