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Nominalization in Languages of the Americas
Edited by Roberto Zariquiey, Masayoshi Shibatani and David W. Fleck
[Typological Studies in Language 124] 2019
► pp. 363–390

Chapter 9
Life of =ti: Use and grammaticalization of a clausal nominalizer in Yurakaré

| University of Cologne | Australian National University
| Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Chinese University of Hong KongShenzhen

In this paper, we investigate the uses of the clausal nominalizer =ti in Yurakaré, a linguistic isolate spoken in Bolivia. Clauses nominalized with =ti can serve a variety of functions: filling an argument position, relativization, forming the complement of a complement-taking verb, and expressing adverbial modification. On the basis of synchronic spoken corpus data, we propose a grammaticalization path for =ti. We argue that its most plausible source is the demonstrative ati, thus suggesting that =ti is a demonstrative-based nominalizer. Further, we show that =ti has developed a range of insubordinate uses, indicating ‘intersubjective commitment’. We propose that from there, =ti is currently on its way toward becoming a stance marker, contrasting with other clause-final enclitics of Yurakaré.

Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 1.1Background on Yurakaré
    • 1.2Data
  • 2.Subordinating uses of =ti
    • 2.1=ti-marked clauses with argument function
    • 2.2=ti-marked clauses with relativizing function
    • 2.3=ti-marked clauses with complement function
    • 2.4=ti-marked clauses with adverbial function
    • 2.5Connection between subordinating uses
  • 3.The demonstrative ati as a possible source for =ti
  • 4.Insubordination of =ti
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Abbreviations
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 8 August 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/tsl.124.09gip
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