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Chapter 14. The morpheme ‑ (ä)ŋä in Xamtanga

Functions and grammaticalisation targets
  • Chloé Darmon
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Similative and Equative Constructions
This chapter is in the book Similative and Equative Constructions

Abstract

This chapter examines the distribution and main grammaticalisation targets of the element -(ä)ŋäin Xamtanga, a Central Cushitic (Agaw) language of the northern Ethiopian highlands. Within the noun phrase, ‑(ä)ŋäfunctions as a standard marker of similative as well as equative constructions. It is also used as a derivational morpheme involved in the formation of glottonyms. At a clausal level, first, ‑(ä)ŋätakes part in the expression of several kinds of subordinate clauses associated with the expression of both real and hypothetical similarity (i.e. similative, equative, simulative, imaginative, and counterfactual clauses). Second, ‑(ä)ŋähas grammaticalised into a marker of complement, accord, immediate anteriority, and avertive clauses.

Abstract

This chapter examines the distribution and main grammaticalisation targets of the element -(ä)ŋäin Xamtanga, a Central Cushitic (Agaw) language of the northern Ethiopian highlands. Within the noun phrase, ‑(ä)ŋäfunctions as a standard marker of similative as well as equative constructions. It is also used as a derivational morpheme involved in the formation of glottonyms. At a clausal level, first, ‑(ä)ŋätakes part in the expression of several kinds of subordinate clauses associated with the expression of both real and hypothetical similarity (i.e. similative, equative, simulative, imaginative, and counterfactual clauses). Second, ‑(ä)ŋähas grammaticalised into a marker of complement, accord, immediate anteriority, and avertive clauses.

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.117.15dar

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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