Uttryck för VÄG med ackusativ singular i sydsamiska

Abstract

The use of object-like expressions to encode an extension in space, along which a movement is performed, is generally widespread in Saami as a whole. In this article, the term path refers to such extensions in space. The study deals specifically with the use of the accusative singular to encode path in South Saami. One of the aims of the study is to investigate the semantic properties of nouns that, inflected for the accusative singular, appear in expressions of path. Another aim is to examine how such nouns semantically and syntactically interact with spatial adverbs to encode path, and how these adverbs relate to adpositions. In addition, the article directs attention to the semantic and syntactic properties of verbs which appear in clauses where nouns inflected for the accusative singular encode path. This short study is based on a quite limited sample and aims merely to highlight features of this phenomenon, which merit future studies.