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Chapter 7. Similative, equative, and comparative constructions in Beja (North-Cushitic)

  • Martine Vanhove
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Similative and Equative Constructions
This chapter is in the book Similative and Equative Constructions

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the morphosyntax of comparative, equative and similative constructions in Beja, a Cushitic language spoken in Sudan. It also discusses their relevance for current typological models and the extent to which they are at variance with the existing literature (Stassen 1985;Haspelmath & Buchholz 1998;Henkelmann 2006). The paper also proposes hypotheses regarding the origin of Beja comparative and similative morphemes, an issue which is problematic. A section is dedicated to the study of the extensions of the morphemes concerned to other functional domains, such as functives, pretence clauses, similes and accord clauses, causal and adverbial clauses, within the background ofCreissels’s (2014)approach to the polysemy and multifunctionality of these markers. Comparisons with other Cushitic languages are also provided when necessary.

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the morphosyntax of comparative, equative and similative constructions in Beja, a Cushitic language spoken in Sudan. It also discusses their relevance for current typological models and the extent to which they are at variance with the existing literature (Stassen 1985;Haspelmath & Buchholz 1998;Henkelmann 2006). The paper also proposes hypotheses regarding the origin of Beja comparative and similative morphemes, an issue which is problematic. A section is dedicated to the study of the extensions of the morphemes concerned to other functional domains, such as functives, pretence clauses, similes and accord clauses, causal and adverbial clauses, within the background ofCreissels’s (2014)approach to the polysemy and multifunctionality of these markers. Comparisons with other Cushitic languages are also provided when necessary.

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.117.08van

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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