(Meadow Mari)

PurpV (+ PurpWV1) (+ PurpWV2)

PurpV: Purpose constructions are marked by a special verb form.

PurpWV1: Purpose constructions are marked by an independent word in the main clause.

PurpWV2: Purpose constructions are marked by an independent word (conjunction).

(1)kafe-škekočk-aškaj-ena.
caféeatINFgo1PL
’We’re going to the café to eat.’ (Riese et al. 2022: 255)

(2)počeškod-ašog-əlmanəntürlöuver-əmlud-am.
backstayINFNEGbe.3SGin_order_todifferentnewsACCread1SG
’I read different sources of news to avoid being uninformed.’ (Arkhangelskiy 2019)

(3)pašalektəš-əmsajemdə-šašverččottərs-ena.
worksuccessACCmendPTCP.FUTin_order_toverybe_eager1PL
’We’re working hard to improve work results.’ (Riese et al. 2022: 166)

(4)škeiləš-əmsajemdə-šaš-lanajdememo-mšonə-šaš?
ownlifeACCmendPTCP.FUTDATmanwhatACCthinkPTCP.FUT
’What should one conceive in order to make his life better? (Korp.)

(5)tačelümənsodorkəńel’-əmštobyšukə-raküdər-šaməč-əmsalaml-aš.
todaywilfullyearlyget_upPST2.1SGso_thatmanyCOMPgirlPLACCgreetINF
’I got up early today on purpose so that I can greet as many girls as possible.’ (Korp.)

(6)joča-vlak,ava-štlaskanmalə-žemanən,šəpmod-ət.
childPLmother3PLin_peacesleepIMP.3SGin_order_toquietlyplay3PL
’In order for their mother to sleep peacefully, the children play quietly.’ (Riese et al. 2022: 241)

(7)əndeertakvoz-aštüŋal-am„məjtəgešon-em”štobyńimogajjodəš
wellalwayswriteINFbegin1SGIsothink1SGso_thatnoquestion
ən-želek.
NEG.IMP3SGstart.CNG
’So I always start by writing “I think so” to avoid any emerging questions.’ (Arkhangelskiy 2019)

In Meadow Mari, the marker of purpose constructions can be an infinitive in case the subjects of the main clause and the subordinate clause are the same (1), optionally appearing with the postposition manən (2) or the Russian subordinating conjunction štoby (5).The future participle is also a possibility (3)–(4), in which case either the postposition verč (3) or the dative suffix (4) is obligatory. If the subjects of the main clause and the subordinate clause differ, the verb of the subordinate clause is in imperative mood (6)–(7), with the obligatory presence of either the postposition manən or the conjunction štoby.

Author: Bogáta Timár


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