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Similative and Equative Constructions: A cross-linguistic perspective
Edited by Yvonne Treis and Martine Vanhove
[Typological Studies in Language 117] 2017
► pp. 189–212

Chapter 7
Similative, equative, and comparative constructions in Beja (North-Cushitic)

This paper presents an overview of the morphosyntax of comparative, equative and similative constructions in Beja, a Cushitic language spoken in Sudan. It also discusses their relevance for current typological models and the extent to which they are at variance with the existing literature (Stassen 1985; Haspelmath & Buchholz 1998; Henkelmann 2006). The paper also proposes hypotheses regarding the origin of Beja comparative and similative morphemes, an issue which is problematic. A section is dedicated to the study of the extensions of the morphemes concerned to other functional domains, such as functives, pretence clauses, similes and accord clauses, causal and adverbial clauses, within the background of Creissels’s (2014) approach to the polysemy and multifunctionality of these markers. Comparisons with other Cushitic languages are also provided when necessary.

Keywords: Beja, similarity, comparison, grammaticalisation, typology
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Comparative constructions
    • 2.1Morphosyntax
    • 2.2Typology and origin
  • 3.Equative constructions
    • 3.1Morphosyntax of locative and “extent” constructions
    • 3.2Morphosyntax of similative-based constructions
    • 3.3Typology
  • 4.Similative constructions
    • 4.1The similative marker
      • 4.1.1Morphology
      • 4.1.2Syntax of similative phrases
      • 4.1.3 Syntax of similative clauses
      • 4.1.4Origin of the similative marker
    • 4.2The comparative strategy: Similative clauses
      • 4.2.1Morphosyntax
      • 4.2.2Typology
  • 5.Extensions of comparative, equative and similative constructions
    • 5.1Functive constructions (role phrases)
    • 5.2Pretence clauses
    • 5.3Similes and accord clauses
    • 5.4Adverbials
      • 5.4.1Adverbialiser
      • 5.4.2Causal adverbial clauses
      • 5.4.3Concessive adverbial clauses
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Published online: 31 May 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.117.08van
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