Apr 15, 2019
Verb-Answer
Do other VSO languages use the Verb-Answer strategy like Scots Gaelic and Irish do?
Example (Irish)
Question:
An raibh tú riamh i nDún na nGall?
C be.V you ever to Donegal?
“Have you ever been to Donegal?
Option 1:
Bhí
Be.V (first person singular)
“Yes”
Option 2:
Ní raibh
Neg. be.V
“No”
I wrote about it for a term paper based on Gary Thoms’ work and he mentions that it has been referenced before in a work on Scots Gaelic, but not if it is possible in non-Celtic languages. I am curious to know if it’s also possible in other VSO languages.