Plenty of Post-Verbal Particles in the Nuosu Yi Clause
Walters, Susan. Plenty of Post-Verbal Particles in the Nuosu Yi Clause.Slater, Lehonkoski, Philips eds. Papers on Particles. Payap Univeristy Working Papers in Linguistics.Chiang Mai: Payap University Linguistics Department, 2010, (6.2):26-52. http://ic.payap.ac.th/graduate/linguistics/wp-vol6-2.php
Abstract :
Nuosu Yi clauses place the verb at the end, following its arguments. The main verb is often followed by a string of other verbs (directional and modal verbs) as well as unidentified elements. This paper demonstrates the ordering of these post-verbal particles in Nuosu Yi and also explores the particles’ properties and functions, including some patterns in discourse.
There are over thirty different particles that occur following the main verb. They cannot stand alone, but constrain the meaning of the proposition. They perform grammatical functions such as [ko33 ʂɯ34] ‘habitual aspect’, [ndzo21] ‘experiential aspect’, [dɯ21 lo34] ‘new information’, [di34] ‘reported speech’, and [ha34] ‘polite request’. Some of the particles express multiple meanings at the same time. For example, aspect particles can also carry meanings of intention. Future ideas often require particles showing the certainty or the source of the information. Dynamic perfect aspect marks main events in a discourse, while stative perfect marks backgrounded events in between the main events.
