Argument indexing in Kamang

Bibliographic Data

ID20380905
AuthorsKatherine Walker (0000-0002-4600-4184, University of Amsterdam), Pegah Faghiri (0000-0001-9121-6330, University of Amsterdam), Eva Van Lier (University of Amsterdam)
Year2024
Volume48
Issue2
Pages287-350
Publication date2024-03-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Language (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0378-4177 • E-ISSN: 1569-9978
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1075/sl.21077.wal
OpenAlexW4378174539
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited35

Kamang (Alor-Pantar, non-Austronesian/Papuan) has a typologically unusual system of argument indexing, in which the S or P argument can be indexed on the verb by one of several prefix paradigms. Some verbs always show indexing, while others exhibit differential argument indexing (DAI). In DAI, the use of a particular prefix paradigm or zero marking depends on different (combinations of) factors. We investigate the effects of argument role (S, P), independent argument realisation, the animacy and topicality of the indexed argument, and lexical stipulation. We perform a quantitative analysis of these factors for the first time in Kamang discourse, drawing on an annotated corpus of spoken Kamang. A complex picture emerges in which Kamang argument indexing is best viewed not as a single system, but as multiple subsystems for which different factors are relevant in a given context, and which do not operate on all verbs or all indexing strategies equally

Animacy · Linguistics · Prefix · Search engine indexing · Verb · Computer Science · History · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Philosophy · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation · Artificial Intelligence

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