Jump to content
Linguaholic

Questions about isolating language


Macnerd

Recommended Posts

Since isolating languages use no inflection & no helper words like modal verbs, how would an isolating language express a modal verb such as "I may dwell"?

In the Arby's phrase "grass-fed beef", "grass" is a noun, "fed" is the past participle of the verb "feed". Participles can act as adjectives. Nouns can act as adjectives as in "apartment building". They are called attributive nouns. So, the phrase "grass-fed" is acting like an adjective & modifying the noun "beef". Since an isolating language uses no inflections & helper words, how would it express the Arby's phrase?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 years later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...