Instrumentaldative

Instrumentaldative is a term used in linguistic typology to describe a grammatical category that combines instrumental and dative functions within a single marking or construction. In this sense, it encodes both the means by which an action is performed (instrument) and the recipient, beneficiary, or goal of the action (dative), either as a single morpheme or as a fixed, integrated construction.

Morphology and syntax can realize the instrumentaldative in different ways. It may appear as a dedicated case suffix or clitic that attaches to a noun phrase, or as a periphrastic form that simultaneously expresses instrumental and dative meanings. The construction is typically discussed in the context of ditransitive or instrumental-plus-beneficiary sentence types, where a single marker or unit bears both semantic roles. The exact distribution and ordering of arguments with respect to the instrumentaldative marker can vary across languages.

The concept is debated in typology. Some researchers treat the instrumentaldative as a genuine single case that merges two functions, often arising from historical mergers of instrumental and dative paradigms. Others analyze it as a coordinative or periphrastic strategy that opportunistically expresses two roles with a tightly linked marker, rather than as a true standalone case. Because evidence is limited and cross-linguistic patterns are diverse, the instrumentaldative remains a niche topic within discussions of case systems and ditransitives.

Related concepts include instrumental and dative cases, double-case marking, case mergers, and ditransitive alignment. The term emphasizes how meanings of means and recipient can be projected together in a single grammatical package in some languages.