Choosing Between Grammatical Readings

Level 6

Shared forms can have different grammatical functions. Parsing may resolve function while leaving a pronoun's identity or lexical reading open.

How It Works

Read phrase markers, predicate position, and participant marking before selecting an English meaning. Initial i can mark an earlier action; another i can introduce its object. Waiata can function nominally as a song or verbally as singing. Articles and verbal particles distinguish these uses.

Some lexical ambiguity remains after parsing. The particular base mau has active and stative readings, allowing an i phrase to identify an object or a cause. This does not establish the same ambiguity for every verb.

Reference requires discourse evidence too. Ia identifies one third person without grammatical gender. When two people are prominent, it does not automatically select the most recently named person. Compare the initially open Kua haere ia with the subsequent named statements below: they establish Mere as the referent. If context leaves both readings possible, retain the uncertainty instead of silently adding an identity.

Examples (3)

  1. I horoi a Niko i te kapu.

    Niko washed the cup.

    Initial i marks past action; the later i introduces the object.

  2. He waiata tēnei; kei te waiata ngā kōtiro.

    This is a song; the girls are singing.

    He introduces nominal waiata, while kei te frames its verbal use.

  3. I kōrero a Aroha ki a Mere. Kua haere ia. Kei konei tonu a Aroha; kua haere a Mere.

    Aroha spoke to Mere. One of them has left. Aroha is still here; Mere has left.

    Ia alone does not select between the two people. The English initially preserves that ambiguity; the subsequent named statements establish Mere as its referent.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Choosing Between Grammatical ReadingsLevel 6

Learn This First

Use phrase structure to resolve grammatical function, then assess lexical and discourse evidence, retaining ambiguity where that evidence does not select a unique reading.