Expressing possibility in two Oceanic languages

Bibliographic Data

ID20381641
AuthorsKilu Von Prince (0000-0003-4845-4178, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin), Anna Margetts (0000-0002-0683-6947, Monash University)
Year2019
Volume43
Issue3
Pages628-667
Publication date2019-11-18
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueStudies in Language (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0378-4177 • E-ISSN: 1569-9978
PublisherJohn Benjamins Publishing Company (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1075/sl.18051.pri
OpenAlexW2980931544
LanguageEN
References cited27

In this paper, we offer the first detailed description of expressions of possibility in the Oceanic languages Daakaka and Saliba-Logea. We show that in these languages basic expressions of possibility are bi-clausal. This suggests that, depending on their intended scope, typological studies of modal expressions may need to consider grammaticalized bi-clausal structures which have typically been excluded in studies of this domain based on their structural complexity. Relevant features to consider bi-clausal constructions as basic, grammaticalized expressions of possibility include their frequency, semantic specificity, and paradigmatic relationship with other modal expressions. The findings presented here are based on the analysis of original corpus data and targeted fieldwork

Grammaticalization · Linguistics · Modal · Natural language processing · Programming language · Computer Science · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Linguistic Variation and Morphology · Mathematics · Philosophy · Syntax, Semantics, Linguistic Variation