User:Bukkia/sandboxVIII

Cases

Proto-Alri nouns do decline, according to an ergative-absolutive system with 9 cases:

Case	Meaning
Ergative	This case marks the subject of a transitive verb.
Absolutive	This case marks primarily the direct object of a transitive verb. It is also used to mark the subject of an intransitive verb. It is regarded as the base form of the noun, and it is used as the vocative form.
Possessive	This case marks an intentional possession, from subjects with a clear and active will.
Terminative	This case marks the final point of a movement (motion toward a place), and, in a broad sense, the indirect object. In a broader sense, it can also mark a natural and unintentional belonging (for example, body parts), without any sign of will of possession, or an inverse belonging.
Ablative	This case marks the point of origin of a movement (motion from a place). It can also mark the origin or the source.
Causative	This case marks the reason or the cause, which are the source of an action or a state.
Benefactive	This case marks the final purpose of an action or a state. In a broad sense, it marks the ultimate beneficiary of an action or a state.
Instrumental	This case marks the tool or the instrument which are used to perform an action or to be in a certain state.
Locative	This case marks the place where an action is performed, or a certain state exist (stative location).

The cases are usually classified in 4 groups:

1. Primary main cases: ergative, possessive
2. Secondary main cases: assolutive
3. Primary oblique cases: terminative, ablative, causative, benefactive
4. Secondary oblique cases: instrumental, locative

Although nouns display neither gender nor class distinction, a noun referring to an intrisically animate entity cannot be declined in the secondary oblique cases, while a noun referring to an intrinsically inanimate entity cannot be declined in the primary main cases.

Other types of clause complements are conveyed using various postpositions, which can select one or more cases.