View source for ELG: Default place filling

''('''Ilmen:''' As it seems this isn't clearly specified in the CLL, here is an explanation.)''

As you know it, when one or several slots of the place structure of a selbri are left empty, they are implicitely filled with {zo'e}. However, some gismu don't seem to comply with this rule, namely those with a default value for one of their arguments.

Here is a couple of examples:

• '' '''''fagri '''''(fire) — x1 is a fire/flame in fuel x2 burning-in/reacting-with oxidizer x3 (default air/oxygen)''

• '' '''''nanca''''' (year) — x1 is x2 years in duration (default is 1 year) by standard x3; (adjective:) x1 is annual''

== Proposed interpretation ==

• When a place with a default value isn't explicitly filled, it is implicitly filled with the default value.

• When a place without default value isn't explicitly filled, it is implicitly filled with '''zo'e'''.

• When a place with a default value is explicitly filled with '''zo'e '''or any other sumti, the default value does '''not''' apply.

Thus, in '''ti fagri''', fagri3 is filled with the default value "air/oxygen", whereas in '''ti fagri fi zo'e''', fagri3 is effectively unspecified.

[[Category:gerna]]
[[Category:ELG]]