Asturian and English/Contrastive Grammar
From LING073
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gendering of nouns and articles
In Asturian, nouns and articles are gendered, but in English, no such distinction exists
- (ast) la llei → (eng) the law
- (ast) la<det><def><f><sg> llei<n><f><sg> → (eng) the<det><def><sp> law<n><sg>
pluralization of articles
In Asturian, articles for plural subjects are pluralized, but in English, no such distinction exists
- (ast) la llei → (eng) the peoples
- (ast) la<det><def><m><pl> pueblos<n><m><pl> → (eng) the<det><def><sp> peoples<n><pl>
adjective-noun order
In Asturian, adjectives go after their nouns, but in English, adjectives go before their associated nouns. Additionally, English adjectives do not vary by number of subjects, however, Asturian adjectives do.
- (ast) conceyu xeneral → (eng) general assembly
- (ast) conceyu<n><m><sg> xeneral<adj><nt><sg> → (eng) general<adj> assembly<n><sg>
indicative vs. subjunctive distinction
Asturian verb forms distinguish between the indicative and subjunctive tenses, however, English verbs do not.
- (ast) Toa persona tien → (eng) Everyone has
- (ast) Toa<det><ind><f><sg> persona<vblex><f><sg> tien<vblex><pri><p3><sg> → (eng) Everyone<prn><ind><mf><sg> has<vblex><pres><p3><sg>
past participles
When discussing hypothetical verbs, English uses a modifier, infinitive verb, and past participle whereas Asturian uses a specially conjugated verb and an infinitive verb.
- (ast) A naide nun se-y podrá obligar → (eng) No one may be compelled
- (ast) A naide nun se-y podrá<vblex><fti><p3><sg> obligar<inf> → (eng) No one may<vbmod><inf> be<vbser><inf> compelled<vblex><pp>