Reanalysis of Serial Verb Constructions in Yimas, a Sepik-Ramu Language of Papua New Guinea
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Date
2009-06
Authors
Mathieu-Reeves, Danielle Gilberte, 1984-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Yimas, a Nor-Pondo language of the Lower Sepik-Ramu in Papua New Guinea,
has two causative constructions and one attemptive construction that appear to have
developed historically from a particular kind of serial verb construction. Although Yimas
has many complex verbal constructions, including three kinds of serial verb
constructions, all three novel constructions, it is argued, were reanalyzed from
juxtaposition serial verb constructions (JSC). The construction specific semantics, as well
as the specific verbal semantics of tal 'hold', tmi 'say' and tay 'see' contributed to
reanalysis. It is notable that three new constructions have developed from a single source
construction. I argue that the iconic closeness of the JSC helped motivate this reanalysis.
It also appears possible that other derivational morphology in Yimas has developed
through this route. I argue that the development of derivational morphology in Yimas is
different than the development of inflectional morphology. The tight, and iconically
close, relationship of juxtaposition appears to be a possible motivating factor.
Description
viii, 70 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.
Keywords
Yimas language -- Morphology