Multi-verb constructions in Cheyenne
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Avelino Corral Esteban
Abstract
As multi-verb constructions are commonly believed to be a widespread feature of Native American languages, the aim of this paper is to offer an in-depth study of this particular phenomenon in Cheyenne (Plains Algonquian: USA) in accordance with the framework provided by Aikhenvald and Dixon (2006) and Aikhenvald and Muysken (2011), since their works cover the major parameters required for a cross-linguistic analysis of the different types of multi-verb constructions. This paper will show that, as Cheyenne does not allow for converbs that are generally considered to be examples of biclausal constructions, complex predicates should be interpreted as part of a monoclausal construction. Additionally, verb compounding is mainly asymmetrical in composition, since there are restrictions as to which verbs are included in every construction type. Indeed, the aim here is to provide a detailed description of verb combinations in Cheyenne while paying attention to their syntactic and semantic properties, thus allowing us both to observe their similarities and differences and analyse their place within the typology of multi-verb constructions.
Abstract
As multi-verb constructions are commonly believed to be a widespread feature of Native American languages, the aim of this paper is to offer an in-depth study of this particular phenomenon in Cheyenne (Plains Algonquian: USA) in accordance with the framework provided by Aikhenvald and Dixon (2006) and Aikhenvald and Muysken (2011), since their works cover the major parameters required for a cross-linguistic analysis of the different types of multi-verb constructions. This paper will show that, as Cheyenne does not allow for converbs that are generally considered to be examples of biclausal constructions, complex predicates should be interpreted as part of a monoclausal construction. Additionally, verb compounding is mainly asymmetrical in composition, since there are restrictions as to which verbs are included in every construction type. Indeed, the aim here is to provide a detailed description of verb combinations in Cheyenne while paying attention to their syntactic and semantic properties, thus allowing us both to observe their similarities and differences and analyse their place within the typology of multi-verb constructions.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Argument realisation in complex predicates and complex events at the syntax-semantic interface 1
- The syntactic realisation of complex events and complex predicates in situations of Irish 13
- Pleonasm in particle verb constructions in German 43
- Serial verb constructions and event structure representations 79
- Non-conventional arguments 117
- Complex predicates in Lithuanian 137
- Serial verb constructions in Estonian 169
- Complex predication in three dialects of Australia’s Western Desert 191
- Complex verbs in Bohairic Coptic 213
- The organizational structure of lexical compound verbs in Japanese 245
- Verb-verb compounds and argument structure in Tepehua 277
- Multi-verb constructions in Cheyenne 305
- Feelings as emotion, attitude, and viewpoints 347
- Nominal predication in Persian 373
- Concept structuring in Persian PP-centric complex predicates 413
- Index 449
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Argument realisation in complex predicates and complex events at the syntax-semantic interface 1
- The syntactic realisation of complex events and complex predicates in situations of Irish 13
- Pleonasm in particle verb constructions in German 43
- Serial verb constructions and event structure representations 79
- Non-conventional arguments 117
- Complex predicates in Lithuanian 137
- Serial verb constructions in Estonian 169
- Complex predication in three dialects of Australia’s Western Desert 191
- Complex verbs in Bohairic Coptic 213
- The organizational structure of lexical compound verbs in Japanese 245
- Verb-verb compounds and argument structure in Tepehua 277
- Multi-verb constructions in Cheyenne 305
- Feelings as emotion, attitude, and viewpoints 347
- Nominal predication in Persian 373
- Concept structuring in Persian PP-centric complex predicates 413
- Index 449
