Accusativedative

Accusativedative is a theoretical designation in linguistics for a proposed single-case marking that covers both accusative and dative functions, typically in languages with ditransitive constructions. The term combines accusative and dative to describe a fused or syncretic case marker; in a language described as accusativedative, the same morphological marker marks both the direct object and the indirect object in certain contexts, while syntax or context disambiguates function.

Typology and usage of an accusativedative system are not widely attested as a standard category in mainstream typology. It is mainly discussed in theoretical discussions of case syncretism and in studies of historical mergers where distinct case endings become identical in particular forms. An accusativedative pattern can occur as a full merger of two endings in a language’s morphology or as selective syncretism in specific syntactic positions, such as certain ditransitives. Some constructed or experimental grammars employ the label to illustrate how a single marker could license both object roles.

Morphology and syntax: The accusativedative marker may be realized as a suffix, enclitic, or clitic attached to the noun phrase, sometimes accompanied by a separate marker in other case contexts. Semantic and discourse factors, such as animacy or givenness, may influence the distribution of forms in real languages; in an accusativedative system, disambiguation is typically achieved through word order, prepositions, or pronouns.

Examples: In a hypothetical language, the noun for “book” bears the suffix -a in both the accusative direct object and the dative indirect object positions. In a ditransitive sentence like “She gives the book-a to the student,” the same form marks both object roles, with context or pronouns clarifying function.

See also: Accusative case, Dative case, Case syncretism.