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What do Spanish copulas have in common with Tibetan evidentials?

Abstract

The Spanish copula estar ‘be.stage-level’ has both well-known aspectual restrictions and evidential uses. Tibetan evidential ‘dug also shows similar aspectual constraints. Both features are derived from assuming that the relevant property in both cases is the gradability of the predicate, which establishes a comparison class within-individuals (yielding estar ‘be.stage-level’) or between-individuals (yielding ser ‘be.individual-level’). A between-individual comparison class is anchored by the nature of the comparison, whereas a within-individual comparison class must be contextually located. This location requirement results in the possibility of having evidential readings.

Abstract

The Spanish copula estar ‘be.stage-level’ has both well-known aspectual restrictions and evidential uses. Tibetan evidential ‘dug also shows similar aspectual constraints. Both features are derived from assuming that the relevant property in both cases is the gradability of the predicate, which establishes a comparison class within-individuals (yielding estar ‘be.stage-level’) or between-individuals (yielding ser ‘be.individual-level’). A between-individual comparison class is anchored by the nature of the comparison, whereas a within-individual comparison class must be contextually located. This location requirement results in the possibility of having evidential readings.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Ser and estar 1
  4. Ser and estar and aspect
  5. More than a copula 23
  6. Ser, estar and two different modifiers 51
  7. Sentences as predicates 85
  8. Ser and estar beyond aspect
  9. The inference of temporal persistence and the individual/stage level distinction 119
  10. Location and the estar/ser alternation 147
  11. What do Spanish copulas have in common with Tibetan evidentials? 173
  12. On word order in Spanish copular sentences 203
  13. The extension and loss of copulas
  14. Origins and development of adjectival passives in Spanish 239
  15. Eventive and stative passives and copula selection in Canadian and American Heritage Speaker Spanish 267
  16. The development and use of the Spanish copula with adjectives by Korean-speaking learners 293
  17. Index 325
New Perspectives on the Study of <i>Ser</i> and <i>E</i><i>star</i>
This chapter is in the book New Perspectives on the Study of <i>Ser</i> and <i>E</i><i>star</i>
https://doi.org/10.1075/ihll.5.07cam

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Ser and estar 1
  4. Ser and estar and aspect
  5. More than a copula 23
  6. Ser, estar and two different modifiers 51
  7. Sentences as predicates 85
  8. Ser and estar beyond aspect
  9. The inference of temporal persistence and the individual/stage level distinction 119
  10. Location and the estar/ser alternation 147
  11. What do Spanish copulas have in common with Tibetan evidentials? 173
  12. On word order in Spanish copular sentences 203
  13. The extension and loss of copulas
  14. Origins and development of adjectival passives in Spanish 239
  15. Eventive and stative passives and copula selection in Canadian and American Heritage Speaker Spanish 267
  16. The development and use of the Spanish copula with adjectives by Korean-speaking learners 293
  17. Index 325
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