An Example of Contact-Induced Grammaticalization-The Origins and Division of Labor of Three Complement Markers in the She Language
Author(s):
Kwok, Bit-chee
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Language And Linguistics, Volume 10, Issue 1 (2009-01). pp. 59-92.
Language:
Chinese
Abstract:
This paper aims to trace the origins & reconstruct the path of grammaticalizaton of three complement markers, namely, k(baby gamma)(eng) (540, tu (11) & li (22), in the She language, a Hmong-Mien language spoken by around 1,500 people in the mountainous areas of eastern Guangdong. It is pointed out that the neighboring Chinese dialects, especially Hakka & Southern Min, have played important roles in shaping the mode of division of labor of these three complement markers in She. Various theories of grammaticalization, including the newly developed contact-induced grammaticalization, are introduced to explain the parallel development of complement markers in southern Chinese dialects & She. Tables, Figures, References. Adapted from the source document