GO, SAY, AND SIT: from verbs to adverbial suffixes. grammaticalization in two taracahitic languages (fam. uto-aztecan)

Abstract

This research addresses the grammaticalization of the verbs go, say, and sit in the Yaqui and Guarijio languages, belonging to the Taracahite branch of the Uto-Aztecan family (northwestern Mexico). It is shown that, in a remote state shared by these two languages, there were verbs with the full meaning of go, say, and sit; these verbs have followed different routes of grammaticalization until they become adverbial suffixes. From the synchronic study we can reconstruct the path of change that led these verbs to become adverbial suffixes, where Guarijio presents b) -mi / -po for purpose clauses, obligation clauses and future marker; a) -sa, to encode temporal and conditional relationships; and c) -ri for simultaneity and concessive clauses. On the other hand, Yaqui has a) -ma / -bo for purpose and imperative clauses; b) -sae for imperatives and absolutive adverbial clauses; and c) -ka(i) for simultaneity and causal clauses.

Keywords: grammaticalization, morphosyntax, Uto-Aztecan languages.