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Article published In:
Studies in Language
Vol. 43:1 (2019) ► pp.195–230
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General converbs in Andi

ORCID logo | Linguistic Convergence Laboratory NRU HSE Moscow

This paper describes the semantic and morphosyntactic properties of general converb constructions in Andi, a language of the Avar-Andic group of the East Caucasian language family. There are two general converbs in Andi, both of which are homophonous with a finite verb form (the aorist and the perfect, respectively). There is a considerable functional overlap between the two converbs. Both can be used to render the first stage of a complex event. The perfect / converb can also specify manner. An additive particle lo often accompanies the perfect as converb, while a specialised particle lodːu appears with the aorist as converb. The situation in Andi is unusual, because the two converbs are functionally very similar and not opposed in terms of aspect. In addition, Andi seems to be the only East Caucasian language where a specialised particle (i.e. lodːu) is found in this type of converbal clauses.

Keywords: general converb, additive, Andi, East Caucasian
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Andi
    • 2.1Andi verbal morphology
      • 2.1.1Periphrastic and nonfinite forms
      • 2.1.2The perfect / general converb
  • 3.Perfect / General converb 1 (pst -dːu)
    • 3.1Resultative
    • 3.2Evidentiality
    • 3.3Preceding event
    • 3.4Cause
    • 3.5Manner and simultaneity
    • 3.6Clause chaining
  • 4.Aorist / General converb 2 (pst -ø)
    • 4.1Preceding event
    • 4.2Instrumental
    • 4.3Clause chaining
  • 5.The particles lodːu and lo
    • 5.1The aorist converb and lodːu
    • 5.2The perfect converb and lo
      • 5.2.1The additive lo and its functions in Andi
      • 5.2.2The additive in converbal clauses
    • 5.3The particles lo and lodu in Zilo
    • 5.4The function of particles in converbal clauses
    • 5.5The lo construction vs. the lodːu construction
  • 6.Conclusion
    • 6.1Semantics
    • 6.2Particles
    • 6.3General converbs in Andi and East Caucasian
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
  • Sources
Published online: 12 June 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/sl.18026.ver
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