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Chapter 15. Similarity and related functions in Libido

  • Joachim Crass
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Similative and Equative Constructions
This chapter is in the book Similative and Equative Constructions

Abstract

This article describes the expression of similarity and related functions in Libido, e.g. equality, role, accord, purpose, immediate anteriority, glottonyms, and the function of deictic manner morphemes. Almost all of these functions are expressed by one of two similative markers,ʔisoandk’aaʔla. For the majority of functions they can be used interchangeably. However, there are a few functions whereʔisois used exclusively, e.g. in the derivation of glottonyms and the expression of immediate anteriority. The formal relation between several of these functions due to grammaticalisation processes is not at all unique and has been described for quite a number of languages worldwide. However, the broad range of functions associated with the similative morphemes of Libido seems to be less common in the languages of the world. In Ethiopia, however, this particular range of functions is attested for quite a number of languages. It probably spread out due to language contact and might be considered an Ethiopian areal feature. The article also presents the proximal manner deictickidi‘like this’ and its medial deictic counterparthidi‘like that’ and their functions. These manner deictics are used, among other things, for anaphoric and cataphoric reference, similar to the demonstrative determiners when combined with the similative morphemeʔiso.

Abstract

This article describes the expression of similarity and related functions in Libido, e.g. equality, role, accord, purpose, immediate anteriority, glottonyms, and the function of deictic manner morphemes. Almost all of these functions are expressed by one of two similative markers,ʔisoandk’aaʔla. For the majority of functions they can be used interchangeably. However, there are a few functions whereʔisois used exclusively, e.g. in the derivation of glottonyms and the expression of immediate anteriority. The formal relation between several of these functions due to grammaticalisation processes is not at all unique and has been described for quite a number of languages worldwide. However, the broad range of functions associated with the similative morphemes of Libido seems to be less common in the languages of the world. In Ethiopia, however, this particular range of functions is attested for quite a number of languages. It probably spread out due to language contact and might be considered an Ethiopian areal feature. The article also presents the proximal manner deictickidi‘like this’ and its medial deictic counterparthidi‘like that’ and their functions. These manner deictics are used, among other things, for anaphoric and cataphoric reference, similar to the demonstrative determiners when combined with the similative morphemeʔiso.

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.117.16cra

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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