Description and analysis of the {e-} intr prefix of the Wayoro language (Ayuru, Tupi stock)

Abstract

In Wayoro, verbs preceded by the intransitive {e-} prefix are one place verbs. The evidence for this is: use of absolutive personal prefixes as the sole argument markers required by the verb; and the ability of those personal prefixes to co-occur with the transitivizing morpheme {mõ-~õ-} 'causative'. The behavior of intransitive constructions with the {e-} prefix can be associated with properties of anticausative, reflexive and middle sentences. In many languages anticausative, reflexive and middle are expressed by only one intransitivizing morpheme. In Wayoro, verbs intransitivized by the {e-} prefix may have anticausative value, when the subject of the intranzitivized verb is [- animate], or reflexive value, when the subject of the intransitivized verb is [+ animate]. Verbs with an inherent {e-} prefix have properties related to the middle voice (spontaneous events, naturally reciprocal events etc.).

Keywords

• Wayoro (Ayuru or Wayoró) language
• Intransitivizer {e-} prefix
• Anticausative
• reflexive and middle constructions