COMPLEX SENTENCE INCLUDING A TEMPORAL CLAUSE: PROBLEMS OF MARQUESAN SYNTAX

Complex sentence types including deverbative in the predicative function of dependent clause in the Marquesan language are described here. Texts collected and published by E. S. Craighil Handy in 1930 as well as the important collection of Marquesan legends prepared by Henri Lavondes are employed for the description and analysis of complex sentences containing dependent clauses of temporal meaning. All documents used illustrate the linguistic situation on the islands and demonstrate the existing differences concerning phonology (especially the consonantal system), just as the functioning of the grammatical category of deverbalization in syntax.