Unmarked Stative and Dynamic Verbs (Feature 51)
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Feature Annotation
In many languages, the distinction between stative and dynamic verbs is relevant for their temporal reference, because if both can be unmarked, they tend to have a different temporal interpretation: stative verbs tend to have present-time reference, whereas dynamic verbs tend to have past-time (usually past perfective) reference.
In some creole languages, the unmarked stative verbs may have a past reference if the context is clearly past, and the unmarked dynamic verbs may have a past-before-past interpretation. Such special contexts are disregarded here, i.e. we are interested in the interpretation of these verbs when little context is present. If the use of some overt markers is optional, disregard this fact as well.
Values:
1. Dynamic and stative verbs cannot be marked in the same way
(e.g. Papiamentu, Papia Kristang), i.e. different tense-aspect markers are used with them.
2. Unmarked stative and dynamic verbs have the same temporal interpretation, as in German or French.
3. Unmarked stative verbs have present reference, unmarked dynamic verbs have past (perfective) reference. This pattern is very common in Atlantic Creoles, as for instance in Principense:
Non ___ tê têêxi minu. N ___ gan!
we have three child I win
‘We have 3 children.’ (stative, present) ‘I won!’ (dynamic, past perfective)
If in your language the unmarked dynamic verb can also refer to habitual and generic situation, as e.g. in Haitian, please disregard these functions. Also, if in your language some statives may exceptionally be marked by an overt marker for present reference, disregard this as well.
4. Unmarked stative and dynamic verbs are interpreted differently, in some other way. (We have no examples for this type.)
5. Stative and dynamic verbs must always have an overt marker, and these markers have the same temporal interpretation. (We have no creole examples for this type.)
6. Stative and dynamic verbs must always have an overt marker, but these markers are interpreted differently with the two verb classes. This pattern seems to be very rare among creole languages, but it occurs in Palenquero and in some Bantu languages (e.g. Kimbundu). The following examples are taken from Palenquero:
Suto á ten tre moná. I á nganá!
we PFV have three child I PFV win
‘We have 3 children.’ (stative, present) ‘I won!’ (dynamic, past perfective)
7. Other
Additional remarks
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Values
| Value | Value Annotation | |
| 1 | Dynamic and stative verbs cannot be marked in the same way | Papiamentu, Papia Kristang |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Unmarked stative and dynamic verbs have the same temporal interpretation | French, German: present tense forms of these languages are unmarked, and they have present-time reference for both verb classes; also Seychelles Creole |
| 3 | Unmarked stative verbs have present reference, unmarked dynamic verbs have past (perfective) reference | Haitian, Principense |
| 4 | Unmarked stative and dynamic verbs are interpreted differently, in some other way | Other than value 3: please give details in the “General comments” field. |
| 5 | Stative and dynamic verbs must always have an overt marker, and these markers have the same temporal interpretation | Lezgian qachu-zwa ‘is taking’, chi-zwa ‘knows’ |
| 6 | Stative and dynamic verbs must always have an overt marker, but these markers are interpreted differently with the two verb classes | Palenquero |
| 7 | Other | (Please give details in the “General comments” field.) |
WALS No.
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