John Benjamins Publishing Company
Chapter 11. Si as a Q-particle in Old Spanish
-
Abstract
This study examines the origin of Old Spanish direct interrogative si, a structure that has barely been described in the literature. An analysis of historical texts shows that it originates from the Classical Latin conditional conjunction si, which in Late Latin became a complementiser in embedded interrogatives and eventually a polar interrogative particle. This evolution is documented primarily in biblical translations. However, its continuation in Medieval Romance varieties proves that direct interrogative si was used in vernacular Latin. The evolution of direct interrogative si constitutes a case of insubordination (i.e. the conventionalised use in a main clause of a subordinate clause marker), a process that has not been considered in accounts of the historical origin of interrogative particles in grammaticalisation studies.1
Abstract
This study examines the origin of Old Spanish direct interrogative si, a structure that has barely been described in the literature. An analysis of historical texts shows that it originates from the Classical Latin conditional conjunction si, which in Late Latin became a complementiser in embedded interrogatives and eventually a polar interrogative particle. This evolution is documented primarily in biblical translations. However, its continuation in Medieval Romance varieties proves that direct interrogative si was used in vernacular Latin. The evolution of direct interrogative si constitutes a case of insubordination (i.e. the conventionalised use in a main clause of a subordinate clause marker), a process that has not been considered in accounts of the historical origin of interrogative particles in grammaticalisation studies.1
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Some introductory reflections 1
- Chapter 2. Velar allomorphy in Ibero-Romance 13
- Chapter 3. The history of concatenative compounds in Spanish 47
- Chapter 4. Intersubjectification and textual emphasis in the use of definite article + proper name in Spanish 75
- Chapter 5. Stylistic fronting in Old Spanish texts 99
- Chapter 6. The dative experiencer of Spanish gustar 123
- Chapter 7. Postverbal subjects of unaccusative verbs in the history of Portuguese 149
- Chapter 8. On the position of overt subjects in infinitival clauses in Spanish and Portuguese 173
- Chapter 9. Allative to purposive grammaticalisation 195
- Chapter 10. Recurrent processes in the evolution of concessive subordinators in Spanish and Catalan 223
- Chapter 11. Si as a Q-particle in Old Spanish 249
- Chapter 12. Realmente , verdaderamente and ciertamente 275
- Chapter 13. Variation and the use of discourse markers in 16th-century Spanish 303
- Chapter 14. Studying Ibero-Romance before 1200 325
- Index 337
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. Some introductory reflections 1
- Chapter 2. Velar allomorphy in Ibero-Romance 13
- Chapter 3. The history of concatenative compounds in Spanish 47
- Chapter 4. Intersubjectification and textual emphasis in the use of definite article + proper name in Spanish 75
- Chapter 5. Stylistic fronting in Old Spanish texts 99
- Chapter 6. The dative experiencer of Spanish gustar 123
- Chapter 7. Postverbal subjects of unaccusative verbs in the history of Portuguese 149
- Chapter 8. On the position of overt subjects in infinitival clauses in Spanish and Portuguese 173
- Chapter 9. Allative to purposive grammaticalisation 195
- Chapter 10. Recurrent processes in the evolution of concessive subordinators in Spanish and Catalan 223
- Chapter 11. Si as a Q-particle in Old Spanish 249
- Chapter 12. Realmente , verdaderamente and ciertamente 275
- Chapter 13. Variation and the use of discourse markers in 16th-century Spanish 303
- Chapter 14. Studying Ibero-Romance before 1200 325
- Index 337
