Abstract
Tariana, a North Arawak language from northwest Amazonia, has a complex system of serial verbs and a certain amount of verb compounding. Serial verbs in Tariana provide important evidence in favour of the existence of cross-linguistically valid defining properties of serial verbs. Verb serialisation and verb compounding are independent grammatical processes, each with a grammaticalisation path of its own, and with distinct functions. Their coexistence in one language is consistent with the principle of iconic motivation: the closer the elements are in surface structure, the more they are grammaticalised or lexicalised.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 469-497 |
| Number of pages | 29 |
| Journal | Studies in Language |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1999 |
| Externally published | Yes |