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Chapter 4. Nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname)

  • Racquel-María Sapién
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Nonverbal Predication in Amazonian Languages
This chapter is in the book Nonverbal Predication in Amazonian Languages

Abstract

This paper describes the forms and functions of nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname). Previous descriptions of nonverbal predication in Kari’nja are limited to a single copular form, and make only passing mention of a subset of functions. Kari’nja employs the copula, as well as apposition (without a copula), and a verbal copula. Formally, each of the three nonverbal predicate structures differs in terms of person marking, negation, TAM, number, interrogative forms, and the types of complements it permits. In addition to structural characteristics, each construction differs in terms of which functional categories it encodes. This paper describes the formal properties and functional motivation for using each available construction in Kari’nja. It thereby provides a more complete analysis of the Kari’nja system specifically, examines the typological characteristics of nonverbal predication more generally, and contributes to our understanding of the ways in which systems can vary and change.

Abstract

This paper describes the forms and functions of nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname). Previous descriptions of nonverbal predication in Kari’nja are limited to a single copular form, and make only passing mention of a subset of functions. Kari’nja employs the copula, as well as apposition (without a copula), and a verbal copula. Formally, each of the three nonverbal predicate structures differs in terms of person marking, negation, TAM, number, interrogative forms, and the types of complements it permits. In addition to structural characteristics, each construction differs in terms of which functional categories it encodes. This paper describes the formal properties and functional motivation for using each available construction in Kari’nja. It thereby provides a more complete analysis of the Kari’nja system specifically, examines the typological characteristics of nonverbal predication more generally, and contributes to our understanding of the ways in which systems can vary and change.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Chapter 1. Nonverbal predication in Amazonia 1
  4. Part I. Overviews of nonverbal predication in individual languages
  5. Chapter 2. Nonverbal predication and the nonverbal clause type of Mojeño Trinitario 53
  6. Chapter 3. Nonverbal predication in Paresi-Haliti 85
  7. Chapter 4. Nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname) 103
  8. Chapter 5. Nonverbal predicates and copula constructions in Aguaruna (Chicham) 135
  9. Chapter 6. To hi or not to hi ? 163
  10. Chapter 7. Between verb and noun 193
  11. Chapter 8. Nonverbal predication in Movima 217
  12. Chapter 9. Nonverbal predication in Ninam (northern Brazil) 245
  13. Part II. Exploring specific subtypes of nonverbal predicates
  14. Chapter 10. Locative, existential and possessive predication in the Chaco 263
  15. Chapter 11. Possessive semantic relations and construction types in Kukama-Kukamiria 295
  16. Part III. Diachronic pathways to and from nonverbal predication
  17. Chapter 12. Constructions with has(a) in Wampis 317
  18. Chapter 13. Evidence for the development of action nominals in Awetí towards ergatively-marked predicates 339
  19. Chapter 14. Reconstructing the copulas and nonverbal predicate constructions in Cariban 365
  20. Index 403
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.122.04sap

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Chapter 1. Nonverbal predication in Amazonia 1
  4. Part I. Overviews of nonverbal predication in individual languages
  5. Chapter 2. Nonverbal predication and the nonverbal clause type of Mojeño Trinitario 53
  6. Chapter 3. Nonverbal predication in Paresi-Haliti 85
  7. Chapter 4. Nonverbal predication in Kari’nja (Cariban, Suriname) 103
  8. Chapter 5. Nonverbal predicates and copula constructions in Aguaruna (Chicham) 135
  9. Chapter 6. To hi or not to hi ? 163
  10. Chapter 7. Between verb and noun 193
  11. Chapter 8. Nonverbal predication in Movima 217
  12. Chapter 9. Nonverbal predication in Ninam (northern Brazil) 245
  13. Part II. Exploring specific subtypes of nonverbal predicates
  14. Chapter 10. Locative, existential and possessive predication in the Chaco 263
  15. Chapter 11. Possessive semantic relations and construction types in Kukama-Kukamiria 295
  16. Part III. Diachronic pathways to and from nonverbal predication
  17. Chapter 12. Constructions with has(a) in Wampis 317
  18. Chapter 13. Evidence for the development of action nominals in Awetí towards ergatively-marked predicates 339
  19. Chapter 14. Reconstructing the copulas and nonverbal predicate constructions in Cariban 365
  20. Index 403
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