Cross-categorial spatial case in the Finnic nonfinite system: Focus on the absentive TAM semantics and pragmatics of the Estonian inessive m-formative nonfinites

Several languages have verbal tense, aspect and mood (TAM) and nonfiniteness markers that originate from spatial cases and adpositions. However, the evidence for the gradual loss of the original transparent and systematic correspondences is scarce. Due to the lack of analysis of rich and transparent verbal case systems in modern languages, the essence of the relationships between TAM and locative meanings is still a matter of debate, as in case of the progressive and the absentive. The Finnic dialect continuum provides unique data for clarifying the unresolved issues. Finnic parades an elaborate system of nonfinites with the properties of nominals and verbs. The nonfinites combine with a rich case system whose spatial meaning is bleached to different extent in the combinations. I coin a new term for the case phenomenon — cross-categorial case — and I analyze the Finnic rich cross-categorial case paradigms to provide evidence about the functioning of a transparent system of spatial forms and TAM meanings. A corpus study of the Estonian inessive nonfinites (the mas-construction) exemplifies how the correspondences in space and time as well as social cognition interact in the progressive and the absentive.