Switch-reference in Kobon and Haruai
-
John Davies
Abstract
Kobon and Haruai are two neighboring unrelated Papuan languages with similar syntactic typology. Within the overall space of cross-linguistic variation, their switch-reference systems are remarkably similar, though not identical, for instance strictly tracking the referent of the grammatical subject. Kobon uses same-subject marking when the referent of the controller is properly included in that of the target, and also in the inverse configuration when both noun phrases are of the same grammatical person; different-subject marking is only used when the referent of the target is properly included in that of the controller and the two noun phrases are of different persons. Haruai has essentially the same system, but allows more variation to express subjective assessment of degrees of coreferentiality.
Abstract
Kobon and Haruai are two neighboring unrelated Papuan languages with similar syntactic typology. Within the overall space of cross-linguistic variation, their switch-reference systems are remarkably similar, though not identical, for instance strictly tracking the referent of the grammatical subject. Kobon uses same-subject marking when the referent of the controller is properly included in that of the target, and also in the inverse configuration when both noun phrases are of the same grammatical person; different-subject marking is only used when the referent of the target is properly included in that of the controller and the two noun phrases are of different persons. Haruai has essentially the same system, but allows more variation to express subjective assessment of degrees of coreferentiality.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Syntactic complexity and language contact
- Switch-reference in Kobon and Haruai 13
- Models of grammar and the outcomes of long-term language contact 27
-
Part II. Syntactic complexity and language acquisition
- Constructional grounding in emerging complexity 53
-
Part III. The syntactic complexity of adverbial clauses
- The predicates of Luiseño clausal adjuncts 87
- Adverbial subordinators in Yaqui 109
-
Part IV. The diachrony of syntactic complexity
- Grammaticalization of the linking devices with ka in Purepecha 139
- Syntactic nominalizations in Pima Bajo 167
- Syntactic complexity and grammaticalization in Toba language (Guaycuruan) 191
- From discourse to syntax 217
- Authors Index 249
- Language Index 253
- Subject Index 255
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Syntactic complexity and language contact
- Switch-reference in Kobon and Haruai 13
- Models of grammar and the outcomes of long-term language contact 27
-
Part II. Syntactic complexity and language acquisition
- Constructional grounding in emerging complexity 53
-
Part III. The syntactic complexity of adverbial clauses
- The predicates of Luiseño clausal adjuncts 87
- Adverbial subordinators in Yaqui 109
-
Part IV. The diachrony of syntactic complexity
- Grammaticalization of the linking devices with ka in Purepecha 139
- Syntactic nominalizations in Pima Bajo 167
- Syntactic complexity and grammaticalization in Toba language (Guaycuruan) 191
- From discourse to syntax 217
- Authors Index 249
- Language Index 253
- Subject Index 255
