[YG Conlang Archives] > [Latejami group] > messages [Date Index] [Thread Index] >

[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next]

UTILITATIVE Case in Ithkuil

Good day to the list:

I find the distinction between ULTILITATIVE and INSTRUMENTAL addresses more than one distinction at a time.


“The UTILITATIVE identifies a noun in the process of being utilized.”
http://home.inreach.com/sl2120/Ch-4%20Case%20Morphology.htm#Sec4o6
This seems to address a distinction drawn, in some languages, with aspect.

progressive aspect - action in progress
completive aspect - indicates total completion
inceptive aspect - indicates that something is beginning

“It should be distinguished from the INSTRUMENTAL (see Sec. 4.3.8) in that the latter indicates the implement used to accomplish an action, while the UTILITATIVE identifies a noun in use, but does not imply that the noun was the implement used to accomplish a stated action.”
http://home.inreach.com/sl2120/Ch-4%20Case%20Morphology.htm#Sec4o6
Whether the noun is associated with a particular verb seems to be a separate distinction from whether it is in progress or not. What if I use the gun to accomplish an action but the action is not in progress?

The UTILITIATIVE might indicate that the item is in use without a particular use being specified but one of RAM’s voice changes should be able to cover this for all oblique cases.

FaqSphinx