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Chapter 12. Multifunctionality and polysemy of the similative marker = kán in Pesh

  • Claudine Chamoreau
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Similative and Equative Constructions
This chapter is in the book Similative and Equative Constructions

Abstract

This paper focuses on the multifunctionality and polysemy of the marker =kánin Pesh, a Chibchan language spoken in Honduras. This multifunctional marker appears in two types of context. First, it appears in noun phrases. In this context, =kánfunctions as a case marker and is encliticised to a noun or a pronoun. It is polysemous, expressing both similarity and comparison of equality. In constituent interrogative clauses, it is used in conjunction with a pronoun or a noun. These combinations have the meaning of awh-question word; the interrogative component is not inherent in these combinations but marked on the verb. Second, the marker =kánmay be encliticised to a verb in dependent clauses, functioning as a subordinator. In this context,=kánis also polysemous and may encode different types of epistemic modality. The dependent clauses in which=kánoccurs may express similarity and simulation, epistemic possibility, hypothetical meaning, irrealis condition, and temporal relation. The use in noun phrases suggests that for the case marker =kán, the manner meaning ‘like’ came first, expressing the notion of similarity, that is, the source function in the grammaticalisation chain. A recent use has developed exhibiting the use of =kánfor expressing comparison of equality.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the multifunctionality and polysemy of the marker =kánin Pesh, a Chibchan language spoken in Honduras. This multifunctional marker appears in two types of context. First, it appears in noun phrases. In this context, =kánfunctions as a case marker and is encliticised to a noun or a pronoun. It is polysemous, expressing both similarity and comparison of equality. In constituent interrogative clauses, it is used in conjunction with a pronoun or a noun. These combinations have the meaning of awh-question word; the interrogative component is not inherent in these combinations but marked on the verb. Second, the marker =kánmay be encliticised to a verb in dependent clauses, functioning as a subordinator. In this context,=kánis also polysemous and may encode different types of epistemic modality. The dependent clauses in which=kánoccurs may express similarity and simulation, epistemic possibility, hypothetical meaning, irrealis condition, and temporal relation. The use in noun phrases suggests that for the case marker =kán, the manner meaning ‘like’ came first, expressing the notion of similarity, that is, the source function in the grammaticalisation chain. A recent use has developed exhibiting the use of =kánfor expressing comparison of equality.

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.117.13cha

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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