View source for Nominative case (citation form)

The term '''nominative case''' is sometimes used to denote the [[citation form]] of the noun, regardless of its uses. (For the more common definition of ''nominative'', see [[nominative case]].)

===Comments===
This usage reflects the original sense of ''nominative'' (Latin ''nominativus'', Greek ''onomastikée'' 'naming form'). It is especially common in Caucasian linguistics, which have [[ergative construction]]s, and whose citation form would therefore qualify as an [[absolutive case]].

===Citation===
*"The term '''nominative''' should be reserved — in any language — for the most unmarked case whose constitutive function is just to ''name'' — lat. ''nominare'' — objects. It is the only case that is normally used out of any syntactic context: as a label, in enumerations, etc. Many, however, choose to call such a form '''absolutive''', especially when discussing a non-Indo-European language. But I do not see sufficient reasons for this." (Mel'čuk 1988:208)

===Reference===
*Mel'čuk, Igor' A. 1988. "Is there an ergative construction in Lezgian?" In: Mel'čuk, Igor' A. 1988. ''Dependency syntax: theory and practice.'' Albany: State University of New York Press, 207-249.

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[[Category:Case]]