Alienable/inalienable possession

Hi there,

I recently started a new project, Ukele [1], which is
supposed to have alienable/inalienable posession. I wonder
how would one express to have something or to give
something away that is inalienable? E.g. a heart transplant
or something? Body parts are usually inalienable, after all.
May there be an evidence that it's a concept rather of
philosophy than language? Would there be transplants in a
society that speaks a language with an alienable/
inalienable distinction? I bet I've got a PDF on this
floating around on some backup CDs of mine ... However,
according to Payne it seems to me that it's no problem to
give away something that is inalienable, it's just specially
marked for inalienability. I am confused. Does anyone care
to explain?

Thanks,
Carsten

[1] www.beckerscarsten.de/conlang/ukele

--
Keywords: alienable, inalienable, possession

"Miranayam cepauarà naranoaris."
(Calvin nay Hobbes)

Replies