Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/77594

KEYWORDS : Haisla;possessive clause;existential clause;locative clause;inalienable possession

This paper is intended to provide a preliminary overview of how possessive, existential and locative clause types are structured in Haisla, a Wakashan language spoken in British Columbia, Canada. Possessive and existential clauses are structured according to two patterns: (1) Deriving a denominal verb with the meaning ‘to have X’/’there is/are X’ with a derivational suffix. (2) Using a clause in which the predicate expresses thenumber, thequantity or a quality of the possessee or the entity whose existence is in question. Thevery productive suffix -nuxʷ can be used to form both possessive and existential clauses while another suffix -[z]ad seems to be possible to be used mainly for possessive clauses only. Locative clauses are structured with thelocative verb laa‘to (be) locate(d) in/at’or with a locative stem as the predicate. When the locative verb is used, the location is expressed with an independentnoun phrase or prepositional phrase.Some problematic data concerning word order in locative clauses and inalienability in the possessive clauses is shown. Also, the difference between possessive constructions and constructions denoting belonging is discussed.