Semblative case

The semblative case (abbreviated SEMBL) is a grammatical case that denotes the similarity of one entity to another. The semblative case is sometimes referred to as the similative case.

In Wagiman

Wagiman, an indigenous Australian language, has a semblative case suffix -yiga, that is functionally identical to the -like suffix in English, as in the example:

gahan

that

mamin

white man

dup-pa

sit-ASP

ga-yu

3SG-be

jilimakkun-yiga

woman-SEMBL

gahan mamin dup-pa ga-yu jilimakkun-yiga

that {white man} sit-ASP 3SG-be woman-SEMBL

That white man sits like a woman

In Warlpiri

In Warlpiri, the semblative case can be a semantic case, i.e., it can be semantically richer and less dependent on the verb. In the example below, the -piya ('like') suffix can act as the main predicate and can attach to a demonstrative, suggesting that it is not purely a derivational affix.

Kardirri-nya

White-FOC

ka

PRES

nyina

sit.NPST

wirngarri-ji.

barn.owl-TOP

Kardirri-nya ka nyina wirngarri-ji.

White-FOC PRES sit.NPST barn.owl-TOP

The barn owl is white.

Kakutu-ju

Boobook.owl-TOP

nyanungu-piya-juku-jala,

He-like-still-actually

kala

but

kardirri-lki

White-now

ka

PRES

nyina

sit.NPST

wirngarri-ji

barn.owl-TOP

Kakutu-ju nyanungu-piya-juku-jala, kala kardirri-lki ka nyina wirngarri-ji

Boobook.owl-TOP He-like-still-actually but White-now PRES sit.NPST barn.owl-TOP

As for the boobook owl, he is still actually like him, but the barn owl is now white.

'The barn owl is white. The Boobook owl is just like him except that the barn owl is white.'

In English

Although the semblative case is not found in English, there are several semblative derivational suffixes, including -like, -ish and -esque.

Texas Man Catches Fish With Human-Like Teeth

As in many other languages, semblativity in English is marked with derivational affixes instead of being an inflectional case.

See also

• Comparative case
• Formal case
• Equative case