The functions of Non-Final verbs and their aspectual categories in Northern Mao (Omotic) narrative
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Michael Ahland
Abstract
Northern Mao (Afroasiatic-Omotic) employs a set of non-final (medial/converb) verbs and aspectual morphology to distinguish events on the main storyline from background comment in narrative discourse. These verb-forms include same-subject (ss) and different-subject (ds) (medial verb-like) and temporally-integrated (ti) (converb-like) constructions in clause chains. While the ss and ds verbs move the storyline forward by marking sequences of main events, the ti verbs do not move the storyline forward; rather, they provide backgrounded commentary on main events. The ss and ds non-final verbs can take Perfect or Progressive aspect, which correlates with discourse function: Perfect divides discourse into major temporal sections and Progressive results in the possibility of temporal overlap (i.e. not part of the main storyline).
Abstract
Northern Mao (Afroasiatic-Omotic) employs a set of non-final (medial/converb) verbs and aspectual morphology to distinguish events on the main storyline from background comment in narrative discourse. These verb-forms include same-subject (ss) and different-subject (ds) (medial verb-like) and temporally-integrated (ti) (converb-like) constructions in clause chains. While the ss and ds verbs move the storyline forward by marking sequences of main events, the ti verbs do not move the storyline forward; rather, they provide backgrounded commentary on main events. The ss and ds non-final verbs can take Perfect or Progressive aspect, which correlates with discourse function: Perfect divides discourse into major temporal sections and Progressive results in the possibility of temporal overlap (i.e. not part of the main storyline).
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Discourse structuring and typology 1
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Nilo-Saharan
- Aspect and thematic clause combining in Maa (Nilotic) 23
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Isolate
- Main event line structure and aspect in Sandawe narratives 53
-
Afro-Asiatic
- The functions of Non-Final verbs and their aspectual categories in Northern Mao (Omotic) narrative 81
- Aspect-Mood and discourse in Kabyle (Berber) spoken narratives 117
-
Niger-Congo
- The roles of Dissociative and (Non-)Completive morphology in structuring Totela (Bantu) narratives 145
- Narrative uses of the U̱t-Ma'in (Kainji) Bare Verb form 219
- Rethinking narrative tenses based on data from Nalu (Atlantic) and Yeyi (Bantu) 177
- The Factative and the Perfective-Inchoative in Cuurammã (Turka, Gur) 249
- Aspectual and storyline tension in Emai’s (Edoid) narrative template 287
- Topic Index 315
- Language Index 321
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Discourse structuring and typology 1
-
Nilo-Saharan
- Aspect and thematic clause combining in Maa (Nilotic) 23
-
Isolate
- Main event line structure and aspect in Sandawe narratives 53
-
Afro-Asiatic
- The functions of Non-Final verbs and their aspectual categories in Northern Mao (Omotic) narrative 81
- Aspect-Mood and discourse in Kabyle (Berber) spoken narratives 117
-
Niger-Congo
- The roles of Dissociative and (Non-)Completive morphology in structuring Totela (Bantu) narratives 145
- Narrative uses of the U̱t-Ma'in (Kainji) Bare Verb form 219
- Rethinking narrative tenses based on data from Nalu (Atlantic) and Yeyi (Bantu) 177
- The Factative and the Perfective-Inchoative in Cuurammã (Turka, Gur) 249
- Aspectual and storyline tension in Emai’s (Edoid) narrative template 287
- Topic Index 315
- Language Index 321
