Hi guys. I'd just like to insert a few comments...
On 7/21/05, Gerard Meijssen <gerard.meijssen(a)gmail.com> wrote:
Mark Williamson wrote:
Hi Gerard,
When you look at the ERD it is explicitly indicated by the
Conju/Decli-Word table what the Headword is. This is done for any
Why not call it the Inflection table since conjugation and declension are
just types of inflection. It's a lot easier to pronounce.
language and it means that it is by practice and not
design that in most
languages the infinitive will be the Headword. Consequently, when one
word is found the other will be also shown in a format that may need
some screen design per type of conjugation or declination.
Many languages do not have a concept of "infinitive". Many languages
use some other form as the headword in dictionaries. Such forms are
known as citation forms. The other extremely common form used by
many languages as the verbal citation form is the 3rd person singular
present indicative. If verbs have gender then it is the masculine form.
I am not aware of another verb form used as the citation form but
there's a good chance there are others in exotic languages. Also it's
worth noting that a few languages have more than one infinitive form.
Hippietrail