Non action clauses

Non-action clauses might also be called stative clauses.

There are a few types of non-action clauses.

Non-action clauses with explicit predicates

This type of clause root uses an explicit verb to express location, existence, or a resulting state.

A few verbs indicate a state rather than an event. Common ones include:

• henim "to become"
• igisinim "to be" (used for attributing location)

Some event verbs can also be used in a secondary sense to describe a state:

• ilinim "to go up" -> "become"

This type of clause root would be negated with mu as part of a verb phrase and not wig.

Descriptive clauses

This type of clause root has an implied predicate. The implicit predicate is an example of zero copula that is common in Papuan languages.

The descriptive clause root takes a noun or noun phrase and attributes it to the subject by juxtaposition.
The description can be negated with the word wig.

Possessive clauses

These clauses attribute possession.

Ambiguities

Since non-action clauses can have implicit predicates, they can be ambiguous with noun phrases.

nong sibelig "(that is) your machete"
nong sibelig ubuet "your machete broke"

nong sibelig may be a Noun phrase, or a non-action clause. If a predicate follows, it will be a noun phrase. When using quotations that break up a sentence, though, it is possible to break a sentence up and be ambiguous.

Example ambiguity found in translation

When attempting to draft Gen 39:8 “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge."

Steve initially wrote:

Oguwa “wig” et. “Eng mohis mehamong nolo” et. “Eng mohis homonggot” et. “minda minda teng eng obugum ogo pigot” et. “pigeb ong seleng wig” et.

Intended meaning: "My head man"
Possible meaning: "I am a head man"

Cause of ambiguity: The quote broke the sentence "eng mohis homonggot minda minda teng eng obogum ogo pigot"