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Article published In:
Language and Linguistics
Vol. 20:4 (2019) ► pp.660–694

Negation in Longxi Qiang

| South China Normal University

Negation in Longxi Qiang shows distinctive features in comparison to other recorded Qiang varieties. The choice between the two negative prefixes /mí-/ and /mì-/ and the volition indicated by these two negative markers in Longxi Qiang are similar to those of negators pu31 and mei55 in Wenchuan Mandarin. To a large extent, pu31 corresponds to /mí-/ and mei55 corresponds to /mì-/. Moreover, two negative constructions with positive meaning in Wenchuan Mandarin are borrowed into Longxi Qiang. I believe that the development of a negation system similar to Wenchuan Mandarin in Longxi Qiang is not a coincidence; language contact is an important factor accounting for it.

Keywords: Qiang, Longxi, negation, language contact, superstratum influence
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The tonal system and tonal derivation rules of Longxi Qiang
    • 2.1Tonal dissimilation
      • 2.1.1Progressive dissimilation
      • 2.1.2Regressive dissimilation
    • 2.2Tonal assimilation
      • 2.2.1Progressive assimilation
      • 2.2.2Regressive assimilation
    • 2.3The decomposition of the low-rising tone
    • 2.4Tonal derivation rules of negation
      • 2.4.1Aktionsart in Longxi Qiang
      • 2.4.2Viewpoint aspect in Longxi Qiang
      • 2.4.3Negators /mí-/ and /mì-/ are two separate morphemes
        • a.Verb roots bearing low-rising or high-falling tone
        • b.Bisyllabic states and activities
        • c.Verb roots taking directional prefixes
  • 3.Scope of negation in Longxi Qiang
    • 3.1Nuclear negation
    • 3.2Core negation
    • 3.3Clausal negation
  • 4.Different verb types and their interaction with negators
    • 4.1States and their negative counterparts
    • 4.2Activities and their negative counterparts
    • 4.3Accomplishments and their negative counterparts
    • 4.4Achievements and their negative counterparts
    • 4.5Negation for continuative aspect
  • 5.Superstratum influence of Wenchuan Mandarin on Longxi Qiang
    • 5.1Negator pu31 for states and activities
    • 5.2Negation mei55 for accomplishments and achievements
    • 5.3Volition of negative markers
    • 5.4Negative forms indicating positive meaning
  • 6.Discussion
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at [email protected].

Published online: 24 October 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/lali.00053.zhe
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