Perception verb complements in Akatek, a Mayan language

3. PVCS OF TYPE2 181
3.3.2. Type ofcomplement predicate. The typeofPVC predicate
was identi ed as one of the characteristics that distinguish event denoting
PVC types from PVC types denoting propositions in English
(refer to chapter 3). Event denoting PVCs must have predicates
that describe some perceivable change or transformation over time, i.e.
event denoting predicates are characterized as temporary, active and
transient. This means that stative predicates or those describing imperceptible
states cannot occur in complementtypes that are restricted
to an event interpretation. Especially verbs expressing mental states
like know should not occur in such a complement type.
Averb of cognition like ootaj `know' cannot be the predicate of
type2 PVCs as shown in the ungrammaticality of example (125-a).
The parallel type1 PVC with a complementizer and without the verbal
su x in (125-b) is acceptable.
(125) a. *x-;-y-il ix Mikin naj Xhunik
PERF-B3-A3-see NCL Micaela NCL John
;-y-ootaj-on naj pale
B3-A3-know-SUF NCL priest
`Micaela saw John know the priest.'
b. x-;-y-il ix Mikin tol ;-y-ootaj
PERF-B3-A3-see NCL Micaela COMP B3-A3-know
naj pale naj Xhunik
NCL priest NCL John
`Micaela saw that John knows the priest.'
For a predicate like kus `be sad', on the other hand, both types
of complements are acceptable. It can either be a type1 PVC with
optional complementizers as depicted in example (126-a), or a type2
complement as in (126-b).
(126) a. x-;-y-il naj Luin (tzub'il/ tol)
PERF-B3-A3-see NCL Pedro (COMP/ COMP)
chi-;-kus ix Mikin
IMPF-B3-be.sad NCL Micaela
`Peter saw that Micaela was sad.'
b. ;-y-il
ix Mikin s-kus ix unin
PERF-B3-A3-see NCL Micaela A3-be.sad NCL child
`Micaela saw the child being sad.'
The predicate howi `be angry' is marginally grammatical in type2
PVCs as in example (127-a). If the directional el `exit' (DIR) is added