Hiaki (Yaqui) Passive

[skydong925]

Part 1 : In Hiaki, there is a verb suffix -wa. Look at the data below, and figure out what effect this suffix has on the theta grids of Hiaki verbs. What English phenomenon is this similar to ?

a) Peo Huan-ta chochon-ak
Pete John-ACC punch-PERF
"Pete punced John"

a') Huan chochon-wa-k
John punch -WA-PERF
"John was punched"

b) Peo bwiika.
Pete sing
"Pete is singing"

b') Bwiik-wa
sing -WA
"Singing is happening."

Part 2: Not all verb allow -wa. Consider the following pairs of sentences that show verbs that don't allow -wa. In terms of theta grids, What do these sentences have in common with each other that differentiates them from the ones that allow -wa.

a) 'U wikia chukte.
the rope come.loose
"The rope is coming loose."

a') * Chukti-wa
come.loose-WA
"Something is coming loose."

b) 'U kaaro nasonte.
the car damage
" The car is damaged."

b') *Nasonti-wa
damage -WA
"Damage is happening."

* means the sentence is ill-formed.