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Chapter 6. Comparison, similarity and simulation in Zaar, a Chadic language of Nigeria

  • Bernard Caron
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Similative and Equative Constructions
This chapter is in the book Similative and Equative Constructions

Abstract

This paper is a corpus-based typological survey of the linguistic expression of comparison (equative, comparative, similative, simulative), in Zaar, a Chadic language spoken in the south of Bauchi State, in Northern Nigeria. After a presentation of Zaar and its typological characteristics, the paper shows how the equative (comparison of equality), similative (comparison of similarity) and simulative (pretence clauses) structures are based on the prepositionɗan‘like’ whereas the comparative structure centers on the verbmop‘surpass’. The morphosyntactic status of the prepositionɗan‘like’ is discussed in relation with the functions it takes outside the expression of comparison, in clause subordination (temporal adjuncts, relative clauses) and information structure (topicalisation). The last section shows how the morphemesɗan‘like’, the quotativetuand the specific particlekuform various combinations to express simulation. The conclusion summarizes the main properties of the expression of comparison in Zaar as follows: The comparison of superiority uses two competing verbal strategies, a serial verb construction strategy and a ditransitive strategy. The equative in Zaar does not have a parameter marker, and the comparative predicate which includes the parameter is a quality verb. Since similitude and equality comparison share the same syntactic frame in Zaar, their difference is dependent on the scalar nature of the comparative predicate. There is no difference in Zaar between specific and general equatives or similatives. The same equative/similative structure based on the prepositionɗanis used for other functions than the strict expression of similarity, i.e. substitution (‘instead of’), topicalization, role phrases and accord clauses, temporal adjuncts, relativization. From a typological point of view, the expression of similarity in Zaar is different from the “Standard Average European” equivalent. The three main differences are (i) the verbal nature of quality in Zaar; (ii) the absence of a parameter marker; (iii) the non-relative/interrogative base of the standard marker, which in Zaar is a preposition expressing manner. More generally, Zaar behaves as expected from a head-initial language, viz. the order parameter – standard marker – standard is respected.

Abstract

This paper is a corpus-based typological survey of the linguistic expression of comparison (equative, comparative, similative, simulative), in Zaar, a Chadic language spoken in the south of Bauchi State, in Northern Nigeria. After a presentation of Zaar and its typological characteristics, the paper shows how the equative (comparison of equality), similative (comparison of similarity) and simulative (pretence clauses) structures are based on the prepositionɗan‘like’ whereas the comparative structure centers on the verbmop‘surpass’. The morphosyntactic status of the prepositionɗan‘like’ is discussed in relation with the functions it takes outside the expression of comparison, in clause subordination (temporal adjuncts, relative clauses) and information structure (topicalisation). The last section shows how the morphemesɗan‘like’, the quotativetuand the specific particlekuform various combinations to express simulation. The conclusion summarizes the main properties of the expression of comparison in Zaar as follows: The comparison of superiority uses two competing verbal strategies, a serial verb construction strategy and a ditransitive strategy. The equative in Zaar does not have a parameter marker, and the comparative predicate which includes the parameter is a quality verb. Since similitude and equality comparison share the same syntactic frame in Zaar, their difference is dependent on the scalar nature of the comparative predicate. There is no difference in Zaar between specific and general equatives or similatives. The same equative/similative structure based on the prepositionɗanis used for other functions than the strict expression of similarity, i.e. substitution (‘instead of’), topicalization, role phrases and accord clauses, temporal adjuncts, relativization. From a typological point of view, the expression of similarity in Zaar is different from the “Standard Average European” equivalent. The three main differences are (i) the verbal nature of quality in Zaar; (ii) the absence of a parameter marker; (iii) the non-relative/interrogative base of the standard marker, which in Zaar is a preposition expressing manner. More generally, Zaar behaves as expected from a head-initial language, viz. the order parameter – standard marker – standard is respected.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Part I. Typology and grammaticalisation
  5. Chapter 1. Equative constructions in world-wide perspective 9
  6. Chapter 2. Toward a cognitive typology of like -expressions 33
  7. Chapter 3. Similarity, suitability, and non-epistemic modalities (volitionality, ability, and obligation) 79
  8. Chapter 4. Similative morphemes as purpose clause markers in Ethiopia and beyond 91
  9. Chapter 5. The deictic identification of similarity 143
  10. Part II. Case studies from around the world
  11. Chapter 6. Comparison, similarity and simulation in Zaar, a Chadic language of Nigeria 167
  12. Chapter 7. Similative, equative, and comparative constructions in Beja (North-Cushitic) 189
  13. Chapter 8. Expressing comparison in Gbaya, a Ubangian language of the Central African Republic 213
  14. Chapter 9. Expressing similarity in Yulu and other Sara-Bongo-Bagirmi languages (Central Africa) 239
  15. Chapter 10. Similarity, equality and the like in North Saami 259
  16. Chapter 11. Comparative, similative, and equative constructions in Mon 291
  17. Chapter 12. Multifunctionality and polysemy of the similative marker = kán in Pesh 321
  18. Part III. Similative constructions and language contact
  19. Chapter 13. Similative morphemes and their grammaticalisations in Yemsa 341
  20. Chapter 14. The morpheme ‑ (ä)ŋä in Xamtanga 359
  21. Chapter 15. Similarity and related functions in Libido 387
  22. Language index 419
  23. Name Index 423
  24. Subject index 429
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.117.07car

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Part I. Typology and grammaticalisation
  5. Chapter 1. Equative constructions in world-wide perspective 9
  6. Chapter 2. Toward a cognitive typology of like -expressions 33
  7. Chapter 3. Similarity, suitability, and non-epistemic modalities (volitionality, ability, and obligation) 79
  8. Chapter 4. Similative morphemes as purpose clause markers in Ethiopia and beyond 91
  9. Chapter 5. The deictic identification of similarity 143
  10. Part II. Case studies from around the world
  11. Chapter 6. Comparison, similarity and simulation in Zaar, a Chadic language of Nigeria 167
  12. Chapter 7. Similative, equative, and comparative constructions in Beja (North-Cushitic) 189
  13. Chapter 8. Expressing comparison in Gbaya, a Ubangian language of the Central African Republic 213
  14. Chapter 9. Expressing similarity in Yulu and other Sara-Bongo-Bagirmi languages (Central Africa) 239
  15. Chapter 10. Similarity, equality and the like in North Saami 259
  16. Chapter 11. Comparative, similative, and equative constructions in Mon 291
  17. Chapter 12. Multifunctionality and polysemy of the similative marker = kán in Pesh 321
  18. Part III. Similative constructions and language contact
  19. Chapter 13. Similative morphemes and their grammaticalisations in Yemsa 341
  20. Chapter 14. The morpheme ‑ (ä)ŋä in Xamtanga 359
  21. Chapter 15. Similarity and related functions in Libido 387
  22. Language index 419
  23. Name Index 423
  24. Subject index 429
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