Dimensions of Northern Paiute Multi-Verb Constructions

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4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two constructions in Northern Paiute (Western Numic; Uto-Aztecan)- the secondary verb construction and the instrumental prefix construction- are described in detail with regard to their place within a typology of multi-verb constructions. Both are compositionally asymmetrical-that is, the defining member of the construction is from a restricted set. Converbs and verb-verb compounding are both, in theory, symmetrical in composition-that is, there is no restriction on which verbs may enter into them. However, we find, upon closer inspection, that predicates of a particular type are most likely to be interpretable as part of a monoclausal versus biclausal converb construction, and that there are also some clear frequency restrictions on which verbs most often appear as part of verbverb compounds. It is proposed that these restrictions shed further light on the possible historical relationships holding among all four multi-verb construction types.

Original languageAmerican English
Title of host publicationMulti-Verb Constructions
Subtitle of host publicationA View from the Americas
EditorsAlexandra Y. Aikhenvald, Pieter C. Muysken
PublisherBrill Academic Publishers
Pages27-61
Number of pages35
ISBN (Electronic)9789004194526
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameBrill's Studies in the Indigenous Languages of the Americas
Volume3
ISSN (Print)1876-5580

EGS Disciplines

  • Anthropological Linguistics and Sociolinguistics
  • Typological Linguistics and Linguistic Diversity

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