Antessive case
The antessive case (abbreviated ANTE)[1] is used for marking the spatial relation of preceding or being before. The case is found in some Dravidian languages. For example, in Tamil, the antessive case has three primary meanings.[2]
- In front of something or someone
Eṅkaḷ
1PL.GEN
vīṭṭiṟku
home
muṉṉāl
ANTE
oru
INDEF
kōyil
temple
irukkiṟatu
EXIST
There is a temple in front of our home
- To present someone or something in front of someone or something
Tir-uṭaṉ
thief-SOC
nītipati-kku
judge-DAT
muṉṉāl
ANTE
koṇṭu
INS
varappa-ṭṭ-aṉ
come-PST-3SG.MASC
The thief was brought before the judge
- Being 'at front' with reference to position
Avaṉ
3SG
eḻutuvatil
write-DEF-LOC
ellā:ru-kkum
everyone-DAT
muṉṉa:L
ANTE
iruk-kiṟ-āṉ
EXIST-PRES-3SG.MASC
He is in front of all in writing
References
[edit]- ^ S. Agesthialingom, Prakya Sreesaila Subrahmanyam, Dravidian Linguistics- V: (proceedings of the Seminar on Dravidian Linguistics- V), Page 275, 1976 - 582 pages, Google book search link quote: "(6) 'before' (antessive), (7) 'behind, ..."
- ^ Aneja, M. P.; Rajendran, S. (1980). "Case Relations and Realizations in Hindi and Tamil". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 39: 1–26. ISSN 0045-9801.
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