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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.
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
That white man sits like a woman
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
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
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.' [1]
Although the semblative case is not found in English, there are several semblative derivational suffixes, including -like, -ish and -esque.
As in many other languages, semblativity in English is marked with derivational affixes instead of being an inflectional case.
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