10 Parameters for the production of discourse contexts: Eliciting the semantics of obligations and desires in Mapudungun
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Pablo Fuentes
Abstract
Mapudungun is an endangered Araucanian language that possesses a very productive frustrative suffix (-fu-). As with other frustratives across languages, -fu- is used to express the non-realization of an expected outcome or state, as well as counterfactuality. When combined with modals, the suffix brings about various semantic shifts, such as (i) strong to weak necessity, (ii) attainable to unattainable desires, and (iii) actual to counterfactual desires and obligations. The attested range of meanings strongly suggests that Mapudungun behaves like so-called transparent ought/wish languages. The focus of this chapter is on overcoming the methodological challenges posed to the researcher when eliciting primary data related to these phenomena. More constructively, I provide a basic guideline for producing controlled scenarios that can be used as the basic content of appropriate discourse contexts. I show that the task can be greatly simplified by mapping the modal territory with the following circumstantial parameters: achieved/unachieved, compulsory/advisory, attainable/unattainable, and actual/counterfactual.
Abstract
Mapudungun is an endangered Araucanian language that possesses a very productive frustrative suffix (-fu-). As with other frustratives across languages, -fu- is used to express the non-realization of an expected outcome or state, as well as counterfactuality. When combined with modals, the suffix brings about various semantic shifts, such as (i) strong to weak necessity, (ii) attainable to unattainable desires, and (iii) actual to counterfactual desires and obligations. The attested range of meanings strongly suggests that Mapudungun behaves like so-called transparent ought/wish languages. The focus of this chapter is on overcoming the methodological challenges posed to the researcher when eliciting primary data related to these phenomena. More constructively, I provide a basic guideline for producing controlled scenarios that can be used as the basic content of appropriate discourse contexts. I show that the task can be greatly simplified by mapping the modal territory with the following circumstantial parameters: achieved/unachieved, compulsory/advisory, attainable/unattainable, and actual/counterfactual.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction to Modality in underdescribed languages: Methods and insights 1
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Part I: Contributions of different methods for studying modality
- 1 Fieldwork techniques in semantics 15
- 2 Studying modality through targeted construction storyboards 47
- 3 Discourse contexts targeting modality in fieldwork: A revised modal questionnaire 95
- 4 Using corpora to investigate modal-temporal interactions 141
- 5 Adapting acquisition methodologies to study modality in underdescribed languages 191
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Part II: Lessons from case studies on underdescribed languages
- 6 On applying semantic fieldwork elicitation techniques to describe modality in Ye’kwana 237
- 7 Modality in elicited data and spontaneous texts: A case study of Atayal 257
- 8 Lessons from the field: Irrealis mood in Lung’Ie 295
- 9 Analyzing ʔayʔaǰuθəm evidentials: Evidence for epistemic modality 337
- 10 Parameters for the production of discourse contexts: Eliciting the semantics of obligations and desires in Mapudungun 391
- Subject index 421
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction to Modality in underdescribed languages: Methods and insights 1
-
Part I: Contributions of different methods for studying modality
- 1 Fieldwork techniques in semantics 15
- 2 Studying modality through targeted construction storyboards 47
- 3 Discourse contexts targeting modality in fieldwork: A revised modal questionnaire 95
- 4 Using corpora to investigate modal-temporal interactions 141
- 5 Adapting acquisition methodologies to study modality in underdescribed languages 191
-
Part II: Lessons from case studies on underdescribed languages
- 6 On applying semantic fieldwork elicitation techniques to describe modality in Ye’kwana 237
- 7 Modality in elicited data and spontaneous texts: A case study of Atayal 257
- 8 Lessons from the field: Irrealis mood in Lung’Ie 295
- 9 Analyzing ʔayʔaǰuθəm evidentials: Evidence for epistemic modality 337
- 10 Parameters for the production of discourse contexts: Eliciting the semantics of obligations and desires in Mapudungun 391
- Subject index 421
