complementoodotuksin

Complementoodotuksin is a term used in linguistic theory to describe a proposed morphological or syntactic device that marks complement-taking clauses. In languages that exhibit this feature, a distinct form attached to the main verb or a dedicated particle indicates the status of the following clause as a complement, rather than as an independent proposition. The term is mainly discussed in discussions of constructed languages and typological sketches, and it is not an established universal category in mainstream diachronic linguistics.

Etymology and scope: The name blends the English word complement with a pseudo-suffix -oodotuksin, intended to evoke a process of marking the complement relation. The concept is used to analyze how languages encode epistemic stance, evidentiality, or quotative content in clause embedding. It is often discussed alongside evidential and quotative systems and is typically treated as a theoretical construct rather than a broadly attested feature.

Typology and realization: Complementoodotuksin can appear as a suffix on the matrix verb, a separate postposed particle, or a dedicated clause-initial marker. Its presence may correlate with epistemic stance, such as reported speech, inference, or commitment to the proposition. It interacts with tense, mood, and aspect, and may co-occur with other complementizers.

Example: In a hypothetical LangX, Mary say-oodotuksin that the project will start next week. Gloss: Mary says with a report-stancemark that the project will start next week.

Critique and use: Some scholars view complementoodotuksin as a useful analytic tool for cross-language comparison of complement clauses; others regard it as a speculative construct lacking robust empirical evidence. Its main value lies in highlighting the diversity of how languages encode the relation between main and subordinate clauses.