Home Linguistics & Semiotics 4 Non-verbal predication in Caijia and Waxiang: A Southeast Asian perspective
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4 Non-verbal predication in Caijia and Waxiang: A Southeast Asian perspective

  • Shanshan Lü and Hilary Chappell
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Abstract

Caijia and Waxiang are two archaic Sino-Tibetan languages spoken respectively in Guizhou and Hunan provinces of China. In this chapter, we set out to argue that they make use of two principal types of non-verbal predication: nominal and adjectival. By contrast, the locational type of predication is adverbial only in Waxiang, while it is clearly shown to possess verbal characteristics in Caijia. We further argue that adjectives are a distinct lexical category from verbs and nouns. The features of existential, possessive and copular constructions are discussed, with respect to negation as well as their diachronic sources, all within the wider perspective of Mainland Southeast Asia.

Abstract

Caijia and Waxiang are two archaic Sino-Tibetan languages spoken respectively in Guizhou and Hunan provinces of China. In this chapter, we set out to argue that they make use of two principal types of non-verbal predication: nominal and adjectival. By contrast, the locational type of predication is adverbial only in Waxiang, while it is clearly shown to possess verbal characteristics in Caijia. We further argue that adjectives are a distinct lexical category from verbs and nouns. The features of existential, possessive and copular constructions are discussed, with respect to negation as well as their diachronic sources, all within the wider perspective of Mainland Southeast Asia.

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