Explanation
A system in which ergative and accusative case alignment alternates depending on person, tense, aspect, or sentence type. A language can group participants in an event not only differently but, depending on the context, according to multiple ordering principles.
Example
A language may mark past events as ergative, whereas present events are marked as accusative.
Counterexample
A consistently ergative pattern without conditions is not split ergativity.
Distinction
Distinguishing ergativity: a consistently ergative pattern without exceptions is not split ergativity.
Effect on thought and perception
A language can group participants in an event not only differently but also according to multiple ordering principles, depending on the context.
Resonance
Split ergativity renders a directional relationship perceptible: a language can group event participants not only differently but also according to multiple ordering principles, depending on context.
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Split ergativity“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-134-011. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-134-011The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.