Lexical copula types
A copula is a lexeme, clitic, or affix that appears as part of the predicate in a sentence with nonverbal predication. This parameter focuses on lexical copulas only, examining whether they inflect similarly to verbs. In case it turns out to be necessary, we also consider the forms of the copula in different persons, numbers, tenses, moods and polarities. Copula type is determined by the relationship of the copula to the lexical verb (with elements of meaning other than, or in addition to, the copulative function.)
Types:
NoCop: The language does not have a copula.
Cop=Else: The copula is not a lexeme in the language.1
CopInfl=VInfl: The copula, when explicit, is inflected just as lexical verbs.
CopInflVNoInfl: The copula, when explicit, is inflected differently to lexical verbs.
CopNoInflVInfl: The copula, when explicit, is not inflected, unlike lexical verbs.
CopNoInfl=VNoInfl: Neither the copula nor lexical verbs are inflected.
When a language displays more than one type, two values can be listed. If one type is structurally dominant, a slash (/) can separate the two values, with the dominant value appearing first; if neither is dominant, the two are listed with an ampersand (&) separating the two.
1: To be specified further in the description of the parameter value.